Wednesday, 1st April

So now we are in to another month and where did the others go.....white rabbits or what you choose to mention.....

Beautiful morning but the day gradually disintegrated into sull afternoon and I didn't see the need to do anything about it.  I took advantage of the morning and washed my bedding that seemed that it was on its way to Greece but enough pegs secured it and it was back inside in quicksticks and airing in the sun attached to my stairs.  Back on the bed and ready for this evening.....

I started a book this morning and finished it this evening.  Travis McGee and another one bites the dust...I have three more left in the series and I'll be with it until the end as is my wont where there is more than one book to read.  As for the rest of the day...I had a phone call from the UK which was a gentle relaxation and nothing much has happened....

No phone calls from the garage so the new part is the correct one or not...I shall not know or care.  I've accepted an invitation fro my student and her family and I'm out for supper on Friday.  It leaves me free to invite my other student's family for lunch on Sunday.  So now it's raining and the front has arrived and now it's doing its damndest to darken my parade.....LN...I've got sausages and a jacket potato about to come to fruition so I'm, down to the kitchen to serve up the banquet...LN

Thursday 2nd April

Six start and it was still dark out.  I opened the curtains and waited for the glimmer of morning and it was a strange one.  It had that lovely blue glow but there were lots of dark clouds to the south and west and it soon clouded over and the sun never really came out until about seven thirty.  Decided that I would take advantage of the weather and put in a load of washing and was pegging out by eight fifteen but was that wind cold.  I'd phoned the Librarian to tell her not to worry that the car wasn't at the bottom of her road.  I received a FB message yesterday evening to let me know that it was fixed and at the garage already and I decided that I'll take the bus in tomorrow morning at the sensible time of nine and I've arranged to meet the Librarian at the garage and we're off on a shopping spree.  I want a few things that are on offer at Lidl and my list is prepared.

So climbing the stairs and I looked out on to the terrace and couldn't believe that there was something that resembled one of the amazing moths from last year.  My first thought was that it was pretty early and that wind was howling so I scooped it up and put it in the little house where I thought it would stand more of a chance.  Back into the house and I lit the fire and I've kept it ticking over all day and it makes such a difference.  It's supposed to go down to minus something tonight...obviously spring has not quite sprung.

It was too cold for gardening so I settled in with my book, had a late brunch of cheese and onion omelette and sallied forth into the garden but about one thirty when the wind had dropped.  Washing in, bonfire still didn't make much headway on the hedge clippings and eventually came in from the garden at six fifteen.  I've more or less managed to clear from the lilac to the bottom garden but those weeds have thumping long roots and I hate chickweed.  It's so difficult to clear especially when it's threaded through the bush honeysuckle and the shears came into play to get that all trimmed up.

So almost nine my time....it will soon be a book at bedtime with a small glass of beer tonight.  I'll be boots blacked and in with the locals tomorrow with my two lev clutched in my little hand and a quick walk down to the garage.  LN...it will be comforting to see the Beast back where it belongs....LN

Friday 3rd April

Ten to six start but that appears to be the normal now.  I made a coffee and lit the fire, I was going to shower later and I needed to take the chill off before I did.  My deadline today was to catch the nine o’clock bus so not much of a problem there.  There was a lot of laughter on the bus…Gouldjan was having a bit of a late start, I sat on the back row with my Avatar and Gouldjan sat on the single seat in front but the problem was it seemed to have come unwelded from the structure and as we went round the corner she was heading towards the aisle.  Noticed that there were a pair of storks in situ at the bus station….I can now take my Martinitzi off….

I walked down to the garage and the Librarian was waiting for me.  I was just about to take the Beast out and the garage owner arrived clutching some little part that he reckoned would make the needle on the water temperature dial work.  The Librarian headed to the car park in the centre of Djebel and I was to pick her up which I did and we headed off to Kardjali.  Now I have this new gauge I was very interested in it.  The Beast felt lumpy, the gears didn’t want to change smoothly and by the time that I got to Kardjali the needle on the new dial was a little off the scale,  I parked up, did the cheapy shop for clothes, Billa and then over to Lidl and I was dreading the drive back to the garage.  As I got towards Djebel the needle had once more found its way skyward so I dropped the Librarian off and parked up at the garage and only had to point at the dial and the faces changed…no longer the smilers.  

All I said was ‘Monday’ and I’ll take the trip on the village bus again…much cheaper than a taxi.  Tonight I’m off to my students for supper but I won’t be late back…and as it was I got back at nine forty, parked up, pyjamas, a little drink, messaged to say that I’d got home safely and now to put on the photos.  I've had a really relaxing evening with a very lovely family…LN

Saturday 4th April

Silly o'clock start and read for quite some time before I got into the world..... I decided that today was a day of 'might be's' so I didn't do much at all.  I was going to set the garden alight with possibilities that faded into nothing.

I wondered if I should do my nails and that faded into insignificance...and so I decided to put my new hoover into motion and that's when I decided that it wasn't a patch on the one that I'd purchased in England.  The suction head was so basic....what a heap of shite.

Washing blowing in the breeze and all dry by two thirty this afternoon and put away.  Hacibar arrived with two fluffy pancakes that were supposedly for the passing of someone but I didn't get the message..  I have a full moon shining down on me and it's almost time for bed....

LN....it's a chilled night...LN

Sunday 5th April

Just before seven start but I did wake up at eleven last night in front of the computer freezing cold.  I'd been determined to watch something on Fimon but the body didn't make it.  I got into bed with my clothes on...couldn't even bother to find my pj's but snuggled down into my nest and everything in the garden was lovely...

It was freezing this morning.  There was a hint of sun shining through but there was such a cloud base that the heat just wasn't getting through.  I was on the computer and decided to light the fire....I have wood, I have matches, I have fire lighters but they were to no avail.  The fire had gone out last night and hence that was why I was so cold and I thought that by titivating it a bit and putting in a couple of firelighters it would spring to life.....Wrong...it took me one and a half hours of faffing around and I could imagine may father laughing his socks off at my attempts.  Eventually I took it all apart and got it going.  I've not done much else all day...apart from making a humungous bacon for a late brunch after the fire episode and settling into a book on the sofa.  I did manage to put my nose outside and fill up the log basket to dry out for tomorrow...the forecast is lashings of rain and floods for the Kardjali and Smolyan and since I'm slap bang in the middle...I guess I'm going to get it.

So six ten my time...almost time to get back to my next Travis McGee....no hunger pains attacking at present so might even go without tonight.  Have to phone the garage in the morning to see if the Beast is ready to collect at nine-ish or better to go in on the two o'clock bus from here....two leva and party time on the bus.  LN...it's still cold outside and miserable ...LN

Monday 6th April

I had visitations from the bovine bastards last night so I was stacking the brush that I’d cut from the hedge line on top of the fence that they’d knocked over.  So far today….no trespassers.  It pee’d it down all night…and all morning and at last at five this afternoon we have had a break in the cloud and the sun is now shining on the hills.

It was cold this morning carrying on with yesterdays drop in temperature so the fire was reignited and I’ve kept it going all day.  I caught the end of the film Spirit and it took to back to when I used to sit down with CJ my first grandson and we would watch it together.  Memory lane again!!  Toast for breakfast and settled down on the sofa with another Travis McGee and a third cup of coffee and that continued until I phoned the garage to see if I could pick up the Beast since today is the only day apart from Friday that there is a bus at two from the village into Djebel.    I had a text from Gouldjan and yes I was going into Djebel and ten minutes later…no… I wasn’t.  The first answer from the garage was… yes but as I waited for the bus there was another phone call and the answer was…. no.  It appears the water was not circulating properly and so it’s back to the drawing board Cecil.

So this afternoon  I’ve been on the Mitsubishi owner’s website ….but I should really leave it to the experts and see what they come up with.  It’s depressing when you try to work out what might be wrong….you seem to add more noughts to the bill that way.  The sheep have just come up over the hillside and strangely I can smell bleach and their coats look a little lighter on the top….not sure what that’s all about.. .  Chicken breast cooking in the oven…I shall tart them up when they look a little more cooked…they were frozen when they went in.  And now I'm smelling them and getting hungry so I’m down to the kitchen ….LN…I have more work to do…LN

Hi Elsa, have they checked the water pump as this should normally changed when you have the Cambelt done? I'm not sure yours actually has a belt as some are chain driven, but it does have a water pump and failure is quite common so worth asking!

...I tested my memory today to see if I could still find your house and the result was:

https://goo.gl/maps/t3HyD

It's a little out of date as taken March 2012, but still great to have a little walk about and remember what the village looks like!

Hi Elsa lovely pics. Stay warm. Happy Easter to you. All ok here. Linda &All. Xxxxx

Tuesday 7th April

Thanks Linda for your good wishes for Easter,,,you know they are returned with lots of love.  As for you MikeyB...the Beast is undergoing intensive care....they are on the job as we speak and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

It's been one of those days that I could do without.  The phone call from the garage this morning wasn't good and I was researching eBay this afternoon.  I did have one visit from one of my neighbours and she wanted my telephone number for her daughter and not really sure what that's about but I'm sure I'll find out.  She did mention a house in Momchilgrad that's for sale but I'm really not interested in getting involved so I wrote down the phone number for her.  Off she went to catch up with Haciber and one of my other neighbours...they were off for a little walk.

So there I was minding my own business...I corked a pork chop this evening, made a mushroom sauce and had it with pasta and I was just finishing off when I looked out and those two bastard bovines were out there again.  Now these are the two that will remove themselves under threat but who stand on the perimeter and wait for me to go in the house and then they make a second assault.  As it happens I was out there waiting for them second time around armed with some heavy rocks and they got the message and headed off towards the bottom of the village.  The hid themselves in the copse at the bottom and the next thing I hear are a couple of gun pops and the sheep farmers' sons are heading for the copse so I'm guessing that one of the neighbours from the bottom has complained about them and they've come to gather them into the fold.  The upshot is that they won't be back tonight....please hurry Bekir and Sally....this woman has needs.

Tomorrow I'm going down to the garage to see for myself and to have an update...thank goodness Beauty is behaving herself but maybe I shouldn't say that ...she might be listening.  Another drab, cloudy day and while I was waiting for the cows to...'move along please' ...it was icy rain.  I didn't light the fire until five but I'm pleased I did....it keeps everything ticking over.  So supper done, cows sorted for tonight anyway, time for a little drinky and to see if eBay have responded to any of my questions...LN...and I'm hoping for a better day tomorrow...LN

Wednesday 8th April

Six thirty start and the fire was still going and I'm pleased that it was.  It has been cold, miserable with a biting wind for most of the day.  I did managed to get out there and pull the fence up into a reasonable position so that it looks like it is one and dangle more of the barbed wire over some new supports...fingers crossed.

The original intention was to go into the garage this morning to identify exactly what was needed for the Beast but just as I was about to set sail, the phone went and I have good news.  They have found a reconditioned engine in Sofia with a six months warranty on it so I said go ahead and get it organised...we can keep it for anything that potentially might go wrong or even sell some of the bits as there appears to be a demand.  I just can't let it go just yet and it will cost me less to repair than to replace and my heart is in that lump of metal.

So I was on the pc doing some bits and I noticed the stork heading in towards the field where the sheep were grazing.  I grabbed the camera but unfortunately at full stretch the focus goes a little bit wonky and you get some lovely close up of buds on trees...Never mind ....some of them turned out OK and the sheep appeared really curious.

Just managed to get the wood in and the heavens opened up only this time it wasn't rain we had snow yet again.  Only short and sharp but it settled on the hills.  Winds dropped now...I've just had the biggest jacket potato ever with lashings of butter and a couple of pork chops...and feel ready to burst.  I think it needs a little beer to give it a helping hand down the digestive tract....LN....Down to throw a log on the fire and fill up a glass...LN

Thursday 9th April

So at three thirty this morning I thought day was breaking.  The moon was so bright but my goodness was there a howling wind.  At one point I even put the floodlight on outside to make sure that my tree was still standing...yeah, yeah, yeah or so the song goes.  Got the Kindle out...nothing worse than lying there and tying to sleep so I got a coffee at four thirty and decided to catch the cheap electricity and go the washing machine on.  I waited for it to finish, unloaded the machine and put it out on the airer in the upstairs bathroom and it's all ready to put away.  The fire was in all night and my goodness did I need it....that wind is just so cold.

My first visitor this morning was Haciber and she delivered a packet of sultanas and an instant coffee drink and I don't know why.  She mentioned something about someone from Turkey and they are all so kind here that they all get a piece of the action and keep them coming.  Now I've tried to find Haciber's son on FB but it's difficult with the surnames.  She'd mentioned that he wanted to sign me up as a friend so I messaged Gouldjan and she came back with the name and said that on his photo he was sitting on a chair...and I found him and asked him to add me.  I popped over to tell her not to bother giving him my name, that it was all sorted and I was now waiting for him.  Ten minutes later she's over again still complaining about how cold it was with a dish of her home-made yogurt.  Breakfast had arrived.

As I looked up from my book my two bastard bovines were standing at the bottom of the garden on the other side of the fence and it had obviously worked.  I watched them saunter away and head back to where they were removed from by the boys.  Unfortunately I didn't get their number from the ear tags....next time...

Got the wood in, stoked up the fire and went back to my book but then had the urge to go into Djebel and give my garage owner's wife a big hug.  The have been so good with the car and sorting out the bits and the good news was that the engine had arrived and they were working on it.  I offered cash up front since it's a lot for them to put out but she refused saying that they wanted to make sure that it was all working before they submitted the bill.  Sat talking for a while and my student came down and his mother said that his English had taken a step backwards since he'd had last year learning German so I offered my services and we're off again next Friday.  He'd just come back from the local gym and confirmed that there were ladies there but he did mention that there were no grannies....maybe I'll be the first.  It's three leva for the day or thirty leva for the month and I might even give it a go.

So phoned Gouldjan from the garage shop and arranged to pick her up so that she didn't have to wait for the late bus.  She was so grateful and I dropped her off at about half past three.  I done a little shopping and got a chicken, some apples and a red cabbage and decided that I cook for my Avatar and Haciber this evening and give them back some of the sultanas in baked apples,  All delivered by six, I sat down and had mine, the kitchen is all sorted but the washing up can wait.  

What a good day apart from the holing winds and scudding clouds but at least my fence stood the bovine test today...LN

Friday 10th April

Quarter to seven this morning and looked at the washing up from last night and I've just looked at it again....I'll get round to it.

Spent a while on Messenger this morning helping a new friend out with a few issues regarding immigration and car registration...it's a minefield out there and you need to get all it 'i's dotted and the 't's crossed or is that the other way round and have a really good Bulgarian friend who knows the ropes.  It's an emerging nation so to speak and they do take kindly to you if you try the language at least.  Chicken and mayo sandwich for lunch and then decided to tackle the rest of the hedgeline garden to the left of the house.  I'd done a lot of it but when you live next to a field, it tends to encroach.  

Today I wasn't the one troubled by the bastard bovine or the incorrigible rogue-esses....it was poor Zelinger.  I saw them lingering, heard someone hammering and reckoned that they were fixing the garden so they couldn't get in.  As I've mentioned before, they just stand and stare just out of brick throwing distance.  So they moved away from the hedge, lay down for a while as if to say...'that's OK we can wait' and they did and no sooner had the banging stopped and all was quiet on the western front...off they went and broke down all that had been erected.  There was a bit of a kerfuffle  and out they sauntered and more banging and this time I thought they would be permanently out and heading for me but as it happened, they went in for the third time and I just carried out digging.  The oly thing to keep them out is barbed wire and that's what I repaired mine with...anything else, they have the weight to go through it....

So eventually came in at just before seven and have had a good day in the garden.  I've put more supports into the wooden edging but I'm thinking of using the old roof tiles instead...they might last a little longer and the grass might not travel under them so easily.  A little beer o the go and it's only cold chicken for me tonight with maybe chippies...sound like a plan...LN...A really uplifting day....LN

This is what you and the neighbours need to keep the BBs out  

https://am.gallagher.com/us-en/products/electric-fencing/all-in-one-kits/A600

Saturday 11th April

Thanks TC....once the men get here there will be an adequate barrier.  I want the wall to match the rest and might only resort to barbed wire if I have to....and the machine gun posts....

So last night I cranked up the boiler and had a really hot bath to take away any potential aches and pains from yesterday's effort in the garden.  I did find myself reading at silly o'clock but went off again and the sun was already up by the time I'd opened my eyes.  I got dressed, had my coffee and thought I'd do a little bit of burning but managed to get the fire going brilliantly outside and cleared all of the hedge cuttings that have been hanging around for a while and then got on with some digging and planting shrubs that had been sitting in the little house,  It was beautiful out there...hardly any wind for a change and that sun had some heat in it.  Came in at eleven and eventually got round to the washing up, made another coffee and took it outside and contemplated the workload.

Last year the clover really got the better of the garden,  I couldn't use the mower since it was too wet but after a couple of days of sun and a breeze I decided that I would try to get the thing going and see how much I could achieve.  It had been stored in the little house for the winter so topped up the fuel, wheeled it out onto the terrace lawn and tried to get it started.  I primed it, swore at it, swore at it again and eventually it fired but then fizzled out.  I left it in the sun to warm up, swore at it again, it fired and again fizzled out.  I got the manual out and there was no help text for said problem so I emptied out the tank into a flower pot, turned in upside down and at once realised that I had't cleaned it before I'd put it away last year and it had set like concrete so there was obviously no airflow to turn the rotary blade.  It's now pristine, I replaced the fuel and started it up and ....bingo...it was a runner so now I can add motor mower repairer to my CV....

It was hard work and I only did the top half of the garden since the rest of it was under water and needs a few more days to really dry it out so that the thing doesn't have to work so hard.  I've cancelled tomorrow with my student.....I've had such a good couple of days in the garden and the weather is supposed to be changing early next week.  I really need to take advantage of tomorrow's forecasted sunshine.  So I'm back to having a few stripes...it looks a little raggedy but it is the first cut of the season.  It's a lovely feel good factor when the weather is right, mechanical things eventually do what they are supposed to and it's a contented tiredness...LN....I think I've earned my little drink tonight...LN

Sunday 12th April

Well another day that the sun was up before me...and a good night's sleep was had by all...that'll be me then.  Made a coffee and sat out on the terrace and enjoyed the warmth of the sun.  I was also a deciding factor as to whether it was a t-shirt and shorts day but I compromised with a long sleeve sweatshirt and a pair of shorts over a pair of tights.  Not exactly 'the look' but not much of a fashion show goes on around here.  I could hear the hoopoe calling but didn't managed to spot it and I saw the first of one of the swift, martin or swallow and I never know which family they belong to and not a camera in sight.

Out to the garden by nine and I was determined to get the 'lawn' edged and the flower beds weeded.  It was one of those dippy days where you do a little of this and then you dip in and do a little of that and eventually they all overlap and it comes together.  I realised that most of the wood round the vegetable patch had rotted so I went scrabbling up to the loft in the little house and came down with some reasonable four meter planks and most of the work is done but I still have to dig over the two smaller planting areas and I think I might even make them bigger.  It's not perfect but it will be finished tomorrow and then I'm off to the market to buy some plants.  Talking of plants I bought the conifer and then I read that it reaches between three and five meters....that might take some thinking about....

Avatar had a rotovator in this evening and several of the ladies came out to watch the event and yes, it does make a change from television.  I noticed that the neighbour who gets visited by the bastard bovine had her wrist in plaster.  Apparently she was chasing the cows out, fell over and hasten days in plaster.  I'll  offer her the ball so that she can exercise it and buy her a tubed of the cream I used....it's pretty good stuff.

Put supper in at six and roasted chicken wings with potatoes and onions were ready when I came in at seven fifteen.  The blog had to wait...it smelled to good to put on a low heat and spoil.  Just after eight my time and I have to find a new set of books...Travis McGee is no more....twenty two down and the end of the series....LN....I deserve a beer tonight...I'm off to do the washing up...LN

Monday 13th April

'Well good morning world it's a brand new day' was the song rattling round in my head this morning.  I was up before the sun, managed to get a couple of shots of it showing its little face, two loads of washing in the machine and blowing in the wind by nine.  I always seem to do it...I always manage to light a bonfire before I peg out the washing and no matter which way the smoke is blowing, as soon as things are attached to the line it changes direction.  Having said that there is enough fresh air in this place to not make much of a difference.

Into the shower, washed and dried my hair and went to peg the washing out in a light sweater and a pair of tights and Nureyev spring to mind but then with my warped sense of humour I felt it should be 'Oldreyev' and I chuckled to myself.  It's marvellous what you find to laugh at when you are on your own on a hillside.  So out with the spade, the lump hammer and I worked on clearing the last two beds in the veg patch but then the energy levels disintegrated so I headed for the kitchen, opened a pack of bacon and fried up a couple of eggs on a slice of bread which filled the gap tremendously well.  Off to Djebel taking with me some of the wax egg candles for my student's mum and sat with her for a while in the shop with the five year old.  He's just acquired a new tablet and he was showing me the games...and lost me completely.  

I walked the market and bought nothing, went down to the garage to see the stripped 'Beast' and the new engine is in and they are attaching the belt drives but they were so busy and mine goes on the back burner until work dries up.  Apparently there was a rush for summer tyres and spring cleaning of cars and it is the Easter holiday here and they are taking advantage of the better the deed.  

Home for just after two....took two dishes back for Haciber with a couple of oranges in them but there was no one home so Avatar said that she would give them to her when she got back.  I took the oranges and threw them at my Avatar and eventually I got her to take them and Crava Mush wife was sitting on the grass watching her work so they had an 'orange' interlude.  I told her that I would report her to Haciber and we put it down to luck...if she'd have been there she would have had them.

Back to the garden.....all dug over again and ready for planting tomorrow so I've a busy day in front of me.  I've written my checklist...and I'm determined to get the jobs done tomorrow...weather permitting.  So down to the kitchen to see what's in the fridge...not in to cooking tonight but I know there are cold chicken wings, cheese and 'stuff'.  LN....I'm sure I won't fade away overnight...LN

Tuesday 14th April

Well that sun beat me again but I was watching Filmon until just after midnight and then ended up reading...that'll teach me.  Handwashed a Merino wool sweater that's been hiding in the bottom of the wash basket for a while...it was such a good day.  I decided to set the rinse and spin programme on the machine and I was sitting reading when the machine played me a tune that I'm not used to and it came up with a message o the display that I've no idea about really but since it was the only thing in the machine, maybe it wasn't heavy enough to warrant the spin.  That's what comes of technology.  Anyway out it went on the line and it came in at four smelling better than it did at eight thirty this morning.

Heaved all the plants that have overwintered in the little house on to the terrace and then decided that I'd play on the internet for a while....my day...my decisions.  Chatting to a friend on facebook when I remembered I hadn't had breakfast so I finished the conversation, beans on toast sprang to mind and they've kept me going all day.  Back to it and I've planted some shrubs out, cleared the old pots ready for this season's beauties, run the lawnmower over two thirds of the garden until the urge to succeed diminished and honestly, I did feel a couple of spots of rain.  It will wait for another day.  The cuckoo is back...I heard the first one of spring for this year but this appears to be a normal one...not the one with hiccups from last year...so far....Two things that made me smile today...there was a bumble bee that was determined to get into one of the tulips on the terrace and once in there, he couldn't remember how he got in.  The tulip was swaying backwards and forwards and eventually it appeared.  The second one was watching a couple of birds on the electricity wires.  He too a couple of steps towards her and she moved away and not to be deterred, he moved in again and she moved away....Isn't nature wonderful...

Nothing planted as yet in the vegetable garden.  I raided Haciber's heap of cow shite and will put it to good use tomorrow.  Supper has gone in and it should be ready by the time this is posted...another enjoyable day and it's been a t-shirt and fisherman's smock day but the only problem is...having pockets on the front is very handy but you should remember to leave the contents in the workshop and not cart them into the house....LN...I'm going to check on supper and get a little mastica...I deserve it...LN

Wednesday 15th April

And that blessed sun beat me again this morning but it soon hid its little face and took a while to get round the initial clouds.  It certainly did though and we have had an absolutely stunning day.  I sat out on the terrace for my morning cup of coffee and started picking the old lacquer orr the slats and I thought that it would be a good day for getting out the wire brush and stripping it back to bare wood....and that's how it started.

Washed and dressed out with a Sudoku book so there wasn't any real urgency for the wire brush but I looked in the little house and in for a penny so to speak.  I started at the door end, cleaned it all out, separated the good wood for that suitable for burning, moved the floor and wall tiles, moved the roof tiles and stacked them in the garage with the other, got rid of the remains of the sawdust that was clinging to the equipment, swept and got my new hoover out to get in the corners and I now have a room that is in spick and span order.  I moved all the old flower pots into the lounge area of the little house and cleaned and sorted them into piles and got all of the seeds ready for going through on Friday.  It would have been tomorrow but I am off with the Librarian into town for an away day.

So after tidying it it was one hell of a bonfire and I felt sorry for my neighbour rebuilding her fences after the snow had brought them all down.  I got the impression that I was smoking her out.  I came in for tuna mayo sandwiches at one thirty, read for a while and had my first beer to settle the dust and then took the lawn mower for a few trips down the garden but that was proving unproductive...It was just too wet so I abandoned that idea and went back to the garden.  Dug over the two top flower beds and the one behind the frog garden and that's ready for scattering seeds now that I've sorted them out.

What an impressive day...I'm absolutely knacked, dusty as you like, am going for a shower and supper will be the tuna mayo on toast.  I really can't be doing with cooking at this late stage in the proceedings.  LN....I've got the inner peace of a good day's work and I'm not sure if the inner heat is from the thumping good bonfire or from the sun's rosy rays.  Matters not really....a good day...LN

Thursday 16th April

So my internal alarm went off just before six and I ended up having a facebook conversation with my ex-boss.  Unfortunately she is two hours behind me clockwise so for her it was really early.  I took photos of my rising sun and posted one to her facebook page offering her a little of my sunshine to brighten her day.  

Showered, shampooed, hair dried by seven thirty and was out to the garden clearing round the decimated broom and it does look a lot better.  I'm going to let it flower and then dig it up, prune it thoroughly and then replant.  It suffered a lot in the snow.  Beans on toast for breakfast, cleared away the breakfast things and washed up and the Librarian was at my door by nine this morning.  We strolled the garden, chatted about what we'd been up to and slagged off those that needed it and set off for Kardjali in Beauty.  I work on the principal that she uses fuel to get over here so we share the burden of cost.  We picked up a hitchhiker along the way before Rogoche and if I see anyone on the road knowing that there is no bus service, I always stop.  Dropped him off outside the garage shop and went in to drop off the beer bottles so that they could fill then and sell the oil.  

On to Kardjali...first stop Basmar and I picked up two ceramic pots and dishes for eighteen leva.  I also found some drinking glasses for under forty pence each so got six of each.  They're really chunky and will do for the garden...don't want to ruin my best ones....it has a habit of getting a tad risky over here when some of my friends call.  On to Mania and I picked up a cheapy sweatshirt for about thirty pence and a great laundry bag which was eight leva but would sit quite nicely in the boot of either cars for getting the shopping home.  Into the curtain shop and got some material for covering the outside cushions for the chairs and then over to the other cheapy shop where I picked up a couple of large pillow cases for the back bedroom to go with the decor.  I finished it off with a rucksack for my student for silly money.

Kaufland for plants, Lidl for food and a couple of solar lights for the garden and back to Djebel and the lower food shop for some bread, eggs and beer.  We stopped off at the garage for an update on the Beast and they seem to be doing OK with it but not quite ready.  I phoned Gouldjan to see if she wanted a lift to beat the bus home and she was over the moon......three ice creams from the shop and off we set.  Dropped her off, Librarian's purchases were loaded into her jeep, I moved inside, put my shopping away, assembled my lights that are now charging in the garden and the plants can wait until tomorrow.

Supper tonight is going to be the remains of the tuna mayo with toast....or maybe add it to some potato salad from Lidl....I've just eaten a bowl of salted peanuts to the urge to gorge is not up on me yet.  I'm going to say LN...it a beautiful tranquil evening and has been a stunning day with the temperature reaching about twenty two degrees which for this time of year is much to my liking.....and the same tomorrow please...LN

Friday 17th April

Stupid night....I woke up at three and it was so warm I decided to open the window to get some air in and what a wrong move that was.  Somebody in the next village has a bird scare shooting off on the minute but fortunately the dogs must be used to it because they didn't kick off.  I got my book out, read for a while but I don't think I'm really going to get into the next series that I uploaded to the Kindle....she's a vampire slayer and zombies and zombies rights are being mentioned.  I think it's time I moved on to someone like Bernard Cornwell for a little light entertainment and culture.  So I listened to the popping, couldn't stand it any longer so I shut the window and eventually got my head down at about five and then slept in until eight thirty.

Made some coffee, got the washing machine started since it was a lovely day with a good breeze blowing, decided to walk down to hand over the gel that I had bought and the ball for my neighbour with the broken wrist and they were all sitting in Byser's garden chatting away so I handed over the gift, she asked me how much and the nice thing is...they don't assume it's a gift and then I confirmed that it was.  She was so grateful.  Out came the Turkish Delight and I was forced into a square so that was my breakfast sorted.  Mentioned to my Avatar that I was going to knock up some shelving and she asked me if I had any little nails and I realised that she wanted panel pins to put the back on a television cupboard where the staples had collapsed.  I checked the workshop and all mine were too big so I decided to go into Djebel to get some decent sized nails for the shelving that I wanted to make and I could get panel pins at the same time.  So into the hardware shop and got what I needed plus a couple of metal buckets which I didn't need but liked, into the garage shop and sat for a while chewing over the fat so to speak and then Gouldjan returned my call and she was over the moon that I was in Djebel and could take her home.

Carried on with my wood working and the two surveyors that are working on the road stopped the car and asked if they could come in.  I think they wanted to see the house and practice a little English so they had the conducted tour but the bad news is that they aren't going to tarmac outside of mine.  Apparently it stops up the road and then starts again below mine and on to the next two villages.  Now my Kmet/mayor lives in the village that is going to get done so I'm thinking I've got to pay a trip to the Municipality and kick off somewhat.  There are some thumping big holes in our stretch of the road....wait for the sparks...

So shelving unit up and I've just got some shelving to finish off and the back support to do.  It means that I can clear out some of the stuff from the little house and start to get things a little more organised.  I've got tools in two places in the little house and it get's a tad frustrating when you come to look for anything.  The next think to knock up is a potting bench to get the gardening stuff into some sort of order and that will be on the workshop terrace.  

Supper is going to be spicy sausage with onions when I manage to get down stairs....I'm going to say LN...the worms are beginning to insist that I feed them...LN

Saturday 18th April

What a silly four o'clock start again and I looked out of the window and the new solar orbs that I'd bought from Lidl were glowing but my only thought was that I needed to paint faces on them....I'm not sure they are an addition to the garden but with modifications they will be fine.

So my message went out to a good friend for help with the Pajero gearbox.  The garage aren't totally au fait with the automatic stuff but the champion has written the instructions down and I shall be into the shop tomorrow and keeping finger crossed.  He used to work on all sorts of engines and I'm hoping that all steps are in place.

Finished the shelves off at eight this morning....and then started on the garden.  The plants are all in, I've planted beetroot, garlic, red cabbage and if anyone asks me how much it is probably more than I can manage to eat.  I've also put in carrots but I'm suspecting that the ants will enjoy the change of diet as they collect the seeds.  The zinnias are scattered far and wide and the nasturtiums are in and now can we have some rain.  I've also repotted the geraniums, sorted out the other pots and all in all it's been a good day.

I've had an annoying time with the lawnmower.  One of the back wheels has stripped the thread so tomorrow I'm into the hardware shop for another bolt.  I tried desperately to attach it with a nut on the inside but the only nut was the one trying to get the job done.  The circumference of the wheel was too great to get my fingers behind it to guide it into place.  

Just finished supper....spicy sausage with potato salad and I know it's what I had last night but it is quick and easy and tasty.  Just after seven my time and I'm about to put the boiler on and have a bath....I feel like lying there and soaking.  No photo's today,,,I've been too busy...I'll make up for it tomorrow...LN

Sunday 19th April

Five o'clock start so that's better than four but not so good as six...Aggrhhhh'.  Walked the garden and spotted a mole that has been killed by something and not eaten or maybe it's just old age....anyway one down and hopefully more to go.

Coffee, book, Angry Birds, shampoo, shower by eight and ready for the day.  I printed off the instructions from my local English friend as how to repair and automatic gearbox and set sail for Djebel.  The shop was closed so I headed for the hardware shop to try to buy my bolt for the lawnmower but to no avail.  Instead I got a smaller one with spacers and I'm just hoping it will do the job.

On to my students and she has a sudden attack cold sores so I stood well back from the friendly greeting.  She had no idea what caused it and apparently she has kissed no one!!..The sister was crying her eyes out and she told me that we were having banichka with grated potatoes and onions for lunch and that's why she was in tears.  So a pleasant day with the family, rain had stopped play with the garden and so they were all in getting bored.  We had lunch which was delicious but mine was banicka with grated carrots and fried nardinitsa while the rest of them had a green salad.  The afternoon enjoyment was colouring mother's hair with a dark chestnut colour pack and we discussed the benefits of using natural henna against artificial products.

Home for just after three noticing that the garage shop was open so I dropped off the recipe for a successful programming of an automatic gearbox and I'm sure there will be questions tomorrow.  Fire lit tonight....it is cold and damp and I watched the European gymnastics on TV since there was nothing else of interest to watch.  Fire burning brightly, I've just finished a packet salted peanuts and half a bar of chocolate and what is it with this unseasonal weather that you are forced to eat enjoyable rubbish.  Cows were circling but no invasions so I'm safe for another day.

Eight my time....motor racing on the TV so I.m about to put the computer to bed, find more decent books on the Kindle and fill my brain with other things....LN....I'll let you know what I come up with...LN

Elsa, you something big on the fence looks very like a cuckoo to me - just by the way it is sitting. Of course, it could just be the sex that doesn't make a cuckoo noise (can't remember which), but it is very unsporting of them to not annouce who they are!

Monday 20th April

I think it's too big for a cuckoo Jean although there are several around.  This morning I went out on to the balcony, the mist had obscured the mountains and the hillside but the birds were magic.  

The sun eventually broke through though barely and I went out to think about putting in some more plants but came in pretty quickly.  That wind was chilling.  I settled for a coffee and it was going to be a toasted sandwich but then the electricity went off so it was just a spread cheese sandwich but fortunately I'd already made the coffee.  Angry birds ran out of juice on the Kindle, the other gaming machine went into the orange telling me to get the thing charged and all that was left was the book I'm reading on the original Kindle that I'm reading under sufferance.  I've been too lazy to get another series underway.  No power so went out and fixed the wheel on the lawnmower giving me total status as an engineer.  I just put more spacers in a smaller bolt and it did the job beautifully.  I went over the top part of the garden since it was looking a little raggedy and then tried a few long runs towards the bottom of the garden but since it rained yesterday it was really hard going.  Eventually I came up with a solution...I got the scythe out and took a lot of it down, cleared the cuttings and put it down the bottom of the garden and then went over the trimmed area with the lawnmower.  Tomorrow will see the end of it that's if I can raise the enthusiasm and it doesn't rain overnight.  It's a hard slog but somebody has to do it and since there is only me...'nuff said...

Sat out in the swinging chair in the cherry tree and just enjoyed the view and the birds.  There is a nightingale that is claiming my garden, the woodpecker from this morning was bashing seven bells out of the walnut at the bottom of the garden and several small birds were adding to the calls.  I came in at six thirty, put fish fingers and potato wedges in the oven while I sat and watched Eggheads and sipped a little beer.  Supper ready, served it with mayo and now it's almost nine my time so I might even think about sourcing a new book series....LN....I'm on the hunt...LN

Tuesday 21st April

So it rained in the night and so my plans to finish the grass were scuppered but it cleared up enough to work outside.  It was a seven o'clock start which wasn't bad saying that I took to my virginal couch at just before ten.....a good night's sleep for me.  I'd done lots of work in the garden so it was the sleep of the truly knackered and hopefully tonight will be the same.

It started with thinking about clearing the tools from the little house but before that I had to clear the logs from the floor of the workshop.  There are some biggies left over from the winter and I've decided to stack them not get them cut.....I don't need them so they'll start me off for next winter.  I also made a unit for putting the garden tools in to save them falling all over the place and it's used up the old shutter from the bathroom window which was made when I first came out.  It's not pretty but it's functional.  

Lunch was potato salad with a tin of tuna thrown in and I sat in the sun and enjoyed the view.  I was straight back to it though and have cleared the old logs that have been hanging around all winter and they're stacked on the workshop terrace and that's completely cleared now.  I've burnt some of the debris...some of the old logs were falling apart to they're now reduced to ash and it will go back on the garden.  I came in at six and put in a couple of pork chops with home made barbeque sauce and potato wedges into the oven so that I could go back outside and finish off.  I feel I've had a good day...tomorrow I shall be gardening if the weather holds but as it looks at the moment....I might just be sitting reading a book and so I better find a good one.  Supper finished, a little beer on the go and a little Filmon tv, bath to soak away the aches and pains and early night.  LN...only a potting bench to make now for the terrace to get rid of the pots....I'll just go and sharpen the saw...LN

Wednesday 22nd April

What a sleepless night….I’ve got something on my brain that I’ll share with you later but now is not the right time.  Three of the clock and I’m tossing and turning so I decided that Angry Birds was favourite and did manage to complete two long standing puzzles and then I was on to Ms Blake the vampire slayer.  I’m really trying hard with this book and then the message came up to recharge my Kindle so that was put to bed…..if only I could be.  

Put the washing on at five thirty and made coffee and eventually I closed my eyes at around six thirty and catnapped sufficiently to face the day.  Sun was up at six forty five more or less but there was a magnificent front over the mountains so the sun wasn’t up for long.  It’s been a typical day of sunshine and showers but the showers have not been that heavy at all.

I pegged out the washing, got rid of my kitchen and bathroom waste paper and the fire was so easy to light and then went back to sorting out the really decomposing wood and moved some of it back to the stack.  I went down to get a loaf of bread from the mobile magazine and there was my neighbour and without the plaster.  She took great delight in telling me that she told the doctor that I had given her cream and a rubber ball and she knew just what to do.  I think he took a backward stance on the matter….love her.  I also brought back a Tout Manic which is a white cheese heavily greased bun and it did the trick and gave me the energy to carry on with the grass and wonder of wonder…it’s more or less finished with only the edges to do.  It was done in stages though…I came in….I went out…I came in…I went out and it was a little more every time.   Success….I’m rarely beaten.

So finished in the garden when it started to rain again and came in, had a shower and washed my hair and settled down to do toe nails that were in desperate need of love and attention….and my finger nails have been dosed up with hardeners…I caught the stork on it’s way to the feeding ground but only just and after I hard day and an early morning….I’m really looking forward to getting into my nest tonight but I really must find a better book.  A little red on the go, fire lit and if I my internet comes back I’ll post…otherwise it will be tomorrow…LN

Thursday 23rd April

So last night I was falling asleep by nine thirty so I took to my virtuous couch and anticipated a three o'clock start but instead I was pleasantly surprised to make it through to five thirty.  That's not bad for me.  Coffee, Angry Birds, a little book and then saw the start of the morning.

Watched the sun come up and noticed that there was a frost covering on the grass and went out to check the temperature and it was down to zero  and I was amazed and very thankful that I'd lit the fire last night to keep the house up to eighteen degrees.  So washing in at six and ready to peg out by eight, I stood in the garden and listened to the birds and all sorts singing their little hearts out.  There were the hoopoes, cuckoos, a blackbird and a nightingale all seeking attention.  Breakfast was bacon, egg and fried bread and the intention was to get to the garage and get Beauty oil changed, winter tyres off and summer tyres on and generally get it ready for the summer.  I'd been parking it in the garage and I noticed that there was some oil on the concrete but they put it up on the ramp and it's a little leakage from the gear box and I had it confirmed that that's what Renault are renown for.  There was an update on the Beast, the engine is in and working fine but I've told them there's no rush and the garage owner's Renault has to have the clutch replaced so it takes a preference over mine and they are inundated with tyre changes....I'm in no rush.

A little shopping in town, back for three more or less, washing in and carried on sorting stuff from the little house to go into the workshop.  Avatar came round at around five and told me that Crave Mush wife who I was talking to only on Monday suddenly passed away this afternoon.  She'd been complaining of high blood pressure so the funeral is tomorrow.  I think it brings it home to the locals....as I've said I'm very lucky to be here at this pivotal time in the life of the older Muslim people in this area of Bulgaria.  I'm watching history being made....

So not many photos today...you can see the start and end of my day....and that's about it.  Tomorrow I'm carrying on with my work to get the little house empty...it will make it much easier for electrics, water and floors to be laid and those are the tasks after the wall is built and that's paramount for this year.....Bastard bovine will not invade.  So LN.....I'm about to go and do something with some mince that I took out this morning....LN

Friday 24th April

Five thirty start this morning and so much for my plan.  Last night's extravaganza in the kitchen was a homemade hamburger so breakfast was that that I didn't manage to eat last night.  Beautiful sunrise and managed to capture it....

Out to the garden and walked the estate.  I watered all the things that needed it and had a word with those plants that had recently been laid into the outside world.  Everything is good.  The pyracantha stolen from the Polyclinic has a superb root system and it must be because it comes from the local day hospital...it is full of  hope.  Went into the workshop and moved a few things around but then the mood took me to clear out the corridor area where I spend the winter and take out the carpets and beat the hell out of them.  They were out on the line and then I washed the zebra throws and the corridor was looking very empty.  Removed the shelving thing that has spent it's time in the bedroom and it's now out on the kitchen patio.  Got the new hoover from the workshop and cleaned it out....took up most of the carpet but as I moved quickly to get the carpet up I tripped up on the edge of it and over I went.  I have a bruised knee and I've bandaged up the left wrist and not a drop of alcohol in sight....

Carpets cleaned, everything hoovered, floors washed and carpets hanging on the line.  Bashed and dedusted and the carpet from upstairs is now in the lounge area and I have my lounge carpet on the upstairs landing.

Only commiseration is that I appear to have knackered my wrist so tonight I'm off for a bath and soaking the offending limbs with hot water and soothing gels....I have a knee that will scab...and wrist that will bruise beautifully and eventually heal....Bugger isn't it.

Chicken wings in the oven with potato wedges...the dish of mayo is waiting its delivery...LN...not sure of photos...the wrist sort of set me back...so you have only the morning....

Saturday 25th April

Almost laughable last night...I got in the bath OK and had a real problem getting out.  The bath's very narrow and you really need to hands to get out of it and the one just wasn't working so well....it hurt when I put pressure on it after the fall.  I had visions of having to stay where I was so gritted my teeth and just got on with it....painful.   Down to the fire that was going really well and got really warm, rubbed more gel into the wrist and put on an elasticated bandage it swear by the magic of 'Reparil Gel',  It's expensive for here but apparently it is recommended by sports therapists.

Woke up at six, made a coffee and took it back to bed and generally came too slowly.  Up to my desk by seven thirty and the Librarian messaged me to see if I was OK and I wrote back a few responses but decided that since my phone people had donated another three hundred minutes to her number the last time I topped up, I might as well use some of them.  I was originally going over to hers today but decided that it will be better tomorrow so cancelled my student and I'll head over for about lunchtime tomorrow.  She needs a little help with the lean-to roof so I'll take over a couple of acros that I have.

Started with the top part of the lawn and round the side but I got stuck in and did most of the left hand side of the garden.  It's not the grass that's growing but the clover and bugger the nitrogen...I could do without it.  Started to dismantle the shelving from the old workshop and sort out the tools and decided that I could make a unit to go on the workshop terrace to take the flower pots and I could also use it as a perching bench.  Sawed up some wood for the new top and the shelving, used the legs from the workshop shelf stack and was bashing away when Haciber and Zelinger were taking a promenade and of course they ask you what you are doing.  I told them it was a small table and when the walked back to their houses they were most impressed.  A true master craftsman would have sanded the wood down and used screws but sorry it's for outside so nails came into play.  I did manage to get a coat of wood preservative on it though in dark oak....it's looking good.

Managed to get into the what is to be the kitchen in the little house and there is very little left in there now....One more day should do it and then all of the tools will be in one place and not scattered into three.  Much more organised.  A pair of nightingales singing their little hearts out tonight as I closed up and I always think of the film Shrek when the bluebird exploded.  No fire tonight but it's just started to rain so at least my garden will get watered...those dark clouds had to be holding something.  A few pickies...I've been far too busy to get the camera out every five minutes...LN

Sunday 26th April

Four thirty start and read for an hour or so before my eyes started to close again so down with the book and the next thing it was eight and my Avatar was standing looking at my garden....I knew she wanted something at that time in the morning and apparently she was out of money and needed a bankomat and to do some shopping.  I arranged that I would be at her door at eight thirty and off we set.  Money out, she did some shopping and we were home for nine thirty.

Tried my key in the door and realised that last night the wind had blown the door open so I'd locked it with the key.  In my haste this morning I'd left the key on the inside of the door and so it was a quick leg it up to the guest room terrace with a ladder.  Dear Avatar was standing at the bottom of the  ladder telling me to be careful and to be sure I was being.

Over to the Librarian's for this afternoon and we sat in the sun and chewed over the fat.  We've just got back from a meal at the local motel taking with us one of the  local lads and had a very pleasant evening.  There are no photos....I've left my cable at home and tomorrow I'm at the men's village at eight....I have them back and intend working the socks off them....LN....I'm off to get my head down...LN

Monday 27th April

Woke up at 5.30 at the Librarians after a lovely evening, read for a while, put the kettle on and made the coffee for both of us while she sorted the dogs out and out to the car to get the acro props as supports for her lean-to.  I helped carry them back to the house and off I set to pick up the men at just before eight.

My life is now back to normal.  For four years spring going into summer and autumn going into winter it has been my routine and that had been taken away from me where a word of 'would it be alright if' would have made all the difference.  It put me in a difficult situation and also the men insomuch as they knew the usual routine....and it had all changed.  It was kisses all round as I picked them up...I think we are in each others hearts and it had been a difficult time.  I mentioned to Bekir that I had picked up that there was a problem with a hospital and asked if everything was OK.  Unfortunately his father who lived with them had been ill and died during the time he was working elsewhere.  I offered my sincere condolences.....I knew his father and saw him overlooking the sheep about five years ago when I used to live in their village.  He was a grand old man and will be missed.

So they were welcomed back by some of the villagers and we discussed the forthcoming work and the wall is paramount.  I am tired of watching cows eyeing up my territory and so the design has been drawn on the back of the invariable cigarette packet and they set too.  Unfortunately the worst part is the section they tackled first....they had a lot of stone to remove from the boundary before they can start on the wall.  I joined in and got on the end of a wheelbarrow and moved the other crap to the various stations namely the bonfire for the polythene and the tree trimmings, concrete to the bottom of the garden, glass into a bucket and metal to the metal mound.  Organised stuff.  Coffee breaks came thick and fast but it was hard work so I ended up taking out a container of apple juice which seemed to go down alright,

Carried on with the work for the rest of the afternoon and they were ready with their little black shoes blacked at six.  I locked up the new workshop where the tools are now stored and delivered the men home.  We've all had a busy day and I feel quite wholesome after a day in the sun and doing manual work.  Chicken wings for supper with potato wedges and I really must think of something else that is quick that doesn't take much input from me.....A little red on the go and I think a quick shower to get rid of the dust and I'll say goodnight and now to find a new book since Angela Blake was finished this morning.  I'm off to search the Kindle...LN

Tuesday 28th April

Two a.m. start but I went to bed at nine thirty absolutely knacked so I'd had five and a half hours already.  Did the split shift....read until three thirty, head down and got in my next three house and up and running by six thirty.  Coffee, internet until seven thirty and realised I had ten minutes to be up and attem so to speak.  Got there on time....we went down to the materials yard in Fotinovo and we were treated to coffee by the Paton, bought a few things from the shop, I noticed that his wife had a new hairdo so I said 'chestito' and she was so pleased that I'd noticed.  She looked lovely.  In to place the order in Esat's new office and again I said 'chestito' which is the greeting if you spot anything new and then he threw Bekir out for smoking in there.  Ordered the materials for the wall which were supposed to be part-delivered and we were still waiting at close of play.

They've cracked on with the stone work and the area from the patio of the outside toilet is cleared.  They decided that they weren't going to remove stuff to the bottom of the garden but they got a bonfire going and cleared as they went.  I reminded Bekir that the mulberry needed to be pollarded since the snow had taken its toll and it no longer looked good and up he went with chain saw in hand and jobsagoodun.  Hoping it comes back quickly as I can see everything that is going on on the hillside.  My Avatar came round with her lawnmower blade and Bekir sharpened it for her and tonight she is whizzing around the plot like a whirling dervish...I asked him to do mine but apparently mine can wait until tomorrow.

I cleared the big branches from the mulberry to be sawn up for winter, I cleared the smaller branches and they are ready for a bonfire at the weekend when everyone has gone, went into the old store room and cleared the shelving and there is very little to sort now....it's a matter of training the men as to where the new homes are.  We drew the line for the new wall and it makes more sense if we can take about half a meter from the plot next to me to put up the fence on the other side of mine.  I've found out who owns it and tomorrow we will have a deputation to see if they mind and if they do they might want to sell it....it's not used at all and the money might be useful  to them.

Not sure what's on the agenda for tonight's supper, very likely to be a cheese and onion omelet since it's quick and tasty.  I'm heading down to the kitchen now but I must admit there is a glass of red on the go....would have been rude to have ignored it as it was sitting on the worktop...LN...I'm off to create....LN

Wednesday 29th April

Fantastic night's sleep and woke up feeling like I'd had a good sleep for a change.  There was no reading at silly o'clock and I was pegging out the washing I'd put on at cheap rate last night at seven this morning.  I put the second load in to wash while I was fetching the men and we arrived back here at the normal time.  We had a discussion about the oak tree and the fact that the trunk was right in the way of the wall and yesterday apparently Bekir had spoken to the neighbours and it was decided that one of the oaks was mine and they owned the other one and as roots and trunks went I knew which one was which.  So after the discussion I made the decision that mine ought to come down so that they didn't have to mess around constructing a wall around an old tree and down it came and that's when the fun started.  The next thing I new there a conflab going on and I think that they thought that the tree would still remain although ownership had been established.  We all reviewed the boundaries and obviously through the years without a fence being there their impression was that it was all theirs right up to my cranberry...and it's not.  We found the old fence posts under the stone and it is one hundred percent mine.....

So the first lorry arrived this morning with my wood, metal for the wall, and a pallet of cement.  I guess two little boys have lots to play with.  It was all going swimmingly...we decided on a cement raft for the base of the wall and I suggested that we put in the drainage pipework because next door's garden is much higher than mine and the pipe will stop it getting waterlogged in winter.The footings are all dug for the first phase down to the  old toilet and tomorrow we start construct.  I kept myself busy, I got the lawnmower out and did the top and the left hand side of the garden and just managed to get the washing in as a few drops of rain came down.  Not much to it and the men were still digging out the roots of the oak and we've had Emula most of the day and he's helped out with a few jobs and we'll work out the rate for his efforts.

Four o'clock and there was a phone call from the materials yard asking if we would accept the breeze blocks today as otherwise it would possibly be Monday.  Bekir agreed to it, the lorry came at five more or less and it took until seven fifteen to get them unloaded....all nine hundred and seventy of them.  I helped out for a while but during the afternoon I'd started to burn the tree cuttings and worked between the two of them.  I've certainly made a dent in the one pile and tomorrow I should finish it weather permitting.  So Emula asked if he could come with us on the homeward journey and we went into the local restaurant and he had a been with the men....I settled for an orange juice since I was driving and I got home at just before nine.  I'm knacked...it's been a long hard day but much has been achieved.  I'm sorry there are no photos....it was too dark when I got back and not much time to pick up the camera this morning...I'm going to say LN.....I'm hungry, in need of a drop of the red stuff and promise that I'll get some picks loaded in the morning.....LN

Wow, I'm exhausted just reading that Elsa, still nothing feels better than seeing something concrete acheived from your efforts

Thursday 30th April

Thanks Tabs.......I might be old and while the flesh is still willing I have to go for it...

Slept the sleep of the just last night and six thirty start and what a wonderful sky it was to wake up to.  Meandered around a little and took the photos that I should have taken before the light failed last night but there wasn't much time...by the time I'd finished watering the pots I was in the car and away.  Fortunately as soon as we get home my day really kicks in and I seem to work alongside them.  My task for today was to clear the rest of the stuff that had been cleared for the wall and I'm pleased to say I've achieved it.  There is still smoke escaping from the burning pit but it should be still warm for tomorrow...I have debris from the little house to get rid of.  

The men finished the trench, made a ramp from the terrace to the garden so that they could start getting the gravel and cement down nearer to where it was needed.  I got the lawnmower out and took the grass back to zilch where they would be working and Sally got on the wrong end of the wheelbarrow.  He always appears to draw the short straw.  Bekir had his statutory nap under the cherry tree and Sally and myself chuckled that out of the sun it was cold and he woke up with a stiff back but we had no sympathy.  They've done the metal work for the columns for the wall and we've decided that the stone/cement wall will be about four meters high topped off with a couple of rows of breeze blocks.  The rest of the levels will be sorted as we go since I live on a hillside and the is about a three meter drop as you cross the garden.

They kept building and I kept burning and it all came together at six fifteen more or less.  There was a request from Bekir that we stopped off at Semile's farm so that he could pick up some meat but when we got there there was no Semile....Bekir was not amused and said that he could sell it elsewhere.  Over to the men's restaurant and I stopped off at the shop and got a couple of nardinitsas and a small bottle of mastica since the cupboard was bare.  Food done and dusted, desperately in need of a shower after a very smoky dirty day in the garden...LN...I'm off for a shower and I might just need a refill...LN