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Elsa Peters living a new life in Bulgaria    General Boards    My Diary by Elsa Peters  ›  DECEMBER 2019
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DECEMBER 2019  This thread currently has 4,289 views. Print
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Elsa Peters
December 11, 2019, 7:11pm Report to Moderator

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Wednesday 11th December

Another day towards departure and today we were off to see the destruction of about three hundred years ago when fissions opened and the island was engulfed in lava and the centre of it was entirely covered.  They've now made it into a conservation area and a good job they've made of it too.  Only coaches are allowed on the lava smooth roads around the entire area.....no car trail.

The weather was promised sunshine in patches but the patches must have been elsewhere...I stuck to my warmish sweater thinking I would take it off but  I never did....toasty. It was a very arid landscape to start off with.  Black ash covering the agricultural areas and walls made out of lava to protect the few plants in gardens. We found the camel statue that celebrates the ones that were wiped out in the disaster and the new additions waiting for tourists.  There was a demonstration of a man digging and handing us a handful of warm lava, and him setting fire to brushwood using the warm coals.  That's tourism for you.  They'd also manufactured a blow hole which was filled up with water and the man predicted when it would blow.

We did a winery and I wasn't tempted, a couple of 'dinky doo' shops where I was and back on board for a late lunch and I had to have my siesta.  I woke up and managed to catch sunset from the back of the ship....and a full moon rising.  Tomorrow packing and airport on Friday .....and the election will be all over and let the counting begin.  LN....Supper calls....LN



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Elsa Peters
December 11, 2019, 7:14pm Report to Moderator

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And a few more



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Elsa Peters
December 12, 2019, 4:56pm Report to Moderator

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Thursday 12th December

So I woke up to an industrial vista of lorries being loaded with containers and the noise that goes with it.  There was a bright orange light outside and I shut the curtains again and got in another hour of sleep.  I went to look out  of the window again and saw that the gigantic ship that has been following us / we have  been following and it appeared to be heading for the quay and smiling all the way.  I was fascinated by this and then it went out of view,  appeared to be heading for the other side of the building on the quay and this time the eye painted on the bow appeared.  Eventually the ship was maneuvered and it crept into its allocated berthing slot.

Food has been plentiful again and after lunch it was time to pack the suitcases and prepare for tomorrow's departure.  Have I enjoyed the cruise?  I'm not sure.  The ports of call haven't been varied enough for me and one Canary Island appears like the next.  Would I come back?  I don't think so.  

Packing done, tonight's clothes are ready for lift off.  The luggage has to be out of the cabin by midnight so that it can be  put on the quay for us to identify before the flight home.  Time for last update and posting of pickies and then the computer goes away.  LN....Tomorrow will be from the UK.....all being well......LN



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Elsa Peters
December 14, 2019, 5:32pm Report to Moderator

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Saturday 14th December

Back safe and sound, we delayed from Teneriffe, there were people missing from the plane so luggage had to be unloaded.  Someone probably ended up with a very large bill having to reorganise flights....bummer.  Eventually landed and was held in a holding pattern over Gatwick and despite a clear night, didn't manage to take photo's, the camera was in the overhead and not the handbag.  Train from Gatwick to Brighton and taxi to home at the extortionate price of seventeen pounds so luggage upstairs and then we went on the search for fish and chips but to no avail.  All three chippies in the area closed at nine thirty and we didn't realise it was so late.  Did a quick catch up on the election results.  I'd managed to watch Piers Morgan on morning TV on Transponder TV before we left but the outstanding victory seemed to be well reported and so it should.  Let's hope this does bring the country together but I doubt it.

Bed at eleven thirty and the sleep of the just until six thirty this morning and found a cup of Ovaltine that I'd made last night and not finished.  Set about sorting out my hold luggage, stuff in and stuff out and it was reading twenty three point one kilograms.  I then realised that there were a pair of snow boots that had to be fitted into mine since my guest is only bringing out hand luggage so it was a rerun, my Christmas present from my son and his wife was added to the case and other items removed and now it's better than it was.  Unfortunately I've just got a jar of Branston as a gift and that now means that something has to be taken out and this takes its place.  Another delve in the case.

I phoned Princess to confirm that we are all meeting up tomorrow for lunch and walked over the Downs to the village this afternoon to buy a birthday card for number two grandson.  It was very windy over the Downs and cold despite the sun so I pulled the neck of my jumper up over my ears to keep the wind out.  I crossed over the High Street and headed down to the sea and the waves were crashing onto the shingle and it was at this point that I realised that my camera was at home....missed opportunities.  I did stop off at the local food shop on my way back...six mincepies, a slab of chocolate while I watch Strictly and lottery tickets.  I selected a couple of lines and the man asked for four pounds...they were one pound each the last time that I bought them.  Fingers crossed....five million would be nice...I could learn to handle it.

We have Christmas cards to deliver locally in the morning and lunch tomorrow at twelve thirty making it a rerun of last year, son, daughter, respective partners and my three lovely grandchildren....what could be a nicer start to the holidays.  LN....Taxi booked for Monday for silly o' clock.... LN
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Elsa Peters
December 15, 2019, 9:34pm Report to Moderator

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Sunday 15th December

So last night I fell asleep on the sofa and woke up with cramp in the front of my left leg....so painful and the area is still so painful.  I managed to sleep ok though and woke up at six thirty to yet again check my luggage.  There was a problem with the house computer so it upset my plans to print out gift vouchers for my grand-children so a quick call to my bank sorted out the problem but I had to go through hoops to make a simple payment to my daughter.  The lady couldn't understand why I wasn't using internet banking and then I had to explain...I didn't trust the home system.  All ok now....probably an update that went wrong.

So quick sandwich for breakfast...lunch was booked for twelve thirty so didn't want to fill up before the event.  I took the Christmas card to the neighbours and my have the grandchildren grown.  I told them how lucky they were to have such a super granny.  On to our next house call and then back to the house to pick up the cards for the family and off we went.  

We more or less arrived at the same time, good to see the grandchildren again and number one grandson has brand new car with personal number plate..well close enough.  Apparently the one he wanted was in the high thousands so he made do with the one he's got..   Carvery for all except two of the grand-children who wanted burgers.  I don't think they are allowed them at home.  Coffees to finish on, present swapping and home after hugs and promises to meet up earlier than next Christmas.  So I opened some of my bag of goodies from Princess, demolished the hazelnut Ferrero Roche type goodies while I was watching Sports Personality of the Year and repacked the large hold luggage yet again taking out the equivalent of two kilo and replacing it with my son's present of Badedas bath gel and shower gel....large bottles of each. He knows I like them and can't get them in BG.

So taxi booked for three fifteen so not sure whether to go to bed or not.  Decisions, decisions.  I'm at the stage now that I shall be glad to be home....it's seemed drawn out at either end of the cruise and it seems to have faded very much into the background.  I shall have to read the blog to remind myself of the monthly events.  Hoping for a safe and uneventful journey.  LN.....next catch up in BG....LN
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Elsa Peters
December 16, 2019, 6:39pm Report to Moderator

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Monday 16th December

It's been a long old day.  Up at two this morning for the  taxi at three, early morning flight, taxi across Sofia to the bus station, bus to Kardjali which seemed to take a different route and kept me guessing and we managed to catch the five ten to Djebel from Kardjali.  I left my guest at the bus station wit the luggage, we'd both got fed up with it by this time and went to the car shop to pick up my keys.  It was strange driving again and I had difficulty thinking about which side of the road I was on even though I hadn't driven in England....doh.  I stopped off at the supermarket for bread, sausage, orange juice and a bottle of wine for my guest he supped away while I cooked supper.

Home safe and sound, water turned on, gas turned on, fire lit, hot water boiler adjusted and now computer on.  Nice to be back...I've missed this place....back to normal soon with the photos and just to let you know...the house is up to seventeen degrees already...result.  LN....Let's see waht we get up to tomorrow....LN
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Elsa Peters
December 17, 2019, 4:39pm Report to Moderator

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Tuesday 17th December

The sleep of the just last night.  I woke up at seven with no disturbances at all and felt ready to face the day.  The fire was on it's last legs so I emptied the ashes and threw on some starter wood and a couple of logs and it was soon raising the temperature in the lounge.  Having a guest I'm more aware of keeping the home fires burning, it looked like the sun would break through once it had burnt off the mist and at about eleven it was through and doing what it's supposed to.  Guest surfaced around nine, first load of washing in, sausage sandwiches for breakfast and as I went to open the milk for tea I noticed that the sell-by was in August so I got him to test it first and it was OK....but rest assured I've got fresh stuff in today.

Washing up done, washing on the clothes horse in the bathroom and I was out to get the logs in.  It was three degrees outside, fourteen in but climbed steadily as the sun  came out.  We walked the garden together to see what was surviving and the jobs that need to be done and nothing was really outstanding.  He's got a few days of rest and recuperation before I start loading his wheelbarrow.   Around lunchtime I tried hard to reset the time zone on both Fitbit to no avail.  Hopefully overnight it might  move them on to European time.  At one I was thinking about my nails and couldn't remember if my appointment was today or tomorrow so I went into Djebel to see my lovely lady and as I walked in she reminded me that it is tomorrow so I had a catch up with my student's mum, picked up some shopping and then I shall go in tomorrow so that she can charm her magic.  

As for photos...sorry ...yet another day of inactivity on the photo front....no excuses except that it's taken today to settle in.  The temperature inside has now gone up to twenty three and outside it's eight...I'm getting there.   Tomorrow we've got an art exhibition in Kardjali and I think my guest might have line up one that he's interested in already.   LN....It might be another pressie off my list.....LN
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Elsa Peters
December 18, 2019, 8:21pm Report to Moderator

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Wednesday 18th December

Beautiful morning again with the mist hanging in the valley.  I've taken a photo but I think I'm unlikely to be able to display it....I've been having a mare of a day with the PC and the USB connectors....aarrrhhh.

I'd got the fire going around seven this morning to warm up the house but it's doing OK....we've only been back for one day more or less and it was seventeen degrees before I lit the fire and shot up as soon as the  sun was up.  Breakfast of roasted veg the remains of last night's supper in an omelette and really delicious it was too but it had to be followed by toast an marmalade....not enough omelette when shared between two.  I had my nail appointment at two so I had plenty of time to get up to a few things  but I seemed to be chasing my tail.  The phone battery was dead and that needed fiddling with, the new card for the Chuwi machine wasn't recognised despite having gone through the install and format stages so I did something practical and got in a load of logs to see us through the day.  That worked.

In the Nipper by one thirty, nails finished by three thirty and I went shopping in the leva shop for more items for my ladies for Christmas and tomorrow I can start the wrapping process to see what I've really got and what's left to get.  Home for four, in the Nipper again by five and over to Kardjali for the art exhibition held in the old house near the gypsy quarter at the back of the market.  Wine an a fabulous buffet were organised so I stuck to the water and Mrs K of Fotinovo was exhibiting three paintings at the event.  I did suggest Securicor to carry home the spoils but not necessary this time but there will be others.  Their neighbours had also turned up...I speak to the mother when I visit Fotinovo and it was good to meet them.

The viewing finished at around six thirty and six of us headed to the Turkish restaurant in Kardjali for supper and a pleasant time was had by all.  Home for nine thirty and that's when I found that the pictures weren't available.  I looked at them, they're of the morning and evening and I going to have another try when I've posted this.  LN...my work is about to begin....LN
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Elsa Peters
December 18, 2019, 8:28pm Report to Moderator

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As promised...I told it who was boss



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Elsa Peters
December 19, 2019, 5:38pm Report to Moderator

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Thursday 19th December

Soon be time for me to start asking where the year's gone,,,well I might as well start now.  Where has it gone?  I thought I was going to hit December running but I'm doing catch-up.  I've spent time round the shops today trying to buy gift bags but they've already been sold...so it wasn't the easy purchase that I expected it to be.....and tomorrow I'll start wrapping and filling.  I did most of the shopping before I left for the UK but the list appeared out of nowhere this morning but thankfully most of it has been achieved.  Just personal presents to get.

The weather was so good this morning that I managed two loads of washing and put it on the line to dry.  There was a little hill fog still around and I soon got rid of it with a bonfire.  My painter saw the car in the drive and visited.  I've already asked his help to take the secondary branch off the cherry tree.  Part of it must have broken in the wind while we were away and unfortunately it's cracked the second branch where it joins the main trunk so it has to come off.  I think my painter is going to try to save the trunk where the starlings made their nest last year and he has visions of putting it back on the cherry attache to the main trunk.  I'll leave it up to him.

Kardjali was quiet today and I scooted round the shops fairly quickly.  I left my guest at various points around the town...it was quicker on my own but we did manage to find him a wool and cotton roll neck sweater in one of the not so cheapy shops because it's early in the week but it was still a bargain.  Home after an expensive trip round Kaufland, washing in before it got too damp and it's on the airer, coffee and mini-eclairs and supper is in for tonight and about to be served.

A day of wrapping tomorrow and we managed to get a Christmas tree that is small but perfectly formed and that needs dressing. It should all be done tomorrow and then on count down.  LN...Pickies of Santa's grotto will be posted tomorrow....LN
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