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Elsa Peters living a new life in Bulgaria  /  My Diary by Elsa Peters  /  AUGUST 2009
Posted by: Elsa Peters, July 31, 2009, 12:09pm
Saturday 1st August

Well here we go into the new month.  I remembered to say 'White Rabbits' which was something we always said when I was a child at home.  Now I did say it to myself but does it really matter.  

Not sure if the weather will tempt me into Brighton for the parade today.  It's supposed to rain at about 11.00 and there's nothing worse than trying to watch something with rain dripping down the back of your neck especially from someone else's umbrella.  I've just sent Tracey a message to see if she is coming down for it or lanquishing on her virtuous couch.  I suspect the latter.  We shall see what the camera catches as the day progresses. ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 2, 2009, 5:29pm; Reply: 1
Sunday 2nd August

Well yes we did go out to play on a very rainy day!!  Tracey arrived from London at 1.19 and my bus was late because of the closure of Brighton for the street parade.  Subsequently we missed the organised parade but we caught the individual parade in Preston Park north of the city.  It started to rain more or less as we arrived to follow everyone from the station to the park.  There were several who had taken part in the parade walking back to peace and tranquillity while we headed for the event.  The theme was PRIDE Beside the Seaside and there were sailor suits galore with some showing more flesh than others.  Celebrities were spotted in the crowd, such as Graham Norton, scurrying between the four tented areas full to the brim of revellers cavorting to the music.  The atmosphere was electric, in the main good natured, free to enter and no body searches either.

Unfortunately the heavens opened and it started to pour down.  Now Preston Park has lots of trees and the revellers took to sheltering under the branches clutching their bottles of ‘Coke, Lemonade and Fanta’ that would have put any sniffer dogs out for the count.  Tracy thoughtfully produced two cans of lager which we dutifully opened and supped with the rest.  Eventually we decided that we weren’t really seeing much from under the tree so we headed back to town, found a rather nice organically pleasing restaurant with organic cider and then went on a shopping spree.  Cold and wet we let the cider do its stuff, I left her in St. James Street to meet up with her friends while I used my trusty bus pass to get me home for a reasonable hour.  The last text was that she was wearing a red visor and a red feather boa but I didn’t ask what else.  I went back to my fluffy pyjamas to get warm and dry.  A good day was had by all……

Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 2, 2009, 5:42pm; Reply: 2
Sunday continued

Today has been a bit of a funny day.  I went to Church, decided I couldn't face the supermarkets relying on what was left in the freezer and cupboards in general.  Bingo.  Pork in spicy sauce and roasted vegetables sounds alright to me.

I went to see a Landrover Discovery this afternoon which turned out to be an exciting incident.  I might let you into the full details if anything else comes of it but currently it's a closed book.  Needless to say I didn't buy it and I have the photographs to prove why.  Nuff said!!!

Now I have to remember not to have anything to eat or drink after 9.00 this evening.  I'm off to see the practice nurse at the local surgery.  No I don’t know what she is practicing for but perhaps she might tell me if I ask her nicely.

Oh and rumour has it that my car angel thinks it would be a good idea while he has the beast to change the timing chain.....not bothering with an estimate...it's Sunday and my response was   .... why stop now. :'(

That's it.  The buzzer tells me that supper is cooked.

Night for now…..
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 3, 2009, 9:02am; Reply: 3
Monday 3rd August

What a lovely start to the day.  I don't know if you remember but I booked an appointment to see the practice nurse for this morning only to be told when I got there that there was no appointment booked.  Now senile decay may be setting in for sure but I wrote it down in the Practice brochure so that I wouldn't forget to stop eating and drinking the night before so that the blood test could be taken.  It was the same receptionist that I had my previous run in with and so it seems to me that her and I could have been cast together to sort something out from a previous life or to help each other in this.  Maybe I need to develop my patience and her, her customer service skills but I'm developing already since my builders can't start until October so it is obvious that it is her that needs the help.  I think what really got my goat so to speak was that she said 'Oh you think that you booked an appointment'.  No...I know I booked the appointment so I asked what the next step was.  She replied that there was nothing to be done, that the nurse was fully booked, that there was a nurse off sick and that I could book an appointment for the following week.  'So that's it then is it?'  I said that unfortunately I was not around the following week so she said that they could now book me in for later that week and I said that I was away from tomorrow.  So what did I do?  Walked home, phoned the practice manager and let it all out.  Will it get me anywhere?  I’ll probably be banned but what the heck.  It's the way that you get treated over here and in twenty four years with the same surgery I bet I could count the times that I've had to go there.   Argghhhhhh.  Don't put everyone into the same category.

Now what can I get up to today.  Firstly I must get some breakfast after going on an enforced fast and secondly let you all know that I have a new appointment booked for 9.05 on Monday, 17th August.  Well I think so at least if they have managed to get it entered into the computer ;D.

One of my visits is off during my trip to London.  I've just spoken to one of the forum members and there was a lot of sniffing and snuffling and flu sounds.  Get well soon and take care.  

Asda calls............must stock up before I go away.
Posted by: MikeyB, August 3, 2009, 3:37pm; Reply: 4
Whoop... whoop... whoop.... Brighton alert!!  :)

I'm in Brighton on Tuesday 18th Aug if you're around for a coffee  :P
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 3, 2009, 5:18pm; Reply: 5
Monday p.m.

For you Mikey B...how can I refuse...I'll prepare the rest of Brighton ;)

Well I've just finished shopping in the Marina and I still didn't want to face Asda so I did Lidl instead and spent so much less than usual.  I also did the rest of the Marina and it just doesn't get as busy as it should.  I've found a good Fairtrade shop that I didn't know existed but that only opens Thursday to Sunday when it hopes to get fair trade.  I'll give it a whirl next weekend and there is a very arty shop next door with fabulous polished, rather large, stone carvings.  Now there's one for excess baggage and Easy Jet do say that if you can manage to lift it into the overhead they don't worry too much.  Now there's a big temptation.  Now into providing fodder ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 5, 2009, 6:58pm; Reply: 6
Wednesday 5th August

Updates to follow.  Very busy with grandchildren, swimming and reading stories.....  Be back soon ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 7, 2009, 10:42pm; Reply: 7
Thursday 6th August

When I say busy, the last couple of days were very busy....

I have a granddaughter of three and a half who has a voratious appetite for books and visits to the library to change them,  And I have to get the words right after we have been through them for the first time.  She pretended to mend the chair and asked me if I would prefer a Philips or a flat screw driver from her 'toolset' to complete the job but before I could reply she worked out that the straight would be more appropriate.  Cool chick.

We also went swimming and again I took advantage of the fact that I was over retirement age and got in for free.  This country gets better and so we went into the family pool and both of the little ones had a fun time followed buy an Italian lunch in a very trendy restaurant.  Nice day.  The day normally started by me hiding a book under the turned back duvet cover,  Evie looking for a book by the bedside and not finding one, suggesting that she got in and turned the duvet book and, lo and behold, the hidden book was revealed.  This was our morning game.  It worked well until Lucas wanted to join in and 'read' the book with his two newly acquired teeth!! ;)

Thursday PM

Drove to the office and phoned Mikey B to let me into the building.  It is my second time back there in two and a half years and it feels normal to go in.  I caught up with several colleagues and they commented on how relaxed I looked.  The usual question of 'What are you doing?' received a response of 'Nothing' closely followed with 'Spending my time between here and Bulgaria and enjoying both'.  The evening was spend in a restaurant mulling over old times over a couple of drinks and a meal.  Then back to Tracey's flat to get my head down.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 7, 2009, 10:53pm; Reply: 8
Friday 7th August

I got up really early.  Tracey off to work at 7.40 and me ready to leave for Brighton at the same time.  By 9.20 and 100 miles later I was on Asda car park ready to get in the week's supplies.  I arrived home at approximately 11.00, unpacked the shopping which I detest and promptly lay down to 'rest my eyes' at about 1.30 and woke up at about  4.00.  Sleeping out last night reminded of what it might be like in a TARDIS.  She had video lights and various other flashing electrical equipment and I didn't know how to turn them off to get the brightness down.  So I left them on......expecting either an airplane or a spaceship to land considering them to be welcoming not warning lights.................Obviously I needed to catch up on my sleep being away from my own bed.  So now it's late and let's see how long it takes for sleep to take over tonight.  Lecka nosht!!
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 8, 2009, 9:49pm; Reply: 9
Saturday 8th August

Well today was a day of gardening.  The ivy that adorns the house has almost made it impossible to see out of most of the upstairs windows.  Not my idea of house adornment but I live with the consequences.  The  neighbours are away so I had a bonfire.  Now this is something that in BG creates no problem at all but here in the UK you have to take lots of things into account,  Mainly that some people do not like bonfires at all and would almost call out the fire brigade at the first hint of smoke.  It's now 10.50, my next door neighbours do not arrive home from Spain until midnight so no complaints there and the other side are out for the evening/morning.  So.....safe as houses tonight.  It is showing the last embers, I am deciding that I now must have a long lingering bath to get rid of the smell of bonfire and then to bed.  Not much on the agenda for tomorrow except church if the mood takes me.   Otherwise on with the gardening and getting rid of the rubbish.

Good night everybody...........
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 9, 2009, 2:00pm; Reply: 10
Sunday 9th August

Well yes I did go to church and have met up with a medium who has just done tarot and the likes at Glastonbury.  She was enthusing about the new Bongo she has acquired and how she had used it for the festival.  I mentioned Bulgaria and she offered to come out there and read a few cards but I said that unless she spoke Bulgarian or Turkish there wasn't much point since there are few out there that speak English.  

After that we went down to find the Fair Trade shop that I mentioned in the Marina but unfortunately nothing to spend money on but to get to the shops we had to walk through a car boot sale on the Marina car park.  Now there is somewhere worth getting up for on a Sunday morning so I know where I am going next week. ;)

Evie P arrives this afternoon to stay for a few days with Princess.  Now Princess only has a son and no daughter so the plan is to 'pink the little one up' with hairbands, ribbons and the likes making her all sparkly before she is returned home.  And this isn't difficult to do since she adores pink already and they should both have a wonderful time in Clare's Accessories.

The little bundle arrived and big hugs for nanny.  She's around until Wednesday so I shall see more of her.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 10, 2009, 3:18pm; Reply: 11
Monday 10th August

Today started off fine with a clear sky that now has turned into the usual clouds.  I realised early on that the book I was reading 'Wire in the Blood' would keep me busy for the rest of the day only stopping to top up the coffee cup and occasionally check if the washing was dry before the inevitable downpour.  The washing is now finishing off in the kitchen and so back to my book and the final 100 pages.  I keep thinking about the television series and the guy who played the Senior Profiler, Dr Tony Hill but for the life of me I can't remember his name.  When it comes to me I'll put you out of your misery as well.

I have not phoned Princess today and am leaving her alone at entertaining the little one.  Tomorrow is the day for pinking her up!!  I can hardly wait ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 11, 2009, 6:15pm; Reply: 12
Tuesday 11th August

Princess picked me up at 10.00 this morning and we headed into town.  CJ had decided not to do the 'pink' run and the first port of call was Clare's Accessories.  Now I wanted to take a picture of Princess and the little one and was firmly told that no photographs were allowed and it was due to copywrite.  I don't know what this is all about but I dutifully put my camera away and waited until we were outside to apply the tiarra, pink bangles but at their prices that was all that we could afford.  There was a big window poster advertising up to 70% reduction but now matter how hard I tried I didn't find the items.

Then on to Primark which I think is a great shop despite its press coverage.  We settled for beach coverups and bikinis and this afternoon I dutifully scanned the holidays to get little man on my own for a few days.  Unfortunately I had forgotten my glasses and in the absence of a braille screen, I decided that I would do my own research this evening.  I would like to take him on the Nile cruise for no other reason that there is plenty to do and see but he has another appointment on the 22nd and I don't know how we can fit it in but I am trying a little gentle persuasion on flexing the dates.

Little girl was launched in the pool this afternoon for at least a minute as soon as she realised that despite the fact that she 'likes cold' it was just too much for her so into the towel and snugglebunny time.  CJ unfortunately got a splinter in his foot from the decking so I was trying to carry out an operation with a needle and tweezers without my glasses and we settled for soaking it in hot water, Germerline (magic pink cream) and a plaster until it is ready for popping.

Chicken in the oven, chippies to accompany it and a bottle of red just for the sake of.....BYE ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 11, 2009, 6:31pm; Reply: 13
Tuesday pics....
Posted by: MikeyB, August 12, 2009, 8:01pm; Reply: 14
Fancy taking those last two outside T-Mobile  ;) You just can't keep away hehe xxx
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 12, 2009, 8:37pm; Reply: 15
Wednesday 12th August

Believe me Mikey B I can....it was purely by accident.

So today I spent the majority of the day reading and finishing a book my Peter James who is a local author.  Not the ending I expected but I got the feeling that it might have ended that way.  Evie P was taken home this afternoon with her pink goodies and I have spent the rest of the day searching the internet for last minute bargains so that CJ and myself can take to the open road, Toad.  There were various holidays but the costs were astronomical so it's back to the drawing board tomorrow to finalise the deal and decide what we are going to do with the next few days.

I hear that a little boy was taken to a hospital this afternoon to have the splinter removed professionally (so much for my endeavours with needle and tweezers but minus glasses).  The medics have it every time.  I have made arrangements with Princess that I take possession of CJ on Friday morning and we’ll see how it goes after then.  I am looking for divine intervention to determine exactly what we do but I’m sure something will pop into the imagination before then.  Let’s dream the outcome!!!

Lecka nosht everybody.....
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 13, 2009, 6:19pm; Reply: 16
Thursday 13th August

It is arranged I get CJ tomorrow morning and then we'll see where we get to.  I've been investigating Jersey and Guernsey for a three day break and am currently favouring the latter at a very nice hotel with lots of amenities.  This one has got an indoor smimming pool as well as tennis courts and mini golf.  All I need to do is get them to hire a couple of bikes and the 'fit' familiy rules, OK.  I shall probably be in need of another holiday when I get back.  I should also be packing some deep heat rub or the equivalent.


I think we shall be taking the normal ferry from Portsmouth but coming back on the high speed for the experience.  Flights at such short notice are out of the question.  You're only in the air for one hour so by the time that you get up, you're down.  The camera is ready primed.  ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 16, 2009, 9:54pm; Reply: 17
Sunday 16th August

Well I seem to have abandoned you all.  I have been very active but not neccessarily on the computer and updating my journal.

I didn't get anything booked for Guernsey or Jersey.  I spent approximately two days solid searching the internet.  The hotels were extortionately high for just a few days away and so tomorrow we are going, now wait for it, to Butlins in Bognor Regis just a few miles up the coast.  Now I haven't been to Butlins since I was five years of age and believe me that was a long time ago and I have the membership card to the Butlins Beaver Club to prove it.  I might even take it along and ask if it can be converted into an old age pensioners club card ;)

CJ and myself have also been watching the athletics for the last two days and in particular Jessica Ennis and Mr Bolt.  She got her gold and we were so pleased for her.  It's great fun watching with CJ and being able to explain all about heats, semifinals and finals and especially with things like the long jump going through the take off procedures.  I used to run for the county when I was about 13 or 14 and I was introduced to the various events by my teacher at the junior school.  My events were 100 yards, high jump and the relay and it's all thanks to a Mr Nicholls who I never did manage to meet up with again.  Strange how some people just stay in your memory banks.

Tomorrow morning I am off to the doctors to see if I get abused by the receptionist yet again.  I just hope that the practice manager did book my appointment with the nurse otherwise I shall come back with a flea in my ear yet again.  After that I set sail with CJ to the chosen holiday venue where we shall be esconced for the next four days.  Two fully charged cameras are at the ready to record the happenings.  I shall post in due course.

Lecka nosht......Watch out 'Redcoats'. ;D
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 21, 2009, 12:22pm; Reply: 18
Friday 21st August

Well the Redcoats were all safe and sound and one small child deposited back with his parents.  What a fun time we had.  I now understand the offside rules of football after sitting through about three/ four hours a day of practice and training sessions.  To complete the four days we had the medal ceremony and a special achievement medal for CJ for showing promise as a footballer.  Now this is good for him but not so good for dad who hates football with a vengeance stating a preference for the real art of rugby.  So nan sat through it with other nans and mums and we chewed over the state of the economy and what we had paid for the holiday as all good parents/grandparents do.

Most afternoons were spent in the swimming pool and I even got to ride in a small rubber dingy on the Master Blaster which is a tube that runs, at speed, round the entire swimming pool.  And I thought I was only standing watching as the dingy returned the occupants to the docking area and only realised that it was the queue when we were told to go up the steps and take a seat.....in a dingy.  We didn't quite make the lap record but it seemed pretty fast to me.  The splash pool also had a circular pool where suddenly it was churned and the current zoomed you round.  Getting out of the swirling current was difficult but it was only about 1m 20 so you could put your feet down at any time but I thought more of myself as a racehorse undergoing theraputic aqua training but probably not so elegantly. :'(  

The evening entertainment did not seem to suit either of us very much so we played a few slot machines, went to see the new Harry Potter and both thought the ending was just a let down (sorry for those who have yet to see it) and walked out of the wrestling tag match that was advertised.  We didn't find it very humerouse but losts seemed to.  CJ is now off for a week with step brother to visit other Grandma.  I think London day trips are on the cards for them.

Now let's get organised with washing and ironing and see what else I can get up to. ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 24, 2009, 5:07pm; Reply: 19
Monday 24th August

Not that it has taken me this long to do the washing and ironing but I just had so many things to catch up on even to compose a short addition.  I was given two books by Princess and that has been my priority.  I had a new Peter James to get through.  He bases a lot of his novels in and about the Brighton area and it is a little bit off-putting when you try and imagine exactly where the action takes place.  I know both the Asda carparks that he talks about but I certainly don't see that much action when I go shopping.  The other one was one that I wouldn't normally read but I started and finished it today.  Good when I got going.

Anyway it is now time to get the chicken in the oven and see what else I can come up with to make it more interesting.  I do still like to be original.  Bye for now.....
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 26, 2009, 8:59pm; Reply: 20
Wednesday 26th August

I'm getting bored.  My flight to BG seems a long way away and I'm only hoping that the promise of October, when my builders get released from the fields, still stands.  You can only go over outline building plans so much without getting despondent when there is so little action.  I suppose at least while I am here there are things I can do to sort out 'stuff'.  It's Bank Holiday this weekend and according to the weather reports Monday looks like the best day for outside activities.  I'll check out the local paper for events but one that I do want to do is the Ghost Walk around Brighton.

My good friend Karen Ford has emailed details that she has moved and opened up a sanctuary in Kent.  She has a new website and is going from strength to strength with her mediumship.  I wish her well and I shall have to pay her a visit to check out the new facilities.

Now it's time for bed said Zeberdee.....
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 27, 2009, 12:51pm; Reply: 21
Thursday 27th August

Well one of my friends at least reads the diary and we have just had a conversation about Peter James.  Apparently she enjoyed the last good read so much that she even emailed the author and told him so.  Now this very kind author replied and thanked her for taking the time to tell him so and I'm just wondering if I should contact him and tell him about her past (only joking).  I did mention at the time that this is how obsessions start.

I've just cleaned the kitchen floor for the second day in a row and for those that know me, this is a bit of a worry.  There was a pool of water in front of the fridge and on investigation it's a rather stupid piece of plastic at the back towards the bottom that is suppose to let the water out not keep it contained until you open the door.  I think that someone should go back to the drawing board with that one.

Now this dear friend is sweltering in Gib and I'm putting my dustbin back into an upright position after the heavy winds last night.  Now I remember the last time that Michael Fish said that there would not be a hurricane in the UK and this one was supposed to run out of steam as it crossed the Atlantic.  Well this one still had steam left in it.  Admittedly not so much as the last but there were lashings of rain too.  Can I shout this quite loudly....IT IS AUGUST that’s if anyone up there is listening.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 30, 2009, 1:26pm; Reply: 22
Saturday 29th August

Well somebody who shall remain nameless was listening and yesterday the weather rapidly improved.  Now you have heard my ranting about Peter James the author and me using him as an excuse for not updating my diary (but he does write exceedingly good books) and this came home to roost in a big way.

The local Argus newspaper advertised that the said author was giving a book signing this morning and also part of the package was a tour of Lewes Crown Courts, an opportunity to sit in the judges chair, visit the cells, see Police dogs and birds of prey, have your finger prints taken and try on a wig.  Peter James was opening the event at 9.30 and then all the fun of the fair was to begin.  I dutifully set off, found a car park that would guarantee me three hours without the inevitable traffic warden in this beautiful town, arrived at the Court House clutching my copy of his latest novel and my camera to record the event, to find it all locked up but posters for the event to take place on..... 12th September.  Now me being an ex-cop in my enthusiasm missed the essential piece of information so it's as well that my legal eagle days are over....and it is now committed to memory.

So my next task was to find the boyfriend of the daughter of my good friend Pepe from Bulgaria who is currently working in Lewes at the kebab shop and this was accomplished and I have the photographs to prove it.  Poor devil though.  His normal shift is until one in the morning and, yes he was asleep, and yes his good friend woke him up at 12.00 noon to meet this woman who is adamant that she knows his girlfriend.  I carried on shopping in Lewes and we finished the day at the house of some dear friends with a fish and chip supper, a home made fresh fruit salad prepared by my own delicate hands and some red to wash it down.  What a thoroughly enjoyable day :)

Here are the photos of Emin the boyfriend awoken from his slumber. I'm due to visit again, when Peter James puts in an appearance, to collect goodies for distribution to a very sad young lady in Bulgaria.  He is over here and she over there but perfume might make it a little easier to live with or without.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 30, 2009, 3:05pm; Reply: 23
Sunday 30th August

It’s the day of rest and all that.  I demolished poached eggs and ham on toast for breakfast on Asda's Tiger bread.  It was very tasty.  I set about my emails and what a super surprise.  My car Angel who is looking after the 'beast' while I am away has given it a clean bill of health.  His comments were that it is purring superbly and going like something off a shovel.  My response was that I would have preferred if it was likened to something going off a hot shovel and he did say that perhaps he had got it wrong and in fact it does.  The proof of the pudding will be on the 17th September when I take it round the block.

He also included pickies of the parts that he had removed and sent them on to me so that I could spot the difference.  I replied that was there a prize at the end of it and how many 'differences' were there and did I have to circle them and submit my application to be marked.  Perhaps he's taking this a little too far but I could send them on to the guy who sold me the 'beast'.   Up his street maybe!!

I feel very virtuous after my church visit and now a lazy day reading the papers.  It’s going to be something very simple for supper and then a beer and a snuggle in front of the television.  The weather has turned decidedly chilled.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 31, 2009, 1:03pm; Reply: 24
Monday 31st August

The end of another month.  Well someone was certainly listening and those clouds have now drifted away and what a lovely day it has turned out to be.  Now I am torn between two options....gardening or athletics on the television.....athletics or gardening..... :o

The athletics won................
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