Sunday 1st November

A seven o'clock start now what could be nicer.....an eight o'clock start maybe.  

No breakfast this morning because I'm off to the baby party at eleven thirty....on to the bus with my ladies and hugs all round for everyone.  Lit the fire so that it would be warm while Gouldjan was house sitting for me while I was out ...well not so much house sitting as she had work to do for her day job and I think she just likes the ambiance of the house so lies on the sofa and when I got back she was really chilled.

As for me...into Djebel and I was offered the front seat by the driver so took him up on it.  He was late having had trouble with the bus.  He said it wouldn't fire and I suggested it was the battery and he agreed but said that it was finding the money for the new battery so I suggested that we held a collection for him but it wasn't taken up by the rest of the passengers.

Twelve thirty at the venue and it was absolutely packed...people had come from miles around.  The little baby was paraded. the money was collected, the favours were handed out in the form of a fridge magnet confirming the boy's name and the date of birth.  He looked a happy little chap but the hat was something else.  Chicken soup for starters, chicken with rice for main and a very sweet cake for desert.  So back onto the bus and home for two thirty more or less and found Gouldjan luxuriating on the sofa and she had done no work at all.  We sat chatting for a while, I told her I was going into the kitchen to make leek soup from the ones that my painter had left me and told her to get some work done.  I moved her into the lounge, I went upstairs and plugged into the world gymnastics.  She decided that she'd had enough at six thirty so I got the Beast out and took her home and arranged to pick her up in the morning and take her into work since I'm meeting Mrs D of S at nine in Djebel.  Oh what a busy life I lead!!

I noticed how many starts were out when I put the car in against the wall.  It could well be a really cold night.  I think Gladys has actually hibernated but not bedecked herself out with leaves and things.  I think I'll have to find a box and bury her myself.  

Pointless is on.  No food for me since I got filled up at lunchtime, a little wine on the go and then in for a relaxing evening.  LN...what a lovely day... LN

Monday 2nd November

What a silly night...at three thirty I was wide awake despite no sleep yesterday and a very busy day.  Caught the planets this morning in their full glory and posted to Facebook.  No answers for my sleeplessness so at silly o'clock I was on to the pc, playing Freecell, Marjonge and anything else that took my fancy and soon realised that I'd managed to get through until five thirty and so there was no way that I needed to get any more sleep and I've kept going all day.  Had a bit of an issue this morning...one of the bulbs in the bathroom light fitting had expired and yours truly had never removed one of the bulbs before from the fitting.  I twisted, pulled, pushed and eventually I removed it and I'd never seen that time of fitting before so it was a visit to my super electrical shop in Kardjali since I knew they'd come up with the goodies and they did at two lev for the bulb so I bought four.....

Breakfast was toast at seven this morning, washed dressed, wood in, fire going and off to pick up Gouldjan at eight forty managing to fill the car with passengers before I'd left her village.  On the way to pick up Gouldjan I met up with my painter and asked him if he wanted more beer for the magazine but instead he thought that he would prefer red wine so it was on my shopping list.  I deposited Gouldjan's mother at the Ustra turn-off and she was hoping for a lift to her home village, Gouldjan at her school with several bags of clothes for the underprivileged and Gouldjan's neighbour at the same drop off point and she was off to renew her passport.  So back down the high street and saw Mrs D of S and a quick turnaround and in she jumped and off we went to Kardjali.  

Kaufland for wine and chicken cat food and toilet rolls, Billa for more wine, into the town centre for cigarettes and back to the petrol station to top up before we were off to Djebel.  We had a bit of a job parking and I had to get out and spell it out to a local that I was waiting to park not sitting there for my health and eventually we got settled and it the direction that we'd find no problem extricating ourselves from the car park.  A circular tour of the market and I bought some more PJ bottoms and casual day trousers....I insisted of driving Mrs D of S home much to her annoyance.  Home James and we sat in the garden in the sun chewing over the fat....at four I headed home, put the new clothes in the washing machine and as I was pegging out Hacibar arrived with an onion omelette for my supper.  I handed over some Clementines that I'd bought in Djeble as a thank you and we discussed the PJ's that I was pegging out and so she wants some and I have to alter them since she has very short legs....next week!!

Washing in and into the bathroom to dry....supper of chicken breast fried off in butter and added to leek and potato soup prepared yesterday.  The rest of the soup is in the freezer along with the onion omelette that was delivered.  Very quiet evening....a little red wine on the go, fire going well and heading up for an evening of reading in front of the fire....Supper is on the wood burner and should be ready by now...so I'm going to say LN...nothing to do tomorrow as it stands at the moment...LN

Tuesday 3rd November

Six start and the planets were bright but it was a very grey-pink sky...not as clear as yesterday.  Read for a while, poached eggs on toast for breakfast and then made my way towards Djebel to try to sort out the dodgy antenna on the Beast.  It was making a horrible grinding sound.  Stopped and had a chat with one of the ladies that comes and goes from Turkey and she said that she was here to renew her passport but that she needed some Bulgarian lev...and so I offered to change some for her at the kiosk to save her going in.  

So down to the garage and they were extremely busy with the summer tyres off and winter tyres on but my student's father took a look at it but wasn't sure how to get at the motor so we reached the decision that I would investigate on the internet and see if I could work it out for him.  As I was driving into the car park from the garage Hacibar was walking towards me...she'd been to Momchilgrad market and had managed to get some pyjamas that we'd spoken about yesterday so I know my task for tomorrow will be to shorten them...she's only got little legs.  Change the money and now back to my village with Hacibar strapped into the passenger seat after I'd heaved her in and back to my lady to hand her the lev.  She got some spinach ready prepared for me and I had to refuse it....I said I didn't like it and we went through the rigmarole of...'why not' which is normal here.  It's green and we grow it, what's not to like.

Made a spicy sausage soup with onions, chilli and beans and it's now in the fridge and I'll use some of it tomorrow and freeze the rest in standard portions.  Checked out the fixing of the antenna and got a quote for one and printed out the destructions, out with a book  and lay on the sofa with the door open until it started to get chill when the sun was going down so lit the fire so that the house would be warm when I got back from my students.

Arrived back in Djebel for just after six, hamburgers for supper with salad and home made yoghurt.  Toasted walnuts and grapes for desert with coffee and we settled in to watch television, chat about all things irrelevant and generally had a family time.  Left just before ten, car parked back in the garage and it's the first time I've brought it in at night by lamp light and only one forward and back which is not bad considering the angle that I have to come in at.  Gates locked, fire poked and encouraged successfully....but I'm surprised how warm the house stays.

Free day tomorrow so far without I pursue the antenna....I'll see how I feel.  LN....bed's calling...LN

Wednesday 4th November

Six start but since there was nothing to do I got out my book and read for a while.  I watched the sun come up but I didn't take photos and I've no idea why not.

Didn't bother much with thinking about breakfast but pottered as all good women can.  Tidies the bathroom, kitchen, lounge and walked upstairs with things that should be up there and down with things that shouldn't.  I brought down the two new pairs of long Johns that I'd purchased on Monday and realised why they were so cheap.  I had to make repairs to the bottom hems so that they didn't disintegrate into nothing as the washing machine took over.  

I was out sorting out the leaves when I heard the gate and my painter had arrived.  I told him that the alcohol fairies had descended in his magazine and he willingly coughed up the ten leva.  I had to explain how a wine box worked and the tap mechanism but he decided that he wanted to tap the box and test it for himself.  I provided the glass, he said we should celebrate together and at ten thirty in the morning...much too early for me.  I explained that Kaufland had a five litre for eight leva but that it was Italian so he sampled that as well and the upside is that he wants one of those when I go in tomorrow.  I mentioned that he would be wobbling down the street on his bike but he said that the tyre had popped so tomorrow in Kardjali I'll get him a new one and he's given me the serial number for it.

My next visitor was Hacibar with her pyjamas that she'd cut off and wanted sewing up.  Read for a while and I appeared to nod off on the sofa in the sun but came to and set about the pyjamas immediately.  Delivered to her doorstep at two thirty...not a bad turnaround  Out with the strimmer and did the tree bank and the bottom of the garden before I ran out of battery power then into the house.  Lit the fire and again back to the sofa with my book and the next thing Hacibar had arrived with some mixed pickles and some fig jam from Turkey so into the store cupboard with both of them.

Temperature is dropping but the fire is going beautifully.  The spicy sausage from last night was into three portions, two for the freezer and one onto the cooker with a little red wine added to the sauce and the pasta in a different pan.  Delicious but hot.....but it should do me through until tomorrow.

Seven fifteen my time.  I'm off to Kardjali tomorrow to help a friend select kitchen spices.  I need to get new batteries in a couple of watches and some keys cut...It's going to be a busy day.  LN....it will be a tranquil night....now where's my glass...LN

Thursday 5th November

So we had our own fireworks today but that comes later.  Six thirty start and those planets were glittering up in a red blue sky.  Lovely morning.

Washing put to cook, back to my honey and hot lemon drink to get rid of this cold and read for a while until I felt that I need to burst into action.  I didn't have to be in Kardjali until twelve so it was a leisurely shower, hair wash, nail varnish removed and not reapplied and I lay on the sofa after drying my hair and getting dressed until just after eleven and then realised that I had to move.  Into the car with two watches to have new batteries fitted, a list of spice names in Bulgarian and my task for today was to help out a friend who was having trouble fitting out the kitchen with Bulgarian spices...hence all translated.

I went the back road down to the main Greek road and I was at the venue by twelve minus five.  I met them but his wife was not feeling well and she had to sit down but then she felt sick but was determined to carry on.  She was doing well until we got near the checkout when I had to put my arms under hers and holding on to the trolley I supported her until she passed out and I held her up until he paid for his shopping and then we moved her out to the front window.  I went back and settled my bill and then the supermarket took over and the ambulance was called.  Up to the hospital and I was allowed to go in with the patient and I had to do the translation as to what had happened and the lady that was in arrivals was the one that had been there when I had broken my wrist....I had an ally.

I left them to it and set off to complete the items on my list.  Two new batteries in two watches, phone in to be repaired...I could hear them but they couldn't hear me....paper for boxes for lavender boxes for my ladies for Christmas....M-Tel bill paid....and I went to see my doctor so that I can get the documentation in action for my driving licence transfer over to the Bulgarian licence.  I went back to the hospital and with another friend went back to the supermarket car-park and my friend's car was retrieved and taken to the hospital.  My phone now works...I managed to get the tyre for my painter's bile and was complemented on my Bulgarian...Lidl to finish shopping and home via the hill route and home in quicksticks.

Shopping unloaded, car back in the garage, fire lit, washing in folded and put away, chicken wings into the oven ...a very busy hour.  PJ's on, beer open, supper served, Pointless, Eggheads and now it's on to Strictly post-mortem.  

Update on the lady is that she is home and not been kept in.....almost nine my time so I shall be ready for my virginal couch and the Kindle.  It's been a busy day....LN....nothing for tomorrow so a little more sun please....I'm gardening tomorrow...and sorry no photos....it's just been too busy....LN

Friday 8th November

So I was awake at silly o'clock this morning.  I'd forgotten to draw the curtains and it was the moon light that woke me and then I had to get out and take the moon and the planets.  It was cold out...I couldn't see the white on the ground until later but I didn't linger long on the balcony and soon came in and jumped under the covers again.  The house isn't cold and I'm amazed how it retains it's heat despite the fact that the fire was left to go out at about ten last night.

So down for coffee after taking a few more photos as the dawn was breaking.  On to the computer and deleted the mass of junk that seems to be the curse of this generation.  As for the banks and building societies that attempt to catch the unwitting...by this time you'd have thought that the 'gatekeepers' would have devised a method of really picking them out.  

Breakfast called and yesterday I found some smoked mackerel in Lidl and fancied them for a change.  I put one into a boil in the bag and put it on the stove and the second one went into the freezer.  What a mistake....I've tasted it all day and I think the second one might be made into a fish pate....And at almost seven tonight...I'm going to leave the digestion until tomorrow morning.  

Beautiful day to day after the frost lifted and I've been settled into a book for most of the day lying on the sofa with the door open.  I was going to do some gardening but I really didn't feel up to it so didn't.  Lit the fire at four and the house is warmed through and the fire ticking along nicely.  Going to the garage in the morning with the instructions for the removal and replacement of the radio antenna but it's not that urgent.  We'll see how good Google translate managed to make sense of the Cyrillic.  LN...and I'll remember to draw the curtains tonight...I've capture the magic of the morning sky and tomorrow I can hopefully sleep through it...LN

Saturday 7th November

Early start but not bothered with taking shots....too much mist around for the planets.  Coffee and no breakfast for me...I was off to the garage to get my antenna sorted.  My painter appeared and his job was to move the wood from the back terrace and put it in the little house so that it would dry off and I could use it.  I showed him the tyre that I'd got for his bike and he said that it was rubbish so I offered to take it back and the man accepted it gracefully.  He asked me why it was refused...I said I didn't know...I don't speak that much Bulgarian so he laughed and gave me the money back.  

Before that down to the garage and they took the tyre off and removed the antenna control and I've got the part so I can order up a new one from the UK.  I could settle for just the moving part but who knows....better the whole thing.

Into Kardjali and bought the fireworks for tonight and decided to label them up for the Librarian, Mrs D of S and myself and two for Bulgaria...after all that's where we all live.  Homeward bound and met up with my original student and invited him and his family to a sort of bonfire party but without the bonfire but lots of food.  I followed it up with a call to his mother but I know his father was extremely tired after a busy week changing summer tyres for winter.

Librarian arrive at around five...food anticipated for six and all ready for seven ten but since no one else arrive we had a good session and did it justice.  Out to let off the fireworks and back in for apple strudel and cream...what could be nicer.  Now we have some red wine to get through...so LN....I've had a lovely day....sleep tight everyone...LN

Sunday 8th November

Seven start and the Librarian popped out of the bedroom as I came down the stairs.  Started on the kitchen and then it was get priorities right...get the kettle on and decided that the kitchen could wait.  I did clear a space to work after we'd lingered over coffee and tea for an hour or so and then set to with poached eggs and ham on toast followed by toast and blackcurrant jam.  She'd decided that she really should give her car a hoover out since one of her local passengers had run her finger over the dash...I'd have chopped it off and made short work of her but I suggested that she did it in my drive since the electricity and hoover could be negotiated easier since mine was on the flat.  Done and dusted so to speak and we said farewells at around ten this morning.

I was just pegging the washing out when I looked up and a woodpecker was on the tree and where's the camera when you need it.  I went inside to get it and my phone went and it was Gouldjan asking if I could I adopt her for the day.  Her laptop wasn't working and she suggested that I might be able to get it to boot.  Meanwhile waiting for her I sat under the wall with the camera and waited for the woodpeckers to arrive and they didn't let me down and neither did the tits.  I love my garden...I get all sorts but just to sit and wait is something I should do more of.  My painter arrived and asked me if I was satisfied with his work...more than satisfied and I asked him for a bill.  He said that there was no bill so I replied that the five litre bottle of wine that was in the workshop was his if that cleared the slate between us.  There was a no, a shake of the head...a shake of the head on my part and we agreed that the slate was now clean.   What's friendship for....

So Gouldjan arrived and powered up the said machine but the disk light that was showing red and no flashing green so didn't think I had much of a chance.  We tried various options but nothing was achieved so we went down for lunch of mousaka that she'd brought with her followed by  a portion of the strudel left over from last night and moved into the lounge with fire lit and talked.  The upshot is that I'm picking her up at seven thirty tomorrow morning and taking her into Kardjali to get her laptop fixed, she's coming with me to the hospital to see the ophthalmic doctor to see what the best plan is for getting glasses to renew my driving licence by next February.  It's called scratching backs.  Mrs D of S has booked the hotel for out sojourns to respective gatherings over the holiday season and kicked Gouldjan out in one of my big coats since it's gone really cold, I threw another log on the fire, eventually cleared my kitchen of debris so that it looks like my kitchen again,  Big pot of chicken and roast vegetable soup will be handed out to villagers tomorrow....my treat.  LN....I've got to catch up on Strictly since I missed it last night....early start tomorrow...LN

Monday 9th November

So I woke at six this morning to a beautiful starry sky and read until the sky changed to the usual magical pink and blue.  Down for a coffee and my book and read until seven knowing that I had only half an hour to get to the bus stop in the next village to pick up Gouldjan.  I had a few words with her father as he brought the milk up for the milk wagon and he joked that his daughter was still in bed…da, da, da I said…she knows better than that,

She came huffing and puffing up just before seven thirty carrying the coat that I’d lent her last night and several bags of clothes for the less fortunate and up came her mother carrying even more.  We had a hug and again she invited me down to her house and one day I must go.  Computer boxed up we firstly stopped off at the school so we could deliver the clothes, then into Kardjali to the computer shop where the man took it from her and said he would phone her in about an hour.  

As you know I want to change my driving licence over to a Bulgarian one so with the form in hand we went to the hospital, the reception of the second floor indicated the doctors that we had to see to satisfy KAT the issuing police agency.  I paid over the thirty five leva, we headed for a corridor where the doors were numbered and we had to go into five of them and have the doctor sign and stamp the form.  Firstly eye test and I was told that I don’t need glasses for driving but that if I went to the tenth floor at ten o’clock he would test my eyes and give me a prescription.  One stamp collected.  Next to have my ears nose and throat check, two stamps.  In to the surgical room and she check my hands, knees and general skeleton, third stamp, fourth stamp for blood pressure and heart and the fifth was for nerves and general health…and lastly back to reception for an overall stamp to confirm that all the test had been satisfactorily completed…Just like England….not…five experts in one hour fifteen minutes.  Up to the tenth floor and the prescription for reading glasses delivered, over to the optician’s shop, I chose glasses at the cost of thirty five leva and they will be ready on Thursday and with lenses fitted…sixty nine leva.  All I have to do with the form is to add my new Bulgarian registration document number when it’s issued on the nineteenth of November and I can deliver it to KAT.  What a good day.  

Bad news …..The computer needs a new hard disk and it will be ready for Thursday so two birds with one stone so to speak.  Gouldjan was back to work for twelve twenty more or less and I was home for one.  Lying reading in the sun this afternoon….fire going now and temperature is dropping again.  So I’m going to order a second pair of readers and throw away the collection of cheapy plastic ones that I’ve bought.  LN…it’s down to the kitchen to find food…There’s a ton of chicken and roasted vegetable soup in the fridge…some for me and then the rest in the freezer….LN