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Elsa Peters living a new life in Bulgaria  /  My Diary by Elsa Peters  /  SEPTEMBER 2009
Posted by: Elsa Peters, August 31, 2009, 6:01pm
Tuesday 1st September

White rabbits.  There is a phrase that you're supposed to use at the end of the previous month.  I know, I read it but for the life of me can't remember.  Maybe someone can tell me.

This is hopefully going to be a month of activity in BG and I go out there on the 16th.  I am now back to the planning stage of windows and door to make the property secure.  The kitchen, bathroom and some where to sleep will be in phase two.  I suppose I also better think about installing a camina (heater) so that I have somewhere to burn all the rotten wood that is about the place.  Recyling?  No I'm not taking my bike out on this occasion.

Princess has returned from her holiday and is said to be sporting an incredible suntan.  I've told her that I do not want to see her until it's faded but she said that it is 'extra protection' for when she gets back to school on Wednesday.  You have to be thick skinned to cope with some of the abuse.  It's not like in my day or her day come to think of it. :-/  CJ goes back on Thursday and will be in the last year before senior school.  Again I would ask....where did those years go.  

Going to use my trusty bus pass today and head into Brighton.  The weather looks OK so far.  Speak later. ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 2, 2009, 12:57pm; Reply: 1
Wednesday 2nd September

Well I did go shopping and bought a pair of pink skinny leg jeans in the sale and cut off they should be ok for shorts.  And they were cheap.  Before I set off I took my umbrella out of my bag and yes, you've guessed it, it started to pour down while I was on the bus but fortunately held off until I had got home.  There is another hurricane that has supposedly run out of steam on its way today and I just hope they are right.  I remember the last one and there were trees down galore.

Have just set up a Twitter account and am following Peter James (the author) and Karen Ford (the medium).  Facebook but easier.  Must find out how it really works though and add to my 'following'.  There's bound to be a few more that I could add to the list ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 3, 2009, 8:44am; Reply: 2
Thursday 3rd September

I am now watching four people on Twitter.  Peter James has seemed to have an exciting, or not so exciting time, at T5 Heathrow. Red tape it seems still exists, especially when bound for Russia and we thought it was over.  Well it is now as he heads back to Sussex. My Gibraltar buddy is going to be a little upset....I know his every move...now that could be the start for my first book.

My thoughts have now gone to getting 'stuff' ready for the 16th which is now only two weeks away.  When I took the beast out I seem to have landed up with things that I could have done without and some of the essentials remained here.  This time I have to be more selective. ;)  I might even be back to Primark this afternoon.  They have some very good deals on little tops that I seem not to be able to live without and I must get some nappy sacks from the Pound Shop.  Very useful in Bulgaria for all sorts of things.

This weekend...baby sitting in London and I am told that the little one is now crawling so I think a ball and chain could be the answer.  My weight loss should continue with all that running around.  
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 4, 2009, 9:23am; Reply: 3
Friday 4th September

I had a few tips on Twittering from my Brighton Shopping buddy yesterday.  I've got to work our how to get the texting facility set up and then I shall be OK.

Packing a few things this morning to last me over the weekend while I am looking after the little ones.  I shall be heading off after lunch and I am quite looking forward to it.  I might be pulling my hair out by Sunday but I think I shall be able to cope or did mine bring themselves up.  Now there's an interesting thought. ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 7, 2009, 12:22pm; Reply: 4
Monday 7th September

I arrived as planned on Friday at T @ L's and immediately got into the round of tea time, bath time and story time and began thinking of the next couple of days in sole charge of two little ones.  Your own don't have the same sort of dread.  There are other peoples and far more intimidating.  We did the park on Saturday morning and then I packed the two of them off and began to 'cope'.  Working in a kitchen that is not your own has its pitfalls.  It's knowing where to find things that adds to the 'enjoyment'.  I did have my daily planner sheet that I worked to making sure that we did things in the right order at the right time but we had to schedule in a trip to the Co-op for Weetabix and milk.  It's amazing how that breakfast cereal still goes strong and it is probably good for building walls and the likes but you have to remember to wipe it up from the highchair before it 'sets'.  Bath time went fine, I put the little ones to bed and off then went to sleep.  Unfortunately baby forgot to sleep through so at 3.00am it was back to feeling that you are the only ones in the world apart from Binge drinkers that are up and about at that time.  Eventually settled him off by about 3.30 but sleep is slow to come when you are getting that bit older and eventually decided to get up at about 7.30 to get a start on the troops.  We had a cooked breakfast and played the game of hunt the toilet rolls and eventually tracked them down in time for the morning ablutions.

Sunday morning went quickly and parents arrived at about 12.30 during lunch and everything was to schedule.  In the afternoon we went to the Noodle Bar in Greenwich and then the routine of bath time and bedtime complete, the end of another day.  There was an interesting cruise ship berthed in the Thames….very large.  I am trying to get the picture off my phone.

Drove down after breakfast and am now wondering where to put the limited energy I have retained.  No, children don’t get easier but there was no damage done!!


Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 8, 2009, 8:37pm; Reply: 5
Tuesday 8th September

Now we come to the end of a very pleasant day. I even sat in the garden and sunbathed for a couple of hours and had to come in because it was too hot.

My old school chum living in America sent me on a photo destined for our chapel reunion that is taking place in October / November.  I must get them printed up and sent on to the organiser so that she can work out whether they are new to her or duplicates of ones she already has.

Peter James continues to give tweets of the novel is he currently writing.  The book signing is on Saturday at Lewes Law Courts so I shall have to point it out to him.  Princess and CJ are meeting me there so that I can also get in a visit to Pepe's daughters boyfriend in the Takeaway bar.  I've printed up the photos that I took of him and his friend and will give them a copy and take a framed one out for Pepe's daughter when I go out there.  I'm just hoping that the gift that he wants me to take out is going to fit in my rucksack.

I believe it is going to be good weather again tomorrow so I think I might go into Brighton with my trusty bus pass.  I need some last minute shopping for BG such as cigarette papers for my car angel and tea bags for the troops.  N

Now it's time for bed said Zeberdee.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 9, 2009, 7:41am; Reply: 6
Wednesday 9th September

To repeat a tweet 'how can the weather people get predictions so wrong and still not loose their jobs' but at least it isn't raining yet!!
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 10, 2009, 10:02am; Reply: 7
Thursday 10th September

The sun is shining and it has been forecast to stay that was for the next week or so.  So now we have an Indian summer while Turkey gets the Indian monsoon.  My thoughts go out to all those swamped out of their homes.  We had a flash flood and it was closely followed by the hurricane.  Neither a very pleasant experience but I think the flooding and the mud that it brought with it took longer to get over than the hurricane.  The garden had increased its height by about ten inches.  Nourished but inconvenient!!

So a new television was delivered yesterday and dutifully installed.  I picked up the remote this morning and pressed the on button as indicated in the manual and guess what.....no kick into life.  What is it with me and some electric gadgets?  I suppose I could do housework instead or go back and read the manual again.

Well instead of housework I walked down to the village to post a couple of cards.  In the village I had a conversation with a 4x4 owner who said that he had lived in Croatia for five years and we discussed the merits of Eastern Europe.  I then made my way to the beach and was amazed to see several people swimming in the sea.  I have lived here for over twenty years and it is something that I have never managed to do.  I struck up a conversation with a very interesting lady who is an examiner for TEFL covering many European countries.  I'm back to the village tomorrow since I've seen something in one of the shops that I don't think I can live without although I should be downsizing not accumulating ;)  But I do like it.  
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 11, 2009, 12:10pm; Reply: 8
Friday 11th September

Having walked down the village to purchase the said item, I now have to learn to live without it.  The shop was closed but there was a 'Sold' sticker attached to it.  Ah well, not meant to be mine.

The clouds have come over and it's a cold wind.  I have just put the world to rights with my next door neighbour and now it is heading for lunch time.  The weekend is planned and we are out tonight, tomorrow and Sunday celebrating various things and tomorrow in the day time it is the book signing by Peter James at Lewes Crown Court.  I am meeting Princess and CJ there and I must mention to this author that he shouldn't be 'tweeting' his plots for his next novel.  

The lady from the beach that I met yesterday has emailed lots of addresses over for free material for TEFL.  The only condition is that you have to retain their logos and that isn't a great hardship.  Back to the research. ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 12, 2009, 3:36pm; Reply: 9
Saturday 12th September

And a good day was had by all.  Lewes Crown Courts, Peter James at his book signing and CJ clad in riot gear and the photos will follow.

It was all in aid of the Argus Appeal and for young people it was an introduction into what can happen if it all goes wrong.  It was like old times for me.  In a previous life I was a Security Officer protecting the assets of a Supermarket company before they put the modern day equivalent in uniforms and stood them by the 'out' door   I lost my first shop lifting prosecution case at Crown Court when I knew that she'd done it and swore never to lose another and I didn't.  I cracked rather a funny when the Police prisoner transport lady said that they only made comfort break stops at other police stations or prisons and that if they were anywhere else....and this is where I interjected....and said that it was probably on the wanted list and had been nicked.

After this I went to visit the boyfriend of my Bulgarian friend and I have a bag of goodies, chocolate and the likes to take back to his girlfriend when I go out next week.  It looked like 'comfort' food to me since he's away for such a long time.

Later this afternoon I did the Lewes shops managing to pick up a rugby shirt about six sizes too large but great for gardening or painting for £3  and tonight I am off next door for supper.....must get a couple of bottles of red at the ready.

Bahhh.  Can't get the photos off my phone, the cable is in BG.  CJ and Peter James will just have to wait. :(
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 13, 2009, 9:51pm; Reply: 10
Sunday 13th September

What a lovely day.  What started out as being a coffee and cake afternoon to celebrate Angela's birthday turned into a red wine and Indian takeaway by the warmth and light of a new chiminea.  The air was cooling and I spotted the new birthday present so we set about sorting wood and instructed John to get out the saw and start getting bigger stuff together.  This was achieved and we all came over with this toasty feeling that you get when the air is cool but the body is warm.  It could have been credited to the red wine but I like to belive it was the warmth from the stove. ;)

It is also a big weekend for her.  She has just retired after spending twenty eight years with the same company so is feeling unsure of how her life is going to pan out.  She's going to Ireland for a few days and would be coming to Bulgaria but being civilised, she requires full toilet and shower facilities, both of which are yet to be established in my abodes.  

I changed my Easy Jet booking to include a hold bag instead of my usual rucksack and did shopping for my car angel.  You just can't get cigarette papers and Araldite in BG!!  Also required were a couple of Landrover magazines that he just couldn't live without. :)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 14, 2009, 7:41am; Reply: 11
Monday 14th September

Got up from my Pit nice and early and the washing machine is already going.  Princess just dropped in signed Peter James through the letterbox but I don't believe any lasting damage was done. ;)

It's going to be a 'Do I need' and 'Do I need to buy' day.  I can tell already and it's not even 9.00.  Of course I now realise that the chiminea has it's downside.  My sweatshirt smells of wood smoke as does my hair.  Both need attending to. ;D

What a good day it turned out to be.  I got all the things that I intended buying and more so tomorrow is a 'let's see it it fits' day which is better than still trying to source thank you gifts.

I found a rather good Australian liquor wine today in Asda and it is really mellow going down.  I'm not sure if it will survive for tomorrow but there again, I have booked the taxi for Wednesday morning for 4.30 so I shall certainly need my wits about me for then so I might as well drink it all tonight. ;)

Lecka nosht!!
Posted by: johnd, September 14, 2009, 8:59pm; Reply: 12
Elsa,hi,hope you are well,sorry we missed,always another day i feel,good luck with all talk again soon,bye for now.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 14, 2009, 9:25pm; Reply: 13
Monday 14th September, PM

Well hello John D and I hope you are fully recovered.  I was up your neck of the woods last weekend but having full control, or close to full control of the children while my son and his wife tripped the life fantastic.  And to the Noodle Bar in Greenwich for late lunch early supper.  We will catch up one of these days!!

Peter James has answered one of my tweets about the black cap and the debacle I left in the back room at the Lewes Courts open day,  He has a very busy life, does loads for charity and has so much stamina.  Mine's waning tonight and since I've said Lecka Nosht once tonight I'll follow it up with 'Goodnight' for those that don't understand Bulgarian.....
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 15, 2009, 7:31am; Reply: 14
Tuesday 15th September

Well I had panics this morning and had to check the flight details.  I somehow got mixed up between the 15th and 16th and yes, it is for tomorrow.  Phewwww and now I must check that it is my passport and not CJ's. ;)

I'm off to B&Q for last minute things that it is difficult to source in BG.  Yes they are there but it's finding the local equivalent.  

Well that's it.  What is forgotten is forgotten and can be purchased out there......Now it's a trip to say farewell to Princess, CJ and her hubbie and I think it is likely to be fish and chips for supper with lashings of vinegar.  It just has to be done.

Updates may be a bit scarce at first so please forgive me.  I promise to start loading pickies of the abodes as the work progresses. ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 20, 2009, 6:21am; Reply: 15
Saturday 19th September

I am on the Internet at long last and can now at least post an update.

The flight was delayed because the booking in system had collapsed at Gatwick but the Easy Jet staff worked relentlessly to move the backlog.  One poor man must have been hoarse shouting for check in queues to move to the next desk and our queue was decreased leaving only the Sofia subjects waiting for check in.

The house had had a flood while we had been away and the Water board has been called out.  I’m not sure if evil was at work or not but it was OK when I left.  Yes it was my fault!!  I should have checked that it was switched off at the clock box but I left in such a panic with my head only half screwed on…..such is the aging process and the result of labrynthitus.

I had a good day at the house but I have a problem with my neighbours.  They keep providing me with food!!  Now they don’t get fat and I’ve told them no more.  Otherwise I shall be a chunky monkey.

We’ve found a super close restaurant where four beers, cheesy chips, local salad and a meat dish are served for approximately eight / nine pounds and delicious to boot.  Sunday tomorrow…day of rest but not if I have anything to do with it.  We’ve got to make the place so that we can leave things there.  I am tired of having my wheelbarrow and workmate in the back of the beast.

Lega nosht….I am tired but calm and ready to put my weary head on my pillow. :)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 20, 2009, 6:26am; Reply: 16
Sunday 20th September

Got up from my illustrious pit really early and cleaned out the beast.  We had packed the tools in darkness by the light, or so they call it, of Cooper's  wind-up lamps.  I think we used more energy winding the things than was ever converted to a light source.

Breakfast this morning is going to be the same as every other morning.  Banitsas which are made out of soft cheese and filo pastry and local coffee.  This ensures that the body feels sufficiently full until my local food army arrive with lots of pastries and jam to dip them in.  Once more, off to face the foe!!!!

I'll update at the end of what could be a long day.
Posted by: MikeyB, September 20, 2009, 8:35pm; Reply: 17
A-ha my bedtime stories have started again i'm glad to see  :)

Life's better with pictures!  ;D
Posted by: linzgoa, September 22, 2009, 12:26pm; Reply: 18
greetings from the broomes...all organised for next wednesday 30th september..funeral is at st lukes  at 1.30pm..look forward to seeing you ..lots love linz xx
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 22, 2009, 7:02pm; Reply: 19
Tuesday 22nd September

As you can gather from the previous message, unfortunately my brother in law passed away unexpectedly a couple of days ago.  Princess let me know and now I am frantically making plans to go back to the UK for the funeral.  Sorry Mikey B...looks like you will have to find some other bedtime reading....I'm sure you have some lying around.

What a day today.  We took the beast to Momchilgrad so that we could go and see the electricity board to get the connection to the house sorted.  It was a holiday and the square was shut off with lots of kiddie rides etc.  I then went to see the house up with the eagles and found an old portable fire of the pre-everything vintage and then to the wood yard for more supplies.  I think Alli my woodman thinks that all his dreams have just come true and now I am the proud owner of a splendid table but as to yet no chairs or a bench.  That is on the agenda for tomorrow.  Today was the first day that no one arrived clutching a tray of food that had to be eaten before they departed.  Yesterday we had a hot cake but it tasted much better cold.  Tonight we went to our usual restaurant and had speciality of the house along with a dish of chicken livers and one of pork with salad and cheesy chips washed down with beer.  Total cost of the meal.....approximately £7.50....and you wouldn't grumble at that.  That's only the beers sorted in England.  And now to bed.....Leka nosht ...
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 23, 2009, 5:49am; Reply: 20
Wednesday 23rd September

Well the flights are booked for Tuesday the 29th with the funeral being on the Wednesday.  Good old easyJet.

The sun is shining and it is a beautiful day.  I have read a few chapters of a new book that I acquired in UK called The Secret on how to use visualisation tecniques to bring about the things that you want in your life.  Now steady on there.  This could be a lifelong occupation but apparently the secret is.....to read the book and then leave it to the Universe.

I've just visualised a door in situ so today, I am going to move it from the garage where it is being stored and take it to the house.  I know where it needs to go and I've visualised it in place so let's see if we can manage to achieve it today.  Barry Bucknell eat your heart out!!

I'll update you all later.  I wonder what we're having for lunch today!!
Posted by: johnd, September 23, 2009, 9:10pm; Reply: 21
Yo girl!sounds like you are on a similar diet to me!Sorry we missed,but you would have been glad not to have shared this little horror,swine flu or not, it messed me up.We move into the new school year, as you head into a new life!All the best with everything,,and please,as you do,keep us wannabees posted,hope to join you one day.
                                                 All the best Johnd.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 25, 2009, 5:52pm; Reply: 22
Friday 25th September

Well John, I visualised the door in situ and currently all that I have is a rebuilt door frame but the door is going in place tomorrow!!!!!  Good luck with the school year....my grand daughter has just started her pre-school in your neck of the woods.  Thank you for your kind thoughts and look forward to seeing you when I have a space for you to rest your weary head.  I had my first light bulb on today in an inspection lamp but one has to start somewhere.....

I have shutters and had to compromise on a riddle to get the stones out of the sand.  A five litre water bottle with holes drilled into it and it worked a treat.  I now have my first set of shutters and I am advised that the workmen want to, and can start on the 5th October so I shall have a roof soon so my nom de plume on Suzi's website might have to change from Roofless but there are still two houses to go after this one so perhaps I'll keep it for a while yet.  I managed to borrow and angle grinder today and purchased an SDS drill and with electricity connected be it only to the pole with extension leads, it certainly does make a difference.

Pictures...I promise to post some tomorrow but for tonight I am going to get some food before I keel over and the gin and tonic takes effect...
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 25, 2009, 7:35pm; Reply: 23
Friday Night

A few pickies.  I have just come in from the local hostelery.... Cheesy chips, salad and chicken leg...how wonderful washed down with two bottles of Ariana....the local brew.

Now for a few of the  Dushinkovo properties.  There are two properties in one garden and yes, I am concentrating on the one at the moment so here goes.
Posted by: johnd, September 25, 2009, 9:32pm; Reply: 24
What can anyone say?Doubters be damned-you look really well by the way,take care.
Posted by: johnd, September 25, 2009, 9:42pm; Reply: 25
Ignorance abounds! My apologies for your loss.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 26, 2009, 6:01am; Reply: 26
Saturday 26th September

Just going to add a few more pickies but the one of the loo after the 60 minute make over and not by a team of professionals will be included in the next instalment. ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 26, 2009, 6:02am; Reply: 27
Saturday continued....

Thanks John for your kind thoughts.....

What a lovely day.  I had a bonfire that you wouldn't believe and a load of rubbish that the neighbourhood just seemed to bung over the fence....and that was my fence.

I have a gate to be finished tomorrow, I have a front door that is to be finished tomorrow and a bonfire that will be added to during the course of the day.

My sheep farmer came round and insisted that I cut down the vine that goes up to the roof.  He was most insistent that snakes climb or slither up the vines and get into the roof space, and accordingly I got rid of all the unburnt timber that was lying around and all of the empty bottles of which I deny all Knowledge.

Any way just back from the favourite restaurant and it was chicken leg, chips and salad for two at the princely sum of £8 and that included four beers.  Not bad egh...

Leka nosht tout le monde.  I take to my little pit now.  Leka nosht.....
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 28, 2009, 6:53am; Reply: 28
Monday 28th September

Morning.....I have packed up my belongings yet again but the hotel have kindly let me keep the same room for the time I am spending in England.  

Off to Sofia and tonight the transition takes place in the hotel where I know that I can relax, nice meal, swimming for an hour and a couple of beers.

The house.....I have a door, shutters and padlocks galore on the water, electricity, bathroom, front gate and second house.....and it's a right pain when I come to open up in the morning.  My old heater has been removed from the garden to the house just in case an antique dealer scours the area for likely pickings.  I would be sad to see it go and it does provide hot water for the constant intake of coffee.

I had my next immediate next door neighbour visit yesterday and he sat on the floor and promptly nodded off.  I have the picture to prove it but need time to share it with you, it needs pixel reduction.  It seemed that he was worried about where the soil pipe was going from the toilet and I assured him that it was off down the hillside and nowhere near his or my well.  But saying that...I am still using the one in the garden but now it has a modesty curtain in place just to protect the natives...

Now off to Kardjali to catch the bus....a busy four days and then back for the next session on the house.  Bye for now. ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, September 30, 2009, 9:22pm; Reply: 29
Wednesday 30th September

I arrived yesterday and the funeral was today in Staffordshire.  I think back to a postings last month of my brother in law and this just came out of the blue.  Just proves that we don't know what's round the corner but we still have to travel the road.  My sister did remarkably well and the church was packed and the wake was just that.

Now tomorrow is a very busy day trying to remember all the things that I should have taken out last time but still have to buy.  I fly back on Friday at silly o'clock in the morning,  Printer cartridges....I take pictures of my house visitors and neighbourhood watch team and must get them printed and delivered as promised.  Electric Planer to get the door fixed firmly in place instead of being held there with a padlock and chain.  Just two things from a long list!!  Add to that the request from my car buddies and that is another bag full.

I am going to say goodnight.  It has been a long day...Lecka nosht...
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