Sunday 8th February

Six start and got the fire going since it was chugging a little and it was pretty cold this morning.  I knew I was going to my student's this morning but it was worth it.  I started a new Stephanie Plum, Wolf Hall has bitten the dust and it might be proclaimed due to it's BBC serialisation but it's not for me.  Out of bed and on the computer and glanced up and noticed a slither of sun breaking through and managed to catch it and that's all we've seen of it all day.  I headed for the kitchen and bacon and egg was on the cards...I heard the bacon calling me from the fridge but despite my best efforts, I didn't manage to eat it without any egg yolk getting on the plate and it reminded me of how I used to tell the children that the pirates would get them if left tell tale signs that an egg had been devoured.  

Remembered to take the new red hat that I'd knitted for my student and I couldn't mention it earlier since she reads this.  It was very well received and her sister decided that she would be able to borrow it eventually but my student is hoping for snow tomorrow so that she can wear it and it is forecast.  Lunch was young beef with rice accompanied by mousaka and I felt really stuffed at the end of it.  At two we left and I dropped her off at the hairdressers where she also has her eyebrows trimmed and I was asked to view the operation but it sounds too painful for me.  They have a way of doing it with twisted strands of thread and I'll stick to tweezers.

Home for three, fire resuscitated and enough wood brought it for tomorrow just in case.  I topped up the coal bucket yesterday so ...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.  It's raining at the moment but when the temperature drops tonight...that could change the panorama somewhat so I'm going to draw the curtains tonight so that if it does snow...the brightness won't wake me up, not that I linger long in the mornings.  

Supper tonight was a lump of some new smoked local cheese that I managed to find in the supermarket yesterday....I think it might become a favourite.  Eight twenty and I'm going to carry on with a pair of fingerless mittens that will match the hat.  Let's hope they get done before spring arrives.  LN.....back to my knitting and to attend to the fire....LN

Haven't tried Wolf Hall, but have had a go at something of hers, and couldn't get on with it. So it is not just you. Daughter thinks she is good - so it just goes to show, everyone to their taste.  That's what the Old Woman said as she kissed the cow.

Monday 9th February

I watched the BBC Film Awards last night so had a really late night....the upside...I woke up at eight twenty this morning....The was a smattering of snow but it never really took off.  It's stayed at around zero most of the day.

Breakfast was bacon and egg sandwich which went down very well and I ate it catching up on my emails, facebook and daily mail sudoku and then got dressed to face the day.  I got rid of the rubbish in the burning pit and went to the little house to top up the wood supplies and then decided to tidy it up and clear some of the dust, bent nails that the men insist on keeping, get rid of the pumpkins that had started to go to mould and get all of the gardening bits together instead of being spread as and where they dropped.

I was working away and I noticed that my Avatar was knocking on my door and she brought round some freshly baked bread.  She came into the little house to look what I was doing and told me that it was too cold to be out and that I should be inside not out.  I moved inside and made a couple of sandwiches of the smoked cheese and thought it would be a nice touch to take her round some butter and some of the cheese.  She frowned as I handed them over....they only like giving and not receiving so I just smiled and told her to enjoy.

Back to the little house and finished off and the rubbish is in the wheelbarrow, the metal is all in one place and back to my house and I lit the fire atl five this evening.  I did a snow dance in the drive but to no avail....the rest of Bulgaria has snow...I have zilch.

I've had the boiler on and I'm about to go in the bath.  I feel like soaking the old bones and then down to the lounge with my latest book.  LN  and I'll be there with my weather update in the morning...LN

Tuesday 10th February

What a lovely bath I had last night emptying a packet of crackles that was a Christmas present from Princess .  I'd chugged up the boiler so that as soon as I'd emptied the first lot of hot out it was warming it up again.  I took a bottle of beer and my Kindle and I had to make sure that I stayed awake.  Finished at ten thirty, read in front of the fire for a half an hour and in to bed and slept the sleep of the dead.  Six thirty start this morning and the snow was falling but not enough to do any damage.  I looked at the internet forecast for today and it said that the wind would be increasing and by goodness, didn't it.

I've not done an awful lot today.  I went collecting the debris from the garden that the wind had removed from the burning pit.  I put the metal lid on it again and weighed it down with a huge chunk of wood and by the time that I'd finished my hands were frozen.  The temperature on the thermometer was only showing minus three but as for wind chill.  I went into the little house with the intention  of repairing the polythene that the wind had damaged from the porch but couldn't be bothered.  I got the feeling that as soon as I'd repaired it it would be gone again so I went back into the house and banked up the fire.

Finished the fingerless gloves today and watched some of the afternoon programmes on Filmon.  I normally don't like television but it was much too cold to do anything outside. The sunset was worth catching...it was the most I'd seen of the sun since dawn.  The wind is still howling and I'm hoping that everything is still standing in the morning.  LN....it's Pointless and Eggheads and then Stephanie Plum this evening.

Nothing on the agenda for tomorrow again..it's supposed to be minus six overnight so the curtains are all drawn to maintain the heat.  LN....it's time to pay attention to the curry and rice sitting on the petchka.  Supper time...LN

Wednesday 11th February

I have nothing hardly to report today.  I made a wonderful curry last night from the remains of the chicken and so this morning's first job was to tidy the kitchen and generally have a clear up.  I was awake at six and finished the kitchen by six fifteen so back to bed with a coffee and a book and watched the morning come to life.  It was blue, it was clear, not many clouds, a moon still shining and then....the sun headed over the mountain and my secondary central heating came to life.  There was a glimmer of fire this morning left over from last night so I'd got it going at the same time that the kettle was boiling and by golly was it gold outside.  The wind was still howling and the polythene on the little house has been well and truly decimated but it wasn't a day for doing repairs.

Breakfast was bacon and a couple of eggs on my Avatar's home made bread and after that it was down hill.  I filled up the logs containers, couldn't have a bonfire since I would probably have set Athens on fire the way the wind was blowing and settled into reading in my armchair in the stairwell where the temperature did get up to twenty two degrees.  I had a conversation with the Librarian and if the weather holds tomorrow we're off to Kardjali since there is an offer on wine boxes that we feel we have to take advantage of.  Five litres for just over seven lev seems a good bargain to me.  I also want to get some more coal...it's going to be cold in March and I only have one and a half bags left.

So a little reading this afternoon, a little knitting, a little television and that was the sum total today.  Gentle day apart from the atrociously cold winds.  LN...I shan't be too late tonight..I feel my bed calling already...LN

Thursday 12th February

Six thirty start and it was a dull one at that.  Coffee, back to b ed with a book and I lit the fire this morning even though I was heading out.  It was a c old one.  The wind was still galloping across the countryside and it was still raw as you like...or don't like.  

Librarian arrived at just after nine and we set off accordingly.  I stopped on the main road and picked up one of my neighbours and offered him a lift to Djebel and found that he was going to Kardjali to visit his son in hospital so he got a lift all the way.  He's one of the men that used to work on the road filling up the holes with soil that was dutifully removed as soon as it rained but he was very sweet and said that if I wanted help with anything just to let him know.  

So over to the first charity shop and I picked up a couple of sweaters, a felt hat, a polo neck insert and a couple of tee-shirts for the princely sum of three leva,  Today is the special day.  We moved on to Kaufland and got the five litre wine boxes for seven leva fifty and finished off at Lidl where the bacon had been reduced to just under one lev.  What a good day's shopping.  Back to Djebel for bread and back home for a late lunch of cold meats, potato salad, mine own pickled beetroot from the garden and smoked cheese.  A little beer and finished off with coffee and she set sail for home at just after four.

The weather did pick up this afternoon and eventually the sun came out but there was no heat in it.  Beautiful sunset and then to prepare supper which was was sweet and sour pork with pasta.  I'll soon be heading to bed, it's been quite a busy day one way and another.

I've an invitation to supper tomorrow at my student's parents house...they can't make it on Sunday and it fits in with my plans quite well.  The Librarian has been in her house seven years on Saturday so I'm going to help her celebrate the occasion and I'll stay overnight and follow it with a leisurely day...but it's all weather permitting.  LN...I hear my bed calling...LN  

Friday 13th February

That dreaded day when a decision has to be made whether to get out of bed or linger in the pit until it passes.  Fortunately I've never been bothered by Friday the 13th and it has come and gone and nothing untoward has happened so far but with one and a half hours to go and I'm safely ensconced in my abode...touch wood I've weathered the storm.  Just a quick Happy Birthday to my son......hope you have a special day.

Over to my Avatar's this morning to see if she wanted to go into Djebel and I said that I had work to do there and that I would pick her up at ten but at ten on the dot she was sitting on my bench by the door and had already opened the gates for me so that I could get the Beast out.  I heaved her up and in and got her into the seat belt and off we set for the post office which was first on the list for both of us,  I had one letter for the UK and she wanted to pay her utility bills.  We finished our business there and I went to the council to pay my house tax for the last two years and she toddled off to the bankomat, pick up a few things and I arranged to meet her in her nephew's shop in the centre of town,  My house tax for two years was forty leva and a few stotinki which roughly translates at the current exchange rate to nine pounds a year and back to the car and moved it down to central parking.  When I got to the meeting point I realised that she was surrounded by black bags of 'goodies' so I was back to the car and moved it to with ten meters of the shop which made more sense.  Home James, unloaded her and the shopping and left the Beast out knowing that I was out this evening.

Got two loads of washing done and dried, there was a heck of a breeze and the sun was shining and it was all in by three this afternoon.  I finished off the fingerless mittens for my student, showered and hair washed and ready to leave at just before six.  I stopped off and picked up chocolates, cakes a a small bottle of Mastica for her father and I was there for just after six.  Lovely evening, we were all stuffed to buggery with so much food knocking around and it was nice to spend time with the parents where normally they have chores to do and we end up working round each other.  I'd parked at the end of the road so they escorted me to the car to make sure that I was safe and I was home for ten more or less.  Minus two on the thermometer as I drove home so put the car in the garage for the night and lit the fire to keep the chill off even though it's not too chill without.

Poured a little beer, got rid of the emails, about to go downstairs and get out my book and curl up in bed.  Very restful day...LN

Saturday 14th February

Another Valentine's Day and how many disappointed people are there going to be today?  How many divorces, dreams shattered when another year has gone and they are still single.  Enjoy!!  You have complete control of the remote, nobody criticises how much you drink, eat or smoke and if you want a lazy day...you're in complete control of your own destiny.....Works for me...

Not sure if I'm going to get chance for an update tonight.  The Librarian is not the best for remembering passwords etc...so I'm not sure I'll be able to log in to her internet connection.  I'm setting sail in about half an hour...I'm just waiting for the washing that I did this morning to have a final blow before I bring it in and on to the airer.  Avatar came round this lunchtime clutching a bowl of homemade yogurt and caught me still in my PJ's.  She said that she had made it last night and I joked that she never seems to stop but this morning I was being a lazybones.

As for the weather....it went down to minus six overnight and I managed to get the fire going from last night's embers but it's out now.  The sun is out, the sky is blue and not a cloud in sight but the wind has that chill to it.  The plan this afternoon is to get out in the fresh air and go for a walk with the dogs...a little gentle exercise never did anyone any harm and I think a little arm lifting at the local restaurant might finish off the day.  No pictures...... far too early but there might be some from this afternoon if I get an internet connection tonight.  PV...have a good afternoon...might catch you later...

L

Sunday 15th February

As I suspected I couldn't get onto the internet connection last night at the Librarians since she has forgotten her password.  I think I tried anything that she might have chosen but to no avail.  We had supper at about five thirty and then made out way on foot down to the local watering hole which was about two kilometers away.  The night was cold but be were wrapped up well and down for a couple of glasses of wine, salad and cheesy chips and we walked home at about ten.  The stars were beautiful with no light pollution...we had a torch to make sure that we avoided the ridges and cowpats.....this is Bulgarian countryside....

Sat with another glass of wine and we were off to our virtuous couches by eleven.  I played a little Angry Birds but then went out until six thirty this morning....Up for coffee by seven or so, breakfast of kippers on bread and butter and we went into the local town so that I could fill up with fuel and I needed vanilla but could only find the powdered stuff not the liquid essence.

Dropped the Librarian off and was home for about one thirty.  Unpacked the car, lit the fire and got the wood in and decided that I had to renew the polythene in the little house since snow is forecast for tomorrow.  The day eventually brightened up as I hammered away replacing the old or missing polythene and I'd finished it by five....just in time to warm up on the bench for the Scotland-Wales game.    OK but not enthralling...fire is going, I've got fillet steak out for tonight's supper and tomorrow is a free day...nothing on the agenda.  I think I'm in to hand bag making...but it's going to be a prototype first...just don't want to cut into the suede until I'm sure what I want to do.

So seven thirty my time....I'm down to the kitchen to do something with the fillet or to do something to go with the fillet.  I'm posting a photo from a couple of days ago that my Avatar pointed out to me as we drove through the village and there have been no new captures since.  LN..I think I need to go make some photo opportunities in them there hills...LN  

Monday 16th February

So last night I had the fillet with onions as a toasted sandwich and it was delicious.  I headed for the bath after I'd let the meal go down somewhat and lingered until eleven last night and was thoroughly chilled mentally but not physically.  I've now got the hang of cranking up the boiler so that there is plenty to keep topping up the boiler.

I've been asked for ideas as to how the ice on the trees was formed.  I can only assume that the spring party froze and the unfrozen stuff was sprayed onto the trees and instantly froze.....I can't imagine anyone trying to be creative..they are all too busy.

Seven start this morning and it was a cold one and dull with it and that's the way that it's stayed all day.  The main fire was going but I got the little one going in the kitchen and I've had a really warm house all day since I had no intention of going out into the big wide world.  I had a little conversation over the internet with Princess and she's down with flu for the second time and at half term it's a bummer.  I suggested that she up the vitamin C...I got over mine quite quickly using that formula or it was the brandy that killed the bugs.  

Not a lot of activity today but I did make a superb vegetable soup, added the rest of the beef and added croutons.  I used sweet potato, leeks, onions, carrots and parsnips so that's my five for today.  There wasn't much of a photo opportunity which was just as well.  I've searched the house and had a quick look in the car but can't find my Sony.  I remember packing it to take with me to the Librarians but didn't take any photos so I'm at a loss as to where it is.  I've sent out a distress call for her to look around her place and I'll do a thorough search of the car tomorrow.  

So....the snow that was promised hasn't materialised but the sky is full of it and the temperature has risen so it might snow overnight.  The next few days are going to be exceptionally cold so I'll be burning old wood to keep the temperature up.  I'm going to say goodnight or LN....down into the warm with a little glass of the red stuff and a book,,,what could be nicer...LN