Thursday 1st October

So now we're into Autumn and don't we know it.  It has been cold and miserable today...the sun broke through briefly then shot away again.  I had a pretty slow start and went out at just after nine and my painter had appeared and asked if he could finish the wood today.  Now I thought it was finished but he went round the garden, brought up everything he could find and chop sawed it up leaving it in a pile by the door to the little house.  He had just finished the last when his phone went, he explained that he had to go home for ten minutes or so so off on his bike and came back and explained that the headstone for his son's grave was ready to be picked up in Kardjali and his friend wanted to take him in and did I have a problem with it...of course I didn't...so ten minutes later he was picked up leaving his bike and chainsaw in the workshop ...all under lock and key.  

Attacked the lavender and one bush has been trimmed and the flower heads are hung up and drying in the little house.  I've also planted lavender and rosemary cuttings and keeping fingers crossed that they grow.

I cleared up the rest of the sawdust from the little house and put all of my stuff into the old plastic box that we'd repaired and then set to stacking the newly chopped wood until I got bored with it so decided to watch a little Filmon and then I'd go back to it.  I shut the main door since it was cold and when I went out again at three I noticed that the wood had all gone and the painter had come back...called me apparently but I'd not heard him and he'd finished the job for me....played so to speak.

What he'd done though was to throw it into the little house porch as it looked like rain so when he went I stacked the rest of it in the little house porch so that if the snow comes...it's a bit nearer than the workshop to collect it from....Boots blacked and ready for it so to speak.  Suddenly looked at my watch and realised that I was out to dinner at my students so it was a rush job to get ready and I was only a little late.  It was lovely to see them again...they've had visitors galore from Turkey over the last few weeks and at last they have finished...they think.  I've managed to acquire a new pair of winter slipper socks...a present and I've just FB'd them to confirm that I wasn't eaten by a bear on the way home....

Nothing on the agenda for tomorrow so far...and keeping my fingers crossed that it stays that way.  LN....it's been an active but leisurely day and a very chilled evening...LN

And a few photos....

Friday 2nd October

Well it was a late start this morning since I stopped up to see Mock the Week and then Question Time but remember I'm two hours on than the UK.  It's a programme that I loved to watch in the UK but I'd forgotten all about it until I saw it on a trailer.  Things worry me about British Politics.  Tering the UK apart and new people that have such fixed ideas that they would make better despots than Prime Ministers.  

My painter turned up with his chain saw and headed down the garden only having a few logs to make petchka size.  We had a discussion about one of the logs that I thought looked like a donkey's head so it was spared the chop.  The second gto be salvaged was a log that looked like a pair of shorts and we had great fun making a pair of pockets that got tacked on.  There was also a root and trunk that was left down the bottom of the garden....this could be make into some sort of deterrent.....

So off he went with his trusty chop saw loaded onto a wheelbarrow to help out one of the old ladies at the top of the village.  I put the recently cut and chopped logs into the workshop and notice that my painter had left his, as we call it because it has everything in it, his Charlie Chaplin bag so put it into the house for safety.  I carried on clearing out the little house, got a load of washing out, pegged a couple of large pillow cases under the lavender so that I can collect it all.  

Charlie came back for his bag and as I gave it to him he said that there was lots of gold in the bottom,,,,,,I'll check it out next time he goes AWOL...Washing in, onto the airer, fire lit and fish finger sandwiches for supper.  Bath tonight...I want to luxuriate ...LN....the Librarian is coming over and it's Djebel day tomorrow.  She's staying the night and then off to Church on Sunday ...I'll keep you informed...LN

Saturday 3rd October

Late start for me....seven of the clock and someone has stolen the mountains.  It was thick mist out there and even the kimono dragon appeared to be missing.  It took a while for it to lift and there was no sunrise as such but I was out in my PJ.s to identify if Gladys had left but no she'd gone back to the bottom of the garden and was under the rose bush.  Seems she's looking for a suitable place for the winter...she might be digging herself in soon.  On to the PC and I completed my passport application and all I have to do is get the photograph taken on monday and into the post with it and it was easier than I thought.

Cleaned through the bottom of the house because of the Librarian coming over tonight and it's more for my benefit than hers...old habits die hard.  Showered and washed my hair and cleaned the bathroom after I'd finished and then sat at my desk in the towel drying off and managing to do the Daily Mail Sudoku five star in ten minutes which was a bit of a record and finding the angle quite quickly this week.  Eventually got to drying my hair, did my nails and had a super slow morning.  At just before one the Librarian arrived and we had coffee and headed to Djebel and I found a parking place in the middle of town.  We headed to the stalls, found one selling chicken so we ordered a whole one and salad and the remainder is sitting in the fridge for later tonight.  We walked round the amusements where the children were having fun on the Bouncy castles, found a stall selling doughnuts and back to the car with them in a container and home James where we sat in the sun with the doughnuts and coffee feeling quite decadent.  Five each and now I still feel stuffed to the gills.

Came in at seven from the garden, fire going, vodka and tonics times two poured and we might have the chicken later if either of us feel like it.  Tomorrow it's an early start....we're off to a church service in JS's village just to make up the English contingent's numbers.  Unfortunately we have to leave at about seven thirty in time for the service....it might be coffee and breakfast on the move.  LN...it will be an early night for me without I get stuck into the rugby which might just happen...LN

Sunday 4th October

So I was awakened this morning by the Librarian heading for the loo at four twenty and there wasn't much more sleep after that.  Fortunately I don't need that much but I played games on the Kindle and headed down just before seven and it was kettle on and tea and coffee in quicksticks.  Straight into breakfast...two spicy sausages with eggs and served up by seven ten and we were finished and ready for the off by seven forty.  We were off to church at a friend's village and there was thick fog around so wanted a fair shot at it.

There was a bit of a police gathering outside of Kardjali on the Haskovo road but I have no idea what it was about.  Five of the little beauties in a layby and nothing to signify why.  Well we arrived at our destination without Satnav saying 'turn around now' and over to our friend's house and no one home, no car outside so we headed to the church and he wasn't even there.  So in we went as the village priest started with the incantations and if I'd have known the words I would have joined in with the chorus.  There was a wonderful female singer going most of the work and when I complemented her afterwards she said her voice came from God.  I reckon it came from her lungs but we didn't argue about it.  It was a long service but I found out afterwards that they'd all been promised a bunfight and the meat didn't make it back to the village from Kardjali until just after eleven so we had several choruses.

The church was packed but it was a pity that they had to offer a free food and wine to get the people there.  I guess that the next service in two weeks time will be back to the normal congregation of six or seven instead of the seventy or so that turned up today.  Lovely weather for an outside party...the mist had disappeared and the sun had come out.  There were lots of bread loaves in the church that the local ladies had baked and they all got shared between the congregation....and what a lovely service it was.  Off we went to out friend's house and sat around in the sun discussing all that needed to be discussed..it was just one of those days.

And so to the bunfight.  Tables laid out and chicken, pork, salad and beverages including wine and beer were on offer.  Why is it that I always seem to draw the short straw with the Librarian and have to stick to Fanta but now I'm home, the bottle is open and it's mine...all mine.

We stopped off at Lidl on the way back through Kardjali, picked up a few things on the way through including a couple of pizzas so it was straight into the oven with them and the Librarian went home stuffed including a bag of bits for the pizza and yesterday's chicken for the dogs.  She set off just before eight and we've had a really good day.  LN....The roof stayed up despite a few dodgy tiles...I can't be that bad....LN

Monday 5th October

Well my intention to go into Kardjali to get my photo done for my passport has gone by the window.  I couldn't get into gear today and I think it has something todo with a busy weekend.  

Fairytale morning.  It was misty first thing but as it started to lift it was back to Narnia.  I sat out on the terrace and took a few photos, drank coffee and generally absorbed the morning and walked the garden noting that bottle brush is really flowering well.  In the rest of the garden there are lots of new plants where after the parched spell and the the rain, tobacco and several others are germinating new babies.  It all seems back to front to me as if they think it's spring again.  I've even found bulbs pushing through new shoots.  Searched the garden for Gladys and found that she had moved into a different area of the garden yet again.  

Back into the house and breakfast called.  I made myself a bacon and egg sandwich and sat in the sun watching the birds having the last of the sunflowers seeds, up on to the computer and went through the documentation for obtaining the new passport and realised that they want an original not a photocopy of a government document to confirm my address here so I was on the hunt for one that I don't mind sending to them.  Heard my name and my painter called round to check that I was OK and that I didn't need him to do any work for me.  He told me that he'd just finished three days at one of the other houses in the village and that he had more over the next three days or so.  His 'shop' in my garage is now down to one bottle and asked if the next time I was in Kardjali I could time replenish supplies and he would give me the money.  

Played a few games of sudoku and then the internet provider decided that the connection to the big wide world was not going to happen so it was time for head down and I've slept for a couple of hours.  As you can see it's back up.  Very still evening and after such a lovely day it's clouded over but there's not a breath of wind and the clouds are just hanging.  No need for any supper...breakfast is still lingering and I think all that's required is a glass of the amber nectar.  LN...definitely Kardjali tomorrow to get the photo done and the passport application in the post....LN

Tuesday 6th October

Six thirty start but the rain had woken me up with a drip drip drip from the roof that overhangs the balcony.  Last year I tied a sock on the metal work,,,I'll be doing it again for this winter....Rain had stopped by the time that I managed to get out of bed and it had somewhat dried up but the sun had a hard job to break through the clouds.

Headed into Kardjali for just after ten.  I stopped off at the garage to see if they could do my antifreeze before I headed into town and check my oil but the  antifreeze was going to happen after lunch....they had a few cars in.  Parked up and went to get my photo taken and she was trying desperately to have my hair down but I stuck to my guns.  So two photos taken and they would be ready in an hour so off I headed to Mania to see what they were giving away but it was Tuesday and the best prices are on Saturday when the price per kilo reduces.  Anyway...found a body warmer for ten lev so I decided that it was worth having and it's washed and drying in the hallway.  Photos printed, over to DHL and I think I've bought shares in the company.  Delivery promised for tomorrow to the Passport Office and it was more than I wanted but apparently it's standard price for documents.   Lidl on the way out and then to the garage to get my winter antifreeze done and dusted for the winter.  Thirty five lev and I've had them check out whether I need new winter tyres for Beauty but they appear to be alright and will be changed next week.  

Noticed that Gladys has returned to her grazing area and is back to her original hidey hole....Lit the fire this afternoon and it's been a tele day for me and I'm warming up for Pointless and Eggheads.  Supper was a spicy sausage fried off with and onion and served with mayo.  I couldn't be more adventurous than that even though I'd picked up some duck breasts reduced in Lidl.  They need to have a bottle of wine to serve with them and I'm fresh out of it.

Only got photos of this morning and the desperate sun fighting with  the clouds.  It's been like that all day and a massive downpour this afternoon which has now passed over and the ground has dried up again.  Tomorrow it the journey out for the lawnmower....I have to do the lawn.  LN....the beer and biscuits are out...LN

Wednesday, 7th October

Silly night last night.  I was off to bed at ten and awake at two and played silly games until three thirty but I managed to get back to sleep until six thirty. Horrific dreams last night but couldn't bring them back into consciousness....and perhaps as well.  Washed, dressed and Gouldjan came round this morning with her intended to return my diamond necklace lent to her as a goodluck for her betrothals. She's's got all the rings in place but no paper to prove it...in my book back to the drawing board Cecil.  She also delivered a pot of her home-made yoghurt and some of the meat that was killed for the festival.  I was out into the garden at a sensible time and decided to attack the remains of the sunflowers and dig them all up.  They've been shading the rest of the garden and leaching water from the new plants so they had to go.  I planted out the shrubs that I had left and the lovely flowering honeysuckle is now between the wall of the old house and the terrace.  I put lots of sawdust and potting compost in the gap and I'm hoping that it settles into the environment.

Decided to get rid of the sunflowers and I've put the rest of the stalks and seed pods down the bottom of the garden for the birds.  I tidied up the shrubs under the wall and planted another couple and keeping fingers crossed that they will put down the roots well before winter gets here.  The lavender has been hair cut and it's hanging in the little house in the pillow cases.  It might be all brought into the house if it remains damp outside....it needs warmth to shed the seeds so that I can start being creative with it.  Got the lawnmower out and did the lower garden and it's down down to a reasonable length and I have stripes but for how long I haven't a clue.  I lost Gladys today but came upon her snuggled at the base of my new topiary in the cow garden half way down the garden.  She's a game girl and has been around for quite some time...   I did leave her a patch of green so that she doesn't have to go too far.

In and watched a variety of quiz games on television.  The donated meat was put into the oven along with potatoes, onions and leeks and despite the meat being a little too tough for my tender gnashers...the overall result was good.  I'd slipped a little red wine into the meat which you're not supposed to do...it's holy meat and doesn't need anything. but the gravy was superb.

So not much on my agenda for tomorrow.  I'm tempted to get Beauty sorted ready for winter...or alternatively have a pleasant day doing nothing..LN...heck of a choice....LN

Thursday 8th October

What a grey miserable day it's been today.  I had the intention of going out and strimming the bank that I didn't managed to get to do with the lawnmower yesterday but instead I boiled a couple of eggs for breakfast and lit the fire and I've been stoking it all day and watched the on and off rain.

I did managed to get outside and throw out the old bread that appeared to have a few touches of mould on it which the animals won't mind but I do.  Played a little on the DS but then settled in to watch Filmon...I did go through the list of things that I could do and afterwards did nothing,  I checked out my passport application and the documents have been received and it is being processed.  What an informative service the website provides....on-line updates.

Just before nine my time....I'm feeling very rested after a day of nothing.  As for tomorrow....down to the bread van in the morning, breakfast and Beauty is going in for tyre change and winter service.  Not too late a night for me and sorry no photos tonight....it was such a grey day...LN...I'll get some for you tomorrow...LN

Friday 9th October

Silly stupid early morning...three thirty and I'm wide awake and looking for things to do.  Played with my DS which ran out of battery as did both Kindles....not much to get up to at all.

I tried to go back to sleep but there was no going back to the darkside.  So coffee, and games until seven and then it was down and out to check what was going on in the garden.  There was a hint of sun this morning but that was about it.  Fire lit and ashes emptied, wood in and then it was down for the bread wagon and a fresh unsliced that got part demolished with butter and apricot jam.  Washed up from last night and tidied the kitchen, internet for emails and facebook and then a chilled morning until I decided that I was recovering the hall sofa.  I got out the material that I should ever have bough and the same material as the lounge curtains will be used for the sofa cushions.

So outside with the sofa and codged it together...there is a way to do it and I'm not sure I did it correctly.  I kept the home fires burning this afternoon and I had a request to open up my Avatar's house to confirm that it wasn't dripping with water inside.  We closed it up again and then the son was at the door.  They were receiving a call but reckoned that Hacibaer had left the phone in Avatar's house....So open up the house again and yes...shed left her cardigan in the house with the phone in the pocket....

Fish in for supper with potatoes and peas and baked apples for pudding.  I've just watched Pointless and now expecting to see Eggheads and suddenly I have the Strictly spinoff...so I must investigate....where's it gone.....

Nothing much happening tonight...closed up for tonight and fire going well.  Gladys had appeared again and walked the lawn or sauntered round for most of the day...what a little star she is...LN....I'm back to Strictly and trying to workout why Eggheads has been abandoned...LN