Tuesday 12th November

Thank you you lovely people for commenting on the photos.  I though it looked like the sky was on fire too but what a contrast this morning....I couldn't see the bottom of the garden, the fog was hanging heavy and everything was drenched.  

Picked up the men as per normal and the third man was here and I though his task for the day was to chop the wood and get it all stacked away.  The next thing Bekir was heaving the axe and the boy was just stacking.  Sally was still sticking his stuff on the walls and making a super job of it and so I left them to it.  The Librarian arrived at about eleven and off we set for Kardjali.  She had bits to do and so did I like getting another three bags of coal to see me through the winter, stock up on some canned beans and things from Lidl and top up my account that pays for my water and electricity.  So I went into the bank to see my 'personal' assistant and asked her how the account was doing.  Now I only keep this one specifically for paying the two bills and she looked it up and when it came up on the screen she started laughing.  There was two leva in the account....and so the gods are working for me yet again jolting me into doing the essential so I handed over some money as working funds....if I'd not have bothered I would probably have come back from England to no electricity, they'd have cut me off....the water would have gone back to manual payments and would have just mounted up.

Had lunch in town at a 'cantina' and still full so there'll be nothing for me tonight.  Made coffee for the boys and then we've had a succession of 'villagers' coming round for a 'chat' and I think to top it all....a couple of them came round in a car and proceeded to ask Bekir to look at a chainsaw that they had just bought and couldn't get to work.  I am a repair yard for tractors, all machinery that's either broken or hasn't worked for years and I'm providing the labour.  Must get me a sign made and work out a list of charges for services rendered.  I even think someone saw me sneak in with one hundred and twenty sachets of Turkish three-in-one coffee and news has got round that I want to finish them before they go out of date.  I'm a grumps today.

So got them home....back home to a beautiful warm house...staying off the 'sauce' tonight and about to load some more books on to the Kindle.  I've just run out of good authors to read or need to dig some out from the CD that I have.  The last couple of books I've read did nothing for me at all but unfortunately I keep going thinking they'll get better and could kick myself when I get to the end and they didn't.  LN...let's go hunt...LN....

Wednesday 13th November

I've given up this no drinking lark.  I abstained last night, put the light out at eleven after reading for a while and ...nothing.  The light went on again and I read until one...off went the light and I eventually dropped off but was in one of these recurring dreams where you can't break out of it and at five on went the light...read for a while and then got my head down until just before seven.   I've just had my first red wine...I'm not going through that again...

So off for the men, into their shop and picked up a loaf of bread which Sally immediately told me to put down and suggested one of the others and I dutifully obeyed.  Back to the house and then I was off to Djebel to post a birthday card, pick up some silicon for a small leak in the roof or so I'm told, chatted to my student's mum for a while and she was over the moon that her son had actually communicated that he had seen me in Kardjali when I was having lunch.  I think she was surprised that he had told her something of his life...typical teenager.

Sally was titivating my columns when I got back.  He'd done the half going down to the lane yesterday and I'd mentioned that now the one lot is done the first ones to be done should look the same...so he had.  Bekir was putting the ironwork into the wall capping and when I got back Sally was going for the big guns with the cement for the wall top.  He mixed, barrowed it, Bekir administered it to the said wooden moulds and I got stuck into clearing the garden of the remains of the cherry tree that was felled on Sunday.  I'd mentioned coffee but Bekir refused...it was concreting all the way so when they put their buckets and spades away for the day....I came out with the red wine...well it was ten after five so I thought it was time the children play.  Took them home and Sally said that the wine had done the trick, before we left though I put in a spare rib pork chop and some roast potatoes, slathering the chop with my sweet and sour barbecue sauce and I'm about to put this beauty to bed and investigate the aroma from the kitchen.  Yes...just checked, it's ready to serve.  And it's served.  LN...I have a plate to clear...LN

Thursday 14th November

Silly o'clock and yet again....new book is opening up nicely and it's the first of many in the series...chappie called Butcher and it's about a wizard....absolutely wizard...   Three thirty start and tried twice to get the book and the head down but it didn't work but maybe that winter for you.  I think it's because I still have a lot going on with the wall and the sideline stuff and I'm sick of making decisions this year....it's been a hard slog.

So out for the men early, Bekir gets in clutching a bag of mushrooms and one of grapes and it's almost like the little lad who goes scrumping.  Having said that he bought the grapes from the shop and told me they were 'scupo' (expensive) but the mushrooms he'd collected that morning.  Now I challenged him on this one and reminded him that there were old ladies in the village living on pensions and he was depriving them of an income by not leaving them for the needy.  He reminded me that most of those don't want to work and that he was prepared to do anything to earn money.  I went back to my driving and never said a word until we got home.

First job for Bekir was to confirm that the chimney is OK for the winter and OK it is.  Pipes out and cleaned and he managed to get his arm up and clear the debris from the little fire in the kitchen and then went up on the roof and made sure that all is well.  I feel much happier now.  I made him stay up there for a photoshoot but couldn't get him to wear the red hat and the false beard I'd provided and yes....I jest.

I don't know how my day got underway but somehow I got the carpets up in the hall to clean underneath while I was cleaning up round the woodburner and then I remembered the white emulsion paint that I had upstairs and now my hall is done, the kitchen and the bathroom get done tomorrow. everything back as it should be and I'm all clean for the winter.  I was using a paint brush in the absence of a roller but Sally found one really large brush which I managed to stick on a broom stick and could do the ceiling form ground level...Result ...no balancing on table tops.  I eventually got the technique of loading the brush and getting it on the ceiling and not all over the floor....and now I'm the expert.  I did say that if Sally couldn't find anything to do outside he was more than welcome to take the job off my hands but they found plenty to do.  The rest of my wall now has capping...the columns have hats, one of the gates is hung on the new post and the concrete between the posts is going off tonight.  

Men home, went into Djebel to get the fuel topped up and there was a police block stopping everyone for boot checks.  The other policeman recognised me and told me to go, not even bothering to check me out.  So a little beer tonight to see if that will do the trick where abstinence or one glass of wine did nothing for my nocturnal eventing.  LN....my fire needs a log putting on it...LN.

Friday 15th December

Two o'clock this morning but I was able to get my head down after an hour in a book until seven so perhaps that the way it's going to be for a while.  A sudden thought came to be though...if I separate my big curtain into its original form I can get it in the washing machine in two goes and stitch it back up again....solves the problem of me having to have it dry cleaned or find someone with a big enough washing machine...like the local hotel.

It was a pea souper this morning but according to Sally yesterday it was going to be sunshine...not much hope of that...it was raining and even the rain didn't wash away the fog and it looked like it was set in for the day.  So turning the corner into the lane that goes to their village I was flagged down by one of the men working on a renovation near to the men's restaurant.  He got in and it suddenly hit me that not only was I picking up two but I was dropping one off for work...so the familiar greeting is 'kak si? or 'how are you?' which in my book got turned into 'taxi ne kak si'.....well it amused the men.

So on the cards for today was the door to the new workshop which has been done, the second gate hung and the drive made into something that resembles one.  The final column has been completed but I felt so sorry for them this morning since it had dropped to two degrees that I even cooked them some lunch so that they would have something warm inside them.  They had a spicy sausage and chicken wings done in the oven and I delivered it on the dot of twelve thirty.  I think it raised their spirits but they soon fell again when they went back to working outside.  

Bekir received a telephone call to say that the windows for the workshop would be here in thirty minutes and I was upstairs when I heard the van pull up.  I looked out and yes, there were windows on it but they were mid brown not the brown of the rest of the windows in the two houses so I was prepared when I got downstairs.  Bekir and Sally knew and all I had to do was tell the windowman, sorry, not acceptable so the new ones will be delivered the week after next...apparently they had run out of the dark brown....worth a try I suppose.  Finale today was to move the remaining twelve bags of cement into the house for the winter but I upset them yet again by asking them if they could put up the door shield to stop the snow piling up against the entrance door and fortified with a glass of red wine each while they were eating my walnuts, they looked at each other ....and then it was done.  

Home James...they are able to work the week after next since they have 'homework' to do and I have a guest.  I paid them off for this week...if the weather suddenly closes in, it could be next year before I see them again.  Only a couple of things outstanding from my this year's list and one I can finish tomorrow and no need for the other to be done.  Fire has been going all day today and the house is toasty and warm.  The curtains are washed, ironed and dried and will be joined tomorrow morning and rehung....supper was fish fingers and chippies since the men had my chicken wings and sausage and I'm now going for the second glass of beer.  Tough life egh...LN....I'm back to the fire and my book....LN

Saturday 16th November

Silly start but I'm getting used to them now and I feel it's the pattern I've got to break slowly.  What a frustrating day and it started off so well.  The curtains that I washed yesterday I decided to hang them and guess what...the blasted things were about four inches short...they'd shrunk in the wash.  Now fortunately there is a added 'bit' that was double so I could unpick that and make it singe and there wouldn't have been a problem but when I measured one of them had shrunk more that the other so I decided to go and play outside...it was more than my brain could handle.

Brought most of the logs that weren't split into the little house so that they would dry out inside.  Cleared up the porch area and put a new sill under the mat so come the snow it doesn't get awash...swept the yard and got in the wood.  And then the main focus was to board up the gap in the third bedroom where the loft ladder hadn't been fitted.  I'm tired of flies dive bombing me when I'm on the computer at night and that's the only place that they could come through...bastards.  What a professional job...who needs workmen!!

So back to the curtain  and I've decided to leave it until tomorrow.  Supper is in...port chops with hasselback potatoes should be ready soon.  Lovely moon tonight and it seemed to rise early before the dark pink glow of evening really descended.   So almost six thirty my time....kitchen calls...I can smell the pork and now's the time for the sweet and sour topping.  A little drink might be in order....I've had a good day...LN

Sunday 17th November

Remembering my sister...it would have been her birthday today and fondest thoughts to her three children....the eldest of which arrives on Tuesday for a few days.

Well five thirty start so not too bad.  Read for a while, coffee at seven and onto the computer finishing yesterday's Daily Mail sudoku...and what a little beastie that was.  Showered, shampooed and ready at nine thirty for an early start on the day.  I have my student this morning but will have to explain that no food for me today, I have my 'baby party' where they pin the lev notes on the child and display the presents.  It is Remsier's great grand-daughter I think and I believe my role is official photographer.  But back to my student.  

Today I was shown another custom...The Day of Ashure is an important day in the Muslim year.  Ashure (in Turkish: Aşure) or Noah's Pudding is a Turkish dessert that is made of a mixture consisting of grains, fruits and nuts. It is served during the first month of the Islamic calendar, Muharram, on the Tenth of Muharrem, or the Day of Ashure. "Ashura" means "tenth" in Arabic. In anecdotal history, it is claimed that when Noah's Ark came to rest on Mount Ararat in northeastern Turkey, Noah's family celebrated with a special dish. Since their supplies were nearly exhausted, what was left (primarily grains, dried fruits and the like) was cooked together to form a pudding and my student's sister prepared it for us.  Ours had chickpeas, rice, haricot beans, walnuts, honey, milk and was topped off with pomegranate seeds.  Not the easiest to digest but considering that was probably all that Noah had left...it was food.

Now on to the baby party held at the local restaurant above the supermarket.  My neighbours had arrived via coach and were already seated when I got there along with another forty or fifty people.  A few others I recognised from the husband's village and from the wedding celebration I went to earlier in the year.  The little girl was seven months old and was paraded to the guests.  The baby clothes were pinned on to sheets and shown to the audience and then the little one was sat up and the money just started rolling in.  Mother stashed the loot in the handbag and we sat down to soup and chicken leg with rice with a slice of cake to follow.  Water or cola to wash it down and then everyone who had arrived by bus set off home, my car was in the carpark so I had a few minutes with my other student in his parent's shop where he was earning his keep while they'd gone shopping and then home.  

Sat out in the sun reading after I'd lit the fire.  There was frost on them there fields this morning and it looks like it could be a cold one again.  No men in the morning but a complete house clean tomorrow...my guest arrives on Tuesday and I think I may have already taken another booking....for a few days the following week....Christmas in the UK will be for a rest....LN...no food, I'm stuffed....might just manage a beer or a little mastica...LN

Monday 18th November

Up and about this morning and the house was the main priority but I've interspersed the cleaning with a few games on the computer, washing, a bonfire and generally just enjoying the day but what a mare of a morning.  You know that I took down the hall curtain and washed it in two halves because it was too big for the washing machine, well the thing shrunk and when I came to hang it, it was about four inches off the floor.  Well it looked OK but didn't do what it was supposed to.  It's to stop the hot air from the fire travelling up to the top landing especially when it's minus goodness knows what out there.  So I've rejigged it...taken the double bottom section off and made it single and reattached.  Guess what....I'd only sewn it on the wrong way so out with my vegetable peeler knife and unpicked it double sharpish, restitched it and rehung it....what a bastard but it did make me chuckle.  I think the older you get you can let yourself get away with 'errors' and spend time putting it right without getting angry or beating yourself up for getting it wrong in the first place.

So, it's a nice feeling when the house is all ready for guests.  I have taken another booking...well not exactly a booking but a friend is coming over for a few days leaving next Tuesday.  On Saturday it's one out and one in.... and that should be fun on the change over.  One on the six a.m. Kardjali to Sofia bus and then drive to Plovdiv for eleven thirty.

Beautiful day today.  White over this morning but as the sun came up and warmed it up, the mist collected in the valleys and when that had burnt off it turned into a very warm winter's day.  I sat out on the terrace and read for a while....no men to worry about...no decisions to make ...just a very easy day.

Tomorrow the Beast is off for his winter check over, Beauty has already been done.  I'll head off for Kardjali by about three and my guest should be on the bus and arriving any time after that.  I need a few things from Billa or Lidl just to top up the fridge but on the whole most is safely gathered in.  I'm looking forward to having my nephew here...we need to get to know each other again...it's been a while since we spent time together.  His intention was to get the mountain bike out but I recommended that he left the lycra at home for this time.  You're probably better off wearing shin pads with the stray dogs around here or having ready to launch bangers in your pocket.  Well it will be his first time in Bulgaria and five days as a taster is about right.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some sun.  

Fire crackling, central heating has just made it round for the first time...little drink on the go and I'm putting my toys away namely hoover, duster and mop.  LN...it's been a good day....and what a beautiful full moon it is tonight...LN

Tuesday 19th November

So this morning the housework that I thought I'd finished yesterday sprung to life.  I noticed the bathroom tiles were a little bit jaded with soot from the chimney and you know what it's like...once you start you have to finish and I did.  My next task...I foolishly decided to clean the huge landing windows with my new trusty extending window cleaner thingy....I think I made more of a mess of them that the whole of one winter and summer had done but after much swearing...they're as good as they're going to be until the mood takes me again.

Went to start up the Beast to take it in this morning for a health check and there was nothing healthy about it....batteries as flat as the proverbial so no go.  I toyed with the idea of getting the garage out but CBA...it can wait for another day...Beauty can handle all that I can throw at her.

Goulljan came round this afternoon just before I was setting off for Kardjali to pick up my nephew...we chatted for a while and explored the idea of setting up and English Speaking club and she's going to ask around so that we can make it official....and then into the car, I took her home and had five minutes with her mother and a wheelbarrow....entertaining stuff.

As for the bus down from Sofia...I got a message to say that the eagle had landed so I did my bit and flew to Kardjali and waited for a red mini-bus and a guy with a red jacket....and I recognised him immediately.  We've spent the last few hours jawing and catching up and he's brought me over Elton John's newest CD in memory of the fact that I was the first to introduce him to Elton John.  The world...full circle.  

Enough for tonight...no pictures....we have a bottle of beer to finish and loads more catching up to do....LN

Wednesday 20th November

Sorry...last night sounded very rushed and it was.  I think the first time that someone stays with you you want to give them your undivided attention...and I did.  We had a lot of catching up to do.  I hadn't seen him since, his mother's, my sister's funeral and with the best will in the world...you promise to stay in touch and you do via FB but it's not like...staying in touch.

Well I can write this...he's still sleeping but remember we are two hours on.  His friends on FB have joked about pickpockets in BG so I've just posted that I've been through his pockets already while he's still getting extra zzzz's in.  Nuffin for nobody...I've had it already...

Weathers not brilliant this morning.  Little bit of rain coming down but not enough to stop us doing anything...that's if he gets out of bed.  New Elton CD playing while I'm doing the update....I'll let you know...Breakfast calls...I can't wait much longer.. ....PD

Thursday 21st November

Sorry for the lack of update yesterday...we got carried away, ate late and talked even later.  Quick update on yesterday...the Librarian had a problem with some 'stuff' that was being brought over from China and was running into the same issues that I had when my Kindle arrived from America....Bulgarian import duty.  Off to Kardjali we went...found the solution and the parcel will be delivered in the next few days....result.  Unfortunately the weather wasn't too kind but it looks like it could be a better day today...so let's see what we can plan...when he wakes up.

Great big front over Turkey and Greece and let's hope it stays there.  There were distant flashes of lightening both last night and again this morning but no rumble of thunder so it seems to be contained.  Out with the camera this morning...I wanted to catch the dawn so that I can show my nephew what he missed...I'm nice like that.....I promise to update as to what we eventually get up to for the rest of the day....