Monday 1st January

What a busy evening and day answering all the emails, facebook and WhatsApp messages from friends and family.  It's amazing how many friends we accumulate along the way and it's good to remember them as we head into a new year.  Now that he years are ticking on I realise how long I've been acquainted with some of them, either through work or play, we share memories of lives and hopefully we shall be able to make more.

Toast for breakfast, it looked like it could have been a reasonable day today and I thought about walking down to the village but then thought better of it when the clouds came over.  Since then it's been a steady deterioration and we have lashing rain and high winds once more....not my sort of weather at all. I did get one load of washing done, 'better the day, better the deed' as my mother would say and now it's drying on coathangers over the radiator in my bedroom.  As for the rest of the day, I've taken to the sofa and binge watched Pride and Prejudice, the original series with Colin Firth, for the last four hours or so and it was just as good as the first time around.  I must admit the adverts get in the way but the adverts get into everything now.....time to look at going advert free where possible.

So tomorrow I have to start putting plans into action, I have to phone the hospital for two appointments for my host and then organise support services for when I go back to BG.  It's going to be a difficult time but somebody has to do it. Not a very exciting day today except that I did eat a whole packed to jelly eggs that Santa left in my stocking and I still have a box of flamingos to get through.  Better not tackle them tonight in case my digestive system comes to a halt.  LN.....Last thing I want is a blocked gut to have to get sorted out....LN

Tuesday 2nd January

Well after a very disturbed night I woke up cold, went down to watch television, came back to bed at seven and overrode the boiler for the upstairs heating but back to the lounge at eight thirty, water and more television.  I'm out of routine and I don't like the feeling.  I'm also not getting the exercise that I need, again we had horrendous rains last night, this morning looked promising but it didn't last for long, no rain at first but very strong winds and no way did I want to end up in France and have to risk it on a blow up boat.  One thing I would not have in common, I wouldn't have to be throwing documentation over the side, I'd have none with me...

At nine fifteen I was phoning the hospital for an appointment for mine host to get blood extracted and that was managed very successfully and takes place at three fifteen tomorrow afternoon.  The x-rays on knee and ankle are to be taken at the same place and can be done before.  I also managed to phone one of our friends and he's going to pick us up at 12.30 tomorrow, we shall be early for appointments but he has to be at another hospital by one thirty and beggars can't be choosers.  It makes me realise that the Health Care in BG which is so much simpler.  I registered with one of eight doctors in consulting rooms along one corridor, if I need to see a specialist the appointment is booked on the system and am given the paper confirmation, I go to the relevant department if it is in the same building or head over the road for the main hospital.   I'm normally seen for any examinations, x-rays or treatment immediately as long as the specialist is working that day or told when he or she will be there and an appointment is made.  Maybe it's because there are fewer patients or more doctors and consultants...all I know is that it works.  We have to pay for our prescriptions which means that people are more observant of taking them unlike the UK.....if there is a cost, people appreciate them more.

Rant over.....The Christmas cake was finished today and I'm pleased that it is.  It was very fruity, very heavy and sat for a while and I almost started a few start jumps to set it on its way.  My daughter had an inset day today and the pupils start tomorrow, it seemed very early to me but apparently they finished school last year earlier.  She was looking forward to being there, had made cakes for the rest of the crew and had written thank you cards for the pupils that landed her with lot of chocolates and goodies as they said goodbye before Christmas.  

So tomorrow I'll see how the National Health Service really works.  I'm hoping there's a café where we can rest out weary bones between appointments otherwise I shall be booking a bed.  LN.....I'll let you know my findings.....LN

Wednesday 3rd December

Just to mention that the birds were back in the tree in the back garden facing into the wind and there was a strange unidentified object in the sky that I just had to take a photo of.  I seem to recall it from home, it was a common sight, but not since I've been in the UK....the sun.  

Bath, hair wash this morning and striving to get mine host out of his bed so that the 'taxi' I'd arranged with his friend was not kept waiting.  He eventually woke up at nine and out of bed by nine thirty, Alan was here by twelve thirty as arranged and we were at the hospital by one.  The appointment for the blood test wasn't until three fifteen and we were asked why we were so early and I said that it had to fit in with an appointment at the other hospital in Brighton which our chauffeur had to attend.  I explained that we also had x-rays that needed to be taken before our other appointment so we joined the queue, I registered and it was confirmed what the x-rays were for and the details were held on the hospital computer hence the reason no documentation was needed  We sat waiting to be called which didn't take too long, no gown required for his knee x-rays, his long rain coat was sufficient to cover up the knee to floor area.....cute look.  That procedure was over by one forty five, dressed and back to another waiting area after I logged him in with the correct documentation.  This department obviously wasn't under such pressure as the x-ray department and I was invited in to the blood letting ceremony.  We were called in earlier than the appointment time-slot and were out by half two and I was free-phoning for a taxi and home by three.  I had planned to be dropped off in the village and do some food shopping while the taxi dropped him off at home but we came the top road home so decided that there was enough food to keep us going, nothing was really important....it will keep for another day especially if the sun shines,  It was shining this morning but very short lived and raining when we set off, blue sky and grey clouds on the way back in the taxi hence the change of mind on the walk down the village.

It's been an afternoon of coffee and biscuits, television and tomorrow's job is trying to organise home support for maybe two hours a week, an 'at home' eye test, a gardener, just to name a few...my time is running out here...I go next wednesday.  I'm now thinking of adding a hold bag to my homeward journey.....Can you get stopped at security for carrying Cadbury chocolate?  What's the average haul?  I did jump on the bathroom scales this morning to see if I'd put weight on while I've been over here but fortunately the scales were reading stones and pounds.  I now understand my weight loss and gain much better in kilos.  I'm pretending I'm the same until I get home...and then the work and daily exercise can begin.  LN......Time to get back downstairs to the warmth.....LN

Thursday 4th January

Another horrible night, my brain was spinning over and I must have woken up at two thirty and no sleep after that.  I checked my blood pressure and it was time to start on the tablets again to bring myself in check.  At seven I went downstairs, the house was quiet and I put some programme on while I had my first cup of coffee, I know it would have been better with water but there was a need.  It was eleven before the rest of the house started to stir and at eleven I decided to go for a walk down to the village, I needed a few things from the shop, the weather was good so why not.  I put my duffle coat on but really didn't need it but the weather changes so rapidly and at least it's got a hood.  As I walked down the village I noticed how many properties are being renovated especially the older ones in the centre.  A lot of them are flint stone construction and one man was up on the roof and I asked one of the other builders if they had fitted a new weather vane which brought a chuckle to his throat and a smile to his face.....and then I carried on my way down to the sea.  I stopped off at Tesco and brought the items that I wanted including a pork pie, I'd had no breakfast so found a bench on the undercliff walk and fought off the seagulls and the dogs being walked and had it all to myself.   There were lots of people down there and so many dogs off leads, it seems that it's become part of the culture and should I blame lock down and Covid?

I sat for about half an hour watching children playing in the rock pools and fortunately today, the waves weren't crashing but creating gentle waves.  Dogs were chasing balls slung by the owners and on the beach it was fine, on the undercliffe dogs were running amok and chasing each other.  I was intrigued by a couple of seagulls that were landing on the walkway and dropping mussel shells on the concrete and breaking them open to take out the contents.  Unfortunately they were too quick for the camera but I'll get them now I know what I'm looking for.

I set off for home around twelve and stopped off at a shop in the high street that offers help in the home and I've arranged an appointment for tomorrow around noon to discuss if they will be of help to my host.  It might work, it might not but only he can decide.  I walked back through Kipling Gardens, a lovely stopping off place for locals, with benches scattered around the cared-for gardens.  I carried on home, unpacked my shopping, took to the sofa this afternoon and caught up on some sleep that I'd missed waking up at five and felt much better for it.  I've had a message from my grandson, unfortunately I go back two weeks before he arrives back in the country, I shall miss him but we'll catch up I know.  Now to find something for supper, there's a freezer full but it's what do I fancy cooking.  LN....Decisions, decisions.....LN

Friday 5th January

At last a good night's sleep.  I went to bed at midnight and woke at seven thirty, went downstairs and made coffee and made beans on toast for breakfast to set myself up for the day.  It's the first time for ages that I've had Heinz beans and I suppose my palate has got used to 'other brands' and I I was disappointed....they must have changed the recipe.  I meandered through the morning, turned out a couple of drawers to see what I'd put away a few years back and found gloves with elve fingers on them that I just couldn't give away when Christmas came.  I've now reclaimed them as mine.  I also came across a reversable jacket that I made for my daughter when she was small....flowers on the one side and plain navy on the other with a red 'G' on it.  It certainly has stood the test of time.....made about forty eight years ago.  Christmas cards are down, decorations never went up so nothing to put away, and now my thought are on getting my packing sorted for my flight home on the tenth.

The appointment that I made yesterday didn't materialise.  My host was not feeling too good this morning so the best laid plans of mouse and men went to the wall.  It's planned to be rescheduled for Monday....we might get it done.  There's not a lot to write about today......I didn't go for a walk, we have enough food in and tomorrow my daughter is picking me up to spend the day with her, maybe out for supper and a sleep over until Sunday.  I haven't managed to see my son this year,  my grandson is still away serving King and country so will miss him by a couple of weeks but we do keep in touch thanks to WhatsApp so that's good.  Looking through my treasure box I was reading some of the poetry that I wrote and found one from the day that he was born.....and various ones that I came out with and illustrated when he was small.  It all brings back treasured memories and these mean such a lot as I grow older.  

Now to go and find something for supper......chicken wings and roasted veg might be on the cards for tonight.       LN....I'm going to raid the freezer.......LN

Saturday 6th January

Funny old day....I was awake at seven thirty, downstairs and made coffee and toast and took it upstairs to the bathroom.  I was going to stay with my daughter and SIL for a couple of days, decided to have a bath and wash my hair first and then do my packing for one night which then turned into sorting out my packing for home on Wednesday.  I've just got a few things to sort out before I go and certain clothes will stay here, things need sorting and I might be back and forward a few more times that I originally thought.

I missed the message from my daughter so it really didn't matter that she was ten minutes later than she said that she would be.  I've moved the sim card from my English phone into my Bulgarian phone and I'm not really sure how it works and I must get my 'ting' back.  It might have 'tinged' when the message came through but since it was on WhatsApp.....I'll have to check the settings.  Off we set, unloaded my bags and certain things are taking up long-term residence while I'm away.  We had crumpets for a late breakfast and I had chocolate spread on mine and for certain, I'll be dieting when I get home.  My consumption of Cadbury Dairy Milk has hit new heights....it will be curbed when I get back, I'm not able to buy it in Bulgaria.  We had a little more shopping to do so set off for the Co-op that's really in a sorry state.  The centre is being knocked down with plans for a new shopping centre and new shops with more parking but I'm still not sure that it will serve the neighborhood well....let's see how it goes.  Shopping unpacked I was left with the television control to flick through channels while supper was being prepared and I fell upon Les Mis. stage version and it was really superb.....all the old favourites playing the parts that they'd played in the past and I spotted Matt Lucas taking the part of the 'Master of the House' and I didn't even realise he could sing.  Supper was served, I'm stuffed to the gills, we sat around the table chatting away until I realised that I hadn't done my blog so now, bag is unpacked, a little more television and I shan't be too late to bed tonight.....I'm feeling relaxed and nicely tired.

Out for lunch tomorrow and the table is booked.  I've spent far more time with my daughter this year than in the summer and we've really enjoyed each other.  LN......I'm going to really miss her and the SIL of course.....LN

Sunday 7th January

So a late one last night talking with my daughter and SIL.....should have gone to be earlier but interesting topics.  I woke up at goodness knows what time.  I tapped my Fitbit to find out the time and nothing happened, heard noises downstairs and thought I'd investigate and my daughter was making vegetable and chilli soup for lunches for work for the next week.  I 'm thinking that the soup would be a good idea, the temperature has dropped in the UK but is dropping even further looking at the forecast for BG for next week.  I anticipate the house being cold when I get back so I shall be keeping myself warm by keeping the home files burning.  We didn't bother with breakfast, we had booked a carvery lunch at one of the local pubs and intended getting there before the rush while the meat was plenty and the vegetables freshly cooked.  There were a few tables taken, we were shown to our table and the drinks were ordered in minutes and delivered and the tickets to go to the carvery were handed to us to use at our own pace.

There was a choice of meats and I settled for some of everything and there seemed very little space on the plate to load up with vegetables but I managed it.  We were the early feeders but as the lunchtime got underway the 'joint' was heaving.
Lots of older couples and 'ladies lunching' and most having the carvery and to be honest, it's much cheaper for most to eat out, cooking it at home would entail having the oven going for approximately two or three hours and then there's the time taken up by shopping for the vegetables and all the trimmings.  We all emptied our plates, I was surprised that I'd managed it and I wasn't too long after the pair of them.  The beef, turkey, pork and ham were all cooked to perfection, Yorkshire pudding was well risen and the vegetables all tasted like they should....beans, peas, red cabbage, cauliflower cheese, carrots, beautifully roasted potatoes and mashed potatoes...who normally goes to so much trouble?...certainly not me.

I arrived home at three more or less and off they went to relax for the afternoon and prepare for the new week.  They both work and SIL is out of the house most mornings and on the bus into Brighton by six thirty.  He likes to get into the office early to get ahead of the game and goes to the gym most days after work. Gemski works with challenging children but loves every minute of it at the local school, most morning walks to work and when it's re3ally throwing it down will wear the Barbour long jacket that she bought for me around twenty years ago and never wore.  I gave it to her to sell on Vinted or one of the other sites but said if she wanted it, it was hers and she loves the fact that she arrives dry to work in any weather.  At home I suddenly found myself involved in changing a pull light switch in the bathroom but as the light went, it was impossible to action the exchange since I couldn't see what I was doing.  The wires were put together so that the electricity could be put back on but it's a job for tomorrow, my time is running out, I leave early on Wednesday morning.  Time to move downstairs to the warmth of the heating, upstairs is on a timer and not on at the moment.  Light snow is forecast for tomorrow and my daughter is quite excited about it.  She's planning that it will happen just before nine and the children will be really excited....and I hope it comes to pass but disappears in time for my taxi on Wednesday.  LN......Final sorting and packing tomorrow, I want very little to do on Tuesday.......LN  

Monday 8th January

Nice early start, down for coffee and then set about collecting things to go into the suitcase, puy travelling clothes on a coat-hanger ready to climb into at around four thirty on the morning of the tenth.  The taxi is booked for five, airport for six and flight at eight.  It's two hours after its normal departure time but since they've rescheduled the bus service from Sofia down to Kardjali it works in my favour but just makes getting back to Djebel later.  I made toast for breakfast and watched morning television while eating it and there wasn't a lot of movement from my host until I went in to wake him up reminding him that we had a consultation at one to sort out care in the home for him.  It took a while for him to agree with it but it needs someone who's not really involved and can walk in and walk out.  The company is based in out village and the owner is very pleasantly professional and has useful tips regarding negotiating the system.  She also went through getting tests for dementia and how to go about it.  Her company also works very closely with GP's and all the workers have business insurance so that they are able to escort patients to the surgery for blood test ect which does save on taxi fees....result.  We've initially signed up for two hours a week and once the house is sorted it might go down to one or two one week and one the next.....we'll see how it goes.

Unfortunately this afternoon I found myself up a ladder attempting to sort out the pull cord in the upstairs bathroom and I was unhappy doing it.  I could sort out the pull cord and the contacts but the rose connecting it to the ceiling was held in with screws that seemed to come into contact with the electrical wiring and I drew back at that.  Tomorrow I will phone someone to sort it....it needs more expertise than I'm able to give it and my host is not so good on a ladder as he was.  The job will have to be paid for.  In despair I opened a  Chocolate orange and sat in front of the television and ate the lot so no supper for me.....Not fussed about television now, will finish off the rest of my packing, I'm nearly there, just manoeuvring things from the hand luggage to the overhead bag for the plane and the things that need to be presented at check-in I like in one bag to make it easier for me.  The computer is also going into the underseat bag, lifting it up to the overheads is likely to turn into a disaster if my shoulder gives way.  I've also noticed that at least I have an aisle seat on the way back so no arms with newspaper on one side and a long legged companion next to the window on the other to spoil my flight.

We had snow this afternoon so I WhatsApp -ed my daughter and said that I was having trouble finding a carrot for my snowman's nose and it was a funny...we'd only had a dusting.  I got a roll on floor laughing face from her, a snowman and few kisses...we do like our little jokes.  My son has just phoned for a post Christmas catch-up.....I think my daughter has given him earache about not phoning earlier or coming down to see me.....anyway I've had an invitation for the summer, fly into Stanstead and they will pick me up.  Time to sort out supper although the chocolate orange is filling up more of a gap than it should.  LN......Maybe just water and some dry crackers......LN

Tuesday 9th January

What a day....trying to sort out other peoples' affairs is hard work and very frustrating.  I was up quite early and intent on getting my packing sorted early but one thing led to another and I have only just finished.  It's somehow easier when you have things like charging points that you always use, simple process becomes more difficult when you move from two to three points and nothing ties together.

So now I'm going to bed...I've set my alarm on the phone for four thirty and am wondering why I'm going to bed at all...it would be easier to sleep at the airport someone would be sure to wake you up to get the flight.  Tomorrow's update won't be until late.  It a bit like boats and roads and planes but substitute the boats for buses and that about sums it up...I'm going to be knacked but no worry, at least I shall wake up in my own bed, hopefully as long as the pilot and anyone manoeuvring anything motorised is in complete control.  LN......See you on the other side......LN

Wednesday 10th January

Remind me to never book another Wednesday flight when there are stag four day breaks in the offing.  I got to the airport and went to the gate and saw a fellow in a flowing dress with a ski jacket on and thought I hope he's not on my flight.  The group got bigger and I was fearing the worst but as I took my seat on row 2D, who should be sitting on 2B, yes you've guessed it.....dress clad youth who was due to get married at some point in the near future.  Row 1 A, B and C were not occupied officially, the request was made to see if some of the party could move up and the hostie advised them that the seats were more expensive and that they would remain empty.  So three of them from the back of the plane would decide to go to the toilet and instead of waiting in the corridor would take up the seats that they weren't allowed in kneeling up and having quite a party with the three behind in row two.  The noise level grew so I turned to them and asked them to 'keep the noise down boys' some of us are trying to sleep.  The Chief hostie must have heard me and asked them to do the same thing but didn't move them out of the seats and by this time I was getting a little bit....'why isn't she moving them?'  I know that for them is a jolly, fifteen young men on a stag do and in the end I asked the hostie to sort them out and it fell on deaf ears.  They had particularly loud voices and laughs and the language was quite blue, my head had started to ache and was offered paracetamol by the hostie but she had to take my name and address for her records.  The finale was when row one was taken by three of them and another had to move into my leg space so that someone could get to the toilet so I pushed back and I think they got the message.  Eventually the dress clad youth got the message, apologised and offered me a drink...at nine in the morning.....I said that I didn't drink but we struck up a conversation.  I can party with my family, I know the type of language that they use and unfortunately, some words have become second nature without a thought for anyone else.  He did ask me how I thought the dress would go down in Bulgaria and I said that I thought, not very well but he is going to a ski resort so anything might go!!  I think that I was more annoyed that the hostie didn't do anything about moving them or the volume they created until I mentioned it to them.  I shall be giving feedback when asked to do so.

Off the plane, through immigration and on to the bus by two thirty which arrived in Kardjali by six ten.  My next bus to Djebel was waiting in the next bay and that arrived in Djebel at seven, the Nipper was outside the carshop, I rang the bell and my student's mum gave me a big hug, handed me the keys and my jewellery that she had kept safe for me and I was on my way.  I stopped at the supermarket for bread and suddenly, the tiredness disappeared, I was driving and back to normal.  I turned the water on at the stop cock, lit the woodburner, the temperature outside was minus six and inside the house temperature was eight degrees but with the woodburner going I've pushed it up to twelve already.  I'll keep the fire going all night, the emersion heater is on and that's gong back on timer now.  Chargers sorted out and plugs all reconnected and wifi linked where necessary.  We have a covering of snow and the road through the forest was icy but managed it safely.  LN.......I'm home and pleased to be here and I've just filled up my hotwater bottle from my daughter and about to get settled on the sofa.....LN