Sunday 1st June

My first night in my upstairs bedroom and what a lovely night's sleep I had.  I'd forgotten what a good mattress felt like and with a five footer there's so much more room to spread.  Six o'clock when I came too and I can see the clock on the landing from my bed without glasses and realised that I could turn over and it was seven when I eventually felt the need to get a coffee.  It wasn't so good to wake up to.  It had rained again in the night and was still raining when I went out on to the balcony to view the estate and take stock of the morning but I soon came in and struck up the pc to see what the world had to offer and as it turned out, not a lot.

Decided to print out the photos that my student's mother had asked me to do and I took the two photos of her parents and put them together and framed them for her.  The father's photo was taken when he'd been in the army for only six weeks and it was quite poignant.  It was of his parents and his younger brother but unfortunately the brother died but to capture them all together in their youth was worth printing up.  I'd also cropped and enlarged the one taken in the army so that their faces were really showing their emotions....and when the photos were handed over there were tears from all the recipients.   Don't you hate it when that happens...   Came out of the gate today and looked towards where I normally park my car on the outside and it wasn't there.....Because I'd been concentrating on heading down to my Avatar's house to deliver a photo for her I'd not engaged my brain and yes...my car was in the drive where I'd left it...doh.

My lesson today consisted of discussing the world problems and it's enlightening for them to have a different point of view.  We discussed  Mr Farage and the English stand on Europe and talked about the contributions made by Spain, Greece and Portugal to name just a few...and with Bulgaria going with the GERP party for what it's worth.  After all this is Europe we're talking about.  Lunch at their was chicken wings with various salads and the older daughter had made a layer cake with strawberries from the garden and it was delicious.  The father is still going through the pangs from his operation and I know we shouldn't laugh but we really can't help it.

Left at about four and home for about four forty five after stopping off at the supermarket and collecting essential supplies like a wine box and some beer....pork steaks and spicy sausage but I don't think I shall be spending long in the kitchen after what we put away at lunchtime with some lovely new potatoes from their garden.  We still received several visitors to see the invalid and it's out with the chocolates and on with the coffee for all guests.  Nice touch...

Ticking towards seven my time.  I lit the fire when I got back and now the temperature of the house is about right but goodness it's cold for this time of year....what has happened to Europe's weather?  As I said, no supper for me but the winebox is open...and that could spell disaster....Acknowledgement received from the recipient of the poppy picture...I believe she's heading this way someday...it would be nice if it were sooner rather than later....LN.....I have things to do but then out with the book and relax.....and I have to post pictures on a new posting....all to do with the software I use...LN

Tuesday 2nd June

I decided to have a bath last night and soak away my cares and woes and what did I wake up to  at two this morning....lying in cold water but clean as the proverbial whistle...And this morning?   You've guessed...rain again...this is Bulgaria now bugger off...  It came down in buckets until about five this afternoon so I went out and did some clearing and moved the concrete pole that has been bugging me for a while now.  The buys looked at it and thought that they needed at least three people to move it and to move it to the bottom of the garden they probably do but to move it so that I can put Beauty under the tree and not bash the tyres on a concrete post...jobs a guddun so to speak.

As for this morning...I set to and cleaned everything that stood still and saluted everything that moved...and not a lot moved.  The house is now cleaned to accept guests and it's not for their benefit...it's for mine believe me.  The only job left to do is to empty the toilet waste bins and what's the point since there will be an accumulation tomorrow...so job left for tomorrow.  Floors all done, windows were given a miss since the rain will insist on coming down and all I have to do is collect from Kardjali at the allotted hour and that can be any time dependent on easyJet and the speed of delivery of the luggage on the carousel.  

As I said..the rain came down this morning while I was doing my Cinderella routine and out came the sun at about five.  Out I went, had about a couple of hours doing 'stuff'.  Came in and started supper which was to fry off some pork fillet that I'd thawed out, fried off thinly sliced onions and potatoes and with a good dollup of mayo and tomato sauce supper was ready in quick sticks and was delicious.  

The sky's not sure what it wants to so.  It has now clouded over again and it looks like rain and the forecast says that we have this crap weather for the next two weeks.....I'm going to find me a place in the sun......Turkey seems like a cool choice...or a hot choice.  I've finished the Sand Queen and I have no comments to make....it needed an ending and didn't have one.  I'm now back to Mr Rutherford and his New Forest....I'll let you know.

So I've a little red Merlot on the go....no fire tonight but I'm thinking that I should have lit it since the temperature had dropped as has the cloud base.  I'll persevere and suffer for my art.....little to do tomorrow except clear up the weeds that I've dropped everywhere today and get a really good bonfire going.  LN...sleep well all you good people....and I'm hoping that the sun starts to shine on the righteous....LN

Tuesday 3rd June

Six o'clock start and there was a hint of sun all be it hidden by the morning mist....and it shone...eventually.  Finished most of my list but realised that the quilt cover I had for the single quilt was on my headboard on my bed so out with the sewing machine and by seven thirty this morning I had a new cover made out of one of the white sheets that came with a set.  Downstairs guest bedroom finished, towels in place, toilet and kitchen rubbish burning...bring them on.  

Had a shower and washed my hair and even had time to do my nails before I set off at just after one.  I'd already loaded the plastic bottles for the garage to recycle and the bottles for the bank into the car and so I delivered the plastic bottles to the shop and stayed talking to my student's mother for about an hour.  Went into my first supermarket and filled up with bottled fruit and some plants that were desparately in need of a new home.  From there I went to get a pair of black shoes like the ones that I bought the other day for fifteen leva and then over to the bus station to pick up my guest.  I got a text saying that the bus was experiencing problems but they were still moving and a little later a second text to say that he was sitting in the cafe.... I joined him for a coffee and over to Lidl to get in a few provisions, back to Djebel for the bread and mayonnaise and then home sweet home,  Unpacked the car, plants into a water bath, trout with lemon in the over while we sat outside having a mastica while I sliced the beans and peeled potatoes.  Supper was delicious and to follow peaches with yogurt for the health concious and I had cream with mine.....A little more mastica to follow...he's unpacked and the settled, the fish bones are being consumed by yet another fire and the sun came out to say goodnight.  LN...let's hope the good weather comes back for another day...LN

Wednesday 4th June

I was awake at four hearing my guest go to the loo and again at six  when the light began.  I'd say the sun began to rise but it didn't and never did all day.  What utter crud weather all day...rain in the morning. rain in the afternoon and it's still raining now.  My down pipes from the guttering are creating pools of water and I'm expecting tadpoles any day soon and I know someone has stolen my mountains and believe, they will pay....

As for the rest of the day...I have been upgraded from XP to Windows 7 and there hasn't been a hair turned.  I got a little stressed at one point but that's situation normal for me with my ex in residence.....we can't live with each other but at least we acknowledge it....   Breakfast was tomatoes on toast, lunch was cold meats with my beetroot and onion preserve and supper was roast chicken with jacket potatoes, peas and carrots....and it's early days...the novelty for being a domestic goddess will wear off as my friends know....

As for tomorrow...I'm on my knees as we speak facing Mecca for good weather.  I have gardening to do and he has to go measure up wood and go woodworking...I have the list ready chiselled in stone and woe betide him if some of it isn't achieved by the end of the first week...I'm a hard task master.

As for the weather....it's till not nice....I'm going back to my wine box and the box of chocolate biscuits...LN

Thursday 5th June

Seven start which was good for me.  It was a little chilly though this morning and try as it might it took ages for the sun to make an appearance but it was short lived.  The mist was hanging in the valley but the mountains had been hidden from view....so much for summer and I know that I'm going on about it...but it's not what we expect.

Anyway on to better things.....I decided to move more of the soil from my Zinnia bed and the tomb garden and stick in down the side garden nearest the sheep field.  Out with the trusty rake and the wheelbarrow, moved it around a bit and the tomb garden is beginning to take shape at long last.  It's all because we moved the boundary....it needs a bit of creative thought and slowly but surely it's coming round.  I really need to drop the level and take away the bank that was there and I suppose you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs or so they say.

So the fun and games today.  I was working away and a helicopter came very close to my perimeter fence, shot off towards Momchilgrad and I thought that was the last we had seen of it and not a camera within striking range.  Ever hopeful I went and got both of them and went back to working and was rewarded.  We were well and truly sprayed but I don't know what we're now protected against.  A couple of years ago it was to rid us of Colorado beetle that had infested the tobacco crops but this year I've only seen them in the allotment next to me on the potatoes and none in my garden.  My usual hand spray is called Attaka and by golly does that work.  One thing I found out about them though is that they are laid the previous autumn and over winter in the soil.  I must have taken adequate precautions last year.  Excitement over... it set off for Kardjali so I took to digging up dandelion roots using a new technique that appears to work but it could be down to the fact that the soil is waterlogged.  I think the record for the root was just over a foot long but I didn't record the happy scene...I put them straight on the bonfire but I think they'll need ignition again tomorrow...everything's pretty damp.

Supper was the remains of last night's chicken in curry sauce.  I got out my new jars of lime pickle and mango chutney hand delivered by my guest but I shan't tell future guests about it...the lime pickle has to last a year or thereabouts.  Beer out, washing up done, fire going gently to keep out the damp...LN....my glass is empty and the curry needs a gentle push down...LN

Amazing pictures of the helicopter Elsa. Hope the weather gets better there soon, all it does is rain here at the moment and expecting thunder and hail tomorrow,  what joy! That wall you built should keep the cows out now and the garden looks like its coming on lovely. Take care. Sarah.

My word the place is looking absolutely awesome! I can hardly wait till we are over and will be sure to plague you with multiple visits!

Friday 6th June

Thanks Sarah and not long now before you see the real thing...as for you my lovely Bob..bugger off and stop threatening me....

Glimmer of sun this morning and it has been a day of variances.  I was out there this morning and generally ended up as dog's body to my guest as we argued about how I wanted my new headboards for the third bedroom to look.  He has fixed ideas and so do I but I pull rank on 'it's my house' and rest my case.  The designs are done in power-point and we'll see how alike the original conception they turn out to be.  Now as for me....it could be designed on the back of a cigarette packet and the design becomes moderated as I hit obstacles....not so with this man but I'm sure I'll get what I want with  the sword of Damacles hovering!!

In for a late lunch and I was out there again clearing up the rest of the scythed grass andthrowing it over the fence for the animals and generally clearing so that lawnmowing would be a joyous occasion.  My guest took over the easy bit throwing the lawnmower around and I went back to taking out the bindweed from the bottom garden and clearing the crap so that I could plant up some more seeds that are supposed to be...spread, rake and water...and there is supposed to be a million and one different seeds in the box to give me a beautiful looking display....let's wait and see.  I spread, raked and watered...I expect miracles by morning...

So as we sat out with a beer and six I noticed that the sparrows were having a field day in one of the newly covered grass patches and dusting themselves off and some were even feeding young at the same time.  The bonfire was recognised as being a good spot for bread and the likes and then back to the covered area.  We must have sat there for about thirty minutes watching them until supper was calling which was a mixture of last night's curry, with a few additives turning it into fodder for the troops.

Gouldjan came round tonight apologising that she hadn't delivered the home-made yogurt I'd requested from her mother and assuring me that it will be arriving by second post tomorrow...ie after ten when she manages to raise her weary head.  I also think that I have offered to take her to the UK for a holiday in September/October.....and I would ask...why do I do it but she deserves it...she is a good friend.

Nothing planed for tomorrow...we'll see what tomorrow brings weather wise....nothing is particularly good at the moment but having said that, the thunderstorms promised for today never happened.  So the beer is all gone...we've now moved on to a glass of Mastica and at just after nine thirty it's getting time for Angry Birds or my book....LN...I think I'll let the Mastica decided...LN

Saturday 7th June

Such a beautiful sunrise...well worth waking up for and just had to be captured.  We have had such a dirth of mornings like this....maybe we're back on target.

Angry birds for breakfast, played computers for a while and then into breakfast from the mobile shop.  He tooted his horn and I realised I was out of bread but he had 'tout manic' if that's how you spell it and I bet it's no, but it's bread with white and yellow cheese in it during the baking process and it is delicious and straight from the factory along with the bread.  Waiting at the van my neighbour came out with the chocolate cakes and so pudding for breakfast was sharing it with my guest as we sat with coffee on the terrace and no cooking this morning....Gouldjan's mum brought the yogurt round saying that she thought the delivery person deserved to linger in her bed....namely her daughter.  We sat and had a coffee in the lounge and exchange is no robbery so she accepted one of my garden plants for her yogurt and wouldn't take a stotinki.  She did admire one of my pot plants so next time I'm in Djebel I'll get her one.

Got some washing on the go since the sun was shining and out to the garden to clean up the Frog garden and did some more digging on the new top garden.  Emula came round this afternoon and told me the story of the pregnant cow that went out into the forest and came back not pregnant and without calf and no one knows where it's cone.  I think they've done the search but to no avail.  The lawnmower has been thrown around some more and the garden is looking good.  Another day on it and then we start again...bit like the painting of the Forth Bridge.  

Watched the starling bouncing up and down on the electricity cables and boy did they go for it.  At one point it was entirely covered but by the time I got the camera most of them had found somewhere else to settle.  Into Djebel this evening to get beer and some chicken wings for supper and we had it with onions and potatoes in one great pot and we fought over who got the last one.  Out came the yogurt with plums and banana and I must say Ms Guldjan knows how to make yogurt.  A little beer on the go with Neil Diamond singing his little heart out.  It's been a good day..LN and let's hope for good weather tomorrow...LN