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Elsa Peters
November 1, 2015, 4:48pm Report to Moderator

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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
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Elsa Peters
November 1, 2015, 5:18pm Report to Moderator

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And now for the pickies



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Elsa Peters
November 2, 2015, 4:29pm Report to Moderator

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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



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Elsa Peters
November 3, 2015, 8:59pm Report to Moderator

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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



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Elsa Peters
November 4, 2015, 5:28pm Report to Moderator

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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



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Elsa Peters
November 5, 2015, 6:52pm Report to Moderator

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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
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Elsa Peters
November 6, 2015, 4:55pm Report to Moderator

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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



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Elsa Peters
November 7, 2015, 7:51pm Report to Moderator

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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



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Elsa Peters
November 8, 2015, 5:14pm Report to Moderator

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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



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Elsa Peters
November 9, 2015, 4:32pm Report to Moderator

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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



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Elsa Peters
November 10, 2015, 8:54pm Report to Moderator

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Tuesday 10th November

Seven start this morning and it was going to be a lazy day.  I stripped the bed down, got the washing underway, made coffee and got the Kindle out and settled down to read for an hour or so.  The day started well but by the time I came to peg out it had clouded over and there was hardly any wind and I had visions of having to light the fire and dry the stuff inside.  I didn't bother with breakfast, I really wasn't in the mood for it.

Read until I could read no more so cleaned out the wood burner and removed the soot from under the hot plate and the base of the pipes.  I was surprised how much had already accumulated and guess that I'll have to get the pipes out before the winter really sets in.  Decided that I was going to make chicken and vegetable pies out of the thick soup that I'd made on Sunday so got some frozen pastry out of freezer.  I managed to roll it out with a large spoon handle not being in possession of a rolling pin, put the chicken and veg into three dishes, put them in the oven and when they were piping hot I put the pasty topping on each of them.  One for tonight, one for tomorrow and the big one goes back in the freezer.

Washing in and it was more or less dry and is now on the airer in the bathroom.....as I said it's been a lazy day....and the most activity was taking shots of the sunset this evening.  It changed so much and it was so dramatic...mornings and nights here are stunning most days.  LN...I now have to decided on the photos to post....LN



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Elsa Peters
November 11, 2015, 7:23pm Report to Moderator

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Wednesday 11th November

Very silly night last night.  I go into a very serious FB discussion with the daughter of one of my old friends which turned into a message session and at one thirty my time we were still going strong.  She's a very beautiful lady who's just going through a dark patch....men egh...So I was not ready to get my head down so took to reading and eventually put the light out at three thirty.  It did mean that I slept in though until seven this morning and the sky was already pink and blue and then up came the sun.  

Coffee, a general tidy round and then onto the sofa with a new book.  It was such a glorious day for this time of year.  Read for about an hour or so and then out with the strimmer to take down some of the new growth at the bottom of the garden.  By this time we've usually had a couple of heavy frosts that's stopped the weeds but this year every thing has gone topsy turvy.  There are so many new flowering plants that have seeded since around September and are very health and looking to seed again before our winter really sets in.  Strange.

Had a bit of a lazy day after that....showered, washed my hair and gave myself a pedicure and applied lashings of foot cream and tarted up the nails before it's out of the gardening clogs and into wellies.  Looking at the long term weather though...it seems to be continuing like this for the next few weeks.

Not much need for food today...I've not really done much to use any calories.....so it's been a bit of a 'grazing' day.  Kardjali tomorrow to pick up my new glasses and Gouldjan's computer from the repair man.  She's got students until one and will be free after that so it's an afternoon visit.  Early night for me and hopefully I'll get a good night.....LN.....fingers crossed...LN



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Elsa Peters
November 12, 2015, 7:42pm Report to Moderator

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Thursday 12th November

I woke to a beautiful morning and yet again but a bit of a shock when I was watching Filmon last night.  There was a fire going but my legs didn't stay warm and it wasn't until I went into the bedroom that I noticed that I'd left the door to my bedroom balcony open so no wonder it was cold.  

Stripped off into PJ.s and snuggled down and soon back up to temperature but the last thing I want is another cold to settle since this one is only just beginning to lift.  Woke up to a beautiful sunrise again...such a lovely long Indian summer.  Waited for the bread van and cooked poached egg on toast, cleared the kitchen, dressed and onto the the terrace with the Kindle and enjoyed the sun but had to take a layer off to sit out there comfortably....it was hot, hot, hot.  The Librarian arrived at eleven as planned we stayed outside but moved benches into the shade and at twelve fifteen set off for lunch in town before I picked up Gouldjan at one from the school.  We went to the soup kitchen which is a cheap local lunchtime venue...two bowls of chicken and pasta soup with bread and Fanta....five lev for the two of us.  

Into town to pick up my glasses,  Gouldjan has gone off to pick up her computer, but the shop was closed and it took a telephone call to the number printed on the door for the man to come down and open the shop when  I'd explained in Bulgarian that I'd come to pick up glasses.  He opened the cupboard and came out with a delicious pink and green box and they were mine.  I tried them on and they are absolutely superb and I'm so pleased that I've decided to take care of my eyesight.....we seem to forget certain basics.  Into the old Mania across the street and found a red jumper, a bronze coloured evening top, a canvas belt for the Librarian to match the jumper she was wearing and another long sleeved t-shirt for working in and the total cost...two lev.  Over to a restaurant for coffee and we again sat in the sun waiting for Gouldjan to reappear and in the end I phoned her to find out where she was.  She was now at the top end of town so we got back in the car and went to the top car park stopping off to get some winter bee supplies for one of the Librarian's neighbours,  phone Gouldjan again and we eventually met up again, piled back in the car and over to Kaufland for a few essentials.  

We dropped her off just before six, the Librarian loaded up her car and off she went, I put my back in the garage since there's nothing on the agenda for tomorrow, unloaded the shopping and settled for toast with cream cheese after I'd lit the fire.  Got back into the Kindle and it's now a joy to read again...a difference of .25 between the eyes meant that off the peg ones were no longer viable.  A little Filmon and then it's off to bed for another good night...I still feel that I need to catch up...it must be age.  LN....just after nine thirty my time...it won't be long...LN



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Elsa Peters
November 13, 2015, 8:02pm Report to Moderator

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Friday 13th November

So this morning I woke up to a misty morning and went out onto my bedroom balcony to take a photo and then I saw them.  Bastard bovine had got in…some were lying down obviously having spent the night, others were munching their way through my flowers, grass, shrubs and anything else they could find.  I put the outside garden light on, went out with my cow stick to try and find the hole in the remaining fence and saw that it was by the mulberry tree.  Now this is half way down the garden and you have to get one of them through and the rest follow but since there were thirteen of the things so I stood a snowballs chance in hell of getting them through.  Into Beauty, down to the farm and spoke to Semile’s mother and managed to tell her the problem and then spotted the cowherd so he was scooped up and we drove back to mine.  Now he knows cows, I showed him the hole in the fence and he herded them through….result so ……out with the old wood, in with the new, bendy wire, wire cutters, nails and hammer and by eight thirty it was repaired, and then to inspect the garden.  What a mess….so boiled eggs and toast before I tackled anything.

Forsythia stripped, bottle brush with a smashed pot pulled from the little house terrace, beetroot pulled out, peppers stripped, tobacco and marigolds beheaded and piles of shite everywhere.  I pulled the roots of the peppers out, dug over the bed and the really small beets were replanted and we’ll see it they take.  The rest of the baby beets were boiled and are now sitting in vinegar…..every cloud has a silver lining and I repotted the bottle brush and that’s ready for wintering in the little house.

Read for a while today after the activity and an early supper was on the horizon.  Chicken with jacket potatoes and roasted parsnips with a couple of glasses of the red stuff.  I’m now watching Rick Stein making his way through Istanbul and some of his recipes look so easy to achieve….Here’s hoping I am cow free tomorrow morning.  The problem lies in the fact that once the cows have got in they have the memory for retrying and since it is the only side of the rectangle that is incomplete…it’s really annoying.  It was promised for October but I’m still waiting and it’s the middle of November….but that’s all I’m going to say about it…LN…I need to top up the glass…and Rick is making Turkish delight….LN….



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Elsa Peters
November 14, 2015, 5:08pm Report to Moderator

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Saturday 14th November

A normal magical start to the morning but this time…no cows.  There was one lingering looking for the gap but it didn’t stay for long….and just as well.

I had a very lazy start….I was waiting for the Librarian to arrive and we were off to Kardjali for a meander and a lunch date at one with a couple of friends,  She arrived at ten more or less, we had a coffee and set off stopping first at the market and then off to the cheap shops to see what they were giving away and it was worth the trip.  I picked up a leather waistcoat, a wool mix jumper and a lightweight summer one for the princely sum of five leva and I work on the theory that Gouldjan can have them for the needy if I haven’t worn them by next year.  The Librarian came out with a few more than I did…I was very careful today.  We did a circuit of the fruit and veg market and went to what used to be a little old man selling sock but now his wife was there and she took great pride in telling us that it was all her own work.

On to the restaurant and the food was superb.  We had a selection of dishes and all dipped in and came away feeling quite stuffed.  We said fond farewells and I introduced the Librarian to another small supermarket that has lots of choice and she found a bottle of HP brown sauce and she was over the moon.  

Home just after five to find a birthday card on my door step that I’d sent to England ten weeks ago.  There was a note on it ‘return to sender’ but it appears that the post office in Djebel stamped it with all the official stamps including ‘Priority’ but that they failed to put the stamp on it.  Doh….I’ll have to point it out….  Made a phone call to tell my English friend the saga of the card and apologised…I’ll take it over next time I go ready for next year.  Fire going…lovely sunset again tonight….this is such a magical place.  I had a good lunch so no food required but a little beer might be on the cards for tonight….LN…A very relaxed and enjoyable day in good company…LN



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Elsa Peters
November 15, 2015, 5:59pm Report to Moderator

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Sunday 15th November

Woke up at four thirty this morning, read for a while and they went off again until more or less seven.  There was only a glimmer of the morning and it took a while for the pink to come to the clouds but it took ages for the sun to burst through.  Bacon and egg for breakfast and decided that it was time to get the wood burner pipes cleaned out so on to the stool, pipes removed to the terrace, scrubbed out and replaced.  There wasn’t a lot of soot and debris in them but it’s better that way…..Chicken, onions, tomato and beetroot in the slow cooker….my supper is cooking.

The sun eventually broke through so I cleared up the debris from the wheelbarrow that the cow had knocked over and got the bonfire going.  The big wood I put into one of the big buckets and it would get burnt in the house and the sawdust, leaves and little bits were better go rid of in the garden.  My next job was to remove the cowpats and put them on the gardens and as I was doing it one of my neighbours was looking for the usual places the council put the sand ready for the snow but they haven’t been round this year.  She was having a little work done so I said she could have a wheelbarrow from my heap.  It was ordered to complete the wall but as the year wears on…I have the feeling that it’s not going to happen.  She offered money and I refused…if it’s left on the heap the wind is probably going to blow it around so I’d rather she had it and used it.

I decided that the afternoon was mine so out with the Kindle and lay out on the sofa until it was time to light the fire and tonight is the first night of the year that I’ve drawn the hall curtain to maintain the heat downstairs.  The temperature has really dropped tonight so it could be a frost.  Off to the kitchen to sample my long cooked supper with a glass of the red…LN…shopping with Mrs D of S tomorrow….LN



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Elsa Peters
November 16, 2015, 7:09pm Report to Moderator

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Monday 16th November

So it was a five start, I read for a while and at six went down to make coffee and then went back to reading.  I did manage to take a couple of shots of morning but there wasn't much to photograph…only a hint of the pink stuff.

Didn't bother with breakfast since I was meeting Mrs D of S and we would chew over the fat over coffee and whatever we could manage to order.  I picked up three passengers on the way in…I beat the bus….and as I dropped them off I picked up  Mrs Dof S.  We made our way to the post office, parked the car up and walked to the restaurant for breakfast…Down to the market but there were no purchases made so down to the hardware shop where I picked up some more bendable wire so that if I needed to keep the cows out I would have the where withal to do it.  

Off she went in the taxi and I drove home and parked the Beast in the garage without any adjustments getting it in there…result.  Lovely afternoon in the sun reading, my painter came round and I’ve already booked him to do the preservatives on the beams before I head of to the UK.  Fish steak with chippies for supper eaten in front of a super fire and little beer to wash it down.  LN  it’s been a calm day..LN



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Elsa Peters
November 17, 2015, 7:18pm Report to Moderator

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Tuesday 17th November

Today would have been my sister’s birthday so a few memories coming your way and lots to love to my nieces and nephew….

Six thirty start and it’s getting nearly time to move to the downstairs bedroom and as long as I don’t close the curtains in the lounge I can still catch the morning.  That’s what I love about this house.  Beautiful sunrise yet again and watered the bathroom plants and am really pleased that one of the plants I bought from my lady in Kardjali is coming into flower again.  I haven’t a clue what it’s called but it’s very oriental looking.  Next job was out with the brush and shovel to clear up the leaves that been blown off the trees in the yard yesterday.  They’d accumulated by the front door and under and around Beauty and I managed to collect three wheelbarrow’s full and dumped them on the compost.  That was about the height of activity for today….the book has drawn me in and I’m into the last ten percent of it and it will be back down to it later.  

Late lunch was some of the remains of yesterday’s slow cooker mixed with spicy sausage remnant from the freezer, curry sauce added and it worked.  It had to be a little glass of the red stuff to help it on its way and lying in the sun reading took up most of the afternoon.  I lit the fire at four thirty to keep the house ticking over for the evening and again it looks like being a cold one tonight.  

Just after nine my time…nothing on the cards for tomorrow except for tomorrow night when I’m off to my student’s house for supper.  LN….going to sort out the fire and get comfy on the sofa…for the last ten percent..LN  



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Elsa Peters
November 18, 2015, 8:46pm Report to Moderator

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Wednesday 18th November

Very misty start and it was a tad chill on the balcony this morning.  Not much to see of the sun and it took quite a while for it to burn off but burn off it did.  Out to the mobile shop for two loaves and a cheesy bread for breakfast and I must remember to take him ten stotinki tomorrow I threw myself into the red with the cheesy bread.  I'd only thrown a sweater over my pj's this morning to head down to the van and a shower and hair wash was on the cards before I really faced the day and it took a couple of cups of coffee to get there.  There really wasn't any rush so I lay on the sofa and read for an hour after breakfast before the urge to clean up and get ready for the day came home to roost.

On with a new pair of legging things after my shower but didn't bother with a jumper in the house...it was ticking along at twenty eight even though it wasn't that warm outside.  I had tuna mayo for lunch on the fresh unsliced bread and settled down again with my book and at four I was surprised by a visit from Gouldjan so I provided her with a coffee and we put the world to rights.  Out with the Beast at five thirty and I dropped her off at home and continued on to my student's home for supper.  Her mother's uncle was there from Turkey and what a lovely man he is.   They really are a lovely family.  Home now and I've confirmed that I got home safe joking that Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood sent their regards.  They expect a funny.  

Tomorrow I'm off to Kardjali for my residential documentation and attempting to sort out my driving licence renewal having completed all the medical checks.  LN...I'll let you know how I get on...LN





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Elsa Peters
November 19, 2015, 7:34pm Report to Moderator

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Thursday 19th November

So today was the day that I picked up  my Lishna  card and it was a day of Narnia as the clouds rose up over the mountains and I posted the photos on FB which resulted in lots of ‘likes’.  Lovely morning.

I phoned the Librarian and asked her if she wanted to come to play and after ten minutes my painter arrive in my garden and he was coerced into joining in the fun and with his Bulgarian…we had more chance of attaining the objective.  He could fill in the forms for me and he did.  So firstly I picked up my new residential documentation and then over to KAT for my new driving licence and that was a job in itself.  I think mine was the only one that had been done that year so we got others officers into the fray and eventually overcame the restrictions.  At the end of the day…I’d completed the documentation and the classifications seemed to be the high hurdle.  Eventually I signed the five page form and apparently I can pick up my new licence in January….Success…

Into the opticians and selected and ordered new half glasses so that I can wear them to drive…Over to Kaufland and coffee at cheap prices purchased to go into my shop so that others might take advantage,,,,Chicken for supper with roasted veg and now I'm chilled with the fire gong and a little red on the go….not a bad life out here…LN…tomorrow nothing on the agenda…Let’s see what crops up…LN



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Elsa Peters
November 20, 2015, 5:47pm Report to Moderator

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Friday 20th November

What a funny old night.  I had a reasonable sleep but woke up at five thirty, went down and made coffee, read for a while but then put the light out, watched the dawn and promptly nodded off again.  I did get up and get washed and dressed but made my way back to bed and read some more enjoying the sun streaming into the bedroom.

I heard a few noises outside, looked out from the balcony and saw one of the men that I know from seeing him walk down to the mosque walking the length of my bottom wall.  Eventually I came downstairs at around eleven and went out to check out the temperature outside and there was a black bag hanging on the door knob and it was full of garden goodies and I thought that my painter had been round since I lobbed him a five litre bottle of wine for his work yesterday on the driving licence.

I opened the bag and saw that I had potatoes, peppers, beans, garlic, peanuts, onions, medlars and a jar of preserved peppers.  At one thirty the mystery was solved…the gentleman who had been walking my perimeter was the donor who was now knocking on my door.  .  Now in the grand scheme of things and being the sort of village that it is I had to cut him off so went outside and he made a move to come in the house.  It’s a funny old village and I had to explain that I was a woman living on her own and the it would not be a good idea for him to come into the house.  I thanked him for his gift, shook his hands and saw him out of the gate.  I just hadn’t got a chaperone.

The rest of the afternoon was spent reading and snoozing on the sofa in the sun and eventually lit the fire at five this evening and the house has reached a very comfortable temperature.  The boiler is on…I’m going to linger in the bath tonight.  LN…a very restful day …LN



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Elsa Peters
November 21, 2015, 3:36pm Report to Moderator

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Saturday 21st November

After a delicious bath last night I lay my head on the pillow at ten twenty and at three I was reading.  Tried again at three fifteen but back to the book and at three thirty I eventually managed to sleep through until six thirty.  Dawn was just starting and I had to follow it through.  There was front over in Greece / Turkey and the clouds were scudding and forming unusual patters but the colours in the sky were just beautiful.  I went down for coffee, out on to the balcony to take a few of the morning but that wind was really cold and it wasn't long before I was inside again and wrapped in the duvet.  So between the duvet. balcony I think I captured morning rather well.

Seven twenty and it was all over.  The colours had disappeared and morning was the same as any other.  The sun had poked through for a while and then gone back so it was time to get going, another coffee, a little longer with the book, washed and dressed, washing in and I made the decision to go into Kardjali to get my glasses.  Washing pegged out and despite the strong breeze I was hoping that it would still be there when I got back.  I know that I'd said last night that I was going to get my glasses and I decided to follow through with the intent.

I saw Hacibar and asked if there was anything she wanted and we settled on a kilo or so of clemantines. I stopped off at my student's mums shop and handed over a few items including the silicon cake cases and she told me that there had been an accident on the Kardjali road and her daughter's bosses wife had died in the accident.  Such sad news.  As I drove to Kardjali they had blocked off part of that duel carriage way and there was obviously an accident investigation being carried out.  It's a wonder they're aren't more...the Bulgarians do not appreciate what a solid white line in the middle of the road means...they overtake in hatched areas too.

So picked up my glasses, went to Kaufland and got the clemantines for Hacibar, over to Billa and bought nothing and finished at Lidl where I got more bacon and just to amuse my Librarian...some more packs of toilet rolls.  The road blocks were still in place and the cars in the same position and I carried on to the bottom road and made sure that I indicated well in advance that I was off roading...the cars following don't believe that you are taking to the hills.

Shopping delivered, unpacked, wood and washing in, fire lit and chicken and chippies for supper.  Strictly dancing tonight from Blackpool so I shall be settling in for that.  Apparently the weather is going to close in for tomorrow and there is supposed to be rain about.  Perhaps out super autumn is over...LN...and tomorrow's job is collecting the leaves from the yard...and that should be the end of it with this wind...LN



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Elsa Peters
November 22, 2015, 4:23pm Report to Moderator

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Sunday 22nd November

Really stormy start this morning and the wind was rocketing around and lots of clouds scudding across the sky and there was a humungous front over Greece.  There was a touch of red in the sky but nothing to write home about…

So my biggest concern was that my super tree was going to survive.  Watering cans and pots were being moved around and my supply of seeds had taken to the air and was being well and truly distributed to the winds.  

I went out and battened down what I could…picked up the bench from the grave garden and pushed it against the fence so that it couldn’t be upended again…I dragged the sunbed over to the workshop terrace so that it would not take to the hillside.  My tree lost its fir cones and they’re now scattered over the garden.

Hacibar was my visitor this afternoon and brought me home made yogurt and as she entered she headed for the wood burner but the fire wasn't lit and she couldn't believe it.  My house is warm because of the sun shining through the windows.

Not much for me today….book, sofa, television filmon and that was about if.  I lit the fire at around five.  Had a phone call from my daughter this afternoon…lovely to catch up and had a conversation with my grandson…my lovely C.J. on Messenger.

Stormy day today and the wind is still rocketing over the hillside.  Fingers crossed there is no damage overnight and that it subsides by tomorrow.  LN…nothing to do tomorrow so far….things could change overnight…LN



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Elsa Peters
November 23, 2015, 8:04pm Report to Moderator

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Monday 23rd November

Well it wasn't a bad morning.  The only thing that had moved place was a watering can that found itself half way down the garden.  I'd gathered several bags from the local rubbish heap so I was round clearing and because the wind had dropped, I could burn my own rubbish this morning.  It was a grey old day and stayed like that for most of it.  After the burn up I decided to fork over one of the flower beds throwing the weeds over the fence for the animals.  I came in for breakfast of sliced apple and pear and got the book out at with only ten percent to go, I settled on the sofa and got stuck in.

Lying on the sofa put me in direct line with the porch on the little house and I noticed that wind had taken out most of the polythene from the old windows.  Out with the hammer, wire, nails and pliers and it's all been replaced and now appears to be watertight and currently wind proof.  We'll see how well it stacks up if we have any more storms.

So another of my neighbours was walking by as I got out the wall insulation material to insulate my water clock before the weather really sets in.  He decided that he was going to do it for me so I let him and after he'd done it and left he appeared again.  This time he was clutching his rechargeable lamp explained that he had no electricity supply to the house and could he plug it in which he did and off he went.  I looked at the amount of leaves that had accumulated in the yard after yesterday so three barrowsful later...it was looking OK again.

So back to the sofa with the book after setting a 'spag bol' on the cooker for supper and at six thirty it was ready.  Absolutely delicious although I say it myself.  I was just finishing off and Gouldjan and her mother were at the door bringing with them a large pot of home-made yoghurt and my terabite drive that she'd used to sort out her computer.  The left at just before ten and as they were leaving my other neighbour came round to pick up his lamp.  He was very proud of the work he'd done on my water meter box and had to show it to Gouldjan and her mother.  

Ten o'clock and all quiet on the home front....What a busy old day but despite the dull weather and intermittent light rain I've got a lot done.  LN....Dentist tomorrow and then I'll smile at the world again...and sorry....no photos today...much too busy here....LN  
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Elsa Peters
November 24, 2015, 5:20pm Report to Moderator

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Tueday 24th November

So it was a six thirty start and it had rained in the night.  The clouds were now lifting and there was a hint of pink in the sky but nothing to write home about like the earlier mornings.  I took some morning photos but straight back to bed with my book and watched the morning come to life.  The mist hung in the crevices and over the new road to Greece and eventually the sun broke through.

I was up for my dental appointment at twelve so decided to have my shower and hairwash so that I was all fresh when he got up close.  Boiled eggs for breakfast with soldiers, in to the shower and after getting dressed for the day, the telephone went and my dentist’s receptionist was struggling with her English language so I told her to try it in Bulgarian and we settled on that he couldn’t see me today and that my appointment is now tomorrow at twelve thirty.  

That put me into a gentle day and I read for a while, walked the garden, got the wood in and helped Hacibar chase the cows down the road so that they didn’t break through gardens to demolish gardens.  Supper was the remains of last night’s spaghetti and pasta and it was just as good tonight.  It was a little vodka and tonic to help it on its way….not usual for the dish or me but it is sitting very well.  

Fire going…the temperature ticked over at just under twenty five all day in the house but the fire keeps it all topped up for the morning.  There is a lovely full moon that seemed to creep up on me…it was already in the sky when I spotted it.  It’s still there now…it could be a really cold night.  …So I have the dentist in the morning and I know why he couldn't see me today…he was out shopping at Mango according to his FB…I’ll tease him about it tomorrow… LN.



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Elsa Peters
November 24, 2015, 5:25pm Report to Moderator

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And a few of the garden



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Elsa Peters
November 25, 2015, 7:17pm Report to Moderator

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Wednesday 25th November

Well it was another cloudy, misty start along the mountain range.  The way that it hung in the valley made the two pointy mountains look huge.  I stayed in bed reading until eight, moved on the computer and did emails and facebook and around nine thirty saw my Painter in the garden.  So down the stairs I went and he’d come to work on the water meter box which unfortunately I’d done yesterday.  I did suggest that he started painting the beams with the five litres of my new concoction but instead he’s coming tomorrow as I had the dentist later and he didn’t want to be left in the house on his own. So off he went and one of my other neighbours who watched me replace the polythene on the little house porch arrived clutching silicone, putty and a glass cutter.  Apparently he has lots of glass that he was going to throw away and he wants to reglaze the little house porch….and I thought …why not.  It’s on the list for renovation but there are other things that can come before it.

Off to the dentist for a scrape and polish and no holes to report but I came away with a prescription for the chemist for a mouth wash to be used morning and night for one minute and not a second less.  It’s for gum improvement.

My next challenge was a phone call from KAT inviting me to visit the office in Kardjali and it appears that there was a problem with my documentation.  As it happened it wasn't with my documentation, their system had crashed and the barcode at the top of my form was not recognised by the system and they anticipated having to complete the five pages again.  When they came to check, the barcode only appeared on the first page and all they needed to do was to replace that and circle the statements to confirm that they were true,  I pointed this out to the officer who obviously realised this too and I smiled and told him that it was only a round trip of sixty kilometres for two minutes work.

Called at Kaufland and grabbed a hot dog and chips for lunch and a few bottles of wine and then off-roaded following the cows home for the last hundred yards.  I swept the leaves out of the garage before I put the Beast away, lit the fire and got my book out for a little relaxation.  No camera out today….it’s been really busy.  The weather has changed…it’s chucking it down at the moment and thank goodness it’s not cold.  No supper…not hungry at all and my mouth feels a little on edge after the torture.  LN…I'm off to pour some anaesthetic…LN
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Elsa Peters
November 26, 2015, 4:37pm Report to Moderator

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Thursday 26th November

And did it rain in the night?  Did it ever….I stayed up to watch Master Chef and the Apprentice and Jack Dee’s appraisal of the happenings.  Trouble is…England is two hours behind or I am two hours in front but whatever which way….it’s a pain.  

I was lingering in the yard at eight this morning waiting for the breadvan and my  painter arrived at eight twenty more or less fully kitted out for what we were about to do today.  He said that he’d been up half the night thinking about how he was going to reach the high beams on my landing but reach them he did….Clever thinking…he’d selotaped a paint brush to a double extending handle and it worked a treat.  He started in the bathroom and while he was doing that I checked out the product on the internet….highly toxic so we both prepped up with rubber gloves, masks and safety goggles ensuring that we were both wearing long sleeves.  This is the stuff that cost me one hundred and sixty leva for five litres and according to the internet it stops, woodworm, local munching beasties, dry rot, wet rot and any sort in between.  
My upstairs timbers are all complete and any other wooded furniture has been coated and tomorrow we do it all over again.  It needs two applications, we’ve decided on three for my one foot by one foot ceiling beams and then we go round any holes with the syringe and another preparation.  I could just imagine the beasties fully coated up with goggles and face masks the same as we were shouting …something like ‘what the …..’.Ever hopeful….So off he went at around two and I swear he swerved down the road and it’s an exceptionally strong solution.  Two glasses of wine tonight and he’ll sleep the sleep of the just.  

This afternoon I decided to tackle the metal windows in the little house and remove the old glass and putty armed with a chisel and hammer and I’ve succeeded.  It’s all done but I thought why stop there so I removed the old plaster from the inside of the wall, the loose wood that was lying around and chopped up that could be chopped so that it’s all ready for my return from the UK.  Monday I will be glazed and it should only take one day according to my painter and if it takes two….what the heck.

My reward for my work today will not be in heaven.  The chicken wings are in the oven minus mayo….I forgot to buy some …and the wine is already in the glass.  I opened a two leva bottle of Merlot from Kaufland and it’s OK.

Boots blacked for tomorrow and it’s onwards and upwards with the beam stuff….I’ve had a lovely day and achieved loads….LN….it’s nice when a plan comes together…despite the opposition….LN



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Elsa Peters
November 27, 2015, 4:47pm Report to Moderator

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Friday 27th November

Woke up to more rain and it hasn't stopped all day.  My yard is flooded and it's still going strong now.  Yesterday I put my outside table up on its end so that the underneath would dry out enough to bring it into the house...wrong....it's now saturated again and now under the lounge terrace.

So my painter arrived at eight and we set to not long after that.  Today was a second coating of the magic beastie killer on the beams and we stretched that out to my bed frame and that in the guest room.  It got to the point that I was reminded of the joke about the soldiers...if it stands still paint it....if it moves salute it.  Since most of it was standing still we painted it.  So much so that tomorrow I'm heading into Kardjali for another five litres.  So since we were painting bed frames I stripped the beds down and stored the pillows and quilts in the bathroom after that had been done and we became very organised about it.  By three this afternoon we'd more or less run out of the jungle juice so I sent him on his way and I got to trying to sort out some of the house.  The bed frames need a second coat so tonight I'm moving downstairs....

Hacibar came round this afternoon clutching her home made bread and gave me a huge chunk that I devoured this afternoon with cheese spread and freshly sliced onion so no food for me tonight...full as a little tick.  The fire's being going since about eleven this morning and my painter said that I should be putting more clothes on not lighting the fire.  I responded that this makes the difference from a house into a home and while I have wood...I'm going to keep the home fires burning...

Six thirty my time and going down to get stuck into my book.  I'm on sixty eight percent and it's hotting up, it's a new guy Terry Goodkind and a mixture of ancient wizardry and good versus evil.  The first book didn't go down too well since he seamed to drag it out but he gets better.  So not much left to say tonight except that despite the rain I have a date with Mrs D or S tomorrow in Djebel and then on to Kardjali.... LN....book and beer...LN



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Elsa Peters
November 27, 2015, 5:35pm Report to Moderator

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And a quick update

Thunder, lightening and gale force winds...time I put this little beauty to bed...LN
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Elsa Peters
November 28, 2015, 6:18pm Report to Moderator

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Saturday 28th November

What a storm it was last night…more lashing rain and again this morning.  I set off to meet Mrs D of S and there was water everywhere with huge puddles reminding me of a water jump at the Horse of the Year.  So despite the rain we set off for Kardjali and the Varbitsa River running parallel to the road was so high and gushing more than I’ve ever seen it before.  We have had loads of rain overnight.

First stop Basmar to get another container of the beastie stuff.  We decided not to promenade the city…straight to Lidl and I told her I wasn't taking no for an answer… I was running her home so she was able to stock up on more than the essentials.  Back to Djebel for ten thirty, we stopped for coffee and breakfast, over to the coffee shop to get some of the wine that had been recommended by my painter, into the hardware shop and little supermarket for the things we’d forgotten in Lidl and then home. I stopped for coffee and we sat out but the wind was really cold.

Back home for two and set to taking the pot plants from the terrace and putting them into the little house.  We are threatened with minus four tonight and I didn’t want to risk it.  I cleaned up the rhubarb and put a bucket over it to protect it and wrapped a sack over the oleander and it’s amazing how much colour is still in the garden and we’ll see what’s left tomorrow.  I came in at four thirty, lit the fire and have just finished watching the Murray brothers in the tennis doubles…fabulous match.  Pizza for supper, a glass of the red, Strictly later and then an early night for me with my book……LN….nothing on the agenda for tomorrow…a day of rest…LN



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Elsa Peters
November 30, 2015, 12:59am Report to Moderator

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Sunday 29th November

Very chilled day, tennis this afternoon and well done to Andy.....and that's it for tonight.....LN...
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Elsa Peters
November 30, 2015, 4:34pm Report to Moderator

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Monday 30th November

Well  I realised that I was cold last night and went to pull up the bedclothes…wrong…I’d fallen asleep watching Filmon so it was a quick update last night since I’d forgotten all about it…shame on me….I ambled off to bed at about two thirty this morning.  I still woke up at seven fifteen though and washed and dressed to greet my workers at eight but only one turned up so plan B went into operation straight way.  He was frozen…the outside thermometer was showing on the zero and the cars had a layer of frost on the windscreens.  Plan B for my painter was to complete work on the beams and he’d finished by lunchtime.  Last job on his agenda was to pump up the front offside tyre and we’ll see what it looks like in the morning.  We checked up and the other builder is still in Turkey so tomorrow my painter is back to finish clearing the old putty from the metal frames and he’s already measured the size of glass required.  I'm guessing he may have already cut some of the glass this afternoon.  One thing he did ask me for was a lavender bag if I had one so that when he turned over in the night he had one under each corner of his pillow so I made him one and he was so pleased.

Beds are ready assembled and made up, the bathroom is tidy again as is my desk.  I stretched out and read for the rest of the afternoon and lit the fire at five this afternoon.  There was plenty of sun today but not much heat in it.  The outside table is in the lounge for the winter and is going to be put to use for wrapping the presents for the ladies’ gift bags…..

Six thirty my time and I’ve put the boiler on to have a bath and there’s no danger of falling asleep in the wrong place tonight….LN….I should sleep well.  LN



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My Diary by Elsa Peters (only location)

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