Thursday 1st March

Just to say that it's been a long day but it's all going well.  Lots of pickies, not much snow here but very cold here in Ankara.  Tomorrow we see the sights and then ever onwards and upwards.....maybe with a balloon trip in Cappadoccia.

Turkey is one hour on from BG so it really is time for bed.  LN...Tired but so far worth the money and effort...LN

Friday 2nd March

It's going to be late....but it will happen later......LN...  

I'm back and what a full on day it's been.  Breakfast at seven, luggage downstairs in reception by eight twenty and on the road by eight thirty...and this is only the beginning of the first day.  A brief update on yesterday...it was a good few minuses when we set off and so much so that we had to put the luggage in the coach until the locks had thawed on the underneath compartments and it took a good few kilometers to get the ice from the windows.  Eventually we settled in to the journey and we made quite a few comfort breaks, picked up a tour guide going through Istanbul and it's been like that ever since.  I imagined that we would be left to our own devices but we haven't been it's been full on and a little bit of brain overload.

We made it down to Ankara by last night and heading for the museum and that was fantastic.  I've lots of photos of that but the camera battery is empty and can't get them off the camera until tomorrow...charging things has been a bit of a hazard...three people in one room and their phones for the number of selfies that they take really do have to be charged first and there was only one socket in the room.  It was OK for one night and we'd somehow picked up a third girl who was a lone traveller....I'd not planned on that.  So after the museum we went to Ataturk's mausoleum and that was spectacular....and again lots of photos of that trapped in the camera but they should be retrieved tomorrow morning so I promise I shall post a few of them.  So back in the coach and we had a few interesting stops on the way down to the Cappadoccia region ready for tomorrow's tour of the area and I'm pleased to say that we have two days here...time to come back down to earth.

So supper in the hotel tonight and a night of Turkish entertainment had been arranged, all inclusive for a small fee and we got back about eleven our time which is in fact eight yours.  Belly dancers and the likes cavorting wit  h a coach load of Chinese tourist who I think thought they'd died and gone to heaven.  

Seven thirty breakfast in the morning and then off to see the area, the caves and hot air ballooning for the lucky few.  I think it will be a tiring day...the Fitbit registered eleven thousand steps today....I'll see if I can top it tomorrow.  Need to get my head down now....LN...I'll keep you informed...LN

Saturday 3rd March

Set the alarm for six this morning but I was up before it.  Breakfast was at seven thirty so I had plenty of time to collect my thoughts and get ready for the day. The wifi is available if slow but I managed to charge both camera batteries overnight so I was fully geared up for today,  Over the last two days I've taken five hundred of the museum, the mausoleum and the sight of the villages that make up Cappadocia and it been a really good day,  There are just so many of the sculptures formed by the weather from the lava ash mountains belonging to goodness knows when but it's a really interesting place and one that I'd never thought of visiting if it wasn't for being in Bulgaria.  Lots of Chinese tourists at present....they're probably buying real estate here or one of the hotels carved out of the rock. It was a late discovery by world standards so having listened to the man who knows all about it but in Bulgarian I bought the book and it's actually more of a Christian hidey hole than anything else....Google it and see.

Breakfast was the usual of eggs, and 'stuff' but I've really eaten well over the last few days.  Lunch was at a large 'eat all you like for thirty Turkish Lira about seven of your English pounds and then it was more sightseeing, climbing to see the sights that the hot air balloon flights normally see but with the wind raging as it was....no balloons out to day so we did it in a coach that no way should have been taken where we went....a lovely gung ho approach.

Back to the hotel and then went off to a whirling dervish culture show....no cameras allowed and back to the hotel for supper and I've taken to my virtuous pit.  Some have gone off for a walk to the local town but that seemed to be to be fraught with danger with another early start and breakfast at seven.  After breakfast we set sail for Istanbul for an overnight stop and a wizz round the best sights to see and Monday we head for Edirne again for a whistle stop tour and home for Monday night.  Busy but well worth it....it really has been a fully guided excursion.

Pickies of Ankara, the museum and mausoleum.....today's will have to wait until I've been through them to find the best ones. I've got packing to sort and try to stuff into a suitcase which appears to get smaller.  LN....I'm off to do battle....LN.

Sunday 4th March

On a very slow connection after a long and interesting day.  We made it to Istanbul and have done the night tour and tomorrow the foot slog.

Too slow to load pickies and the next top up will from my home....tomorrow night...or even Tuesday....LN....from a weary but happy traveller.....LN

Monday 5th March

I'm home, the washing is cooking, the fire is lit and the house is...cold.  The hotel in Istanbul was definitely five star, the breakfast was amazing and the luggage had to be downstairs in the lobby to be loaded by eight thirty.  The tour this morning took in the Catholic Church for the benefit of some of the people on the tour and then it was an optional to the Sea-Life Centre and since there's one in Brighton, thought I wouldn't bother.  We then had three hours shopping and again I could have been in Brighton with most of the outlet stores that are now international and I was very tempted to go into IKEA and place a order...after all said and done we were in a coach...I'm sure we could have found room for a sofa.  

It had been a long day before from Cappadocia to Istanbul and I thing we all needed time to come down from the highs.  On the way up we'd stopped at an underground city formed within the lava of a volcano and they only found it when the discovered there was air coming up a well.  Further investigation and now a mint of money is being made from it but well worth the viewing...you had to be almost bent double to walk through the tunnels and I found it amusing that the youngsters on the tour were all complaining about their calves aching while mine were fine.  Lightweights....

So from Istanbul we continued on to Edirne but this was for a really quick visit...we were all wanting to get home. it had been a packed five days.  I really need to go through the photographs of the middle days to find the best to publish, especially of Cappadocia...it was just so amazing and I'd seen nothing like it before and the underground city was just magic.  To think that people lived underneath the ground because of the volcanic activity and that the lava sculptures  and the spiritual settlement that developed and have only recently been found with wall daubing from the bible is incredible.  That they'd been hidden for so long.

Now pictures of today from Istanbul and Edirnee and I sort the rest and post tomorrow...LN..Got brain overload...LN

Tuesday 6th March

Seven start and at last the house is warming up mainly because I kept the fire going all night.  Coffee and more coffee, the second load of washing went in, the boiler went on so that the water was going to be enough for a deep bath, toast with marmalade and then updated my Fitbit.  I must go away again soon...I've beat all the records I'd held before. climbed more inclines, burnt more calories, walked more miles and raised my burn up heart beat and dropped my at rest heart beat.  After that I decided that I could reduce it further by lying in the bath, washing my hair and reading my Kindle.  I'm home.

I dried my hair and then concentrated on putting the items in the suitcase away, did a general tidy, got out the vacuum, cleaned up the crud and settled in to looking at the photos from the two days of Cappadoccia and realised that I have so many and they are all good.  With such a good subject it was difficult to fail.  I'm still delaying posting them but here are a few from today.  I also did some research on books of the area and found one for only one penny with two fifty postage and a request has gone out to see if they will deliver to Bulgaria and if not, it can go to UK and will come out by courier on a weekly run that they do.  Just have to find out my reference code.  

So I've unpacked my presents and not sure how many to give away.  It's so difficult...I spent so long finding them that they've become personal.  Love the vase and one of the travellers on the coach asked if he could take a photo of it ...he was leaving the trip at Ankara but had taken details of the vase and had asked if the seller could find him one but needed the photo to make sure that he got the right one.  I'd bought a table cloth and thought I'd share some of the detail with you....it's just so pretty.  One or two other momentoes and I'm not a dinky doo person but I was taken with everything and so inexpensive.  The marble mini obelisk we watched being made and polished, I was gifted it by the tour guide so I made sure to take a photo of the man holding it and it made his day.  I think he felt valued and I like that.

So snowman gone. freesias flowering and brought in the house filling it with perfume and I have petunias out already...in only five days.  Time to attack the kitchen to find something to eat and tomorrow I'll probably be heading in to Djebel after delivering chocolates to my ladies with maybe fridge magnets.  I'll see how I feel, I can get fresh bread from the van in the morrow so it could be another lazy day.  LN...Time for a log top-up....LN

Wednesday 7th March

Seven start again ad the fire was still going .  I topped it up again but then the sky cleared. the sun was showing so I let it go out and it's been a super day.  I was unsure what to do today so I've done very little.  I've just allowed the tiredness and tension of the last few days to evaporate.  I was dressed for about nine thirty, toyed with going to visit Mrs and Mrs D of S since the master is home for a week but then realised that he was leaving today so thought he might be running round like a headless chicken sorting out packing as such and saying 'au revoir' to the little one so I left them to it.  I put the washing away and generally tidied through, I'd missed the bread van and didn't fancy the old stuff that was lingering in the kitchen and thought beans would soak through it sufficiently but no beans, the cupboard was bare.  It's on the list for my next visit to Lidl.

I walked the garden but that was cut short since the bottom of the garden was still very spongy from the snow.  I watched a cat lingering over a hole in the middle of the garden but it found nothing.  The daffodils are really showing now and the Japonica is budding and ready to burst with those beautiful dark rose flowers.  Spring may have arrived.... ...but not sure for how long.  I tried to phone the post office remembering that I was still two birthday cards light but as I was phoning the lady who works there she was phoning me.  Very spooky....She said that she was going to be there until two this afternoon but I got the Beast on to the road and headed down to the next village.  On the way down I noticed a lorry and saw that it had three rubbish containers....we were going to have our own so the ladies will have no excuse for dumping stuff around the village.  Lets hope they get emptied.

When I got to the post office, the inner door was locked so I sat on the sofa in the reception and saw her walking down the road form the direction of the school.  She opened the door, we went in and she delved down and came up with six letters and one package...three cards, two letters from the bank, one brown one from the pensions people and the  pressie.  I thanked her, went back to the Beast and opened them up standing by the door and the brown one annoyed me...that hadn't received a form that I knew I'd sent back and they were telling me that they would be stopping payment of my pension until they received a completed form. The present was from my Princess...an Annie Lennox CD....

So obviously I phoned the brown envelope people, cleared security, explained my problem, the checked my details ....and they had received the form and 'we are so overworked'.  Pah....I hope they make my next payment or there will be another phone call.  International Women's Day tomorrow, I've nothing arranged and no one wanted to come out to play so I might go in to Djebel and hand out a few flowers and bring them back for my ladies.  I've just had a neighbour come round and I've got a Mevlit on Friday for the father of one of the ladies.  It's at the village mosque and I've not been to one there before so a new experience.  My original Friday plans have now been moved to Monday....company documents, car and house taxes have to be paid.  LN...March is a busy month....LN

Thursday 8th March

So a day of celebrations today... International Women's Day and it's also considered to be similar to our Mother's day.....and it's flowers for everyone.  I was up at seven, the fire had gone out fairly early last night but the house was OK so I didn't bother lighting it this morning.  I phoned the Librarian to wish her a Chestit Prasnic and she asked what I was doing today.  I mentioned that I was heading into Djebel to buy flowers for the ladies. post some cards, deliver said flowers and pay for the Beast's early spring clean while I was in Turkey.  She decided to come along and play and she was with me at ten thirty.  We had a coffee and catch-up and we were in Djebel in quicksticks and first stop was fuel, secondly the flower shop, thirdly the post office and we were too early for lunch at the Soup Kitchen so headed into Kardjali for Kaufland and Lidl after stopping off briefly to deliver a pot plant and carnations for my student, sister and mother.  She went into the back office and came out with a carnation for me...swaps.

There wasn't much on offer at Kaufland but I did pick up a electric orange and lemon squeezer as a standby.  I've worked my other to almost death so a standby for ten leva was well worth having.  I bought a chicken for tonight's supper and it cooking as we speak with a jacket potato and should be ready in about fifteen minutes and then on to Lidl for baked beans to replenish the cupboard supplies.  Back into the  Beast and to Djebel and to the Soup kitchen for lunch as it was up to the normal standard...I just love it there and the man that serves said  'Goodbye' in English and I was so surprised and complemented him on his English.  We are made so welcome here.  Back in the Beast and down to my student's shop and I delivered a hyacinth for her and received a single tulip and I remembered to pay for my inside and outside Beast's spring clean and it was ten lev....thoroughly worth it.

Back home, the Librarian headed off. I got the fire going and then headed out with the flowers for my ladies.  When I got to Zelinger's house, she was about to set sail for mine with a bag of gifts for March the 8th since I'd delivered gifts to her for Christmas.  I set off, clutching my parcel, for more houses in the village depositing flowers as I went and they were really well received.  Some of the older ones appreciate the thought.

Supper is ready, Mevlit (prayers in the mosque) tomorrow and nothing much apart from that on the agenda.  The rain started around three today and it's still coming down now and expected to continued for tomorrow and then bright sunshine for the weekend.  Spring might be back.  I love today...there's so much goodwill knocking around, flowers for everyone and the odd Baba Marta bracelet.  LN...it's been a good day...LN

Friday 9th March

Bit of a disturbed night....the temperature was up and my nest was roasting and there was an animal that seemed to be in distress very close to the house so I got up and put the arc light on and a small brown dog scuttled off towards the bottom of the garden.  I saw it again in the morning on the hillside in the company of a large black dog and when I mentioned it to my neighbour on the way to the mosque she said that they'd been making noise most of the night.  I didn't light the fire...I was off to the mosque this morning but filled the early part of it by bring the photos over from the laptop I took to Turkey with me and bringing them over to the main machine and deleting those taken at high speed and blurred.

My neighbour arrived at nine thirty and we set off stopping off at the grave yard so that she could put flowers on family graves.  Unfortunately the cows still seem to get in and most of the daffodils had lost their bobbing heads...the fences and walls need to be replaced.  Her mother and friend arrived and said prayers over the graves and we set off for the main gate and I noticed that they went out backwards and I did the same.  Another superstition that I#ll have to investigate.  We were shown the side door, went up the stairs and sat down on the floor.  The service was already underway...it's Friday and it's normally a full on day and most of my village turned up for this day to say goodbye to a husband, father and grandfather.  It's not my religion but I'm accepted as being part of the village, I wear a headscarf as I would entering a Catholic church in Spain and it's out of courtesy.  Serviettes were hand out along with the clove drink and a bottle of water and five fifths through the rice dish was served along with banichka and a sweet biscuit and orange squash, a few more prayers and we spilled out into the grounds after I'd taken a few photos. The family were still lingering over the cooking area and offering the leavers extra bags of rice and I refused saying that there was only me at home and I'd eaten enough for two days already.  We walked back in the sunshine. sat for a while near Remsier's house and I found out that she's not been well so I'll have to pay her a visit soon.

Back home by two and a visit to the mosque always makes me exceptionally tired.  It's almost like a meditation session for me.  I went back on the PC and realised that I needed to switch off, make my way to the sofa and get my head down.  I left the door open to the porch and promptly nodded off but woke up cold about an hour later, pulled the small duvet over me and went off again until four and didn't want to get going.  Eventually I got my courage together and lit the fire and got my evening started.  

No supper for me....still full from lunch but it might be bread sticks and Philadelphia cheese later which takes me back a few years to when I was working abroad.  It was a favourite.  Nothing on the agenda so far for tomorrow...I'll see how I feel....fire going well and house is toasty.  LN.....A very restful and village oriented day.....LN

Saturday 10th March

Lovely day and silly night/  I was awake at three, played a few games and settled off again and up at seven thirty.  I don't mind that so much,,,I'd not really much to do.  The washing up is still waiting along with the laundry but I did get my backside into Djebel by nine thirty and make a mother's day card for a very special little girl to give to her mother.  To go with the card I went to the flower shop and bought a few plants including a couple of cyclamen, one of which went with the card. I also took round the sleeping bag for the little one that I'd managed to get from the cheapy shop and it fit Cinderella... The other cyclamen is for my neighbour who's not very well at the moment. I'll deliver that tomorrow with a 'get well soon' card, they're not much in to cards here so I'll have to explain it to her but I'm thinking she needs the boost.

So I had a messenger shopping list for Mr's D of S and after buying the flowers I popped in to the local supermarket and picked the best three out of a box of rubbish bananas but the second item was no problem...it was red, liquid and came in its own box...   I didn't longer long over the shopping and was heading for their village by ten thirty, managed to park up and had my first cuddle with the little one.  I handed over the goodies including a fridge magnet and chocolates from Turkey and the little one homed in on the chocolates until Mrs D took them away and spoiled the fun...but there were no tears.  We had our catch up while the little one played and lunch was take in the sun and she had her own little picnic box with a few things in it that were new to her which came out as quickly as they were popped in her mouth,  We had several trips round the garden...she's only little but boy can she move.

Home for three thirty more or less, lit the fire. rugby on and a pack of chocolate biscuits opened and settled myself on the sofa.  Irish -Scotland game was a good one and now England v France.  The first was on the Kindle but I've moved up to the big machine to watch the second.  It looks like a promising day weather wise tomorrow so I could be in for a spot of gardening.  Most of the daffs, tulips and lilies are showing their heads so I'll be able to work round them.  The only thing I'm having difficulty with identifying poppies for a weed which looks similar.  Perhaps I'll leave them for a while.

Not a bad sky tonight but I don't like the look of the dark clouds...it's supposed to be eighteen degrees and sunny.  LN...Back to the rugby...come on England....LN

Sunday 11th March

Happy mothers day to Princess and DIL, and hope they've had very relaxed days.  I had a phone call from Princess who was still in her PJ's waiting for CJ to wake up and he did while I was on the phone and entered the lounge with suitably wrapped goodies.  He's a good boy.

I've had a busy day.  Awake at six thirty and the first load of washing went in at the night rate and the second two at normal rate.  My bed was stripped down and it's made up again now and it was great to get it out and blowing in the breeze.  I watched the sun come up just before seven and it's been out ever since with clouds on the perimeters but nothing in front of the sun.  It's been a beautiful day.  I cleared out the burning pit down the bottom of the garden and got rid of my rubbish...there's not much for the dogs and cats to have a go at and decided to tackle some of the raised beds, the weeds are really getting established so better out than in.  I've cleared a couple of the raised beds, swept the leaves from the steps going down to the room under the little house lounge, serviced the strimmer and made use of it to go round the raised beds and the vegetable patch to clear the chickweed.  I hate it...it goes everywhere.

I sat for a while in the sun but set about clearing the long wall garden but my mojo is not really up yet despite the sun...the enthusiasm has to build and it's early days.  Washing in, bed made up, fire lit and the boiler is on for a bath tonight to ease the aching back.  It's almost seven thirty my time and tomorrow I begin the document trail starting with the Statistics Office to tell them yet again that my company is none trading, I don't rent out my property and I'm a pensioner.  Secondly to the Finance Office to get the declaration done and thirdly to pay the annual tax on the Beast, the final document doesn't have to be in until June so that can wait.  

Same again with the weather for tomorrow pretty please.  LN....Seriously looks like spring is here..LN

Monday 12th March

Six thirty start and managed to catch the sunrise but I appear to have been chasing my tail ever since..

My task today should I choose to accept it was to get all my documentation sorted so that would be it for another year.  Now I'd got the old route sussed out.  Last year they put another step in place which was to included the National Statistics Institute into the mix and l got the shitty end of the stick from a lady who insisted that I filled out the forms myself...yea...and some.  This year I managed to find the office which is hidden away behind the Poly Clinic, found the said office on the fourth floor and received the said forms only this year she offered to help so I'm assuming that they've had customer service training.  Any way....I did it myself, nothing to pay and she asked me where I was going with the form and I replied that I was off to the Revenue Agency only now this step was out of the equation.  Instead I was to go to SUT which is where I had all the bother last year when I didn't submit the forms until late so I've really satisfied my Fitbit today, I'd parked in the usual car park in the centre of town but I'd headed out for Statistics and was now heading back towards the bus station,  Ten thousand steps knocked off and fireworks exploding on my wrist...Love it.  Now this lady wasn't so friendly, asked me what I wanted and I tried to explain but her volume when up as my understanding went down and I think she was stretched because there were two other people waiting.  I asked her if I had to go and pay the tariff and she said that this had been changed, there was nothing to pay but she had to print me off some forms which she did.  She tentatively asked if I could manage them so I said that I had friends that could help me out and I think she was relieved and I made my escape.  

Next port of call was to pay the annual tax on the Beast so I went and joined a queue, stood in it for about thirty minutes and then was told that this cash desk was closing and to join another queue.  I gave her grief but she shut the little door of hers to the outside world and I had no option but to do it.  So instead of being next to be served I went to number four in another queue.  Tova e Bulgaria.  So considering that my background is in customer service and supermarket checkout training ie...closing down cash points with minimum disruption. I'm going to have to sort out one of my old training manuals and suggest they follow it to the letter.  They seem to choose their own lunchtime...and that's it and there appears to be very little co-ordination between cash desks.  Anyway...fifteen minutes later I'm now legal on the road for another year and my paper work filed away with car documents.

I stopped off at Kaufland and bought beetroot, runner beans and parsnip seeds to plant out and more flowers to get underway.  On to Lidl and then up the back road to the village...I decided that Djebel would keep for another day...my back was killing me with all the standing around and I just wanted to get home.  Ham sandwich filled the gap, coffee and I lit the fire and now I'm settled.  The Beast has made it into the yard but not the garage....I might complete the forms and take them back tomorrow now that I understand what I have to do having looked over them.

The clouds have gathered and it looks like we could be in for a wet spell.  I only caught the sunrise...there wasn't a sunset  LN....Don't you just love form filling...LN

Tuesday 13th March

Awake pretty early again but by eleven this morning I was ready for an early nap.  I'd got washed and dressed intending to go into the garden but the flesh was weak and it was a morning of doing very little, I'd worked out what needed to be done to finish the paperwork from yesterday but I need a few more details from Princess to finish it.  I have time.  I made scrambled egg in the microwave for breakfast, finished it with a banana, updated the Fitbit to the Lenovo, more coffee and then sofa bound.

By one thirty I was ready to get out there and make a name for myself.  I've accumulated daffodils and hyacinths that have gone over now so I've cleared out one of the grave garden beds and they;re now planted up but there are so many weeds.  I think it's due to the fact that we've had a pretty light winter and they seems to have really dug themselves in and took some pulling up.  Three hours later I'm absolutely knacked. I've trimmed the Buddlea at the bottom of the garden and put the trimmings in water.  We had the odd spot of rain while I was out there and I was hoping for more but it didn't happen.....no excuse to come in but by the time that I was in and lit the fire. it really started.  The dark clouds rolling in and rolled out again but now they are hanging there again and we have lightening so this is going to be a pretty swift update.  It's sheet though not fork so maybe I can hold out for a little longer.

I've got to find something for supper and if the weather is good tomorrow, another day in the garden is planned.  It's just important to break the back of it before the weeds really become established.  No chance of the mower coming out, the ground is still sodden so the strimmer looks like coming into its own again.  LN....Evening duties.....LN

Wednesday 14th March

Seven start and the sun was up already but I didn't realise that it was only doing a half day shift today.  It was gone by one and hasn't really shown its little face at all.  There was a phone call from Princess this morning with the information that I required to complete the form for the company annual registration so tomorrow is going to be the day that I pull out all the stops to attempt to complete it in Bulgarian.  I'm doing it in draft first so that my student can look over it and then for the real deal that will be submitted.  I was in the middle of breakfast when she phoned and munching my way through toast and grapefruit marmalade and I really do need to make the peel finer next time.

So by nine thirty I was ready to face the garden, weeds and it was a beautiful day for it.  Sun was shining, I'd put on an extra sweater but that was soon off and I was down to one with my Bulgarian vest.  'Ne're cast a clout 'til May is out' and all that...the vest is the last to go so to speak.  I brought some of the plants out from the little house to give them an airing and removed three cuttings from last year that were in need of a permanent home.  They'd wintered outside so I had no worries with the temperature but they'll have to come in...the weather meant that I couldn't get them planted up.  The geraniums are also sitting on the little house terrace and they've got to come in as well.

I was doing well...I set to on the under terrace garden removing weeds and planted up several primulas from the porch.  I thought about watering them in but as it turned out, really no need at all.  The sky suddenly got darker at about twelve and I noticed that the starlings in the poplars were quite impressive against the dark sky.  As I took one of the pickies there was suddenly a flash of lightening so once again...we were in for a rough spell.  I put my tools away, closed up the little house, brought my sweater in and then the heavens opened and there were some pretty big hail stones falling and the temperature suddenly dropped.  I disconnected the internet, some of those bangs and wallops were very near, turned off the power to the computer and put the Kindle into Airplane mode and played Soda Crush stretched out on the sofa and it seemed like a reasonable time filler for me.  About an hour later I lit the fire...the temperature had really dropped by now and at least it's comfortable inside if it isn't out.

So we've still got dark grey skies and the hillside is awash as is the garden.  It was squelching yesterday when I walked down to the bottom and it was a good job I had wellies on when I emptied the week container,  I could feel myself sinking in. If it's like this tomorrow I shall be getting my paperwork done...it's not one of my favourite occupations but I found out a very interesting document on the internet detailing the departments customer charter and where to make your complaints if you have any...and further more it was in Bulgarian and translated into English.  I might even have to print a copy off and take it with me just in case I get any hassle...it would be a good document to produce....with great subtlety.

Time to get the rest of the plants into the little house just in case ithe temperature really does drop tonight..the three shrubs are bare rooted and the geraniums too small.  Time to throw another log on the fire.  LN...Evening duties call....LN

Thursday 15th March

A day of two halves.  Silly night last night and I didn't get to sleep until well after one thirty...and I don't know why.  I have this method if the brain is really busy of imagining white light and trying to get just a dot of it in focus but did it want to play....no way Hosea.  I decided to play Soda Crush and boy did I rocket through some of the levels and I suppose that excitement added to the intensity of being unable to get to sleep even though I was using it to relax.  Eventually I went off and it was seven when I raised my weary head.

Washed and dressed by eight, breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast, framed up a birthday card that I'd received from a very dear friend of long standing and found one of my photos from the Mevlit of Zelinger, her brother who is one of the hojjas with another one of the gifted singers and I printed it off and framed it for her.  Unfortunately it had been photo bombed by another one of the villagers but I was able to crop her out of this one but will make one for her later.I decided to deliver it but walking down the road I saw a collection of walking sticks and little black shoes outside one of the houses so I abandoned my quest...it can wait for another day when she's on her own.  I would have to have explained to the one I'd cropped out the reason why...not worth the hassle.  

It wasn't a bad morning,  I'd put a load of washing in and was going to take advantage of the warm breeze to dry it and I headed out about ten thirty to continue with the weeding and managed to finish the frog garden.  The side bed will have to wait.  I turned my attention to the vegetable garden, removed some of the wooden walkways and they were certainly healthy weeds.  They had obviously found the cow shite I'd buried the year before last where the veg hadn't.  Half done and the rest tomorrow since at twelve thirty the clouds rolled over from Smolyan, a few claps of thunder and I made a dash for the washing and got it in just in time before the heavens opened and rain stopped play.  Back to the Kindle and a few games, the lack of sleep from the night before was taking effect so I lit the fire, lay on the sofa and nodded off until two.  Time to throw another log on and by three thirty the urge to continue where I'd left off took over and I worked on the garden until six thirty and have knocked off fourteen and a half thousand steps on the Fitbit today...result.

So weather permitting it will be another day in the garden tomorrow and I can keep on top of it with a trusty hoe, nothing else is screaming at me except for completing the form but I think I shall ask my student to give me a hand on Saturday morning....she writes Bulgarian much quicker than I do and they'll probably find it easier to read on delivery which should be on Monday.  LN....Bath time said Dougle...LN

Friday 16th March

Seven start, lovely night's sleep and woke up pretty refreshed.  As for the rest of the day....I've not done very much and am a complete disappointment to my Fitbit.  I've only knocked off four thousand steps today.   That bath that I was having last night didn't come to fruition until eight this morning but it was the complete works.  I'd left the thermostat turned up overnight so I had loads of hot water to linger longer in and after drying my hair was ready for poached eggs for breakfast.  I toyed with lighting the fire but abstained and decided to go into Djebel instead and get a few more things knocked off the mental list,  I was pretty slow off the mark and didn't get out until eleven thirty. Managed to park outside my student's mum's shop and she looked over the forms that I have to submit next week and confirmed that most of the things were in the correct boxes...and I suppose that's a start.  She updated me on the Djebel news but most of it I knew already.

So from my mental list I made my way to the Council offices to pay my house and land tax and was amazed that it has increased tremendously and it's all due to the fact that we now have rubbish bins scattered around the villages leading off the main Djebel Kirkovo road. I made the comment that I only wanted to use it not buy it but it fortunately got lost in translation...and goodness knows how my old ladies on pensions are going to manage it.  My next stop was at the hardware stall on the market and I remembered that I needed a new head for the shower and they call it a 'telephone' which confused me somewhat.  I had a selection brought out from the back and settled for one that has an adjustable nozzle on it and at the bargain price of six lev....approximately three pounds...and I went to the other hardware shop in the high street to get a new washer and that was twenty stotinki.  Back to the shop to say fond farewells and we confirmed that the lessons with her little one will begin next month.  She's not having much luck...he puts up all sort of objections and she's tired from work so it just slips.

Back into the car, down to the little supermarket and I picked up a few things, a square shaped frying pan that can also be used as a grill pan, more bottled water and a big fat chocolate eclair to have with my coffee when I got home.  Home for four thirty, shopping unpacked, car away in the garage, more wood in for tonight, coffee made and I sat on the sofa with the cake and watched the fire catch....good to be back....it's been a cold old day and it's supposed to be worse next week...back to winter.

Nothing for tomorrow so far...gardening if the weather warms up but if not it might be looking for more books for the Kindle.  Spicy sausage tonight for supper with onions and mayo...first pot I've brought for ages.  No pickies today...it's been too dull and damp and not much happening in the garden.   LN...Kitchen bound....LN.  

Saturday  17th March

It's going to be a very short update tonight..Early start, breakfasted by eight and out to the bread van.  Bought some eggs, bread but on my way back Beyser asked me to wait by the gate and she came out with eggs from her chickens...I wouldn't have bought any had I have known...it never rains but it pours so I'll be having scrambled, poached and fried for the next few mornings...

I was out to the garden and started work on the  rest of the  garden under the long wall and I've now completed from the walnut to the mulberry.  I came in at around one...the wind was cold when I went out, it turned round and warmed up or I'd been working hard and warmed myself up.  I went out again until around two thirty and  settled in to watch the rugby until  my attention waned.  

And now to mention that amber warning for high winds....and they were correct...The electricity has been flickering, I'm not going to top up the fire just in case it goes off and I can afford to let it go out...the house is warm, the fire's been going all day.  My poor tree is swaying in the breeze and fingers crossed it will survive....everything else is inside that can be swept about and the plants that I brought out yesterday to enjoy the sunshine are back in the little house house...much safer there.  No pickies again...what a failure. I promise to do better tomorrow but if I delay to load, chances are I'll  not manage it before the electricity goes off.  It really is horrible out there.  Now to find something quick for supper.  LN...Let's see what remains tomorrow...LN

Sunday 18th March

Well the electricity did stay up last night as did my tree and all the rest in the garden apart from the line prop which is lying on the ground as we speak.  It's still raining now so there's not been a lot of activity outside today.  My Fitbit has been requesting me to 'take it for a stroll' and if it's not careful it will be going over the hillside on it 's own....

Seven wake up but it was still raining, the wind was still howling and despite the fact that the house had hold nineteen degrees overnight I got the fire going and it's been ticking along all day.  I did get washed and ready to get dressed but I'm still waiting and it's a bit too late to bother now....lazy mare.  Breakfast was a spicy sausage, onion and cheese omelette and the need for a top up has happened yet.  Haciber is back and came round bringing gift from her time away in Turkey with her daughter.  I was a little embarrassed....I hadn't got a gift for her wrapped up from Turkey but I'll have to deliver it tomorrow.  I apologised for being still in my PJ's but they do look like day wear so she probably wouldn't have known.

So breakfast over, I noticed that I'd had a missed call yesterday so I phoned back and got an answer machine and the call was returned after a short while.  It was only for a 'catch up' chat...and nothing to worry about.  I caught up on the Voice on the internet but in the absence of anything else I settled in to watch Game of Thrones and knocked off a few episodes and I still know nothing John Snow.  It's been a while since I finished the books and it took me a while to get back in to it again.

I've just done a tour of the garden to tilt on of the large daffodil flower pots that appears to be waterlogged.  I was amazed at the different varieties of daffodils that I have in the garden and the number of them...they went forth and multiplied.  I also just remembered that I noticed that my hat is hiding against the wall and needs to come in.  I was wearing it yesterday, took it off when I got hot and must have forgotten about it.  Next stop washing machine...

A little more internet television tonight....and no supper required so far.  Time for another log...and a fruit juice and water....and tomorrow it's final document day.  Let's see what she makes of my written Bulgarian.  LN....Wish me luck....LN

Monday 19th March

After a goon night's sleep I was up and about at seven, washed up from last night, washed and dressed by eight and ready to face the lady in the office in town. I phoned up the Librarian to see if she wanted to come out to play today or if she had anything on her agenda and I think she was suffering from camp fever and was eager to jump on the bandwagon.  I warned her that I had to firstly do my document and mentioned that it was only a matter of submitting the form and signing the final declaration so she was prepared.  I cooked breakfast and had finished and washed up before she arrived, got in two lots of logs and prepared the fire for when I got back.  I got the Beast out into the lane ready and when she arrived at ten we headed straight off.  We went down the back lane and it was with trepidation but slowly slowly did it.

Straight to the office and I managed to park close to it and the Librarian stayed in the Beast, I waited outside the office joining the queue and within ten minutes I was in. I handed over my forms and the first thing the lady pointed out was that I'd used a black pen and it has t be blue and that the details Princess and her husband weren't required...so why hadn't the other lady told me that on my last visit.  So she printed off new forms, handed me a blue pen and off I went again..writing in Bulgarian.  I think she was impressed, tried out her English on me when it came to filling in rows of numbers and final signature compete, declaration made and success on a plate.  My registration number was issued and I was given my copy of the documents.  

Back to the car and coffee was required, we headed down to the cheapy shop and I picked up a very cheap sweater, over to the Euro shop and I found the picture frames that I wanted.   Into the stationery shop and it had a very reasonable computer keyboard and this one is stable...the other one has lost one of its little legs from the bottom and wobbled all over the place.  We went to the Cantina for lunch and managed to knock up a bill of eight leva for two lunches.  We legged it to the other cheap shops and a few more items were purchase.  Back to the Beast, we finished off in Lidl, home via Djebel not trusting the lane.  She came in for coffee, I got the fire going and we sat chewing over the fat for a while and off she went.

There are not photos.  I have a feeling of relief washing over me...my documents are finished.  Good breakfast and lunch so nothing for supper tonight....I've managed to knock up almost ten thousand steps today with very little effort despite the weather.  It's been raining all day more or less and the fog really came down as we drove home and the temperature has really gone down again.  Rain's forecast for the rest of the week with maybe snow mingled in with it....Oh boy...back to winter.  LN....Keep the home fires burning...LN

Tuesday 20th March

Seven thirty start and thoroughly rested.  There was a touch of blue sky, the sun was up but it was cold.  It took me a while to get started, washed a dressed pretty quickly and down for breakfast of scrambled egg made in the microwave, yet more coffee and I worked up the enthusiasm to get out there and dig for victory.

I opened up the little house and moved some of the plants out on to the terrace so they could have some sun.  I trimmed up the dead shoots from the geraniums and petunias, noticed that a lot of the 'twigs' that have stood in the house in the winter have green buds on them.  It's going to take a while for me to identify what they are...they need a few more leaves.  I eventually made my way to the long wall garden and started to weed.  Not my favourite occupation and I soon moved on to the vegetable patch and concentrated on rebuilding the dividers between the beds.  I managed to do two but it was very difficult to dig over...everything is waterlogged.  I came in for a drink and managed to stretch it out for an hour or so but I went out there again and this time I stuck with the wall and uncovered more plants that I can't put a name to yet.  One of the clumps looks remarkable like leeks and again I'll have to wait and see.  I started to pack up at five, plants back in the house since the temperature is about to drop again...some of them are pretty delicate and locked everything up.

In by six and lit the fire..I've got a pack of mince out and will get creative in a short while.  Kardjali tomorrow and I've got the copies of the photo that I want printing up and I'll take the frame in so that the lady will know what I'm trying to achieve.  She's quite an expert.  On to the bank to check out the interest rates that I can expect but unfortuantely it's fallen down to UK rates....bummer.  LN...Kitchen calls...LN

Wednesday 21st March

Bright and early start to the day for both me and the weather.  Sun was up, not really powerful but better than the usual start to the day. I washed and dressed putting on extra layers.  I'd been out to lob out the old bread and that wind was cold...not a day for gardening so it was as well that I'd got other plans.  I settled for two bananas for breakfast but these were soon followed by buttered toast and marmalade, more coffee, a quick tidy of the kitchen and I was preparing for town.

I set off about ten and headed for the car park in Djebel stopping off for fuel on the way.  Mrs D of S and the little one were already there and waiting for me to arrive...they were early so   we moved over the car seat, loaded the pushchair and off we set.  First stop for me was the bank and that was a complete waste of time.  There is more interest to be had from internet banking than from face to face set up so I have to wait until tomorrow and the interest is calculated and added to the deposit. ...where's the sense in that.  We met up again and I set off for the photo printing shop and left my document with the lady in the shop and she quoted me thirty minutes so I set off to find Mrs D of S around the market loading up with bananas for the little one and then we found a restaurant for lunch.  I settled for the soup again and a spinach lasagne went down well with the little one.  She didn't like the texture of the creme caramel that we'd picked in the restaurant so I was lucky to add another one to my intake.  Back to the photograph shop and she had made a brilliant job printing up the photo and for a cost of just over four lev.  We loaded up the car and the little one promptly fell asleep and back in Djebel Mrs D of S was able to whip round the shop in quicksticks, supporting our local shops.  We moved everything back into their car and off they set.  I went to see my student's mother in the shop and they were fuming about the increase in the house tax that I complained about earlier in the week.  I think there is going to be an upset in the town.

Home for three thirty, I promptly fell asleep on the sofa, woke up at five, lit the fire and shan't need anything for supper...I'm still stuffed from lunch.  It's supposed to snow later tonight hence the visit to Kardjali today but I think it's going to be more sleet than snow and it should be happening when I'm tucked up in the nest.  I'll wait and see what the morning brings.  LN...Snow scoop at the ready....LN

Thursday 22nd March

Silly night last night.  I woke up at one thirty ad this time in my bed not in front of the computer and couldn't get off again.  I threw another log on the fire to keep it going.  Snow was threatened and it was more of a safeguard that anything else.  A few games of Soda Crush and I managed to 'spread the jam' on one of the games that had confounded me for a few days, a few Sudoku and then off to the land of nod and straight through until seven twenty.  It was sleeting and everywhere was dark and damp looking and I stayed in PJ's until after I had made breakfast.  I'd gone enough logs in for the day and even for tomorrow so I hadn't any 'chores' to do per se and it was a really leisurely morning.  I made breakfast of poached eggs on toast with ham underneath the eggs and sat at  the table to eat them.  The yolk got on the plate and I remembered that I used to tell the children that the pirates would get them if that happened and I smiled to myself.  It's amazing the memories that come back with even the simplest of things.  So washed, dressed, with enough layers and socks to comfortably spend a day of lying about and reading or watching videos...there wasn't a lot of activity planned for today.

At ten it started to snow and the grass became white over but there wasn't much danger of it settling on the terraces.  It was far too wet.  It was a day for making sure the fire was still chugging away and it did and still is.  I took a couple of chicken legs from the freezer, peeled a couple of potatoes and an onion and into the oven they went.  Unfortunately the vegetables were done before the chicken so late -lunch, early supper came in two stages.  First the veg course with mayo and hours siesta and the legs followed at around four thirty.

The snow is still lingering on the roof of the little house and some of the grass is tinged with white where the ground was less wet  There's supposed to be more of the same tomorrow and more on Saturday and then next week we have a rapid rise in temperature and it will almost be t-shirt weather again. The Bulgarian vest will stay though.... a girl has to be sure.  Nothing to bust a gut over tonight.  I've just brought in enough logs from the porch to last me until morning.  LN....Time to relax....as if I haven't done enough of that all day...LN

Friday 23rd March

Six thirty start and I was surprised that it was white over yet again.  There was nothing new coming down it had fallen in the night but the fire had held on and it was soon up the chimney with a little loving tenderness.  A load of washing went in while I was sorting out the rubbish for burning, washed and dressed, toasted ham sandwich for breakfast and then to face the day.  I put the washing in the bathroom to dry...despite the sun there was no way it was going out...I took the rubbish down the garden and got it going. I'd sorted the fridge out yesterday so fed the birds with stale bread, the chicken bones from last night along with the remains of another pack of ham went out for the cats that regard me as a feeding stop and that should stop them taking the rubbish burning pit apart.

I cleared the terraces, took pity on the daffodils and knocked the frozen snow from them and up popped their little and not so little heads.  I've got a good showing.  I cleared the yard but there was really no need...the sun came out and did the job for me eventually finishing off the bits I'd missed.  Two loads of logs in just in case the promised load of snow falls tonight and again I shall be clearing off the white stuff.

So not much was achieved today after the flurry of activity.  I went on to the internet to clear emails and Facebook and found my way on to TV Catch-up and caught up. There seems to be a lot of mumbling about internet privacy of data and people generally getting upset.  It amazes me how much people reveal.  So over to my student's for supper for six this evening and was treated to a moussaka of sorts and I'd taken a pack of profiteroles which went down exceedingly well afterwards..  I took over the presents from my holiday and also an enlarged photo for the sister that I went with and all were really appreciated.  It was a clear night when I'd set off bu by nine the rain had set in so I was itching to be on my way.  The temperature had dropped and it doesn't take long before it turns to snow and the roads get bad so I was in the Beast by ten and home for ten fifteen.  Fire lit again, undressed and I've messaged my student to let her know that I'm safe and sound.  Lovely relaxed evening with the family.  LN....Coffee and bedtime.....LN

Saturday 24th March

Silly night last night ...I sat up until three this morning watch Sports Relief and I'm really not sure why.  There wasn't an ounce of sleep in me but when I eventually got to bed I went straight through until seven twenty.  I expected snow but there was only sleet coming down and nothing was sticking.  I lit the fire despite the fact that I was off to my student's house this morning to transfer over the photos from the holiday to their computer.  I'd expected to do it last night but I'd forgotten the adaptor from three to two so no go.  I left the house by nine thirty and arrived to find that only the sister that I'd gone on holiday with was home.  Apparently my student had Messaged me to say that the  elderly next door neighbour had died overnight and the mother was busy with the preparations, the father was digging the grave and my student was manning the mother's shop to free up the mother.  I had coffee, didn't want to linger longer than necessary they were very busy in a neighbourly way so I plumbed in the Targa box and the job was completed in about five minutes.  

I headed up to the shop to see my student and sat with her for a while.  The mother came into the shop complete with the yeasty pancakes that everybody must have when there is a death and then set off for the supermarket and my other student's car parts shop.  She'd been complaining that she hadn't seen photos of the holiday so I thought it was a perfect opportunity to kill another bird with the same stone so we sat through six hundred photos together with the odd customer coming in in between viewings. She's even more determined to go to Cappadokia now....the landscape is fascinating.

Quick trip to the supermarket for a chicken and potatoes for supper, home for about two thirty, fire relit, chicken in with diced potatoes and onions and I promptly nodded off for an hour or so while it was cooking.  Really rally tender and the vegetables were charing nicely and went well with the mayo and I'm now stuffed.  The fire isn't going very well tonight...there's no draw in the chimney.  It's warm enough but I have to keep poking the fire to see a blaze. No photos of today...it's been cold, damp and nothing much to see so I'm posting a few of the caves from Turkey.  I meant to do it earlier, but never got round to it....it's more like a lunar landscape.  Clock change tonight...as we spring forward into summer.
LN...Let's say goodbye to snow...LN

Sunday 25th March

So I remembered to put the clocks back last night so that I would be on time for the start of the new day.  It was seven when I woke up and it's been a game of catch-up all day.  I went back to sleep for an hour or so and was very reluctant to really start the day.  I made more coffee, put on TV Catch-up on the Kindle and watched Sunday's version of Saturday Kitchen and it was twelve thirty when there was a knock on the window and one of my younger neighbours was outside and demanding my presence.  I leapt out of bed and still in my PJ's unlocked the porch door and she came in.  She was under strict instructions apparently to not leave without me...Zelinger was having a fluffy pancake (mekitsi) party and I was invited.  I leapt up to the bathroom while she eyed up what she wanted from my garden when they had finished flowering...namely daffodils ...and I was washed,  dressed and ready for lunchtime entertainment in quicksticks.  

We walked down the road and several of my ladies were there already.  It was kisses all round and there was a tray of pancakes already cooked and two ladies were paying strict attention to the woodburner and frying pan as more were concocted.  More ladies appeared and I don't take my camera to these events even though I am witnessing the end of an era.  There was only one young person there, the one who had dragged me screaming to the event and she was minus headscarf,  the rest were in typical headgear.  I sat on the sofa, the table was erected in the centre of the room with the table cloth underneath.  They are all so clean and proud of their possessions.  Honey, fig syrup and cheese were put on the table along with the huge pan of mekitsi and we all set about demolishing them.  Other people came and some went, my painter arrived with bags of rice which his family had prepared in memory of his son's passing and he'd left mine in the porch for me.  Everything was cleared away, the tea came out and they were all surprised that I don't take any sugar in mine while they ladled it into theirs.  My sheep farmer's mother arrived when everything had been cleared away bearing gifts of a honey sponge came which was put on a newly erected table  with spoons for everyone to help themselves.  Such a sensible way to eat...only cutlery to wash up.  I said my fond farewells and arrived home at about three and lit the fire.  It's just over twenty degrees in the house but tonight it feels exceptionally cold everywhere...there's been no sun to speak of all day...and I've not been very active.  The Fitbit has been bleeping at me telling me to take it for a walk....yes...that was going to happen.  I've settled in to Game of thrones and watched three episodes with only a brief intermission to warm up the rice and meat which will do for supper tonight.

I'm heading into Kardjali tomorrow.  There is a three day excursion to Istanbul going in a couple of week's time and I'm going to see if they have any spare places. The cost is one hundred and thirty lev which includes transport down there,two nights accommodation with food and sightseeing which I think is very good.  I also need to do a little shopping....the goody cupboard is bare.  LN....Coffee, bath and bed I think...LN

Monday 26th March

Very sleepy last night and went to bed at ten thirty.  I expected a restless night but what a surprise...it was seven thirty when I woke up. I would have been still in my little bed it if hadn't have been for the flash of lightening and a very loud clap of thunder that followed it....and talking to the Librarian it had been crashing around since five this morning and she hadn't managed to get off again.  I'd intended going into Kardjali to find out more about the holiday but because the weather was so naff I rehearsed a telephone call and gave them a ring.  I started off by asking if anyone spoke any English but the answer was no but I explained who I was and they remembered that I'd been to Cappadokia with them and I asked them about the three day excursion to Istanbul and they had places.  I asked them to reserve two and said that I would be in later.  I phoned the Librarian and suggested that she came over with passport so that I could take a copy in and fortunately she brought her laptop with her and we could get her visa sorted when we'd sorted out the holiday.  I'd looked at the FB page and the map had placed the office somewhere near a set of traffic lights on the Haskovo Road.  I drove along the street, turned where I thought it was but eventually ended up at the office when I'd taken in my documents and two lovely policemen found the office in the bus station...miles away from where the map reference indicated.  Booking made, copy of passports handed over, money paid and the itinerary is translated for me into English.  Coach down there, two nights in a hotel with breakfast for sixty pounds more or less.  Good enough for me.  The downside is that we leave Kardjali at four in the morning but what the heck.  It's three hours to the border so it can be snooze all the way.  

Lunch at Kaufland but she didn't want to sell us broken hot dogs but I told her it didn't matter....stick them in the French stick and we'll never know...and she did.  Over to Lidl and the electrical shop where I bought cartridges for my printer and the Librarian bought a SD card for her new camera....and the assistant was very fluent in English and wanted to practice.  Home by three thirty and we set out to obtain the Visa via the internet which went very well until we needed the Librarian's laptop booted up and to get the documents downloaded and printed using my printer.  Success.... so everything done in a day and we leave on the sixth of April.

Off she went at six and I banked the fire up...it's cold and damp again.  We have had horrendous rain, sleet and hailstones today and the rivers are swollen and the roads flooded and we were forced to really reduce our speed.  It's just a pity that everyone else didn't.  So that bath that I was going to have last night, will happen tonight.  Sorry no pickies again tonight...to wet and horrible to have anything good to show you.  LN...Boiler now switched on....LN

Monday 27th March

So again I was in bed early and woke up late.  Trouble is the days seem to be whizzing by now that the clock has changed.  Also the weather doesn't help.  It started off good this morning and I was opening the windows to get some fresh air through, swept the carpets and washed the floors overs...two hoovers and I'm sweeping...why.  I didn't bother with breakfast...I was waiting for the bread van but I missed his horn, so missed the van.  I did hear the ladies talking in the square down the bottom of the village and realised it was the van when I saw it heading on to the next village. Not so bad...I did have a French stick so I wasn't completely out.

By the time I'd finished in the house it was ten so headed outside to start on the garden.  I'd put an extra sweater on but after about an hour digging away I had to take it off.  It was pretty hard work...the weeds have managed to get very large roots on them so I ended sticking the fork right in and pulling hard...it reminded me of the poster where they are trying to pull the giant turnip and ended up asking the mouse to get on the end of the line.  Working away I didn't notice how the clouds were rolling in and suddenly there were a couple of claps of thunder and the heavens opened.  Tools in, sweater in, more logs in and I settled down on the sofa with a coffee waiting for it to clear to go out there again. I'd left the windows open , nodded off for an hour or so but suddenly the wind had got up and it was rattling through the house so it was a quick battening down of the hatches, I lit the fire andit's been going ever since.

I was amazed today by the number of starlings, sparrows and crows that were settling on the garden and pecking at the grass....I'd love to know what they're feeding on.  One or two magpies joined in the mix and seemed to be bullying the others but they just changed areas and went back to pecking.  I love them in flight..

Well the mother of all storms has started again and fortunately Google restored itself when the power came back on again. Time to post this...the photos will have to follow when it calms down again....Hope the electricity stays on ...the fire is going beautifully.  LN...That's March for you...LN

And we have a break

So we are back but the light is really spooky tonight.  It's raining, the mountains are still missing and there is a strange glow over the hillside....LN

Wednesday 28th March

Cold, wet, horrible weather with not a glimmer of the sun at all.  My only claim to fame was that I managed to get a couple of loads of washing done that's now dried and ready to put away.   It's been coffee and more coffee all day.  I got the fire going early on but I'm thinking that I should get the pipes out and give them a clean...it's not been drawing well....and it's on the list for tomorrow if the weather clears up a little and the rain stops.  I've threatened to build an ark....I better look out on the internet for some plans.

My only visit today was from Haciber.  She mentioned that she'd broken a picture frame when we had the pancake party the other day.  I'd not forgotten it but I thought I needed to measure it to make sure of the size.  As it was she came round. had the photo folded in her pocket and she was clutching a jar of fig jam that was the reward for fixing her up.  As it happened I had an A4 frame in stock and it fit Cinderella so I need to do some more shopping.  As for the fire....it's been really slow again so I ended up putting about three firelighters underneath it and at last I have heat coming out of it.

It has stopped raining and we have the same spooky light that we had last night.  Unfortunately all the mountains are shrouded in cloud so despite the fact that the terraces are drying up, it could start any time.  Nothing on the agenda for tomorrow so far but we've had interesting discussions on FB about the annual submission of Bulgarian company documents.  A lot of people are still going through solicitors and paying to get their documents registered so I went through the process, it's free.  There were some interesting comments.  LN....Time for supper...LN

Thursday 29th March

Seven twenty this morning and it was straight through after watching the re-hash of The Full Monty...brilliant....and for such a good cause.  I made my way down to the bread van for fresh bread, eggs and cheesy bread for breakfast and it was cold out there despite the sun.  I'd put my wellingtons on and really enjoyed stamping in the puddles and my ladies really did smile as they saw me walking down the street. I came back and had the cheesy bread with coffee, tidied the kitchen and then headed out to see what was happening in the garden.  I checked out the pots on the little terrace and knew the reason why I was cold last night despite a fire going well.  There was a film of ice on the water that had collected on the top of each pot. so I drained it off and today's task was to sort out the pots, get out the ones that needed sunlight and clean up the geranium pots from last year ready for putting out.  Lots of the 'twigs' that I'd put in last year have now got little green buds in the nodes and I'll find out what they are when the leaves come out.

The Librarian was due this morning, I'd let her borrow my Kindle to start on the Game of Thrones since I hadn't been able to load them onto her Kindle when she was over on Friday. I tried another cable that I had and this one managed to make the connection.  I took off a load of books that she'd finished, loaded the new and there is only book five in two parts that she'll have to read on mine.  I bought them from Amazon and you can't seem to copy them over.  We sat out in the garden with coffee until the wind got up and nearly blew us off the terrace.  We moved inside and watched the first video of Game of Thrones....it was to put faces to names when she reads the books.

We had lunch of cold meats with beans, beetroot and cheese which filled the gap and off she went at around two thirty and I went back to my pots.  I'd intended digging more of the weeds out but I'll leave it for another day of good weather and it should make it easier.  The garden is still under water in places but the clover and chickweed love it.  Gardening day tomorrow for sure...nothing else to do....not a bad life.     LN...Ladies Full Monty tonight....LN

Friday 30th March

So last night was a very late night again.  I stayed up to watch the ladies version of The Full Monty and what a brave lot they were.  Let's hope the message get across and well done for the ladies that had had mastectomies...they were touching on some very raw feelings.  The things that you don't know about celebrities...I wasn't really feeling like sleep at the end of it so I settled in for another episode of Game of Thrones...very gory...just the thing for bedtime...

Seven fifteen start and the sun was already up.  It wasn't so cold last night but the wind was still pretty cold.  I settled for toast for breakfast with marmalade and got up the courage to get out there and set to on the biggest of the gardens along the wall but firstly I got out the strimmer and attacked the grass in front of the house.  I'd charged up both batteries or so I thought but I' thinking that they are old and remain cold.  I used up the charge that was in both of them and now they show a red light when I put them back on the chargers.  Next thing on the list is to buy one with a new charger and see how we go.  I've not done the research yet on price and  availability...why is nothing simple.  Llidl give them three years guarantee but I've a feeling that it doesn't include the battery.

Anyway...back to digging and it was really hard going.  The ground is still very wet and the soil was clinging on the the roots and the roots were clinging on to the soil....so much so that I've knacked my wrist and am back to wearing my wrist support.  In for a rest and had a little kip and back out there again.  I'm amazed though, I've knocked off sixteen thousand steps on the Fitbit so it must have done something for the weight.  I've got a new target weight that I'm heading for ...and the activity will get more as the weather get's better.

I came in a six and lit the fire and used a lot of the really old wood from the little house.  I'm determined to get rid of the heap in the front bedroom of the little house so that when the men come back the window can be removed and the door installed and I need to order a new door for the wood store that leads out to the patio.  It's got a door without a lock on it and when your working in the garden and need one of the tools, it means walking round to the garage entrance to get in there.  So chicken legs went in to the oven after I'd lit the fire, I went out again to tidy up and worked for another fifteen minutes on the garden.  I should finish it tomorrow....all being well.

Only a couple of pickies of the working area today....I've been too busy.  LN..Chicken is ready....LN

Saturday 31st March

Well it was a six thirty start but I decided to stay in the nest...I was just to cosy to begin the day and it was just before eight when I came to for the second time.  That bah that I was going to have last night got delayed until this morning....coffee and a couple of bananas for breakfast and I luxuriated for an hour or so.  I tried to get on the internet and I kept getting the message that it was 'Resolving Host' which in this neck of the woods that I'm connected to their servers but it's not going out to the outside world.  The solution was to get the Targa external drive fired up and I watched another episode of Game of Thrones.  I kept trying out the internet and ended up closing down the system, bringing it up again and lo and behold...we were connected.

Made my Easter cards today for my ladies....and suddenly realised that I needed to get some eggs to go with them.  I set off for Djebel and the choice was very limited so I carried on to Kardjali, Billa first, Kaufland and Lidl and got together quite a selection.  I'd printed cards off before leaving and put them into gift bags so assembled pressies for Both students and their families.  It's not Easter here until next week so I don't know how that works...but they're having theirs tomorrow.  Both are delivered and I was home for about five thirty...where has the day gone.

Tomorrow out for lunch with the Librarian and Mrs D of S plus the little one....well it is Easter Sunday in my book and I have a few more eggs to deliver.  It's the Voice tonight on ITV...live semis but it's on father late now that Ant and Dec, well one of them, has been forgiven his trespasses. I suppose there's such a lot of money involved.  Just finished supper and I seem to think there's a bag of marshmallows in the kitchen with my name on them.....rude not to.  LN...Another month bites the dust...LN