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Elsa Peters
July 1, 2022, 6:48pm Report to Moderator

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Friday 1st July

Well another beautiful morning.  I went to bed at eleven last night and slept straight through to six and for me...that's a long sleep.  I noticed that the sun was just showing to the left of my balcony so quickly took a shot then went out on to the terrace to take in the morning.  One or two of the flowers were looking crispy so out with the hose and did all of the pots and set them up for the day and as for my water intake, it's been pretty high especially during my epic on the grass.  I set the hose going on the shrubs at the bottom of the garden while I strimmed round the flower beds before I took to the mower.  Only one trouble, if you water the flower the weeds benefit but it does make it easier to remove them.

I came in and made toast for breakfast and sat out on the terrace eating it.  I miss my little Chuwi computer for breakfast TV but it does save me some time, but it saves me from shouting at Good Moring Britain and the biased presenters.  Washing up done from last night, kitchen tidy and then my real task began.  I was taking regular breaks, that sun was really hot today and I was wearing a long sleeve shirt to stop the flies pestering and nibbling.  I managed down to the mulberry before my first break, drank a litre of water and then went out again and finished the main house grass by twelve.  More water, definitely too  hot to go out so I got my head down and it was three when I woke up.  It took me a while to come round but then I started on the other grass and managed to do half of it before it was down tools and another time out.  I toyed with the idea of giving up but the resilience kicked in and out I went again and finished it at more or less five and then settling in for the tennis.

I cooked a chicken fillet for supper and had it on bread with mayo and felt quite stuffed.  A little more tennis, a quick shower and I felt much fresher after I'd washed away the dust from my face and neck...the rest was caught by clothes and they're in the machine ready for me to kick that into action.  Just caught the tail end of the sunset and noticed that the crescent moon is hanging out to the west, not where I would expect it at all.  I might go into Kardjali tomorrow, I've decided to make a few purchases that were further down on 'things to do/get'....spoiling myself.  LN.....I do feel so much better when the grass is done....sixteen thousand six hundred steps today......LN




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Elsa Peters
July 2, 2022, 8:28pm Report to Moderator

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Saturday 2nd July

Another six start and went out on to the downstairs terrace to enjoy the morning.  Moved on to the little house terrace to take the photo of the sun-up and then back to my perch with my hot water drink.  The honey is missing with the ginger, I'm beginning to eliminate things from my daily intake to try to identify what's causing these bumps on my arms.  Caught the sheep coming over the hill while I was out and about with the hose pipe watering the pots and the beds and remembered that the maple really needed a good drink so I left it on trickle charge and it's looking healthier.  So back to the bench on the terrace until I was ready for breakfast and I settled for poached eggs again.

Thus time I went out armed with the strimmer and cleared the yard and round the beds that I hadn't managed to do yesterday.  I needed to get down and clear round the bonfire bucket but that sun was hot so I didn't stay out there long.  I went into the kitchen and heard a funny noise and realised that it was coming from the wood burner...a sparrow had found its way down the chimney and the exit plan went into action.  I close all the doors to the hallway, close the curtain across the bottom of the stairs, open the porch door and the fly screen, open the wood burner door and see what happens.  It made it to the conservatory OK, go a little confused by all the glass and eventually worked out that there was fresh air out there and made its escape.  Fly screen closed, wood burner door closed and situation normal again.

Had a surprise invite to a barbecue for this evening and I've just got back.  We were going to eat it outside but the flies got the better of us so we moved in to the dining room. we had bream, salad and chippies and for me fizzy water and stuffed to the gills so to speak.  Nothing on the road coming back so home safe and sound missing one hedgehog, two cats, a hare and not a cow to be seen.  LN......Thank you...really good evening.......LN



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Elsa Peters
July 3, 2022, 6:11pm Report to Moderator

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Sunday 3rd July

Seven start, hosed the garden down since it was promising to be another very hot day.  I sat out on the bench with my morning cuppa, there was quite a breeze blowing from the north so the umbrella had to come down.  Fortunately the balcony shades the terrace from the morning sun and the wind was keeping the flies at bay and lots of birds in the garden this morning.  The starlings were having breakfast at the mulberry cafe and joined by a couple of golden orioles with their distinctive call,  Only Green God was out this morning but just incase I filled up all the drinking points for them.  In fact they probably get better looked after here that in the wild. Quick breakfast of toast and jam and black cat was lying in the shade of the forsythia on the Frog garden looking longingly for something to eat but I had nothing.  I'm down to my last few slices of bread so couldn't even spare that.

After watering the plants I noticed that one of the Nicotina or flowering tobacco was covered in Colorado beetles so I made up one of the powders I'd bought the other day and sprayed the tobacco plants and it wasn't long before they were no more.  It took me back to the days in the UK when it was common to see posters for these wee beasties and I'm thinking that you had to report a certain department if you had them. Washing in the machine and  on the line and everything was pegged securely, that wind really did get up.  It wasn't out there long, dry in quicksticks and put straight away.  I gave the cushion for the sunbed a scrub down with washing up liquid and then hosed it down and that also went out on the line to dry.  

An afternoon of tennis and the Norrie match was a really good game despite winning in three straight sets.  As for the Watson match, least said the better.  Not a clue what to have for supper, I'll have to go on the hunt for something from a tin or just not bother.  It's too hot to think about food tonight and it will probably do me good to go without...I have six weeks before my daughter comes out and I really need to shift a few kilos.

Garden watered, lovely sunset and supposed to be a good day tomorrow.  LN.....I might even make it to the pool.  LN.....



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Elsa Peters
July 4, 2022, 6:45pm Report to Moderator

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Monday 4th July

Another six thirty start, I had a few things to burn so armed with the garden spade and the fork I headed down to the bottom of the garden intent on carrying out what I'd put off for so long.  I set up the garden hose to soak the ground before I burnt anything so off with the lid, garden fork to loosen the contents, the metal went into a separate bucket so that I can put it into the container, and the other went on the garden near the burning bucket.  Not only did I burn the house rubbish but I took a box of 'stuff' from the little house and that went really well.  I'm pleased that it's done, much less chance of anything falling out and causing a 'catastrop'.

Next job was to water the trees and shrubs down the bottom of the garden and then make my way round the flower beds and on to the pots on the terrace.  Job done and it was still only eightish so made scrambled eggs and this time sat in the kitchen at the table to eat them which reminded me that I must find out about the Chuwi that's in for repair.  Washed up and was now looking for things to do so I set about the porch, sorted out the gardening things, tools that had been dumped and returned them to the workshop,  The log carrier went back into the woodstore and the starter wood container went into the little house ready for winter preparation.  I also made a mental note that tomorrow I'll check out the wood in Djebel and if it's OK I'll get it ordered and delivered on Wednesday.  As for the rest of the day, the workshop is tidied and you can now see the bench, the starter wood is in the little house porch and most of the other wood is stored in the garage by the side of the Beast.  Still more to do and I might need a strong youth to move the solidified bags of cement into a wheel barrow and dump them somewhere at the bottom of the garden.  I've also uncovered a large wooden box that I'd made and forgotten about.....tomorrow's job might be fitting caster to it.

Watered everything again, it's been a very hot day but most of my work has been in the little house so not suffered greatly.  I eventually came in eight thirty and have had a really full on day but feel I've achieved loads....I like days like that.  LN......Nearly eleven thousand chalked up on the Fitbit today.....LN
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Elsa Peters
July 5, 2022, 7:04pm Report to Moderator

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Tuesday 5th July

Six start and gave the garden a good watering despite the fact that I'd saturated the ground last night;  I made a few changes to the schedule and my Tuesday student I moved to Thursday and intended to work on the little house again to continue my good work from yesterday.  I checked my messenger and realised that on Saturday night at the barbecue I'd offered to take the lady of the house swimming and a trip round the market beforehand so said I would be there at ten thirty to do the deed.  I opened up the little house, moved the bags of cement and plaster from where it had been stored, some of it is salvageable and the other will get dumped down the bottom of the garden.  I'd cleared a space and moved the tiles that are waiting to be laid on the balconies to the other side of the room freeing up the wooden chest and access to the wood behind it.  I managed to get the chest outside cleared it out and put the debris ready for the containers and hosed it down and by ow it was heading for nine thirty so needed to get a wiggle on.

My Avatar had asked me to get money for her from the cash point and knowing that she was without I took one hundred leva over to her so that she could settle any bills.  Because it was market day in Benkovski I wasn't sure if there would be any money in the machine and better she had some than none at all.  I was in the Nipper for twenty after ten, the roads were fairly clear and I made it to theirs for twenty to eleven.  Didn't stop for coffee there'd be plenty of time for that today so parked up at the market. usual stuff and no plants to be found so we carried on to a nearby swimming pool that I used to go to a few years back when the Librarian lived that way over.  We parked up, coffee order and a coke for me, got ourselves settled and I swam for quite a time, beautiful day and very clear views of the mountains.  Salad, cheesy chips and hamburger for lunch, final coffees and another swim and we left at five so a good long day in the sun and I felt so good.  We all need days like these.

Stopped off in one of their village shops and bought bread, potato crisps, cheese and mayo and set about the crisps as I was driving back.  I popped over to Avatar to give her the card and money and she was looking confused.  She wanted the two hundred from the cash point and was going to give me my hundred from this morning back again.  Knowing that she'd already got one hundred I'd only taken another hundred with me but she just couldn't see it.  Eventually the penny dropped and we had a little giggle about it.  It has been a hot day.  I came back and for supper I had crisp sandwiches which I've not had for ages and have just finished watching the Norrie match and pleased to say that he's through to the semi-finals.  LN....Shower required to go to bed fresh as a daisy......LN



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Elsa Peters
July 6, 2022, 7:14pm Report to Moderator

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Wednesday 6th July

Another early start...the day started well but I've been butterflying through the items on my list that need doing before I have visitors.  I started in the little house thinking that's where I'd put my efforts today but I've achieved a lot and the though came to mind that you can't make an omelette without cracking eggs.  Today I've been cracking eggs.

I did managed to water the garden giving it a good soak but it's been muggy today, clouds about, threatening rain but nothing happened.  I also got three loads of washing done and it's just occurred to me that it's still on the line and that's where it will stay, much too dark on my hillside to risk life and limb.  I did go out and lock up the little house, fortunately all the lights come on at the flick of one switch but unfortunately it's not attached to the wall so you have to find it first.  

Tennis took over interspersed with activity moving 'stuff' from one room to the next and I'm giving up my upstairs bedroom over to my daughter and SIL so I need some of my clothes downstairs and the winter coats all need to go upstairs.  The furniture is all in the right place just clothes to move now and the sewing table has to be moved along in the thirty bedroom to put a shelving unit to take storage boxes.  It will really help when I get the address of the place to deliver the clothes I don't want then everything will be much easier.

Not bothering with any supper.  I've just had a bowl of yoghurt and apricots so that will do me until morning.  Students tomorrow and the Beast is going in for an oil change and then get it MOT'd next week.  LN......Time to closed down for the night....this sorting fair knacks an old girl......LN
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Elsa Peters
July 7, 2022, 5:58pm Report to Moderator

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Thursday 7th July

So woke up at one thirty this morning watching TV with my eyes closed.  I headed for the bedroom, picked up my little Kindle and knocked off a Sudoku in record time making it my thirty fastest time for a difficult puzzle..now where did that come from???  Slept through until six thirty, boiled the kettle to made coffee but somehow I didn't get round to it until seven thirty but I filled my time well.  I moved my sewing table in the third bedroom and slotted in one of the shelving units against the window wall and that will take the boxes of sewing 'bits'. I swapped the beds round so that the tables part of the headboard meet in the middle creating a gap between the two single beds.  My grandchildren are sharing the room so gives them more personal space.  Both beds were stripped, sheets, under sheets and pillow cases washed and it was still only seven thirty and that's when the coffee was made.  I made toast and jam for breakfast and sat out on the terrace in the sun feeling quite pleased with myself and my morning achievements.

Net step was to water the plants and garden, the bed in the guest room was also stripped and everything washed.....I don't want to leave anything to the last minute, everything pegged out, washed and dressed and was preparing for my student at ten when I heard another bird in the little wood burner in the kitchen so action stations, windows open, fly screens open. main door shut, wood burner door open and out if shot into the porch.  It was a little confused by the windows but it soon gained its momentum and shot out of the door and out to freedom.  That's the third this week, they must be newbies.

Good lesson with my student, I suggested that we left it next Tuesday because of the Muslim holiday but she said that it was only for two days and she wanted to come.  I can't be doing such a bad job and today was all about role play...she has sentences to learn and no more greetings in Bulgarian or Turkish....only English spoken here!!  A little more tidying, my clothes moved down to my downstairs bedroom and since I've not moved upstairs so far this year, I shan't be doing it until September and in fact, this year I might not even manage it.  My other student in Djebel this afternoon and I've moved them both to Tuesday so that I have them all on one day making it easier for me....in the zone so to speak.

Sat with his mother in the shop after the lesson and I suddenly realised that it was almost seven so headed home, stopped at the bottom supermarket for a few items for the 'goodie' box but no tomatoes for my Avatar, they didn't look good so didn't bother buying them.  To hot to think about supper, there are a few clouds in the sky and hopefully I'll have another good day tomorrow.  LN....Tempus fugit.....LN
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Elsa Peters
July 8, 2022, 7:10pm Report to Moderator

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Friday 8th July

I'd just got my head down last night when I heard thunder and this morning it was obvious that it had rained very heavily...the upside...I didn't have to water the garden and the downside, the cushions from the furniture on the terraces needed hanging up to dry.  That done I had a bonfire, meandered around and eventually made my mind up to go into Kardjali to pay my home telephone bill, pick up my computer from the repair shop and by the items from the list that I'd made last night.  I made beans on toast for breakfast to set me up for the day and was in the Nipper by ten thirty facing a long line of traffic when I approached my destination.  

First stop Kaufland car park and I walked over to the repair shop.  I discussed the options, the repair to the mother board would be quite expensive and if they had to take Windows off and operate solely on Android they would really have to research how to do it.  I'd taken up a USB and my USB bank and the decision was taken to settle for a micro USB connector which unfortunately they didn't have.  We left it at that, I asked him how much and he said nothing to pay since they'd not had to repair anything and only tried to identify how it could be rectified.  I said that time still costs money and I was happy to pay for that time but he refused to take anything from me so I said a big thank you and left with my computer. walked to the 'shop for everything' and paid three leva for the cable and back to the car park.  Moved location into the other leva shop and bought coat hangers etc., drove to the hospital car park and walked to the shop to pay my bill which surprisingly was only for two months without any add ons.  Stopped off at Lidl and bought a few items including a solar operated mole scare and let's see if we can deter the blighters.

Stopped off at Djebel on the way back to use the cash machine and no working, out of money with it being a Muslim holiday, moved on to the next and that was out of money too so I'm down to twenty leva to last me the weekend.  Had a sleep when I got back, I felt really drained, the humidity was high and it was very hot and woke up in time to watch the tennis men's semi-final and unfortunately the last Brit standing only stood for four sets and was out.  Took some tomatoes over to Avatar that she'd asked me to get for her and just come back, we sat in the garden in the very light rain enjoying almost an hour together.  Home now, it feels like a Saturday to me and the lane will probably be more like a motorway tomorrow with the visitors over from Turkey rescuing what they can of their currency.  LN......Potter day tomorrow......LN
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Elsa Peters
July 9, 2022, 4:50pm Report to Moderator

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Saturday 9th July

More eggs got broken today but the omelette is coming along nicely.  I didn't have any children round for sweets for the start of the holiday, I think most of them are on to the next stage of wanting phones from their parents instead...sweets...pah.  I was up at five thirty and still felt uncomfortable because of my chicken that I bought in Kardjali.  The black cat enjoyed it though.  I went out to throw stale bread out, called the cat but nothing then I spotted it hiding in the bushes so I put the food on the grass on this side of the wall and it seen tucked in....and there was no squabbling with the others, I think it managed it all by itself.

My breakfast was the fluffy pancakes that Beyser, the lady from the next door garden delivered yesterday.  I popped them in the microwave, there were a few crispy patches but the majority was OK and it's been one of those day.  I had a pack of raisins and mixed nuts while I was watching the tennis and then settled into a packet of cheese and onion crisps but with a little willpower saved half of them and applied a peg from the peg bag. I was surprised this afternoon by a visit from my new student who appeared at the door clutching two plastic bags and told me in English that 'there is meat for our holiday and tomatoes' and such a nice surprise.  The meat is in the freezer and I have about eight tomatoes and a cucumber so the tortoise will benefit tomorrow.  I could give it to Avatar but she has lots on her plants already.  

I settled back down to the Ladies final and I picked who I wanted to win who promptly lost the first set but with due diligence and inspirational play she fought back, won the second and went on to win the third.  She looked really stunned and almost as if she couldn't believe she'd done it but gave a very animated interview saying that lastly she would like to thank her mother and father, because without them she wouldn't be here.  I think her mouth ran away with her in the excitement but at twenty three and only played at Wimbledon once before, she'd down well.  Still lots of clouds around, it rained heavily most of the morning so no garden watering for me this evening.  LN...I should sleep well tonight.....LN
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Elsa Peters
July 10, 2022, 5:31pm Report to Moderator

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Sunday 10th July

Another early start so I went back to bed with the Kindle to get myself in the mood and decide what I wanted to do.  First load of washing went in at seven and the third at nine.  It was a beautiful drying day, quite a stiff breeze blowing so everything had to be double pegged.  I'd found some bacon in the freezer last night and let it thaw over night but it wasn't to my liking so it's destined for the bonfire at the bottom of the garden.  It was reduce to clear when I bought it but obviously they should have reduced it earlier.  

I watched the morning gardening programmes and decided that I would make the top for the chest that I'd found so went up the ladder into top floor of the little house and maneuvered two long planks to the bottom level, came back down and realised about an hour later that my glasses had dropped out of my pocket so had to retrace my steps and retrieve them.  I also found another piece of wood that I'm going to use to repair one of the struts of the bench under the tree in the yard but that's still in the little house on the ground floor and the woodwork didn't get done.  I also started the Beast and brought it into the yard from the garage and sorted the paperwork out for the MOY.  I'm going to take it in to the garage in the morning to get the oil changed and shall have to do it on credit unless they've filled up the cash machines which I doubt very much.......and then tennis took over.

I enjoyed the match as was pleased that the Australian didn't win.  He's such a good player but his rantings and ravings spoil any effort he makes and the surprise is, that I usually like bad boys but not that one.  Food has been sporadic, nuts and raisins and the remains of the cheese and onion crisps from yesterday and I really must make an effort tonight.  It's been such a warm day and really muggy at times that I'm just about to have a well needed shower and wash my hair.  LN....Kitchen first and then shower......LN



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