Sunday 19th June

So I beat the sun this morning but there was no red in it at all.  It did gain heat as the day went on but then it clouded over the same as yesterday and became very humid.

On to the scales this morning and I've taken off another kilogram but then I have to convert it back to the old stones and pounds...it seems to make more sense to me...old habits die hard.  I was out for nine thirty..I left it a little while...it had been damp overnight but then it was all systems go.  Out with the lawn mower, strimmer at the ready and backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards for the next two hours none stop.  I did cheat and left the collection box off and I ran out of fuel at half eleven so I was in for a couple of ready toasted thingies and a drink of water to keep the fluid up.  It was getting hot out there and the perspiration was dripping off me.  The downside of operating it without the box is that it kicks up the grit and with the sweat I'd got bits of grass and dust sticking to me which went down well with my neighbour.  Remsier decided to pick the bits off me and I told her not to bother...I'd got another half hour to go before I'd finished and then I'd shower.  I hadn't seen her for a while and she asked if she could attack my tree in the garden to collect the stuff for making tea.  I said that it was fine she arranged to come back later in the day.

I settled into my book after I'd showered and washed my hair ...it was much too hot to be out there and promptly fell asleep until four.  I got another glass of water and heard some chattering and ladies were out there stripping the tree.  I went out with the loppers and more bags for them and made their lives easier by taking off branches to save them straining their guts out trying to reach the flowers.  I got one of the plastic tubs and encouraged them to put the stripped branches in it....it's now all burnt along with more garden weeds.  I intended watching the tennis this afternoon but the ladies put paid to that...but I've just checked out and pleased that he won.  

So I'm kitchen bound to see if there is anything that I fancy tonight.  The appetite goes when it's hot and humid.  I'm going to Djebel tomorrow to get an extension for my hose pipe....I'm fed up of filling up the watering can and walking miles now that the weather looks like it's settled down.  I think the two hundred litre water container might also find its way onto the workshop terrace....I'll check out what bits I need in the morning.  So LN....I should sleep well tonight ....LN

Monday 20th June

Five thirty start and I made the mistake of leaving my windows open....that blasted man was outside again at silly o'clock and I'm sure he bangs louder outside my house than anywhere else but at least I managed to get off again. I was up before the sun and it was the same sort of start as yesterday...nothing dramatic about it but it was up there shining.  I sat out enjoying the morning and decided a cooked breakfast was in order so I settled for boiled eggs and soldiers.  I went out again and watched the cows come over the hill and they had lots of the little ones with them.  They were being driven to the top field but one made a dramatic escape and it was in the next door's garden in a flash.  It grazed for a while, realised that it was the only one there so legged it and was last seen galloping towards the rest of the herd.

Washed up and generally tidied around and just before ten there was a commotion outside and a car turning round making a lot of noise.  I waited for it to pull away again but the engine was turned off so I went out to see what it was all about.  More neighbours asking if they could attack my tree and I explained that it had already been got at but they were determined to have a go.  There was a lot of pulling and tugging and Emula's mother walked down the road and started to speak to them.  The conversation was in Turkish and I got the gist that they were trying to find Emula but he wasn't answering his phone.  I helped them out cutting off some easy to reach branches but one of the ladies asked if I had ladders and I refused the request....if they took too much off the tree it would not shade the yard and they appeared to be damaging the tree.  The next thing Emula arrived and they disappeared in the car leaving to find another tree further down the lane and the ones that I'd cut off for them were still on the ground....sorry ...first and last time.  I played around in the garden and dead-headed the roses and cleared the grass from behind Beauty.

As the weather got warmer I moved into the house and got out my book and went to sleep for an hour or so.  It hasn't clouded over today but it's still been very humid so another shower is called for tonight.  The sheep have made their way home, the garden has to be watered so my work is about to begin hence the early update.  The tree debris needs burning so that's something else I need to do.  LN...I have work to do...LN

Tuesday 21st June

So last night Beyser came into my garden at the same time that I noticed that there were some good shots of the closing sun to be had.  I'd just started to water my garden, rushed in for the camera and the next thing she is in my garden and cleaning her bucket with my hose pipe....She never misses a trick.  She eyed up some of my flowers and I told her that September is the month to start taking 'bits' and to keep her hands off my snapdragons.  I asked her about Zelinger my neighbour that had the operation and apparently she's had her stitches out already.  As well as taking some of the sun going down I got some of the new moon which didn't come out too good.  It wasn't dark enough but I managed another one later and these were put onto FB.  Longest day, shortest night a day later because of the leap year so it was really special.

Five thirty start and one morning I'm going to lay in wait for my musical neighbour that kicks off at two fifteen....People are supposed to pay him to do it....I think I'd rather buy them all an alarm clock and yes...I'm am whinging....So up and about and it was a lovely morning and I stood on my bedroom balcony and watched the sun come up and it appeared huge.  Poached eggs for breakfast, washing done and pegged out and it was still only nine o'clock.  I read for a while, fired up the big Kindle and checked out my FB page and emails and there was nothing that required my immediate attention so it was closed down everything and out to the garden.  I did some clearing along the long wall and measured up for the bench that I want to make surrounding the cherry tree half way down.  It will be like a staging post for those that aren't so nimble...   Now the temperature was rising so I headed back indoors, back to the book and it was time for a little siesta mainly due to the disturbed nights and early mornings and it was almost three when I was ready for the second shift.  The grave garden looking out from my downstairs bedroom is now cleared and it's more to give the plants a fighting chance when there's not much water around but at least we still have overnight humidity.

Cut down some of the acacia that is growing along the unwalled side of the garden....I hate it when I walk underneath and it touches the top of my head especially when I'm mowing the grass.  A bonfire followed and I remembered to water the grass round the bonfire pit, the grass is starting to get very dry and it only takes a spark.  Supper was ready for six thirty...I'd put a chicken leg in the oven with diced potatoes and onions and it was delicious.  I've got more broad beans to sort tomorrow.....I think their season is finished and they're taking water that would be better used by some of the others.

I've just watched Great Train journey on Beeb 2 and caught it from Plovdiv down to Istanbul..very interesting and now for a shower and I've just noticed that the moon is coming up...LN...Where's that camera?  Found it....LN

Wednesday 22nd June

No man with his drum or none that I could hear anyway.  Perhaps he#d had too much of the local jungle juice to put in a performance...

Five thirty start, watched the sun come up from the lounge terrace while sipping my first coffee of the day.  It was a lovely morning and I shared it with the birds and insects...the birds seeing what they could find in the grass and the insects putting themselves at risk perching themselves precariously on bending poppies.  At least they all had wings to get themselves out of danger.  I looked at the bonfire but it could wait. there was quite a breeze blowing so it was out with the garden hose and by seven thirty everything had had a good drink so it was time for my second cup.  Breakfast was five of the ready toasty cardboard squares totalling one hundred and eighty calories for about ninety grams in weight and that was going to do my until the hunger struck.  I'm determined to take off another half a stone...three point something kilos.  

Considering the inactivity for the last day or so, I'm going to have to lose it through diet.  I watched the cows being led out for the day as I sat out on the bedroom balcony in quite a flimsy outfit so came in when the cowherd shouted 'good morning' as I took photo of his cows.  There were lots of youngsters out with the skipping along and this time a white one with her calf made a bit for freedom and there were strange noises from the cowherd as he got her underway again in the direction that the others were taking.  

As I lent over the balcony I saw a male lizard patrolling the terrace so I took a few shots of it and seconds later there was a dull brown femail heading under the bedroom balcony so I legged it downstairs to try and get them together.  Unfortunately there was no sight of the dull on but the other went about its business licking up the ants as it went.  Unfortunately he had such a long tail that to get him all in the shot didn't do him justice so I apologies to him for that.  

Back on to the bedroom balcony and it was on with the swimsuit and out with the Kindle and I've been reading in one place or another most of the day and have finished the last of Elvis Cole books by Robert Crais.  I have a few more with other lead characters so all is not lost....I'll have to check Amazon.  Guess whose duty lobster despite the sun oil but it's time I found one of my hidden hotel swimming pools....summer has arrived but it wasn't the weather for it today.  It clouded over mid afternoon and the wind was almost gale force and I had things moving around on the terrace but there seems to be no permanent damage.  The swinging sunbed on the little house terrace was going for all it was worth....there would have been a danger of sea sickness for anyone venturing in that direction...A little sleep on the sofa, hunger pains on waking and I headed for the Beast....I'd had a niggle that the MOT was due but it's not until the beginning of next month but I did find a packet of dried apricots in the glove box.  They are no more but they filled the gap.

So this is the best I can do for a sunset....I've just caught my Avatar finishing off her wall and she asked where I'd been.  I told her that I'd been on the terrace and that I had a spare bikini it she wanted to come round.  I told her that nine thirty would be about right before it got really hot...at a guess I bet her skin body has never seen daylight but at least we can joke about it....Kitchen bound....the grubs are biting...LN...Let's see what I can find...LN

Thursday 23rd June

So my drunken drum banger has a friend.  He was a very sprightly young man that was determined to beat the drum louder than it had been done in the past.  It was very warm last night and I wasn’t sleeping well but I wasn’t sleeping at all at two this morning.  I was forced to get up and watched out of the guest bedroom window and I stood watching him wearing my white night dress and I was hoping that he might think it was a ghost and be forced to abandon his task…..the theory didn’t work out.  The local boozer walked up at a much gentler pace behind him.

Seven thirty start so I obviously missed the sun, coffee on the terrace and then took pity on the flowers that as well as being short of water had been battered by the wind and it looked as if we were going to have the same sort of day today and we did,  I ended up doing a little weeding and then Avatar appeared asking if I had any cement she could have to finish the wall.  Into the little house we went and found part of an old carton and I carried over for her.  

The rest of my day has been split between reading, eating, it was too hot to be outside and unfortunately as I said it’s been a very windy day with anything not battened down has found its way to other parts of the garden.  It’s clouded over now but still very humid and now time for my second shower of the day.  Thank goodness water isn’t expensive here.  Flowers first and then me….LN….I’m out to freshen up…LN

Friday 24th June

The drummer banged fairly quietly when he went by the house...perhaps someone had told him but it wasn't me....  Six fifteen start and the sun was up before me so I was out with my coffee and enjoyed the morning until the wind started whipping round and I soon came in.  My task for today should I choose to accept it was to clean the house from top to bottom.  I've been a little lazy...basics but not corners and there has been no chance to have a bonfire...that wind is just too powerful.  

I finished one of the Pike and Cole books by Robert Crais and at one point I'd got to fifty percent and I thought I'd missed some out so I went back over it but no.  There seemed to be a character that I didn't know and I'm still not sure if it was me or my mate Robert.  Anyway I finished it but it wasn't as good as the last one...maybe some authors just run out of ideas but feel they have to keep going..

So I checked my FB and I'd forgotten that there were results that I ought to be looking at.  I got the result and then I went onto Filmon for the detail.  So let's get on and sort out what has to be done, stop the recriminations, things will settle down and let's hope that the money that keeps the gravy train going won't be coming out of our pockets.  The hoover came out and it was about three o'clock this afternoon by the time I was doing the bottom of the stairs.  I'd done downstairs first and surfaces had been wiped over and there was only the kitchen left and I'd moved upstairs so the stairs were the pivot point.  I turned round and looked out to the front door terrace and there was a man and woman that I didn't know.  I went out and greeted them in Bulgarian and he was surprised that I understood.  They'd had a 'Mevlit' or prayers said for his mother's parents and I was presented with a huge bag of meat and rice, a sweet wafer biscuit and the clove flavoured drink.  He came round to the terrace to look at the hillside and loved the work that had been done on the house...and then they were on their way.  So this was a late lunch ...I picked out the meat and ate some of the rice....there was so much.  I finished the kitchen and was sitting on the sofa playing games on the Kindle and Haciber arrived with a second dish of the rice but this time it was cold.  I think she had too much as well  so brought some over thinking that I'd been excluded.  

A bit more of the meat, a little more of the book and then out to the garden to water the plants.  It's been so hot and the wind so brisk that the poor plants were windblown as well as looking a little crispy.  I managed to catch the tail end of the stork visiting the pond that's hidden below the first valley over the wall.  It comes over the house really low but it's being in the right place at the right time with the camera at the ready.....I'll see if I can do better tomorrow.  No more FB for me tonight....it's too acrimonious...Voting has taken place...the people have made a decision...let's get over it.  Shower, no supper....and then bed,  no siesta today...LN.....Let's hope the drummer is getting weak.... LN

Saturday 25th June

Yes I did sleep the sleep of the just last night...with no afternoon siesta...that man could drum for all he was worth but nothing disturbed me,  I had taken precautions though...I'd closed the windows and it was just as well.  It was gale force again this morning.

So a six fifteen start and the sun was up so I took advantage of it ....I took my coffee outside and it really is a beautiful place to listen to the morning and just watch things 'happen'.  Wagtail was out along with the pied fly catchers stalking their prey from my special fir tree.  The sheep came over the top and I noticed that there is a different shepherd with them again.  I haven't seen my sheep farmer and his brother for a couple of weeks now.  I know they have relatives in Sweden...perhaps they've gone for a holiday or sold up and emigrated.  I'll have to check it out.  

Breakfast this morning was from the bread van.  I returned Haciber's dish from yesterday and chatted to my Avatar who had been out there since well before I was up and about and was weeding her half an acre and leaving it in little piles.  She's not grown much this year since she was in Germany for the winter with her family who are working over there and they intend to hijack her again for this winter.  There's no need to bottle everything in sight.  Before the bread van came I went down to see Zelinger, the neighbour who was in for surgery and she is up and walking about but very gently...Anyway, back to breakfast...I bought fresh bread and a cheesy bun but thought better of it....half for me and the other half to Avatar and she dropped the hoe and went inside so that no one would see her.  Strange village at times.  I set to in the garden, watered everything again and paid special attention to the red maple leaving the hose on it for about an hour so that it really soaked through to the roots.  I trimmed the forsythia...it's probably a little late but as I sat on the terrace I realised that I couldn't see the wall at the bottom of the garden and that was a problem for me.  I don't want anything blocking the view at all.

I came in at one dripping with perspiration, read for a while and decided to have tuna with fresh bread but the idea germinated into potato and tuna salad and I think I cooked enough for the five thousand....I have enough for this evening as well so I suppose it saves me thinking about it.  Book, games, siesta this afternoon and watched some of the tennis from Eastbourne...it's much too hot to be out and doing.  Again there is too much wind for a bonfire...it's settled a little now but I need to get out there and find out where everything is again,  I heard things rattling around but there was nothing of great importance.  So it's out with the hose pipe again and then settle in for the night. I'd find a swimming pool tomorrow but the wind puts me off....LN..maybe next week...LN

Sunday 26th June

He didn't wake me up...I hadn't gone to bed by the time he was banging his drum.  I'd put the boiler on but wanted to watch Adele at Glastonbury but thought I'd listen to it instead from the bath.  So I took the Kindle in with me at half eleven, scrubbed the salt off from the day and was out with a towel round me and at two fifteen vaguely heard that noise...and you know which one I mean.  Bed by two thirty, a little more Kindle with Jo Pike and sleep through until seven this morning.  And woke up with lots of energy.

The wind had dropped so I had a bonfire.  It was dull but quite pleasant out there but a lot of the stuff was tinder dry so I was having to pay attention with the hose pipe at the ready.  I came in for a while and watched the Andrew Marr show...If it doesn't go ahead....there will be far more demonstrations that what we're seeing currently.  Out again, I had work to do and I cleared under the garden side of the little house terrace getting rid of the old poppies.  They've gone over and looked very untidy but it did leave several gaps that needed filling.  I managed to find lots of seedlings especially snap dragons underneath so they are spread around the garden.  Remsie popped in with a chocolate drink and a croissant from yesterday's 'mevlit' held by Zelinger.  We sat outside and Haciber joined us...how else do you get to find out what's going on.

It clouded over and then started to rain and it was really lovely being out there.  The temperature had dropped but it did little to soak the garden...I still had to use the hose when I was moving stuff around.  I removed the wheelbarrow ramp onto the terrace from the garden.  It looked untidy and was temporary two years ago so it was time it went.  I'll make a stronger one that I can put in place should I need it.  Tuna mayo for lunch...it took little effort and then back out again, digging up, moving and replanting and clearing out some of the old flower pots.  Tomorrow I'm on the hunt for more potting compost....some of the pots seem to have set solid and the poor plants are struggling.  Another couple of days and everything in the garden should be finished...until I turn my back and the weeds pop up.  No supper for me...it was a late lunch and tomorrow it might be a trip into Kardjali...it depends on the weather.  So eight thirty my time....shower and book and perhaps I get get into a deep sleep before the phantom drummer appears...LN...The shower is calling...LN

Monday 27th June

It was much cooler last night and it was the sleep of the just again.  I woke at six fifteen and it was a dull old start to the day but I still took my coffee outside.  The woodpecker was the first to visit hanging on to my special fir tree but then it upped sticks and flew off to the bottom of the garden.  It was in the tree for about a minute and didn't tap once...maybe I'd disturbed its rhythm just by being there.  Anyway, when it had moved I went into the house and got the camera but it didn't stay long and flew off to where there might be better pickings.  I could hear the hoopoe but haven't managed to spot one this year...such beautiful birds.  I've also had several visits from the martin today and it's taken to sitting under the balcony and chatters away.  I think it's one of the of the babies that's been ousted for the second clutch....

It was a day for digging and I cleared more of the poppies but hunger pains hit at about ten thirty so I was in for beans on toast which appears to have set me up for the rest of the day.  I managed to get one load of washing done  but by twelve it was very dark over towards the west so it was in with the now dry washing just as the heavens opened and the thunder started in earnest.  It'd been rumbling around but nothing dramatic but then there were a few sharp claps.  Suddenly everything was on the move on the terrace....gale force winds sent the umbrella spinning and the watering can shot down the garden.  Clouds of dust were picked up from the yard littering the terrace but it was all over as quickly as it started.  I settled in to read since rain had stopped play, I watched Wimbledon for an hour or so but then it was back out for more clearing, strimmed the weeds from my new garden by the stone wall and dug round the plants to tidy them up.  I got the fire started and was surprised when I realised that it was nearly eight o'clock by the time I'd finished outside.

So no Kardjali today...I've had a very destructive day in the garden as far as the weeds were concerned but constructive from my point of view.  Unfortunately I'm left with one or two bare areas now that the poppies have gone....maybe it's time to start splitting up some of the bigger clumps of 'stuff'.  Kardjali tomorrow...I need a day out.  LN...Kitchen bound...LN

Tuesday 28th June

Five thirty start and opened the curtains to a pink sky with possibilities and I wasn't disappointed ....it just got better as the morning wore on until it disappeared altogether and the rain came.  Two cameras on the go and a change of lens so hence different focus on some of the shots.

Back to my book with a coffee when the excitement was over.  I had no one to come out to play with today....my student had other plans, my Avatar's sister in law was at the hospital so I showered and washed my hair....the day was all mine.  I was out for ten and headed to my student's mum's shop to deliver a late birthday card and pressie, carried on to Kardjali and first stop was to the opticians with my prescription to get a new pair of reading glasses.  The remaining pair have metal nose pieces that grab my hair every time I put them out of the way so the criteria this time was plastic nose supports.  I chose a frame for twenty five leva and completed, forty eight leva and they took twenty minutes to make.  Interim I went to my cheapy clothes shop and picked up a dress, linen shorts and jacket, a cotton blouse and a tee shirt for five leva...and it would be rude not to.  Over to Kaufland for a few items and on to Lidl for the things I'd forgotten in Kaufland and a cordless screwdriver to do the work that my poor hands don't manage very well these days.  

On the drive back the thunder and lightening started in earnest and I began to rue the decision to go back over the top up the rough road.  It does cut off about thirteen kilometers but the way that the lightening was flashing and coming to earth it was with great fear and trepidation that I made the journey up the lane.  Now I know that the safest place is in a car....but it doesn't feel like it when there's a flash, bang, wallop and you are driving through the trees.  Anyway, made it safe and sound and only unpacked the things that needed to be refrigerated, the rest I left in the car...it was belting it down.  

I got stuck into my book again in the lounge this time and promptly went to sleep for a couple of hours and realising that I had to get moving to go to my student's house for supper.  Bit of a traffic hold up on the way over...sheep police were out....I was looking forward to the evening, grandfather is over from Turkey and he's a wonderful old man and so sweet.  Lovely evening with the family and grandfather was cuddling a stuffed bear and holding it like his sixteenth grandchild....classic.  I have some news.....a new hotel has been build in Djebel near to the police station and it's got a huge swimming pool that opens next week.  It's also going to be a spa hotel.....the hot water is piped from Djebel hot springs but that doesn't happen until next year when they got the doctors and clinic in place.....and it's in my nearest town.  There will be photos tomorrow....I knew nothing about it being built but it looks really good and the pool is big....

Home late....the Beast is outside in case we are visiting Avatar's relatives tomorrow.  What a good evening and a swimming pool close to hand...only the sun would make it perfect and rain is forecast again for tomorrow....LN....just a brief blip in summer....LN