Saturday 1st February

So where did January go?  I had a guest for most of it and I think I'm just about getting back to normal.  I had a nap this afternoon and I still think the tiredness is coming out.  I did wake up at six this morning, it was black and blue sky out and then there was a hint of morning and a strange pink coloured the sky and no sooner had it appeared, it disappeared.  Eventually though the sun came up, broke through and we've had a super day of sun.

I made scrambled egg for breakfast and even though I felt full before I started but managed to squeeze it down.  I got rid of the bones from last night and the contents of the slow cooker over the wall for anyone that wanted it every hopeful that now Haciber is back to feed the cats that they'll leave my birds alone.  I fed the birds on muesli and cornflakes with some old bread thrown in for good luck and I had several visits from them during the day...and also the cats which I chased away and I think at last they've got the message.

I read for a while this lunchtime and eventually, the sun took its toll on my eyeballs and off I went to the land of nod.  I'd rescued the fire this morning and it's been going all day and still is.  I had my shower and washed my hair at four to get ready to leave just after five to head into Djebel.  I was heading to Kardjali with my student's family and we were going to one of the better restaurants near the dam and all looking forward to it.  Unfortunately we were disappointed with the meal, we sent the beef back the waitress who did absolutely nothing about so I progressed the complaint much to the chagrin of my guests.  They don't complain and don't expect anything to be done but I do and the result was that the head chef came to the table, tried to tell us that the beef was only three months old and that it came from the high Rodophes and if it was only three months it must have spent every day walking from the valley to the high mountain and back again.  We left with specially cooked hamburgers but no reduction on the bill.

We moved on to a cake shop for desert and coffee and got totally stuffed, drove back to Djebel and picked up my Nipper and home for just before ten.  Straight into pj's, log on fire and settled in for the Voice.  LN...I have things to do....LN

Sunday 2nd February

Silly night last night.  I didn't go to bed until one then I was awake at four, read for a while and back to sleep until six and it's been all systems go after that.  It's been a day of work and reward.  I'm aware that every time I take a photo from inside to out, the windows are not as clean as I would like them to be...and now they are.  It started with the conservatory door, inside and out and then the four windows to the side, inside and out and then I thought why stop there. All downstairs window inside and out are done and then upstairs and top landing will have to wait for another day filled with enthusiasm.  I had great difficulty getting under the stairs to clean the inside of the hall window and with a great contorted effort I managed it, removed the rug from the stairwell and shook it outside, hoovered the floor and then went over it with a damp cloth to collect the rest of the dirt.  Result...it was two thirty by the time that I'd finished so I set about watching the tennis and the start of the rugby.  I left the game at 17-0 to France and really couldn't watch the rest.

I copied the Honeyland file on to a memory stick and took it with me to see my student's family tonight.  I arrived at six as arranged and we settled down to supper at around seven and then they decided to watch the film after I'd explained what it was about,  They were both engrossed in it remembering that there are still some villages with only single inhabitants in them and like me...they wanted to know what happened next to the main character.  We all agreed that there could be a sequel charting the gypsy invaders that killed all her bees.  If the curses came to fruition, they wouldn't have had a very peaceful existence wherever they ended up.

Tomorrow I'm helping out a friends with even more administration so a nine thirty start and heading in to Momchilgrad and Kardjali,  I've just checked out the final rugby scores....we made a come-back but obviously ran out of time to complete the job.  LN....And so into another week....LN

Monday 3rd February

Happy birthday today to my beautiful daughter, Princess.  Twenty nine again and that means that I'm getting younger every year.

Seven o'clock start this morning and I beat the sun to it, coffee, washed, dressed for Kardjali and ready for nine fifteen and the allotted lift off with my Fotinovo friends was nine thirty so I was ready with boots blacked, or browned with my knee highs on.  I had time to spare so it was out with the hoover and I cleaned out the conservatory, emptied the ash can on the garden and fed the birds, removing one ginger and white cat from the bird table with a brick.  I didn't hit it but threatened it and why oh why...leave the tits alone.

We set off for Momchilgrad and found a parking place reasonably close to where we had to be and completed our business.  The official spoke very good English so there was no need for me really to be there but I was probably going to be useful for the rest of the day. We carried on to Kardjali and picked up the appropriate forms from another department and while it was written in English so you could understand what you were supposed to be doing but the responses had to be written in Bulgarian....and that was a bummer for us all.  We attempted to find the translator to do it but the usual guy wasn't in residence so we had to find another solution which worked, but not completely.  Back to the original venue with the now completed form, according to the young lady it was wrongly completed so it's a job for tomorrow.  I'm going to make my own way there so that I can bail out as required.  The rest of the work that we'd lined up wasn't done but hey...this is Bulgaria and sometimes things don't go as anticipated especially documentation.

Home for five thirty after a quick trip round Lidl and it was a first, I went round the store and didn't buy anything.  The diet started yesterday and the sooner I get rid of the calorific, cakes, chocolate and biscuits, the ounces should start coming off.  It's the wrong time of year really to think about it but I think it's due to the sun shining and giving the impression of spring and activity.  At least I gave my Fitbit a workout with the number of steps completed today....not enough but a start.

Quiz night for me tonight on the TV...Only Connect and University Challenge...two programs I enjoy and then early to bed and early to rise.  I need to be in Kardjali for nine thirty tomorrow morning.  LN....Another day...hope springs eternal....LN

Tuesday 4th February

Happy birthday to my mum...no longer with me physically but never the less, always around me and in my thoughts.  

Not  a bad morning and I was in the Nipper and heading down the back lane to save having to drive the long way round.  I parked up in my normal central car-park and the money man wasn't there yet so I responded to a telephone message and made my way to this morning's meeting point.  Everything was underway when I got there, the young lady dealing with the transaction is a real sweetie, her English was put to the test and she came up smiling.  Some of the comments were also in German so I finished it off with a Turkish complement to her and we laughed about it.  I love living here....everyday despite the frustration, things eventually get done and the correct documents obtained.

We stopped for a coffee and on the way to the cafe I spotted the car-park attendant and put three hours on the Nipper.  On to the artwork shop and then on to the Polyclinic and today's objective was to sign up my friends with a doctor and obtain a Bulgarian blue health insurance book that you take with you each time you visit a doctor or a dentist as part of the Bulgarian Health Insurance system.  We went down to the doctor's consulting room and I spoke to the receptionist in her little den and explained what that my friends wished to register with the doctor.  This particular doctor has a good command of English, mine in one of the other cubicles tries hard and we get there.  I need to see the doctor but have made an appointment for Friday at ten, today's mission had to be accomplished without deviation.  

Forms were entered into the system and printed by the doctor, over to the reception and more forms completed in Bulgarian by the receptionist.  We were directed to the fourth floor which has obviously had a revamp and looked exceptional and the next part of the process was completed, on to another office for next stage and back to the doctor where he completed his details in the blue book and applied his official stamp.  Result...they have the necessary blue book for any further medical needs.

We stopped off at a very rural restaurant for chicken, chippies and bread and I headed back to the car-park and paid up another leva and up the back lane to home.  Fire lit, the weather has closed in,  we're expecting rain tonight and it's blowing a gale out there.  Apparently the temperature is about to drop and it might snow overnight...winter draws on so to speak.  A little late but better late than never.  I've already loaded the log carrier and have two in the conservatory just in case.

No need for a cooked supper, the chicken worked it's magic.  Nothing on for tomorrow so far...a day of rest.  LN...or might be moving snow.....LN

Wednesday 6th February

So much for winter not arriving...it arrived this morning with rain turning to sleet and then to snow and now we have ten centimeters of the white stuff.  It's very pretty but the downside is that the power has been up and down like a bride's nightie and I'm taking the opportunity to get the blog done before it goes off again.  I've had to keep the fire low, no electricity and the water pump to the boiler is stuffed.  At that point I have the chance to move it to the little wood burner in the kitchen but unfortunately the wood that I have stored in the conservatory is too big to burn in the little one.  Instead, the candles are lit with smelly tee-lights, my pyjamas are downstairs at the ready and all curtains are drawn.  I'm battened down for the night.

So the temperature this morning started off at nine degrees and then it started to drop rapidly.  To accompany this we had the thunderstorm of all thunderstorms and that's not usual with snow and it kept me guessing.  I cooked beans on toast for breakfast, fed the birds, threw out the hamburgers that the restaurant had given us as compensation for the rubbish meal we'd had and the cats benefited.

Just a few photos of the snow and the very many birds that have feasted at the bird table today.  I did put bread out as well as the seeds which attracted the robin and a couple of sparrows.  The tits did object though and bombed them.  Supper was a couple of fluffy pancakes that were delivered this morning by Remsie's daughter in the snow.  Fortunately the tray was empty when she got to me and she was on her way home and very pleased she was too.

Snow clearing tomorrow before it all turns to slush.  I'm loathed too bank the fire up just in case the electricity goes off again...it would be more trouble than it's worth.  I'm hardly going to freeze for one night. Just to add the photos were taken before it really started to throw it down...believe me...it;s between ten and fifteen inches.   LN...I might just post it in time...LN

Thursday 6th February

And the electricity did go off again last night...and on again...and off again so I went to bed quite early settled in with my book and on it came again.  What an evening.

I woke up at seven thirty, looked out and there was a fair covering of snow came down in the night, a front was over the mountains and it looked as if the sun might come out...but later.  I looked out to the road to see if that had been cleared and it had and this time, the snow plough had dropped it either side of my drive and from the road to my gate had been cleared as well.  All I had to do now was clear the yard to the gate so that if there was an emergency I could get either one out and be on my way....but that could wait.  The fire had to be started from scratch, I'd only had the kitchen one going last night and that was well and truly out and would stay that way unless there was another power-cut...and there was but not until lunchtime.

So washed, dressed for the weather, baked beans on toast for breakfast for me and bread and seeds for the birds.  I went out to clear the yard and terrace and my painter chappie was walking towards me and yes, it was he that had cleared from the road to the gate.  He was delivered the lunchtime free meals to the old ladies but no spare for me.  By this time the sun had come out so hat and gloves on, big snow shovel out and put into action.  I didn't rush at it but it didn't take too long and then I moved on to clear the big terrace, the little one I left so that the cats couldn't get to the bird table...but I was wrong on that one.  When I'd finished I sat down on the outside furniture enjoying the sun and it was well out of the wind.  

Next activity was to chase the cat out of the bird table, clear the snow from the bush next to the wall so the tits would have more of a hiding place from the bastard thing.  I went back inside the house and blow me down, it was back in again so this time I had to take some serious action...I cut some large mesh metal fencing that I'd got in the wood store, folded it down the middle and managed to get it into the body of the bird table and it covered the two smaller sides and one of the large ones.  The birds were coping OK, they soon worked it out and so did the cat....the dam cat was back using the uncovered one as an entry point but it had real trouble getting out again.  I haven't seen it since.

The electricity is up and both fires lit.  It's supposed to be down to minus ten ten tonight so let's hope it stays that way.  I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow morning at ten so I need to leave here at just after nine in case the roads are icy so fingers crossed for me.  Supper is over and done with.  I cooked a chicken let on top of the cooker with onions and served it with chippies...very tasty but no way is that bastard cat getting the debris...it's finished with me now even though it's nature...not in my back yard.  LN....Fires need attending to.....LN

Friday 7th February

Seven thirty start and I had to be on my way to the see the doctor in Kardjali by ten o'clock.  I only had water for breakfast, the last time I went I was sent for a blood test and had had a banana...wrong....so this time if sent I would be OK...and I was.  I had to dig the car out, it was minus six overnight and it was a very slow process to clear the windscreen and try to take the snow from the roof of the Nipper.  I got the screen clear, used the snow shovel to get some from the roof but gave up and set off at nine twenty hoping that what was still there would stay there...and it did.

I met the doctor outside having a cigarette and we walked in together.  While we were outside we discussed what the problem was and as soon as we got to the surgery, I was whisked off to another room with the nurse and wired up so a computer and the results were there when I went in to see the doctor.  I'm still not sure what the test was....but I hadn't got it and I was fine.  I then underwent a complete physical check up. sent off for a blood test and a mammogram and had to wait a couple of hours for the results,  I had phone bills to pay in the centre and stopped off for chicken soup and bread in one of the local restaurants, headed back to the Polyclinic and picked up the results and a disk of the mammogram.  I carried on to the next level down to pick up the results of the blood test and then back to see the doctor. Cost for blood test and mammogram...four leva fifty...about two pounds and results received in one day.  I was prescribed half a tablet a day for blood pressure, absorbed the criticism about cholesterol and a visit privately to a new specialist that will cost me about fifty pounds....it's to investigate slight swelling of the thyroid.  

Back to the car after I'd picked up my tablets, tried to move more of the snow but a lot of it was still stuck solid.  The air temperature had not really moved despite the sun.  I lit the fire, settled on the sofa and promptly went to sleep for an hour and felt much better afterwards. Lovely sunset tonight, the temperature is falling rapidly, I had a good lunch so not to bothered about getting anything else and nothing on the agenda for tomorrow.  The hospital registration is a bind and they're not used to the document they have to work with confirming that I am part of the Bulgarian system and paid for by the UK even despite Brexit.  It's quite good though, I'm known and referred to as 'Elza' when I traverse my way through the system.  LN.....Now for half a tablet.....LN  

Saturday 8th February

It's been a beautiful cold day and overnight we had another downfall of snow and this time is was the white powdery stuff that would have been brilliant for making a snowman...but I didn't.

Washed, dressed early on and rescued the fire since the thermometer was showing minus seven...I thought it was a good idea.  As it happened, it didn't get above minus two outside but inside with the sun shining on the windows we were up too twenty five so I let the fire go out.  Toast for breakfast, a load of washing in that I decided to dry in the upstairs bathroom and then out with my trusty snow shovel and cleared the terraces.  I'd fed the birds first and watched them for a while,  The robin was funny, he managed to get into the bird table but got confused as he was trying to get out because of the wire round the outside and eventually it turned round and came out the open side.  As well as doing my yard and the terrace I went over to Haciber's house and cleared her drive and round to her toilet situated in the garden.  I joked with Beyser that it had to be done, she was getting desperate to go and we had a little chuckle at that.

Not much achieved this afternoon but I had a pleasant time with music playing and lying in the sun.  I didn't nod off though, I'd had a good night's sleep last night and took my first half tablet...only twenty nine and a half to go.  Supper was a hamburger and fried onions which my doctor would be spitting feathers at.  As for her suggestion of a glass of wine every night...I've still not taken her up on it.  I've taken lots of photos today but the program that I use for reducing the pixels in them has expired and I got into quite a tizz trying to do it on my old computer...and they'll be published tomorrow.  There were lots of the birds, scrabbling and fighting for food and it was rather like telling the children to play properly.  LN....Back to seeing if I can manage it on the laptop.....LN

And photos to follow

I bit the bullet and bought it.  Should have done it years ago....

Sunday 9th February

February 9th holds a special significance for me...both children were given the same projected birth date but with one year apart.  My son being a boy and that says it all was late and came on the 13th while my daughter arrived on the 3rd...both fit and well and it's taken me a good few years to get over it...and I'm still trying.

Today's not held a great deal.  I woke for the first time at six and then turned over and slept through until seven thirty and it could have been even later.  The clock on the landing had run out of battery so I went into the reserves and it was back and everything was normal again.  I settled for an omelette using the pan that I'd cooked last night's hamburger in so threw in a couple of cheese triangles and it tasted OK.  I didn't bother washing up and decided to try to clear the little terrace but despite the sun, not much of it was moving and it still isn't mainly because it was minus nine overnight and it only went up to minus three this morning.  It's now minus two and I think we're going to have another cold one.MY next job was to clean and polish all the boots and shoes in the conservatory and put some of them in the house.  Some are shoes that I'd taken on the cruise with me and done nothing with and now I have.  My new boots have all had renovating polish on them and have come up superbly well saying they all came from the cheapy shop in Kardjali with a total cost for three pairs of leather boots....one never been worn for ten pounds...not bad.  I could almost apply for the job that the man has in Kardjali centre cleaning the shoes of passers-by....it they stop pensions because of Brexit I might have found my niche.  

I also had trouble today charging various appliances.  My Kindle was down to three percent as was the Lenovo so I relied on the Chuwi this afternoon.  I tried reading from the Kindle but it was still threatening with shutdown and so I closed it down and let it do its own thing.  It's curry for supper, a chicken leg went in the slow cooker at one o'clock with curry powder and has just been turned into a proper curry.  The rice is just finishing off.

Today I read about the snow moon that was supposed to be spectacular.  Last night it was very bright...I tried to take photos of it but they came out very grainy but tonight with the Canon I managed to catch it from my bedroom balcony.  It was so bright, so orange and so clear but the photo doesn't really do it justice but it was the best I could do...it is cold out there and the dogs in the next village are barking at the moon so I'm pleased I'm sleeping down stairs.  LN....Supper and ...relax....LN

Monday 10th February

Another cold morning and as the sun came up so did the mist over the mountains.  It took a long time to get the temperature up but rescuing the fire and it helped to raise i inside.  I got washed and dressed, beans on toast for breakfast and sat watching the results of the Oscars from last night.  I cleared the kitchen and there really wasn't much to do so I switched off all electrical devices except for the Kindle and finished my book about Agincourt and blood thirsty it was too.  

Not much to do today...I remembered to take my tablet and thought about going into Kardjali but put it to one side so instead I got out the snow scoop and tried to remove the remaining snow from the steps and the little terrace but there was no moving it.  I eventually got the metal spade out from the workshop and broke it up and dumped it on the little garden.  I think that might be there for a while though but at least the terrace and steps are clear making it easier to go feed the birds.  The bastard cat made its way up into the bird house despite the metal fencing that I'd put there so it's back to the drawing board Cecil.  I must say it's persistent.

Didn't feel so good this afternoon.  I'd taken a whole tablet since the doctor had said 'one or a half one' but tomorrow it's definitely back to a half.  They certainly work thought, the Fitbit let me know.  I suppose it;s one way of checking it.  Supper is going to be the remains of last night's rice in the curry sauce...that will do until breakfast.  LN....Specialist is on the cards for tomorrow....LN

Tuesday 11th February

So last night was my Monday night quiz night and yes....I missed Only Connect ...slept through it but managed to catch University Challenge and even answered a few questions.  Now while I was asleep the fire had gone down to nothing so I was determined to get it back to 'something' like a fire and eventually managed it around one this morning.  It was still going when I got up but since the sun was up I didn't bother doing anything with it, had a shower, washed my hair and got ready to face the day.  I made breakfast using up the half tin of baked beans and only stopping to chase the cat out of the garden as it was eyeing up the bread I'd put out for the birds.  Not many birds around today...the sun's melting the snow so they've got pickings in other areas and far away from my cat/cats....not exactly mine but it appears they've adopted me.

I headed in to Djebel and stopped off at the car shop to see if there was anything that she needed from town and my student was down from Sofia for a few days break with his family.  We chatted for a while and I suggested that he gave his brother a few English lessons while he was here so that I didn't have to.  Now sure if it will happen but it was worth a try.

I parked up near to the specialists block to see if there was anyone in the office but the cupboard was bare.  I checked with the next door and apparently he only does his surgery in the evenings and you have to phone for an appointment so I took down the number and have done nothing with it yet.  I drove to the cheapy shop and bought...nothing...there were just too many people in there, on to Kaufland and bumped into a friend that I hadn't seen in a year and we did a quick catch-up.  He'd lost lots of weight and I hardly recognised him.  I bought a few things including a new carry-on suitcase that was on offer, a few more items and they I carried on to Lidl, and picked up a few essentials.

I was home for two thirty, unpacked and put away the shopping, settled down with a coffee and new book and started my assault on the fire at four and it took until five thirty before I had anything that I felt would see me through the evening.  Sod's law....I think it's because the wind is in the wrong direction.  Tomorrow I'm going to sort out some of the old wood just to keep the home fires burning.  LN....Unless I go visiting....LN

Wednesday 12th February

It wasn't cold in the house this morning, around nineteen degrees but with a damp start outside it just felt cold.  I didn't bother lighting the fire, it didn't seem that it needed it and I put an extra sweater on.  I decided I didn't feel like going visiting today so I dressed for the house and cooked poached eggs for breakfast just to keep me going for the day and to add a little inner warmth.  I did the usual chores and washed up from yesterday and it was as well that I did, we lost water at about eleven and it was off for a couple of hours.  I think it might have something to do with the lengths of water pipe that have been sitting above the next village.  Perhaps the men decided to get on with it now that the snow has thawed and there's no frost.

I settled down with my book for a while and gave in on the fire front at around one thirty and yes, you've guessed it, the sun came out at around two thirty and the temperature shot up to twenty seven in the lounge.  I wasn't tempted to take my extra sweater off though.  I also played around with trying to work out how to cope with the new word processing package that came with the new computer....it's just the funny things like setting up style sheets for new documents...things don't react as they did in Word and all I want to do is put a different header on the second page.  All good fun though...

I bought a chunk of steak yesterday from Lidl and managed to cut four small steaks from it for tonight leaving enough for tomorrow.  I fried off an onion in butter, put the steaks into the frying pan, fried an egg and made a sandwich. Same again tomorrow please or I might put the rest into a casserole with lots of vegetable.  That would made my doctor much happier.  LN....Logs on fire and ...relax.....LN

Thursday 13th February

Well I woke up this morning with a very sore throat and a thumping headache and realised that this might be the best that I felt all day.  I envisaged a downward spiral but things actually got better and I remembered to drop my son a message on FB...it's his birthday today.  The headache remained though...the screen on my Charge 3 Fitbit wouldn't light up, I tried the remedies suggested on their forum and they didn't work, I down loaded the new version of software and that appeared to be a mistake to.  The watch wouldn't Bluetooth to the computer and I was about to throw it in the bin, put it on my wrist with the Charge 2 and suddenly the screen has life in it but not as much as it should.   Arrrggghhh.  

I made scrambled for breakfast eating it while messing around with the Fitbit.  A load of washing went in the machine, it was such a beautiful day that I managed to hang it out and I brought it in at around three thirty and that sun had done it's work for the day.  I did put it on the clothes airer in the bathroom just to finish off when I lit the fire later.  I was surprised by a visit from my painter this afternoon.  I few years ago when I used to buy red wine by the three litres, I saved some of the glass bottles.  I'd forgotten about them but my painter had obviously seen them in the little house and had come round to see if they were still available.  We looked round together but I vaguely remember throwing them out when they'd hung around for a while and no takers so off he went disappointed.  I think they must have been bottling rakia.

I cancelled my student this afternoon and took to the sofa with my book.  I think I went to sleep but for only ten minutes or so and was woken up by the home telephone with some lady wittering on in Bulgarian so I explained that I was English and could she speak slower at which point she promptly put the phone down....thanks babe.  Sleep was now off the agenda so I went back to the Fitbit and surprise, surprise...the screen is visible, not as bright as it should be but I might do the workarounds on it again...but not today.

The headache has cleared but the cough as started so it's a honey drink for me tonight with aspirin before I lay my head on the pillow.  Nothing on for tomorrow so far apart from phoning the specialist to see when I can have an appointment.  Just need to check with the post office in the next village...they might be inundated with my cards...birthday not Valentine.  LN....Another steak supper....LN

Friday 14th February

Horrible night last night and I woke up sweating and coughing.  I hate colds.  The phone was very busy last night....My birthday boy phoned up to thank me for the messages on FB, he gave me an update for his half term plans where wife goes off sk-ing, children go to grandparents and he goes to work...sounds about right.  It's at times like this that I wish I were nearer...it would have been good to have them out here especially since my granddaughter is learning Russian at school.  She could have got some practice in.

Dawn was quite spectacular this morning.  It was the way that the sun lit up the clouds.  I didn't bother with the fire this morning, I emptied the ashes, loaded the log basket and set the fire for later.  It was around nineteen degrees inside and around six out so thought it would be OK and it was until around two this afternoon and I've worked out the fastest way to make the sun come out is to light the fire and sure enough.  Breakfast was steak and egg that I couldn't be bothered cooking last night....and I enjoyed it despite the snuffles.  I took up a position on the sofa and felt sorry for myself, the book was good but I still felt restless so thought sleep would put me out of my misery...and it worked for a while.  I then made my way upstairs and worked on the computer for a while still trying to work out the word processing program...and it's getting easier.  I managed to create a tissue bin out of a casual stool with a hand-grip in it....I just hate, plastic bags lying around that fall over and you end up spreading germs.

Fire loaded for the night, supper is still in the freezer, I think I'm heading for a Badedas bath tonight to see if it does any good and tomorrow is another nursing day,  LN....Supper might stay in the freezer....LN

Saturday 15th February

Raining this morning and six degrees but again that wind was cold.  I made beans on toast for breakfast but was still in my pyjamas at twelve when Haciber turned up with a jar of preserved plums obviously that she'd had for a while...there was a layer of dust on the lid.  The contents were still airtight though and I'm sure they'll be delicious.  I did intend going through my shelves at some point to see what I could get rid of...old stock but it looks like I'm acquiring it from others.  I've got so many pots of strawberry and pine tip syrup...absolutely great with pancakes...must start making them.  The news is that Haciber's son and his new family have gone back to Stockholm.  His wife is a doctor at one of the local hospitals and maternity allowance being what it is, they've headed off until she has to go back to work.  I did mention that after thirty one days in Turkey, Haciber could go to Sweden for a break...and why not.

Off she went and I got a load of logs in and then locked the conservatory door.  I went up and ran a bath and lingered there for about two hours, leaving the boiler on and topping it up so that it stayed hot for quite some time.  I eventually go out and put a new set of pyjamas on so not really got dressed all day.  One highlight was catching a photo of the pink tinged cat that came into the garden on the hunt for food.  It came across a piece of stale bread that little bastard cat had managed to dislodge from the bird table but it's not going to be able to get into it now...I've reorganised the metal wire....it won't get in now.

Chicken wings and roasted vegetables for supper tonight and there's nothing left for the animals.  Washing up done and it won't be long before I'm in bed.  The sneezing has eased off and so has the headache but I've cancelled the up coming birthday to Greece.  It's just not fair spreading germs....and so delayed for one week weather permitting.  LN...Just a little Saturday night TV and then book at bedtime....LN

Sunday 16th February

Seven thirty start and it was a beautiful morning.  The fire was still going but I ignored it, moved the cinders to the back of the boiler and used that to start the fire tonight.  I felt much better...conversation with my student on messenger and I think she intended coming over with my post but I told her that it would be better if she didn't,  I don't want to be responsible for anyone else getting the lurgy.  I only had toast for breakfast, was pretty slow off the mark and noticed something moving in the conservatory while I was sitting at the computer in the stairwell.  I made my way outside and noticed a beautiful butterfly and it must have hidden itself in here at the end of last year and the sun must have brought it out of its slumber.  It was bashing itself seriously against the window so I guided it outside...it should make a tasty snack for something if it doesn't find another hiding place.  I made lunch and put it into the slow cooker..chicken and vegetables, checked out the pot plants in the conservatory and the tiny flower that had formed on the fuscia had broken off because of the weight...such a shame so I removed it  and fingers crossed the plant will be OK.

My next niggle is my Charge 3 Fitbit so I had another go at fixing it, posted on the Fitbit help website and then decided to go for an online conversation to see if anyone could help.  I explained that I'd tried the solutions that were on offer to coax it into life but the problem with it is that there is no backlight.  I eventually got this through to the person on the other end and then I lost the assistant into the ether...so I had to start over but fortunately the new guy was able to bring up the conversation so we carried on where I left off with the other...Where do you live?  Bulgaria...where did you buy it...Argos UK and I was over the moon that it's still within warranty.  I now have to send it to the Netherlands and all seems to be going in my favour.

Supper was delicious, a bar of chocolate went as pudding and tomorrow I'm going into Djebel to get a cake for my neighbours, pop into my student's mum's shop for the post and maybe go into Kardjali to get my Fitbit in the post.  LN...Not a bad day....LN

Monday 17th February

Well I've chalked up another another year to add to the total.  I had a silly night last night so welcomed the 17th lying in bed with a three in one coffee and eventually put my head on the pillow around two this morning.  Don't ask me why...I couldn't really explain it.  Started at seven thirty this morning, the sun was up but it was cold when I went out on the balcony to take a photo of my white over grass but this time only with frost.  It was down to minus two overnight but with the sun up, it was already twenty three inside.

I didn't bother with breakfast, put phones and purse into handbag and wrote my list.  I was unsure how to put everything in order but first off drove and managed to park centrally, bought chocolate cake, delivered card to my birthday buddy mother's shop and had a few words with granny, the lady who used to run my favourite restaurant but has since retired.  I left cake for all of them, went back to the shop and bought another small cake for the ladies of the village realising that I wouldn't have enough.  I moved on to my student's mum's shop and was given lovely presents so I left cake and moved on to the post office knowing this was going to be a challenge and it was.

I posted a normal card and paid the fee, the Fitbit because it has an internal battery cannot be sent from Bulgaria but registered post or any post.  I went to pick up my other letter from the factory shop and also picked up a present from my special family and again....left cake and what a mess we got in sorting it out.  I decided to try the post office at Kardjali and was given the same information...I explained it was a smart watch and I couldn't remove the battery but there was no movement on their part.  I carried on to DHL, they could carry it to Netherlands for me but the price was extortionate....eighty five leva so I cancelled the transaction and have decided to go back to Fitbit to see if they have an agent in Bulgaria.  

I had a quick trip to Lidl and was home for three thirty, shopping away and settled down with cake and coffee and fell asleep on the sofa.  I woke up cold so got the fire underway, made another coffee and decided that it was too late to go round with cake, some of my ladies would be getting ready for bed so I'll do it in the morning,  My cards are up, I've had a very quiet easy day and still surprised at the love that comes to me from the local people.  LN....Barbecued ribs for supper....LN

hi Elsa, lovely pics off the snow. Might have to pinch one of the shots for a picture. LOL. Hope al is well. and hoped you had a nice B/day. Lots of luv us here in OZ.xx

Tuesday 18th February

Major hurdle over and now on to another year.  I had another silly night...I was awake at three again and no rhyme or reason about it.  Eventually I got off to sleep by telling myself t think nice thoughts and it was seven thirty before I opened my eyes.  My task for today was to get the cake distributed round the village which proved to be a task and a half.  No one was home and I eventually found them all at Zelinger's house and I was invited in for coffee with the rest of the ladies.  I appear to have drawn the short straw though.  The conversation came round to hospitals and it somehow swung round that Beyser has to have injections in her knee before she goes off to Turkey to visit family and I have been nominated from a short list on one to take her to the Polyclinic tomorrow at eight in the morning.  She's not my favourite local and has family that could probably take her but I didn't feel that I could get out of it,  Haciber sat there and didn't say anything but beneath that exterior She appeared to know that I'd been set up.  Ah well...she wants to pay me....I won't take anything but it's good that she thinks that she might have to hand over some of the hoard that people think that she has.  

I came back and made a bacon sandwich and used the first of the brown sauce as part of Lidl British week and sorted the cake and it's now sitting in boxes in the fridge.  I was going round to the next village to get rid of more but instead I lay on the sofa with my Kindle and was just getting into the second book about Alfred the Great when I had visitors.  We sat in the lounge with coffee and then they were wanting cigarettes and because it was a beautiful day and out of the wind we set up camp on the terrace.  Conversation flowed, I went into the house for top-ups and off they went clutching cake at around five.  I got the fire going since the temperature is dropping, closed up the windows that had been opened this morning to let some air through and now I'm settled in for the night.  I brought another load of logs in and it looks like I shall have enough to last out this winter but will get more in around June...well in advance for next year.

Lovely gentle sunset with very purple-blue clouds and one of my neighbours in the next village had a bonfire going and it made a good contrast.  It's going to be another cold one and with an eight start I need to get a good night's sleep in so no nonsense tonight.  Hamburgers for supper should I choose to cook them..I'm not really hungry, I've eater too much cake so I'll see how I feel later.  LN.....Yet more time at the Polyclinic....LN

Wednesday 19th February

So I woke up in a panic...it was seven twenty and at eight I was supposed to be picking up my neighbour and heading into Kardjali to the Polyclinic.  I moved with a vengeance, washed, dressed, coffee and by ten to eight I was clearing the ice from the windscreen of the Nipper.  I moved it out of the drive, went back in for my Kindle anticipating a couple of hours waiting around and I wasn't disappointed.

I pulled up outside the house and went to knock on the door and she certainly wasn't dressed for the hospital.  Now my problem is that she doesn't speak Bulgarian even though she's lived here all her life and my Turkish leaves a lot to be desired.  I can come up with the appropriate phrases when required but as for keeping a conversation going...no way but she can't even come up with the phrases in Bulgarian.  At this point I was unsure what was happening but her grandson was driving the bread van and heading to the bottom square so I asked him if he could explain what she wanted of me and the next minute she was walking briskly towards us.  He virtually interrogated her, he handed over a bag to her and demanded money from her and off she went to the house and he told me....'ten minutes'.  I loaded her in and off we set and as we were approaching Djebel she started speaking to me, I hadn't a clue so I stopped off at my students mum's shop and asked her to translate so that I knew exactly what was expected of me.  We had to stop at the little hospital in Djebel so that she could get a letter so it didn't cost her anything and then back on the open road Toad.

I dropped her off outside the hospital and managed to find a parking space near enough to the hospital and was hanging around reception since she hadn't waited for me and a man approached me and he knew my face from his village and she's sent him to find me.  I found her on the third floor and she was waiting for an x-ray and then another hour for the results.  The next stop was to see the specialist, she insisted that I went in with her, the assistant started speaking to me in Bulgarian so I asked her to speak slowly, explaining that I was English and her response was that the specialist spoke English and at that point her perked up....this situation was now becoming interesting.  He wrote a prescription for tablets and at this point she kicked off....she wanted an injection and was not a happy bunny.  The were now both as determined as each other put promised an injection after three weeks of tablets and eventually I got her to the chemists and she was still trying to tell me that we needed injection capsules.  This time I bundled her in the car and we headed home but when we got to Djebel she needed to stop at the shop for food and I dropped her off at two and felt absolutely drained.

Coffee, bacon and egg sandwich. sofa and it turned out to be a 'book at an early bedtime' and I was awakened by the telephone at four thirty and had a very yawny conversation.  I lit the fire, no supper required and I've just started on a packet of peanuts..keeping the roughage up.  I'm now building up for the next appointment on the 5th March that the hospital have booked us both in for and my paring shot to the specialist was in Bulgarian....'see you soon'.  LN...Back to Alfred the Great....LN

Thursday 20th February

Seven thirty start and another lazy day for me.  The fire was still in but I didn't bother getting it fully going again, it was damp out but not yet raining.  I stripped the bed and put the quilt cover and bottom sheet into the machine and then suddenly realised that I would probably need the heat from the fire to get it dry since by now it had started to rain.  Fire lit, washing over the banister and everything was working for me.

My painter arrived in the yard at eight thirty to check how I was.  I was on the sofa with the door to the conservatory open so I went to the door and he was on his way to work and stopped off to check that I was OK.  Off he went and I decided that it was probably time that I got dressed and ready for the day...it seemed that it had started without me.  So dressed and back to the book...Pale Horseman....about Alfred the Great...the second of four books so I've got a bit to go yet.  I made a bacon and egg sandwich and then the telephone went and it was the post office in Rogosche letting me know that there was a birthday card for me sitting in her office so I agreed that I would be there by one so it didn't interfere with her two hours for lunch.  So thank you Princess...your card has arrived....and it's displayed with the rest.  

The afternoon was spent in front of the roaring fire and I obviously had my afternoon nap and why not.  After sunny days, the rain is not welcome.  An update on the Fitbit...I asked them if they would pay postage and it looks like they might or at least it's being escalated her end to see if they will.  I think it's a waste of time and money especially if they're going to send me a replacement.  

Bed made, cheese and biscuits for supper, the kitchen's closed for tonight.  Very lucky to see so many woodpeckers in the garden this morning, they seemed to be flitting everywhere but not in good shots for the camera.  LN.....Sorry...best I could do...LN

Friday 21st February

Today I was having to head into Kardjali yet again to get my Fitbit into DHL courier office but on the way through Djebel I decided to get the oil changed in the Nipper.  Not only did they do the oil change but also the air filter, checked everything that needed checking and oiled the linkage to the gear box and it felt so much better after they'd given it some attention. I sat in the sun while they were working on it, chatted to the father in law about the weather and the new rules for 'no Turkish Visa for the Brits' when visiting Turkey and off he went and I carried on to Kardjali.

Fitbit had agreed to pay the postage so I'd printed off the despatch documents, I parked up in my usual place and paid over my fee and walked to the DHL office.  The girl I had dealt with before who speaks very good English was surprised when I presented myself at her desk and she thought I'd had a change of mind...after all, we'd gone through the registration process and I'd only balked at the payment.  I handed over the despatch document and her supervisor asked who was paying for it and I replied that I hoped it was Fitbit and it certainly wasn't me.  They found an envelope, inspected what was being put into it, I had to sign the docket and I thanked the assistant for her patience and she thanked me for choosing DHL and managing to sort it out.  I like leaving good vibes in case I have to go there again,

I walked to the Saturday cheapy shop and I've worked out that it's cheaper to buy it at Friday rate that go in again on the Saturday and hope it's still there.  It was fairly busy but next to the door on the first rail there was a long white mohair and other fibre cardigan and I loved it so grabbed it, and just down the rail was another of the same fibres which was a longish dress in a beige colour so I grabbed that as well.  My next selection was a sofa type cushion, I took it to the cash point so that they could weight it, told me the price, intended to put it back then changed my mind.  Total cost for the three items twelve leva....better at half the price but ,,hey it's Friday.

Kaufland for a few items and Lidl for a few more and finally to the supermarket in Djebel for the few things I forgotten.  Home for two thirty, go in a load of logs, lit the fire and got the house warm...it was nice out but I knew the temperature would be dropping later.  I settled on the sofa with a coffee and my book and no...I didn't go to sleep which is a first just lately.  The sun is supposed to be shining tomorrow and I noticed on my garden walk around that there are bulbs coming up and I need to remove some of the weeds so that they have half a chance.  LN....Fingers crossed it's fine.....LN

Saturday 22nd February

Normal morning start and it was a cold one.  My intention to get out there and start some gardening and clearing the flower beds from weeds was put on the back burner...too cold for me and the wind was chill.  I made breakfast to set me up for the day, mushrooms, bacon and eggs with fried bread and I was right, it did.  I went out and filled up the log basket, topped up the log carrier and dragged it into the conservatory and took the household rubbish that needed burning down to the bottom of the garden.  I was surprised that there were only tin cans in the burning container, I must have had a pretty hot fire last time,  The new one had flames leaping from it but I did see the black and pink cat hovering on the lip of the burner later this afternoon so maybe if found something interesting...who can say.

I did some tidying in the conservatory, planted up sunflower seeds and threw some of the others out for the birds.  I was trying to put them in the seed container on the bird table but they kept falling through the sides so I gave up.  I headed into the little house and watered some of the shrubs that were looking a little dry and sad to say that was my work done for the day.

I took to the sofa with the Kindle and settled in to the third book of the series of Alfred the Great and at four decided that it was time to light the fire and it took a while to do it.  The problem is that when it's damp and cloying the chimney gets cold but eventually it burst into life and has been going well all afternoon and evening.  At five my Kindle ran out of battery so I put the boiler on to heat up and at five thirty launched myself into the bath staying there until around seven topping it up as it cooled down, dried myself off and watched the end of the rugby, loaded the fire up yet again and kept the home fires burning.

Just finished watching the Voice and remembered that I hadn't done an update....what a day it's been....I've had too much time on my hands.  The weather changed and it really threatened rain but it seems to have gone over.  Greece tomorrow and the forecast is sun and a little cloud...let's hope it's accurate.  LN....Off to the wooden hills...I need my beauty sleep....LN

Sunday 23rd February

I hadn't got enough sleep in me at one this morning and it took until two thirty before I got my head down.  I banged my head on the pillow seven times to set my internal alarm but the clock was early and at six thirty I was ready to face the day.  I managed toast for breakfast and I got the ice off the windscreen and was on the way by eight five.  It was a beautiful morning, the sun was shining, the wind was cold but I was dressed for the weather and radio 1 was belting out some good songs as I made the journey.  I was there for just after eight thirty and apologised tongue in cheek for being late, we were off to Greece after the usual passport check, money check, camera check.  There was only one car in front of us as we arrived at the border and we were soon waved through and heading for the market in Porto Lagos.  There weren't many people around and we thought that because it was a Mardi Gras in Xanthi later, maybe the market wasn't on but it took time for it to warm up.

I checked out the clothes on offer but they really can't compete with my cheapy shops in Kardjali so they stayed on the stalls.  I watched the fishing boats bring in their catch, set up fish shops with scales and carrier bags on the quay and start selling the fish.  The fruit and vegetable stalls were brimming over and I settled for a kilo of pears and I promise that they'll get eaten and not find their way over the wall.  I was tempted by a silver ring but unfortunately they didn't have it in my size.

We carried on to Xanthi and indeed it was the Mardi Gras.  We managed to squeeze the car into a very narrow gap with about two inches at either end and it took three of us to get it out without removing the bumpers from the cars at either end.  Lots of people with children in pushchairs were heading towards the assembly point behind the floats so we walked down to where they were gathering and the atmosphere was terrific.  It was rather like history repeating itself...the children taking part twenty five years ago were there with their own children dressed for fun and frolic....magic.

We came back the old road through the mountains to Zlatograd, stopped for coffee in the old town and stayed for pizza for a late lunch and home for five thirty.  I stopped for a coffee and back to mine for six, fire lit, no need for supper since the pizza was very filling and have had a very relaxing joyful day with friends....and a big thank you to both of you.  It's supposed to be eighteen degrees tomorrow so I might get a day in the garden to demolish those weeds.  LN.....A fabulous late birthday treat.....LN  

Monday 24th February

Seven start, a cold morning but with the promise of higher temperatures later in the day I turned over the half burnt log in the petchka and saved it until tonight.  I emptied the ashes, washed and dressed because it was cold putting on my padded combat trousers.  I'd promised myself a day of gardening but I knew it had to warm up first...no way I was out there and freezing...it's only February.  I thought about breakfast and settled for a mushroom and cream cheese omelette, watching the return of Bill Turnbull on This Morning...it seems Piers has other work to do and this guy made a welcome change.  I was only half watching it though, I cleared the kitchen and washed up and then decided that the book was calling and I settled myself on the sofa.

I'd had quite a busy day yesterday and felt somewhat jaded, not enough for a sleep but the outside temperature kept me inside even though I was itching to make a start on the pots and flower beds. Just lately I find that the sun comes out just after I've lit the fire so I was really trying to delay the inevitable and then the clouds dissipated and ...out it came, the temperature outside shot up to fifteen degrees and inside to twenty two so it was on with the pop=pom hat and out with the garden fork.  

I cleared the pots on the terrace and the old tyres on the gravel heap and I was amazed how many tulips I've got coming up.  I didn't stop there, I attacked the long bed under the little house terrace and the old bonfire pit, had a bonfire with the debris and even the old Christmas tree went on it with a tremendous gush of sparks and bronze needles.  At five I came in, the wind was getting up, tools away and same again tomorrow if the weather is suitable.  I just hate weeds but I suppose they're plants but growing where we don't want them...nothing more than that.

Just after six my time and supper is going to be spicy sausage and onions that's when, or if, I get round to doing it.  LN.....Let the gardening commence....LN

Tuesday 25th February

I reckoned it was a seven start.  I'd put my Fitbit on to charge yesterday and had forgotten to put it on my wrist so hadn't logged steps for yesterday or sleep for last night but at least I found out that the one that's been sent to The Netherlands has at last arrived despite having arrived at Nantes in France and been returned to Leipzig and redirected.  Some half awake or asleep employee has put it in the wrong bin.  I've heard nothing back from Fitbit after my last assault on their help desk but looking at the rest of the complaints I'm not sure that I want the Charge 3 returned to me.  I'll see what my options are when they eventually come back to me.

I was five minutes out on the time..it was just before seven so I went downstairs and made coffee.  I sat in the sun and was surprised that the outside thermometer had registered minus one and the inside temperature was eighteen yet with the sun out it seemed much warmer.  I picked up my book and carried on with it, I've read it before but I was still eager to find out what happens next.  It must have been around seven years ago that I first read it.  I sliced up the spicy sausage that I hadn't had last night...laziness on my part...sliced up a half of one and fried it off and made a sandwich and the one and a half left I sliced, fried them off with onions and cubed beetroot, added the contents of a can of tomatoes and puree and into the slow cooker with it.  I was determined to get supper underway so that I would have it ready instead of having to think about it later.

I went back to my book after I'd tidied the kitchen and it was eleven thirty before I went to get washed and dressed to face the day.  I put the washing away, tried on a skirt that I'd bought about fifteen years ago and it still fit so it might even come out one of these fine days.  I took myself back to the sofa and carried on with my book, it was sunny outside but it was blowing a gale out there.  I'd been out on the balcony to use the windows as a mirror when I'd tried the skirt on and not only was it blowing but it was cold.  More coffee, a couple of sesame seed biscuits and it was three before I went out to start the ball rolling. I loaded up the log carrier. the tub with the starter wood and grabbed the garden fork and spade to attack the garden.  The vegetable garden was calling me and I started weeding it and was surprised how many tulips were coming up.  I'd planted them there because I'd been handed them by D of S and I didn't know the types or colours of any of them....I intend to sort them later and plant them where I want them.  Tools away and I decided to clear the back door of the wood store that leads on to the workshop terrace.  I'd put wheelbarrows etc. in front of the door when I'd gone to England as a deterrent just in case anyone was tempted by a back door entrance.  Not necessary really but I was being extra careful.  

I positioned myself back on the sofa like a homing pigeon and at six I lit the fire.  Back to the book and I finished it.  At six thirty I put supper into a bowl and walked up the stairs and turned on the computer to watch the end of Tipping Point.  I'd added chili to the mix this morning and I was surprised how spicy it was but I managed it but had to have bread to take the edge off it.  Nothing on the agenda for tomorrow.  I have the next book in the series and providing the sun is shining and the wind dies down, I shall be gardening again.  LN....Time to throw another log on....LN

Wednesday 26th February

Really explicit dreams...I was moving furniture for a friend into her new house and it just wouldn't fit so we were sawing it in half.....and let's hope it doesn't come to that.  Coffee, I didn't go back to bed but had electrical stuff buzzing that it was low on battery and I seemed to go around for a time unplugging and plugging and I had to sit at the table with the Kindle on charge to carry on reading my book.  I'm now on the fourth book and Utred is planning to take London and oaths are being broken all over the place.

I couldn't decide on what to do with eggs for breakfast so I settled for buttered bun loaf munching it while I was reading my book.  I went to the kitchen for more coffee, took the cup upstairs while I got washed and dressed, switched on the computer and did my housekeeping and answered a few emails.  The sun was shining but again that wind was cold so I wasn't going out there again.  There's still plenty of the year left.  I did go out to top up the bird table with muesli and a couple of slices of bread and again to chase the cats away.  They've been a bit noisy...the new little ones have come into season and the toms are chasing them everywhere.  Why don't the ones that own cats do something to protect them form delivering new mouths to feed.

I settled back into my book and got really comfortable in the sun listening to music from my old iPod.  I didn't nod off, the book was too interesting and the afternoon drifted away and I lit the fire at four thirty.  It wasn't that it was cold but it's comforting at night.   LN....A really lazy day....LN

Thursday 27th February

Well it was a really silly night last night.  I went down after finishing with the television and decided to read on the sofa by the warmth of the wood burner and I promptly went to sleep with a blanket over me and woke up at four and obviously having had four hours of sleep I wasn't ready to slope off to the bedroom.  I made a coffee and read some more, felt sleepy at five thirty, made it to the bed, tried to get to sleep and absolutely nothing.  I got up again, washed and dressed, the rain started and determined that there was no way that I was having to go out there today but I did go out to feed the rest of the soft blue veined cheese that I'd had for supper, to the blue tits wit a cubed up apple.  They really seemed to like the cheese and they were only eating the crust...I had the inside.

I stuck it out until nine thirty and lit the fire and it's been going all day.  I alternated between Soda Crush and the fourth book in the series and I've just loaded book five of the Saxons Quest.  As for the weather...we've had lashing rain, sun, gale force winds...in fact a lot of everything and a beautiful rainbow to finish it off.  I remembered that I had my student this afternoon after school so I spent an hour or so finding a text that we could study and fortunately I came across a site with a video of the story and questions to answer to go with it.  It worked really well and I'll sort some more out for the next time but look carefully too make sure that they're interesting.

I got to Djebel for four and the boy arrived home from school but he had friends waiting for him and since I hadn't let them know that I was coming he went back out to play and we agreed that he would be back for a quarter to five and he was.  He's getting much more confident with me and speaking English and as I was leaving he asked if we could go to the restaurant for supper one night...and he was actually meaning tonight so I had to make an excuse about supper being ready for me at home but that we definitely would do it another night.

I stopped off for bread and eggs and carried on home.  My fire was still going and I've just pulled the big log forward and put another thumper at the back of it so that should keep me going for a while.  I made supper of hamburgers. chippies and an egg, stuffed to the gills and tonight I'll be tempted to settle on the sofa.  LN...Bed is always best....LN

Friday 28th February

Six thirty start and what a super dawn it was until it faded to a paler version of the same.  The temperature had dropped to minus two and I was surprised when I saw the thermometer....and it took ages to climb today.  The fire was still going from last night and I put a log on but it smoked a bit but didn't amount to anything and I used the logs to get it going tonight.  Again it was reluctant to fire up but with patience and enough firelighters it's now going well.

Today's agenda was twofold.  I had to take the creme I'd promised Zac for her husband's creaking shoulder and neck and two head into Kardjali to get my new cash card. As I started off I saw my painter waiting by the road and he was waiting for a lift into Djebel.  He came in useful, there was a herd of cows on the road and despite tooting the horn the cows  refused to move so he got out of the car and moved them on.  He explained that the road was warm and the fields were cold so they were warming up before they moved on,  I dropped him off in Djebel, delivered the Deep Heat and carried on to Kardjali parking up in my usual place.  I handed over my card in the bank, the lady went off with it, came back with the new one and I asked her where the old one was.  She'd already disposed of it and I was surprised at this and said that I thought it was for me to do it not her....ah well.  She processed the new card in the system, requested my passport and my residency card and then I had to sign for it.  It's lucky that I had enough money on me...it wasn't going to be active for another three hours and unfortunately I have to use another pin number as issued...and another ah well...it's taken me a year to remember the one that I use now.  

I carried on to my cheapy shop and found a pair of sheepskin knee high boots that need cleaning but at twelve leva they are a steel and so war.  They're not UGs but EMU..not heard of them but must Google it.  I headed back to Djebel mainly because I couldn't face Lidl or Kaufland and stopped off at the supermarket and bought a chicken for tonight and I can smell it cooking.  A couple of jacket potatoes went into the oven with it and they're ready too.  LN.....Kitchen calls.....LN

Saturday 29th February

I think I ate too late last night ...chicken leg and jacket potato ...and it was just too much.  I was unsure whether or not I wanted to get up and unload the lot or keep swallowing to keep it down and it stayed.  It was a bit of a restless night but I did managed to go through until four thirty but then went back again until seven so not so bad.  

Normal morning duties and I settled for toast for breakfast...I was giving my digestion a break.  There wasn't a lot of activity at all.  I cleared out the bird table and loaded it with more muesli which the tits seem to prefer.  The cats were out in force again chasing the little white one and I continued my chasing them off the terrace so that they'd do there fighting or mating outside in the field and get on with there caterwauling there.  At eleven thirty I had a flash of activity, the hoover came out, the whole of the ground floor was cleaned and I washed the floors over.  The stairs were washed down and the conservatory sorted, the plants watered and new cuttings taken and then the activity ceased as quickly as it had started,  I took up my place on the sofa and carried on with my book.

I made a late lunch of more of the chicken with pickles and that's going to do me for the rest of the day, I'm taking it easy.  I lit the fire at four thirty and again it was slow to start...it must be the direction of the wind...It was still cold out there and there was still quite a wind blowing.  I closed the conservatory door and locked the outer...I was now in for the night.  The boiler is on for a bath and I've loaded my latest book on to my little Kindle...I've found today that I've had to put the big on on charge a couple of times today.  LN.....The Voice tonight....let the competition begin......LN...