Sunday 1st February

Well it's been a heck of a day weather wise throughout Bulgaria.  We have cities flooded, roofs have been removed from houses and everything is awash.  I was reading in bed this morning with my latest Kindle with the backlight and suddenly I was in the dark but could still read so no problem.  The electricity came on again, went off again, came on and went off and at ten it went off and only came on at six tonight...so a whole day without it.  

I got a call from Gouldjan to say that she didn't want to go into Djebel this morning with me and I was in two minds whether to risk it or not but since I didn't go last week I felt that I needed to go.  It was wild this morning.  Gale force winds, torrential rain, my garden flooded but fortunately the house is much higher that the garden so I didn't have the problems that others have had.  Got the Beast out and found that there had been a landslide on the main road before Djebel and I just managed to get through.  I didn't bother driving up to the house but left it parked on the side road.  After the fiasco of last week at the Librarians I didn't want to get stuck again.

We had lunch and their electricity was on and off and they were trying to watch the funeral of the first president after communism.  He's supposed to be the only one that wasn't corrupt and that says a lot for the others.  I left just before two.  I was worried about the sliding bank and whether I would get back or not so made my apologies and left.  On the way back there were lots of cars stopped on the bridge and people were watching the river.  This one is normally a trickle but it was raging and bringing lots of debris down with it and where was my camera...yes at home.  

Put the car away and when I got into the house I realised the electricity was still off so lit the fire in the kitchen since without electricity to run the pump I can't light the biggie.  Read until the light was fading and found a little lamp so that I could use the old Kindle, the new battery had given up the ghost and at last is charging.  

So want to get this done just in case the power goes off again.  I've remembered to change the timer clock on the boiler so that I get it at cheap rate.  Dramatic sunset tonight and one and almost two complete rainbows but I realised that I wouldn't be able to get it all in even if I did go outside.  Please, please let that be the end of it...and I'm sending thoughts out to those who are really up the creek without a paddle...may they be safe.....LN

Monday 2nd February

So I've just lost all that I typed up and so to start again...don't you hate it when Google fluffs up.

Just before eight start and watched the morning breaking.  I knew it wouldn't last long though..there was a cloud base and it looked like it might be staying.  Breakfast was a cheese omelette...I've got so many eggs that I need to use them up and I was set up for the day.  Thought about going into Djebel to take photos of the horrendous flowing river apparently bring down sheep, cows and trees but instead my attention was drawn to my Gaudi fence which had not survived the winds.

My intention was to haul it up to an upright position but without a small army of followers this wasn't an option so it was a dismantle and reconstruct job and I got out my Gaudi plans.  Well into my reconstruct when my Avatar appeared clutching her knitting and she wanted to see if she had made my slipper socks big enough and she hadn't so more to do and out with the whip.  I've watch local people knit before and the speed amazes me.  Wool round back of neck, use left thumb for tension and a quick flick with the right thumb and another stitch bites the dust. So I tried it, we laughed, I said that it was impossible and I'm going to practice...nothing ventured nothing gained so to speak.

Finished the fence in Gaudi terms a success, tools away, fire lit with the old wood from two years ago and it was superb.  Not into supper but I've got a little glass of something in my hand and I might work up to a kitchen escapade later.  Tomorrow I'm off to the Librarians to get my supplies from her market....and now....relax and I've got that feeling that you get when you've had a day on the beach...the weather was just so gorgeous after the shite that we've had over the last week or so.  So LN....shower, might be food but a feeling of having achieved something today.  At least those bovines will be kept at bay.....LN

Hi Elsa, Lovely pic's as usual. Our weather has been horrid too, hot, storms, hail and lightning strikes, fires you name it we've had it and the temps are still high 30's. I think the planets are aligning, and setting off major weather problems, well that's what I am telling myself...lol             Take care. Love from us in Oz. xx

Tuesday 3rd February

Thanks Linda....and it's thanks to nature really.....and lots of love from me too.  So let's continue the birthday theme....Happy Birthday to my beautiful Princess.. twenty nine again....

Seven start this morning and it was a bit dull but turned out OK for the rest of the day but the wind was cold.  As arranged I was ready by eight thirty to hit the road but my Avatar appeared at the door with my new slippers that she'd knitted for me.  She asked me if I wanted her to make me another pair and the response was yes so I gave her one of the originals back so she could use it as a template.

Over to the restaurant and noticed that there were a few places on the road where the banks had collapsed with the latest rain surges and warning triangles were out and about.  We hit the market in Benkovski and I always enjoy shopping with someone else because you get more time to stop and look.  I came out with some donkey horse shoe nails which will look great decorating some wooden furniture...just my little brain working overtime.  I remembered my potatoes and oranges for my Avatar as a thank you for her knitting.  We stopped for coffee and ended up back at the motel in her village for lunch sitting out in the sun until we got chilled.  Saw a funny sight.  I cart was called to pick up a three piece suite which had been delivered on the bus from Turkey.  I don't think they could have got anything else on it.

Home for about one thirty, I read for a while and thought I might shut my eyes for a while but just didn't not off....Upstairs and checked emails and stuff and onto the television picking up my knitting as I went and settled in for the afternoon with Countdown and it's still on now and I'm listening to Pointless.  

Good lunch so not bothered about anything for tonight....fire going and toasty inside and that's good since it's threatened at zero tonight.  Not much on the agenda for tomorrow....and if the weather is good I'll clear up the wood remaining after the fence reconstruction.  LN....it's time to post pictures...LN

Wednesday 4th February

Happy birthday mum...gone but never forgotten...

So last night was a complete fiasco.  I had a pain in my side  and it reminded me of the time I was flying to Stockholm to work and it turned out to be shingles and I was no where near a beach!!  So I got up to confirm the symptoms and then remembered that I'd shoved a nail in my leg when I was building the fence and my tetanus was a little expired and then you start looking for anything else.  So I got up and lamped Sudocrem on the leg and bandaged it to make sure that the creme stayed in place, went to bed again and did sudoku until three thirty this morning and wondered if I would see the dawn.  Now I'm not a hypochondriac but sometimes if you live on your own you're sometimes concerned.

Anyway..this morning I woke up at just before eight and caught the dawn...and I will add only just caught the dawn...and then I was in to the day.  I made my orange, lemon, salt, honey hot juice and didn't even bother with coffee until eleven this morning.  My Avatar came round with the three remaining over slippers and I went back to the computer and didn't bother to get dressed until eleven or thereabouts.  Finished the knitted present, tidied off my desk and decided that toast with tuna-mayo would fit the bill and that appears to have done me all day.  Back to the computer and looked up to find that there were about twenty bastard bovines had breached the boundary.  I was out there in quicksticks and realised that they had come in in two places so drastic action was required.  So you get them out, they bugger off for a while and then the sneak back up to the fence and appear to be weighing up the route to the loot.  Any way I managed to reinforce the Gaudi perimeters and we'll see what they managed tomorrow.  If I have more problems I'll offer a couple of days work to Bekir and Sally to make it secure.  I don't want to spend too much...the construction of my boundary fence is scheduled for March /April.

Put the tools away and decided to plant some bulbs that I'd picked up yesterday and tidy a couple of beds.  Think it might be a little late but they have two choices...they will or they won't.  It was about five thirty when I came in and I was surprised how the day had flown.  Lit the fire, grabbed a drink, back to the computer and just before seven and the night is mine.  Some photos but not the best....I don't grab my camera when I'm chasing cows.  LN....the night is now mine...LN

Meant to comment the other day - I have seen that knitting method before - on the number 10 bus in West Cornwall! The knitter was a girl who had come from Italy with her parents, when her Father got a job in the local tin mine. We were amazed at how fast she was. I have seen a clip on Youtube showing a Portugese knitter doing it like that as well, so it must go all across the southern bit of Europe.

Thursday 5th February

Thanks Jean...I've checked out the videos and given time I shall probably be able to master it but not at the speed that my Avatar achieves...she's had years of practice...

Seven thirty start today and slept really well.  I've got lots of tog rated duvets on the bed and at one point I felt that I couldn't even move...pinned down so to speak.  The dawn was breaking and the clouds were missing from the dawn and I watched the morning gentle sunrise which culminated in a good burn up.  Unfortunately it went behind the clouds but it didn't turn out to be a bad day.  I cleaned the upper bathroom tiles and they are now sparkling and managed to get a load of washing out and it was dry by three this afternoon.  

I sat in the stairwell and read and the temperature was up to twenty five and it was down to tee-shirt and long-johns...not into the shorts yet. I went to get the washing in and it was at that point that I noticed one of the cows eyeing up the fence line so I was down there with a couple of bricks as a deterrent.  Two more joined her and over they went to the dew pond and the one just stood staring as if to say...later...when your back is turned.  They sauntered over to the hedgeline and made there way into Star Mush garden and that's the last I saw of them...for today.

Walked the garden and found some snowdrops, the rest of the bulbs are showing and cleared out some more of the marigolds from last year.  Came in and lit the fire when the clouds came over and there were a few spots of rain, found some pork in the freezer and made a cassoulet of pork and beans with a hint of chili for supper and it was delicious.  Just finished watching Eggheads and now I'm down to take advantage of my fire clutching Kindle to hand...and yet another Stephanie Plum...the bounty hunter.  Noting on the agenda for tomorrow and it's supposed to be back to rain, rain, rain.  Let's see if they got it right'  LN..It's all quiet on the western front...LN

Friday 6th February

Sorry...qick update tonight since there is thunder and lightening rattling around and much as I love you all, I value my computer....

Slow start this morning...it was just before eight this morning when I came too but there was no sunrise to capture as the clouds were hovering but the promised rain didn't happen until much later.  I washed up from last night and didn't bother with breakfast and on to the computer to catch up on what needed to be caught up on and then rushed to get a birthday card in the post for one of the family birthdays.  The post office manager was very pleased with himself.  I think he had been assigned a new 'Priority' stamp and dutifully stamped my letter.  My favourite restaurant lady's husband who also is involved in the postal service was also there and gave me an Avon catalogue as a present.  I looked through it and found the bronzing balls that I didn't manage to buy in the shops and went over to my student's mother shop and asked if she knew any of the agents.  She did, made a phone call and the lady arrived within twenty minutes to take my order.  She also provided me with the new catalogue...the present was two months out of date but what I wanted had gone down in price so I ordered two...result.  Items are already paid for and will be delivered by February the 16th...As I pulled up at the shop Bekir came up to the car and we shook hands.  I asked him if he was working and said that I'd almost phoned him yesterday with regard to the lack of substantial fence and a determined cow glaring over it.  We made an arrangement that if the weather looks good, Sally and Bekir will come over for a couple of days and do a necessary repair that the cows can't ignore and he will watch the weather and give me a call.....works for me.

Drove home and stopped off at the supermarket for a few things and the chicken is almost ready.  The rain started about an hour ago and the thunder about the same time but it's getting pretty loud so this should be over in quicksticks...one way or another.  Nothing planned for tomorrow unless I decided to go into Kardjali and fill up my car with decent fuel,  Local stuff is full of something and the performance is not the best and the amount of black smoke makes it look like I'm burning rubber.

Back down stairs...computer is going off and that chicken sure does smell good.....LN....chicken and jackets...what could be nicer...LN

hahahaha Elsa Just noticed you missed a day in your dates......didnt you want the 6th to happen...lol/

Saturday 7th February

Linda if you could have heard the thunder it's a wonder it was only a day and not a month.  The windows and doors were rattling and on Monday I'm going to take out insurance...

Woke up at five this morning and settled into reading my book and finished one of Stephanie Plum's and then started Wolf Hall which is now being serialised on BBC.  Not sure how it's going at the moment,,,there appears to be too many characters at the start of it and difficult to follow.  I'll persevere for a while longer and see how it goes.

Phoned the Librarian at just after seven thirty to see if she wanted to come out to play and after an affirmative phone me back ten minutes later and said that there was a problem with the ladies in her village and she was having to play taxi.  We left it that she would phone me if there was a lull in her activities but it never happened.  I parked up at nine thirty, went to my cheapie shop and picked up a handbag just for the clips and fittings and then over to my other shop and the coat that I'l looked at for the last four or so weeks had been reduced by thirty percent so it was a no brainer.  It's a sheepskin leather coat and needs redesigning but at thirty lev it would have been rude not to.  Kaufland for a few things, Lidl for a few more and ended up in the electrical shop and found a juicer for a reasonable price so I might be looking to do the detox diets but I'll wait till the weather warms up a bit.  It's gone really cold now and some weather forecasts report that snow will arrive tonight but the other lot say that it will be monday.  It's supposed to be minus four or five tonight too so the fire is going and the curtains are drawn to keep the heat from flowing out of my gigantic windows,

Just caught up with the Librarian and she had a heck of a day with five locals, a hospital and a patient, the market all working to different agendas.  I've watched the Irish-Italian Six Nations and now in for the next...sitting here with my bottle of beer and I've just finished cold chicken, mayo and chippies.  

Have a good evening everyone...student tomorrow without the snow strikes and I'll be confined to barracks and enjoy every minute of it.  LN...France is about to kick off...so to speak...LN

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

Hello[color=blue][/color] Elsa

I have spent almost all day following your journey from 2008 BUT I did cheat as I was so desperate to know if you managed to get the house finished or not....

so, after reaching Jan 2010, I went to Feb 2015 and of course there has been lots going on in between.

I shall just have to make more free time to find out how it all came together.

I love the sound of your life, honestly and I dream that one day we will follow your trails and trials too!!

The scenery is awesome and some say there is no God!!! wow.... I can see why you bought what and where you did. You are blessed in being able to wake and sleep to these images

Anyway, the family is home, we are about to have rice with Indian spices, char grilled chicke, yoghurt, salads and a hot sauce for more taste... all washed down with bottled water.... no wine or beer for us!! haha.... I remember those days.....

Bye and Salaams for now from Abu Dhabi, where the sun always shines!

Regards Aisha, Sulaiman & Gillian XX

Tuesday 17th February

Woke up to snow this morning and very cold temperatures but not enough snow to pay the postage to write home about.  The fire was still going so I gave it the kiss of life and noted that while it was about minus three out it was up to eighteen in and when the sun broke through it shot up to twenty four more or less.  My solar heating.  Found my camera...in the bedroom on the chair so it never did make it to the Librarians for the night.

Breakfast of bacon, eggs and fried bread and I was outside when the bread van arrived and he stopped outside the gate so I had one uncut and one sliced from him feeling that I had to make it worth his while stopping.  Unfortunately I missed out on the get together at the bottom of the village but it was so cold that I bet no one was really hanging around.  Bit of a catastrophe with the polythene windows in the little house porch...I hadn't secured it properly so there was a little work there but my fingers were so cold after a minute or so but I changed the design and now it should hold much better.  Sat and read for a while and logged in to Loose Women and picked up on some of the hot topics and gossip and then made a card for my eight year old birthday buddy and decided to deliver it this afternoon.  I had one letter to post but the post office closed early so I popped it round to my student's mum's shop so that her husband can put it in the post in the morning when he starts work.  Into my other student's mum's shop to pick up my Avon order and had a lovely surprise...she'd ordered me some rubber gardening shoes with gold skull and crossbone studs on them and she reckoned that they would frighten the worms away.  So one to the eight year old's party...hugs for mother and grandmother and the money from the card was handed over to mother to look after.  The restaurant was heaving with load of kiddiwinkles but it was too much for my little brain to cope with today but grandmother insisted that I came back with a goodie bag of pizza, home made banichka and cake so that's supper sorted out.

Pulling into the drive avoiding a cow lying down in my grotty bus shelter, the post lady pulled up in front of me and handed me three cards, an ebay parcel and my electricity bill.  Thanked her, she drove off, I finished parking the Beast, the cow set off along the road as I closed the gate and straightway I dug into the banichka as I opened the cards.  Thank you Princess for the card but I was disappointed that the promised seven foot 'do it yourself assembly' giraffe had been replaced by a Dolly Parton CD.  Thanks Timbo and Co. M and A for yours...and they all arrived on the day.

Hatches battened down, fire thumping out and it's going to be another cold one tonight and well into the minus.  Nothing planned for tomorrow but as you know ...things change quickly here. LN....I'm on the hunt for more food...LN

H[appy Birthday Hope u have a wonderful day. All the best from us in OZ xxxxxx

Happy Birthday Elsa.  Hope you have had a wonderful day.  Lots of love!    

Belated Happy Birthday

Trev and Vania

Happy belated Birthday second mummy! Glad you had a lovely day too! xXx

Wednesday 18th February

Thank you for the Birthday wishes and as for you MikeyB.....if the price is right I'll set the adoption process in motion...

Really cold start and there were small clouds scudding across the sky before the sun came up.  The wind actually woke me this morning at about five thirty and when I'm awake, I'm awake so it was a hot lemon and orange drink for starters, fires seen to and both chugging away to counteract the minus eight outside which I experienced when I went out to empty the ash can.....straight through the jim-jams and to the bones.  Back to bed and read for a while and enjoying a coffee but then it was back to the kitchen and a breakfast of kippers on buttered bread was prepared and finished by eight o'clock.  Wood in, a little housework completed, showered and hair washed for no other reason than it seemed a good idea and the phone went at ten thirty and it was the Librarian asking if I fancied lunch in Djebel.

She arrived just before twelve with some birthday goodies and a huge box of chocolates which I won't forgive her for.  We headed in Djebel and went to the Soup Kitchen for chicken noodle soup with bread and for two portions...five leva and that included a couple of Fantas.  Try that in England.  Stopped off at the supermarket and topped up with oranges, bought some chicken wings for supper and back to mine for coffee and the grand opening of the chocolates.  She left at four, Gouldjan arrived at six as I was assembling onions, sweet and normal potatoes ready to go into the oven topped off with the chicken wings.  They were ready by seven and so I invited Gouldjan to stay for supper and out came the mayo and my home made pickled beetroot and we more or less demolished all of it.  She'd never had sweet potato before so I took her home with an uncooked one and I'll get some more tomorrow if I go into Kardjali.  I got Beauty out to run her home.  She wanted to walk but the temperature has dropped again and it was bitter out and I couldn't let her walk the kilometer home.  Pleased I wasn't stopped though by Mr Plod...the insurance has run out and I haven't put this years road tax on it yet...it's still sitting in my purse.  All will be sorted tomorrow.

As I got into the house I noticed that Gouldjan had left a birthday card and a present on the sofa...silly girl.  I tried to phone to say thank you but she wasn't picking up....I'll catch her tomorrow.  Ten my time...the kitchen can wait until tomorrow...supper was a real success and Gouldjan is going to make it for the family at the weekend....the final dollop of honey over the chicken wings is the magic touch...Both fires going, snuggled in for the night....LN....I'll see how I feel tomorrow as to whether I go for an expedition or not...LN

Thursday 19th February

Happy Chinese New Year to my friends of that persuasion and there seems to be some confusion as to whether it's sheep or goats....so whatever you choose to call it...wishing you Happiness, Prosperity, Longevity and today I'd like to post a special birthday wish to Trevor an old mucker from my Somerfield days....he might not see this but it takes me back to when I was considered the Matriarch and now I'm not sure what they would call me.

Woke up at five this morning and threw a log on the fire to get the central heating pumping....and again it was really cold in the night and as I emptied the ash can at such and early hour I was pleased to get into bed.  I made my hot lemon and orange mixture and sipped it as I read Stephanie Plum and the more I read it I think it would make a fabulous television series.  Unfortunately by six I was ready to get my head down again and didn't surface until just before eight.  

I got on with the normal, tidies the kitchen from last night and had toast for breakfast,  I noticed that the gale force winds had scattered the contents of my burning pit round the garden so out I went to retrieve the debris.  There was no way that it could be lit...it was still blowing a gale out there and cold with it.  Found one of my Avatar's dishes in the fridge and decided to take it back adding a couple of satsumas as a gift.  There is no way you should take back a dish without anything in it which I reminded her when she gave me back my Tupperware.  As I arrived at the house I noticed several pairs of shoes neatly lined up and knocked on the door.  My Avatar opened it, I handed her the dish and immediately she hid it....I'd not taken gift for the others.  There was a knitting party going on.  Two sitting on the beds and one on the floor and they were all knitting furiously following patterns for the over socks that they wear.  I am still overawed by the technique...one day I shall master it.  There was a pot of potatoes on the cooker and soon this was transferred into a dish and they all dipped in.  I'd have slathered them with butter or mayo but they were neat.  I didn't take my camera...sometimes it seems like an intrusion into their lives and I'm still a guest in their homes and village.

Home for one....warmed up my soup from a couple of days ago and it's destined for the freezer.  I put a huge log on the fire and settled in to start on my next book and I've had a very restful afternoon with my eyelids heading southward for an afternoon kip.   Seven my time and curtains all drawn to keep in the heat.  Lovely sunset tonight and watched the sheep coming home after a day munching what they could find on the hillside.  I had a little conversation with Semile's wife...we both commented on how cold it was.  Warming up to tonight's TV.  I've not followed Easties for years but I must find out who killed somebody I'd never heard about.  LN...it's time I put the tele on...LN

Friday 20th February

Just before seven start and I was surprised how light it was already but boy was it cold.  No fire going but I emptied out the ash can and checked the thermometer and it was showing minus six but because there was no wind this morning, it didn't feel as cold.  Coffee but I didn't go back to bed and decided to take advantage of the stillness, burn the rubbish and so put on padded trousers and a sweater over PJ's promising myself a shower after I'd finished.  The bonfire finished but since it was such a good morning I cleared out the ash from the bonfire and moved the pile from the back of the little house balcony dumping it at the bottom of the garden.  As the day wore on I realised that I was still inwardly clad for bed but outwardly for gardening.  I moved on to topping up the oil in Beauty and removing last years road tax and replacing it with the new and left it running for a while to top up the battery.  

Quick look at the clock and it was two in the afternoon and I'd achieved quite a lot outside.  Came in and lit the fire even though the sun was half in and half out and there was enough wood in to see me through until tomorrow.  Lots of birds in the garden today.  I was surprised to see the jay...they are such shy birds, the magpies are regulars but again fly off at the slightest noise, lots of tits, a couple of blackies, the usual starlings and I saw a wren.

Made barbequed pork with mashed potato for supper tonight and feel dutifully stuffed.  It's been a productive day outside and it was good to be in the fresh air...LN....it's almost time for a book at bedtime and to strip down to the night clothes...LN

Saturday 21st February

Well I had very vivid dreams last night and woke up feeling not very rested.  The sun was more or less showing her face by the time I came to so I grabbed the camera and caught the rising.  Toast for breakfast, out to the garden and did a tidy up of the old plants from last year and put them in the burning pit and because there was no wind...set fire to it and almost smoked out my neighbours,

Decided to tidy up the shelving system on the landing getting rid of some old documentation and things that I'd put to one side to keep even when I shouldn't have.  Found the athletics on BBC1 and congratulate Mo Farah on his new world record.  Got caught out by the husband of the post mistress though...I was heading up to my computer clutching a glass and he asked me what was in it....so I said, a little cognac and he congratulated me on my choice.  Unfortunately when I opened the late birthday card I found that the husband of one of my best friends has died.  I knew there was a problem but she never opened up but now I'm going to invite her out here. My thoughts are with her and I've been asked to light a tree in his memory....I'll be getting one on Monday.  I lit the fire at six more or less and it was quick to get the water belting round the system.

Supper was chili con carne with toasted bread....and it was delicious.....I caught the crescent moon as I went up the stairs so grabbed the camera,  so atmospheric.....LN....I'm down to the fire...it's got pretty cold...LN

Saturday 21st February

Well I had very vivid dreams last night and woke up feeling not very rested.  The sun was more or less showing her face by the time I came to so I grabbed the camera and caught the rising.  Toast for breakfast, out to the garden and did a tidy up of the old plants from last year and put them in the burning pit and because there was no wind...set fire to it and almost smoked out my neighbours,

Decided to tidy up the shelving system on the landing getting rid of some old documentation and things that I'd put to one side to keep even when I shouldn't have.  Found the athletics on BBC1 and congratulate Mo Farah on his new world record.  Got caught out by the husband of the post mistress though...I was heading up to my computer clutching a glass and he asked me what was in it....so I said, a little cognac and he congratulated me on my choice.  Unfortunately when I opened the late birthday card I found that the husband of one of my best friends has died.  I knew there was a problem but she never opened up but now I'm going to invite her out here. My thoughts are with her and I've been asked to light a tree in his memory....I'll be getting one on Monday.  I lit the fire at six more or less and it was quick to get the water belting round the system.

Supper was chili con carne with toasted bread....and it was delicious.....I caught the crescent moon as I went up the stairs so grabbed the camera,  so atmospheric.....LN....I'm down to the fire...it's got pretty cold...LN

Sunday 22nd February

Birthday greetings to a friend today...seventy and counting and I hope you've had a lovely day.  

So that delicious supper last night woke me at two thirty this morning and I don't like lying there willing myself to sleep so out came Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter extraordinaire for an hour or so and then back to it until seven this morning.  I think my thermostat went a little adrift with the chili last night so it was leg out from under the duvet but it was white over as I opened the curtains and at first I though it was snow but it had been a very hard frost.  I was out with the ash can and salvaged the fire.  I knew I was out today at my students but for the sake of a few logs..it was well worth it and I loaded it up before I went out and it was still going at three this afternoon.

I picked up Gouldjan at ten at the bus-stop as arrange last night when she phone but as I pulled up to wait for her two of her neighbours were struggling to secure their property and I reckon that had had marauding cow creating mayhem and it could have been their own.  So I jumped out of the car and gave them a hand bringing all my project management skills to the fore and they were most grateful.  Gouldjan bounced up the lane carrying her leather boots and depositing her little rubber running shoes with her mother.  She's had a few pairs stolen from near the bus stop so now she takes precautions....mother to the rescue

On to my students and we chatted before lunch and they gave me a pretty primula for my birthday present.....lunch was a liver banichka that I'd never had before and mother had stewed three calves feet for about five hours  which I passed on.  They were extolling the virtues and I couldn't believe they had anything going for them but it reminded me of when my mother used to do pig's trotters but they seemed to have more meat that those of the calves.  Mother and father were working in the garden but came in when the wind got up.  Father sloped off to bed and mother eventually came in and settled on the sofa and the eyes headed southwards.  I left at two thirty thereabouts and remembered to phone Gouldjan so that I could take her home.  

Missed out today...I should have gone into Zlatograd or Kardjali as there were processions for Mummer's day....I've already put it in my diary for next year....it looked like fun from the photos on FB.  So temperature dropping again tonight....no chili to mar my sleep but I'm not sure if the liver (drop) has worked its way down yet.  It might need a little encouragement with a touch of alcohol.  Tomorrow I'm into Djebel to post letters for 1st March martenitsa.....and hoping they reach there in time....LN....I'm down to the warm...LN

Monday 23rd February

Stupid night last night.  Fell asleep in front of the fire on the sofa, woke up at eleven and not an ounce of sleep left in me so I was reading at two thirty this morning, had an attempt at sleep, went back to reading and woke up at seven.  It was raining, no chance of missing the sunrise, there wasn't one and even the starlings looked very bedraggled as they stomped around the garden pecking at goodness knows what.

Onto the computer and designed a couple of cards that were for posting today, got everything ready for the post office, down for breakfast using up the last of the kippers on toast, washed and dressed and ready for the off my ten.  Yesterday I had trouble and the Beast wouldn't start and I suspected another glowplug had bitten the dust but decided to try it to see if there had been a miraculous recovery but it still coughed and spluttered and refused to burst into action so out with Beauty.

First stop the post office with my four letters and was guaranteed that they would leave at lunchtime with a 'Priority' stamp on them, then down to the garage to sort out the flashing battery charging light and to check out a bit of an oil leak that I found on the garage ramp at home, over to the garage shop with the intention of renewing my insurance only to find that it's not due until the end of next month...result.

Made my way to Kardjali for a few items from the supermarkets and after adjustments at the garage the flashing red battery light had changed into a permanently displayed light so I mentioned this to the shop owner and the next thing he had disappeared back to the garage in my car returning after about half an hour and saying that everything was working properly, he couldn't find the cause of the fault and reckoned it must be caused by the damp but that he'd had to put some air in the brakes...I think he'd tried to stop quickly and had his heart in his mouth.  I'm to try the Beast tomorrow morning and if it goes, I'll take it in and if it doesn't he'll come out and do home assist...you gotta love it here.

Home for four, fire going, chicken in and all systems go by four thirty.  Miserable day today...dull as ditchwater all day and it's still raining now.    So Beast testing tomorrow and we'll see how it pans out...LN....I'm tele watching later with a little of the rose to wash down the chicken...LN

Tuesday 24th February

Such a lazy day today...I've done very little.  It's been damp, dismal, hills clouded over and not a day for setting the world on fire.  Having said that it cleared up a little but no chance of sunlight at all.  The starlings were out though and sorting through the garden for whatever they search for and the magpies were soon out and feeding on the last of the chili con carne that I threw over the fence.

I went to get the wood in, the fire was going even though it was only damp not cold, but I decided to tidy the wood store and sweep the floor to get rid of the dried moss from the logs.  Moved the uncut logs and restacked them and I was checking out how much of the eight cubic I have left and there is no panic....I have enough unless winter sets in again.  I did notice that the cranberry tree is just coming into flower and more bulbs have broken through.  Spring is springing but the temperature has dropped tonight again and that crescent moon is out but surrounded by a halo.

I had a bath tonight and it is such a nice feeling.  Showers are ok but there's nothing like taking to the tub with a glass of the good stuff and coming down to a roaring fire....well I will be down there as soon as I've finished the update.  LN.....I'm off to the fire...LN

Wednesday 25th February

Very lazy morning....I watched television last night and there was a very interesting programme about Romanians and their assault on the UK.  It outlined how they live at home and can you blame them sometimes for wanting better for their families.  A lot from here go out to find their fortune but never fame in the rest of Europe and I have to feel sorry for split families.  If they make the more and a life in the UK...good luck to them.  If the grandparents are having to look after the children...that's not so good for the grandchildren especially if the new found freedom for the parents means that they have a better life abroad and leave the rest to their parents.  I'll sit on the fence...not my place to make judgements.

Eight thirty start this morning and didn't bother to light the fire and had the intention of getting the pipes out to give them a clean.  I was in the kitchen in my PJ's when there was a knock on the door so I put my pyjama top outside my bottoms to hide the winter bulges not knowing what or who I would find on the other side of the door (well it could have been Richard Gere) but instead it was the Librarian.  She said that she'd tried to phone me to no avail, had visions of me falling and breaking a leg and no one managing to contact her so had come to see.  My phone was sitting in my bag and out of juice and asked the question why she hadn't checked my blog and she explained that she hadn't had her computer for a couple of days and had strange messages on the screen.  The outcome....I got dressed, followed her back home, pressed a few keys and hey presto...she's now live again.  I explained what I'd done so next time...she should be OK.

Sandwiches for lunch and then the rain really came down.  I left at just after four, checked the Beast and still couldn't get it to fire so need to take measures tomorrow, fire thumping out, packet of Ritz biscuits being nibbled as we speak and about to go down and get some spicy sausages into the pan with onions for supper.

Took a few photos around the garden this evening.  I will be good when the rain goes so that I can get out there again...it's needful of love and attention...there again...aren't we all...LN

Thursday 26th February

Watched the Brits last night and the fall of Madonna.  She was playing with the clip to the cloak as she strutted her stuff and I was shocked but not surprised it happened.  Trouper that she is though, she got straight up and that has to be admired.  As for Jimmy Carr…that bloke is a liability…he wants removing from the tv with his agist jokes.  I hope old age isn’t good to him…

Seven start this morning and got the fire going despite feeling the need to get the pipes out and give it a good clean.  It was a beautiful morning, the mist was rising on the mountains and the clouds over Greece were rising and falling and giving the sun a hard time at breaking though.  Eventually it made it though and it was good today but no sunset to write home about.

Toast for breakfast with blackcurrant jam from Kaufland but it’s not a patch on the one that I used to get from Lidl in the UK but beggars can’t be choosers.  Lidl haven’t bothered to export it to here.  I ate it outside on the terrace but came in again.  The flies decided that it was their day in the sun.  Goodness knows where they hide out in the winter but at the first sign…they’re buzzing around but if luck holds and the temperature drops tonight…that should get rid of a few.  Read for a while and the eyelids were determined to go southwards and so I let them.  Came to with a vengeance and removed the pipes from the wood burner now that it had burnt itself out, gave them a clean and all replaced within the hour.  Salvaged what was left of the log and it was all systems go.

A little gardening and general cleaning of the kitchen and wood burner area….chilled afternoon…LN….I’m in for the night and not sure what tomorrow will bring yet….probably the same as today…LN

Friday 27th February

So I wrote my blog a few minutes ago and I managed to lose it all.  So let's go for it again

Cats and yet more cats were squawking all night  and I could have got up and demolished all of them except that it was silly o'clock in the morning. I would have got up and thrown noisy bombers  but one of the cats is Hacibar's almost blind kitten and so I didn't throw the bombers to move them from the perimeter.

So I had a a last minute sleep today..I just couldn't wake up but bearing in mind that I went to bed at just after nine last night, I managed a few hours.  I was most surprised that it was just after six when I woke up this morning.  Toasted roll this morning for breakfast, out to the garden and moved a few things round.  I ended up tidying the kitchen and sorting out the shelving and threw out a few items so that now I have space for the electrical items that I've accumulated,.

This afternoon was a mixture of television and tidying and very leisurely it was.  LN...not anything planned for tomorrow...LN

Saturday 28th February

So this morning it was out for the bread van so that I could have breakfast.  I missed the first toot of the horn and only caught the second blast thinking that it was further down the main road.  I started to head down there and Haciber told me that he was onto the next village so I carried on down to check and there was no one there except Emula working in the garden.  On my walk back Haciber shot out of the house and handed me a dish of her homemade yogurt...they don't have much here but what they have they share so I went home clutching the dish, popped it into one of mine, washed the dish, grabbed a couple of mandarins and popped them in the dish.  It's an unwritten rule that when you hand the dish back it shouldn't be empty.  She was really pleased for the gift.

So I caught the van on its return journey...the only way out if the village is the way that he came in and it was toast and jam for breakfast.  Got a load of washing in the machine and out on the line and it was dry in quicksticks.  The next job was to clear out the fridge of stuff that should have been emptied out before today and I threw it over the fence into the field for the animals.  Unfortunately I lost the bowl along with the goodies and had to use the extending window cleaning brush to retrieve the said bowl which left a very sticky brush giving me another job.  

Lost the electricity this afternoon for a couple of hours so I lit the little fire in the kitchen just in case it didn't come back and it was six before we were connected again.  There must have been emergency repairs or someone wanted a new connection.  So now the big fire is going, I'm half watching the Six Nations rugby.  There are no photos today.....and I have no excuse....I didn't get round to it.  Tomorrow is going to be a fun day.  March 1st...Baba Marta and everyone will be giving each other wrist bands that we'll wear until we see a stork or the first new fruit tree in blossom.  Personally I shall be looking out for the shepherds frolicking in the morning dew....LN...I need an early night to catch those shepherds...LN