Monday 9th October

So late to sleep and late to rise makes me....grumpy but eager to get on and do something....so I stripped down my bed and got the first load cooking and the second load sitting by the machine for a quick turn around.  I got dressed quickly just in case the wood did a super early delivery but I phoned Bekir to let him know that the wood wasn't delivered yesterday but got his 'busy' tone and the next thing he was phoning me.  Spooky...nananana.....telepathy with a local.  He explained that the weather was so naff on Saturday that the wood wasn't delivered to them so everything was running late.  He phoned back about thirty minutes later and said that the wagon was on its way and that I should put the Beast outside which I'd done yesterday so fully prepared.  At that my painter arrives at the door complete with two bags of mushrooms he'd collected from the forest this morning and did I want any and I responded with a negative.  He knows his stuff but I'm a bit suspect as he explained the different sorts he'd collected.  At that the wood arrived and we managed to get it into the yard successfully without knocking over my pillars and the man unloaded it into the yard.  I have wood.  He did try to sell me the idea of having it ready cut but I think you get better value if you cut it yourself...well not me personally.... but you seem to get more for your money.  Any way....I said I'd think about it for next year and my painter went on his way.

So I got washed and dressed for town I had to get a letter in the post but as I was leaving the village my guests from the previous days were returning something I'd lent them so I turned round and met them as they were leaving mine.  I mentioned that I was off to post a letter to England and since they're flying out tonight...they've taken it so I know it will get there in time.  My next stop was at my student's house to take some English language books for her sister and unbeknown to me...it was lunchtime, mother returned from work and I stayed for lunch with them.  I sat down with the books with her and explained how they worked and we had a lovely couple of hours together.  On to Kardjali....straight to the bank and they couldn't help me but they gave me another form to complete.  It's all to do with where you get taxed and they were as confused as I was.  Still it might help someone later on if we get it sorted.  I further compounded it by going to the Revenue to see if they could provide me with the number I wanted and they hadn't got a clue...even using the Bulgarian form so it looks like 'Bob Hope or no hope'.  Over to the chain saw shop for a new blade for my painter but they didn't have any in, Kaufland for a few goodies including plants for the garden and finally to Lidl for things I can't live without.  

Home for six thirty and it seems to be threatening rain so it was an 'in box' exercise as to what got done first.  I covered the wood with polythene just in case it throws it down, got the washing in, unpacked the Beast and put the shopping away, the remains of last night's curry is in the oven warming up and windows closed and no need to light the fire.  It's pretty warm inside due to the afternoon sun.  First task tomorrow is to try and sort out this number everyone requires...My bank in UK couldn't help, my Bulgarian bank now know what it is and didn't before and I suppose I could go onto the tax website or webs*ite in the UK.....it might have an answer.  Supper should be ready by now...I have enough rice  left from last night....and I've bought something sweet to finish on.....I was searching last night and ended up with rice cakes....mmm.  LN ....Supper is ready...LN

Tuesday 10th October

Six start again, first load of washing in and cooked on cheap rate and second in to follow it.  Nothing like getting off to a good start!!  I managed to put yesterday's washing on the airer last night...I suppose better late than never, it's been emptied, put away and ready for the next lot.  I have nothing lingering and all my winter vests and tights have been washed ready so let it snow....I'm prepared...well I will be when the rest of the wood is put away.  I was out on the balcony with the Canon taking photos of the morning and I suddenly got a message that the card was full.  I tried to link the camera to the computer but received the message that 'the device had malfunctioned' so I'm back to the drawing board with the cable and have now ordered another one with the same serial number as the one in the manual which came with the camera.  I even tried to connect it to my little laptop but still no go and when I tried to download the drivers, the message said that the camera would download them automatically when connected to the computer.  Scratch head time but eight lev for a new cable...it's worth the investment to see if it cures the problem.  So my pictures of the dawn are locked away...ah well...

Off to the bread van this morning and it was one for the freezer and a crusty for breakfast lashed with a new orange jam that tastes a little like marmalade from Kaufland that I bought yesterday.  I didn't really rave about...there wasn't much 'bite' to it but when I'm a lazy bird that doesn't make her own marmalade then I can't complain.  I don't seem to have much success with jam and the likes...I end up with a sticky mess but I suppose burnt marmalade would have its followers.  Most of my ladies were down there so we had little chats and my wood delivered yesterday was the topic of conversation.  Haciber came up to have a look at it and hers is going to be delivered from the local forestry...she is in the know.  If it's good I might get some more from them...it always keeps.

So the washing was pegged out, it's been a beautiful day and I've pottered.  The internet was up this morning when I ordered the cable but has been down for the rest of the day so I've not been able to investigate this number that I require for the banks.  Tomorrow is another day.  It was out with the reciprocating saw and I managed to isolate several of the thinner logs and the saw managed it.  I did get prepared with steel toe cap boots but it's fairly easy to control if you get the wood firmly in position holding it in place with your foot and the second foot well out of the way.  You have to watch for the wiggle with it being a long blade but I got the hang of it pretty quickly and managed to get the first line of the new wood where the old wood was and now it's ready for a man with a chainsaw and I will only stack.  At least it's organised.  Washing in and Haciber came round with a bag of potatoes, onions and garlic so they're sorted and ready to bring in.  I really don't know why they grow so much but I suppose it's habit.

Bit more wood slicing tomorrow...it's not for the money you save but it's my effort toward being self sufficient and to impress my ladies but they do other things like bake.  Sandwiches for lunch today so not really about to create a feast for the gods.  I think I might just stick a jacket potato in the oven and that will suffice.  Nothing on the agenda for tomorrow...Kardjali on Friday when I've managed to solve the enigma of TINs.  LN...TV quiz programs and a gentle evening....LN

Wednesday 11th October

Up with the lark this morning and I was fascinated by the sky.  The redness of the sun appeared to be following the mountains with very dark clouds overhead.  As the morning broke the clouds seemed to be like scales of a fish and rippled getting redder until the yellow of the sun changed the vista and then as the sun got to breaking over the top of the mountain. the clouds paled and it turned out to be not so splendid.  As the sun got nearer to breaking the mist started to gather and it took a while to burn off.  I was out on the balcony with bare feet and soon came in.  Lots of dew on the grass and it will soon be time to get the lawn mower out looking at it now.  Just need a really hot sun and today would have been a good day but it's too late now to worry about it.

Coffee and back to bed for a few games on the Kindle and then down to the kitchen for toast and more coffee.  I put on the PC and did my emails and checked up on FB and sat out in the garden and enjoyed the sun...it's been a beautiful day.  I did work up the energy to collect some seeds from the tobacco and my tall white 'thingies' that were self sets last year and for the last few years but I want them where I want them next year.  I also removed the sunflowers from the little garden at the bottom of the little house terrace and planted up two new plants that are called hebe but look more like heather to me and covered the bed with gravel.  There were lots of weed seeds starting.  I also decided to bring Harold the Hare out of the front wall and put him in the new cleared out garden and as I was picking him up by the ear, I remembered that I'd had to stick it on last year...off it came and the other ear broke off giving it an appearance of a black panther so it got put on the bench and covered the ear sockets with gloves.  It was spooky.  

Ms D of S phoned and arrived about fifteen minutes later.  We sat in the sun and looked over the documentation that was concerning me and I've gone with her suggestion, the forms are filled in and will be posted on Friday.  We worked out that for my local bank I would provided passport and national insurance number and that should sort them out.  Off she went after we'd had coffee and a catch up, I cleared away the cups and have spent the afternoon with my head in my flower books and watching silly television programs.  

Fire lit...it's not cold but I felt it was more cosy with it going.  I'll probably do a little more work on the logs tomorrow and I'm heading up to one of my neighbours to see if she wants to go to Kardjali on Friday.  When I was heading in the other day she said that she had to sort out her pension and that's not a million miles away from where I'm heading,  More of the same weather tomorrow please....this is more as I remember it from previous years.  LN...Tele, quiz programs and bed....LN

Thursday 12th October

What a silly night last night.  I was busy working on a problem with the house in the UK and ended up filling in planning enforcement forms ...my brain went into overdrive and at four this morning I was trying hard to relax. visualise the white light in my brain and drift off into oblivion.  It must have happened but I woke up just before eight and the sun was up already so I missed the dawn.  

I went on to the PB for a while, heard some rumbling outside and there was my painter moving logs around and preparing his chain saw for action.  I was still in my PJ's but he wasn't fazed by might flowery fleece thing but I legged it upstairs got washed and dressed and was out to help him with the logging.  He firstly took the thing apart and started to sharpen the circular blade which is pretty normal for anyone starting to cut wood.  I set about moving more of the old wood to make room for the new and eventually he started cutting but he wasn't a happy bunny.  He said it wasn't cutting properly, I offered to take him into Kardjali to get it professionally sharpened and to get the new one that's been ordered but he was determined that we'll stick to the plan and go in tomorrow.  He persevered, he did some more cutting and I started stacking.  I had to move more of the old wood and had visions of the pile falling on top of me but I survived.  At ten thirty I made coffee for the both of us and we sat out in the sun absorbing the vitamin D and having conversations about anything and everything.  He split the ones that he'd already cut and I started again and by twelve thirty I realised that there was no way it was going to be completed today so I suggested that he packed away his goodies and headed home.  As he was leaving we spotted a spider by the newel post of the front gate and realised that it wasn't as big as it looked ...it had loads of eggs on its back.  He also spotted a different mushroom growing at the base of the gate and told me that it was pretty special and tastes of lamb.  I'll take his word for it...he didn't take it home so it can't be that special.

I carried on tidying after he left and moved the rest of the logs from the small pile on to the big one so that it's not scattered in the yard.  By two thirty though I was settled on the sofa with my book and it didn't take long before I was off with the fairies waking up at four thirty.  I called it a catch-up and at five Beyser came round with some green banichka and I'm unsure if it's onions or spinach and I'm hoping it's the former.  That will be my supper.  Off she trotted and fifteen minutes later Haciber was round to view the contents of the wood store...they like to check up on me.  

At six I lit the fire .....I'd got cold in the afternoon but as soon as I'd lit it I realised that it was only me that was cold and the temperature was not so low.  I raked over the yard to clear the wood chippings and generally tidied everything up, filled up the log container to keep me going tonight and locked everything away.  Really toasty house, supper at the ready and what a beautiful day it's been.  I sat out on the terrace at six thirty and realise how lucky I am to be out here.  My terrace is a good place to put all your ducks in a row.  LN...Nine start for Kardjali tomorrow....LN

Friday 13th October

Early to bed. sleep of the just and a seven thirty start.  I had about three really deep dreams that I could remember when I woke up.  They've gone now but why is it that we seem so be a part of some of them taking a really active part.  Lots of fog around and could barely see the sun when I woke up and it took quite a long time to burn off.  I got washed a dressed ready for town, I'd put my documentation ready so there was no scratching around at the last minute and got the Beast out in plenty of time,  I walked the garden which I realised was a mistake since my suede boots absorbed the dew marvellously dampening the toes but I decided not to bother changing them....I put the heater on in the car.

My painter was waiting by the bus stop in his village and I noticed that Gouldjan's father was waiting for the bread van.  We had a a word but then back in the Beast and down the back lane to the Kardjali road.  I ended up following a gravel wagon for quite a long way but eventually we hit the duel carriage way and it was all systems go.  We stopped off at the main hardware shop to see if they had any work boots for him but they didn't, next on to the man who sharpened his chain for his chainsaw, back to the car and over to the main car park.  He went his way, I went to the post office and posted my letter to the bank and then back to my Bulgarian bank and completed the necessary forms using two number that we managed to find on other documentation and for both of the declarations...it they want more they can let me know and I'll have another shot at it.  Down to the chainsaw shop and despite protestations I bought him a new chain and he was really grumbling about the cost.  It was suggested by one of the men in the shop that we could get it cheaper in Greece but everyone forget about fuel to get there.  We stopped off for breakfast. then over to the cheapy shop and we both managed to find leather boots at reasonable rates.  Kaufland, Lidl and home and we both felt as if our batteries had worn down.  The sun had got up and a post lunch lull had hit us both.  We did managed to go down to the natural spring close to the village and I filled up three large bottles for free then I dropped him off at home, continued to mine and put the Beast in the drive, unpacked the car and put the shopping away.

It's been a bit of a lazy afternoon.  I felt like getting my head down but decided against it...it does mess up the night-time sleep pattern.  I've been munching peanuts so I reckon supper might not happen for a while, lit the fire about five and comfortable in jeans and tee-shirt.  Another lovely day, my painter is coming round in the morning and we'll knock the rest of the wood off between us.  We should have more success now that he's got a new chain and the other one sharpened.  LN...Busy day tomorrow....LN

Saturday 14th October

Lovely late start but I decided that it was washed, dressed knowing that my painter is used to an early start.  I heard him rattling around and when outside and yes....the chainsaw was in pieces as he tried to put the new chain in but I think he did something with the safety bar while it was dismantled and I think he did something to it.  Domage, quelle domage....we 'was stuffed' so to speak.  He went down to see Remsier's husband and I went back to making the picture framed hanging for my student.  I'd removed the glass, fixed material over the back board, added cardboard and replaced the staples that kept it all together.  The glass was put to one side so that she could use it later as a picture frame if she got fed up of the display frame that I'd made for her.  Back came the painter and unfortunately the guy he'd gone to see was out working down the other end of the village so he came back. fiddled a little more and then off he went to find the other man.  He was back in half an hour or so and again....Umir is not a mechanic....we had no success.  A few more phone calls, a little more fiddling and off he went down the village to another 'expert' and I haven't seen him since.  I did suggest that Umir was drawn in to chainsaw the wood and then my painter could chop it but that was refused point blank.  I think that since i paid for a pair of boots for him yesterday and the new chain that he has to work it off...and he's right.  Haciber came round this morning with a request for three leva for a mevlit for the village and there was a steady procession of neighbours from the surrounding villages heading down to the next village for another mevlit for someone who's gone over to the other side.  I normally go down and enjoy the solitude but gave it a miss with the comings and goings of a chainsaw.

So a lovely surprise, my student's sister had messaged me asking if they could come down for a visit this afternoon.  They duly arrived, we satin the sun, walked the garden, the student took lots of photos that she posted to Instagram and she did ask permission first.  We found some well rooted honeysuckle and some of my new rooted cuttings and they went into a plastic bag and will be planted tomorrow.  Tea, coffee and water with orange chocolate biscuits and off they went at about four.  They still have demanding guests so they were going back to give their mother a hand to get tonight's evening meal done and tomorrow they are processing meat and putting it into jars so that it can be taken back to Turkey by their guest.  Who needs guests like that....do don't get any ideas if any of you come over.

It six, I've just lit the fire and I have a bag of rice and meat for supper that Haciber came back from the mevlit with.  As is normal...you eat with them and then come home with enough to feed the five thousand.  I've cleared the rubbish and set fire to it in my burning pit.  I'd bought chicken wings yesterday, put them into three bags and didn't want the dogs to get into the wrappings so hence the fire.

Logs tomorrow if he managed to get it fixed and if not...I have a day to myself and it will be Kardjali on Monday. What do they say about the best laid plans of mice and men?  Strictly tonight so supper needs to be over and done with.  LN....Saturday nights I love....LN

Sunday 15th October

Six start, washing in, coffee and back to bed with the Kindle.  Down for more coffee, washing pegged out at seven thirty and the sun was just breaking through.  I managed to take a few pickies of the start of the dawn but it was pretty brisk.  I decided to get dressed pretty quickly in case my painter arrived to continue with the wood but since there were no visitors I went upstairs and settled in to the Sudoku without any luck and I still haven't finished it.  I've printed it, Tippexed it out, started again but haven't got round so far to printing it out again.  I'll save that for bedtime.

As for the rest of the day, my painter and he carried on with the wood.  He'd taken his chainsaw to Momchilgrad yesterday and it was all to do with the brake which is what I suspected, He must have fiddled with it without the casing on and triggered something.  We were going well but he started to grumble about the wood.  He was telling me about some of it which grows on the shady part of the mountain and it is much stronger than the other that grows in the sun.  I felt that he was beginning to worry about his chainsaw and felt that we had been given the wood that was difficult to cut....the wood that his men didn't want to cut for ready cut deliveries.  I'd originally ordered oak and beech but we reckon that we have other wood looking at the leaves and the bark and I think I have some complaining to do.  Not much but enough for them to realise that I noticed.  So we rumbled on until Remsier came to the front wall and told me that it was time to get my act together and head down for the 'it's like a mevlit, but it's not'.  I asked a few questions and apparently it's forty days after byram and it's rather like out harvest festival where they gather up what's left and make a special pot for everyone.  It's supposed to have beans, pomegranate and is made from Bulgar wheat but instead Beyser had produced two big pots of rice and meat with a few odd beans thrown in and that was it.  

We all met up down the bottom. there were about twenty of us all with our own stainless steel dishes ready to collect out trays of rice and meat.  It amazed me how much you get.  My dish was piled high and I had my statutory two chocolate cakes and after an hour or so I headed home clutching my tin, got out two dishes, forks and bottles of water and set out lunch for my painter and myself.  He reckoned that it was meat out of jars and in someways it was much better than the meat they usually use.  It has been known to have bits of sinew and fat in previous efforts of the rice mixture.  

While I was away he'd given up on the chainsaw and chopped the wood that he'd cut.  The rest was stacked tidily in the yard and post lunch together we put the cut wood into the wood store.  I'm also a little concerned at the quantity delivered.  It's not until it's cut and stacked that you can judge whether or not you've got the quantity ordered.  I'll let you know when it's finished.  Off he went clutching another bag of rice and meat...I have loads....and the new boots that we got for him in Kardjali.  I raked over the yard and scooped it up into my wood carrier on wheels and went back to my Sudoku, was just about to nod off when Haciber came round and wanted to look at the wood so again we did the guided tour of the wood store.  Again back to the Sudoku, out to get the washing in and empty the wood carrier down the bottom of the garden, had five minutes with my neighbour in the garden next to mine and had the option to come back with potatoes and sugar beet but I refused saying that I had plenty at the moment....another time.  

Strictly result tonight and here's hoping the internet stays up, TV Catch-up behaved itself last night for a change and I've now got my favourites.  Another beautiful day weather wise and it looks pretty settled for the coming week and as for the Cosmos....they are fantastic...flowering at long last.  LN....Lazy day tomorrow for me....LN

Monday 16th October

Really restful sleep last night and not even a too early start.  The curtains were left open last night and I was amazed at the view and that the moon was only just starting it's journey across the sky..It was down for the camera and on to the balcony but I didn't stay out there long...there was an early morning flying bird that was dedicated in dive bombing me and forced me to retreat.  I went down to make coffee and on the way noticed that the sky had changed and yet again and there was quite a lot of red showing so it was out with the camera again.  I just love mornings here.

Back to bed with the coffee and camera and took lots of photos of the three windows towards the terrace.  Dawn was definitely breaking and it was exciting to watch the changes.  It was like the sunset last night....I took loads and posted them to FB and as I wrote...always thing to photo here.  So eventually out of bed by eight, washed, dressed and had breakfast of banana and yogurt while sitting out in the sun.  It was going to be another good day.  I headed out with the loppers in hand and cleared round the well, trimmed the hanging branches of the acacia and the wild plum...I hate when I walk underneath anything and I get branches in my face,  I chopped it up so that it would fit into the burning bin and got the fire going and got rid of the lot of it.  I came in, printed off Sunday's Sudoku and sat at the desk on the landing....and finished it...eventually.  I had three colours of ink on the page...black for the definite answers, red for the next lot of probables and green for all systems go....when I knew it would come out.  Out to the terrace and I sat out in the sun with my feet up and was surprised when the Librarian turned up.  We had more coffee and I suggested that we headed out to the Soup Kitchen for lunch...I wasn't up for cooking.  Back by three after a little shopping and then I transferred photos that I'd saved from her old computer on to a memory stick to her new computer.  She was on her way by four fifteen after we'd walked the garden.  

I was really surprised...as I was saying goodbye my garden neighbour came to the gate and offered me a bag of her potatoes and a sugar beet,  Now I've never had sugar beet before so tonight I shall be trawling the internet for recipes.  I cooked the potatoes tonight with onions and chicken wings and the potatoes were so tasty.  I must buy her a little present...she's such a sweetie.  Tomorrow...nothing much to do...another day of pottering I think or maybe a start on the wood with my reciprocating saw.  I shall run the wrath of my painter that considers it;s 'his work to do'.  LN...Tele and a Kindle at bedtime....LN

Tuesday 17th October

Happy birthday today to my lovely grand-daughter...I hope she is having a super day.

Five o'clock start and really not sure why.  I tried to go back off again but it wasn't happening so I was out of bed and making coffee at five thirty and back with my book of Egyptology and reading until I got fed up with that and moved on to my Parker's book of Astrology.  Now I've tried to work out what goes where and how to read charts and this book has everything but I still find it really confusing...so if any of you out there...

Washed and dressed by eight but no painter again today.  I went down to the bread van and I didn't stay there long.  There is a very bad case of flu hitting Bulgaria so I'm desperate to avoid it.  Breakfast was toast with orange marmalade while I waited and waited for the DM to post the daily Sudoku but it didn't happen until eleven so I'd done lots of other things by then.  It was a slow start...I went back to the astrology book and studied my personal chart that I'd printed off a couple of years earlier and I'd done nothing with it.  A few surprises in there but again I found it hard going so I decided to get out and bring the stones up from the bottom of the garden to the top to go round the acacia tree.  I'd gone down there to clear the rest of the stone from the bottom but instead I set about removing some of the wild plum trees.  They're very short rooted so fairly easy to get out but unfortunately they go from one to the other and that's the bit that gets pretty chunky.  There was a new garden in the offing so I planted up a berberis and a kerria and all it needs is another two days of effort.  It's a bit compacted underneath the top soil but I did find a jam pot lid and some polythene,  Nothing changes.

I came in for a bit of a break and there was a message on my phone to say that there was a parcel for me in the post office at Rogosche.  I went down there and it was the second cable that I'd ordered fr the Canon and I was keeping my fingers crossed that this would work....and it did so I emptied the photos from the camera and sorted out the filing.  I heaved a big sigh of relief...back to normal now.

More work on the garden this afternoon and now i'm knacked.  Jacket potato in the oven at five, I came in at six and jacket potato eaten by seven.  I was going to do baked beans with it but decided against it...just a naked potato with lashings of butter.  I think it's a bath tonight to ease the aching bones...ready for more gardening tomorrow.  LN...I think an ice-cream is calling me from the freezer....LN

Wednesday 18th October

Dawn was just breaking in the eastern sky when I woke this morning and there was just a sliver of moon overhead with I believe it's Venus.  So pretty but the camera just wouldn't take it.  I tried the Canon and it was insistent at activating the flash but with the mist in the valley and hardly any light...no go....ah well.  We can save that for another day.

Out of bed, washed and dressed by the stroke of eight, a load of washing in the machine but no real activity this morning.  I did managed to wash up the stuff from yesterday and there was enough bread for toast and Marmite so that was the first meal of the day out of the way.  As you can tell...I'm not much for cooking and regard food as fuel....the easier the better.  Washing pegged out and I downloaded a book from the Amazon cheapy suggestions, the history of Egypt for ninety nine pence so that was what I was intending to get stuck into today but it didn't happen.  Before heading out I decided to download the book to my little Kiindle but that's when I discovered that the internet was down and it was like that until five this afternoon.  I thought at first that they had a problem their end having reset my router and eventually phoned them at two and she said that they didn't have a problem and that she would get an engineer out to me.  At five it was up and running without and engineer and it suddenly struck me that my account was due to expire around now but I'd already paid for the next twelve months/  I think someone forgot to set a flag....just an idea.

As for the rest of the day.  The heap of stones is no longer a heap, I've dug over the bed round the tree, removed most of the weeds and de-barked the log that I put by the wall yesterday.  I've returned the bench to its original position and like it better there.  I've put a fair dollop of bug killer on the log...I want it to last for more than one season.  I was going to do the grass but that's now on tomorrow's list when the dew has been burnt off.  The grass is looking in need of which after the hot spell that we had...it's come back ok.  I might do a little more work on the new bed tomorrow...and get rid of the last of the big stones putting them at the back to hold back the bank.  It's all go in this neck of the woods.  Just managed to catch one of the last humming moths tonight....glorious things but they are just so fast.

Supper is in and I can smell it from here and it should be ready about seven.  I might have another back tonight but this time I'm going to rev up the boiler...last night's was a failure...the water wasn't hot enough so by the time I'd washed my hair and was ready to soak, I was eager to get out and into some warm pj's.  Still no fire at night for me...the doors and windows are still open...beautiful weather for the time of year...so lucky.  LN...Same again tomorrow please....LN