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Elsa Peters living a new life in Bulgaria  /  My Diary by Elsa Peters  /  MAY 2013
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 1, 2013, 6:55am
Wednesday 1st May

Workers day today so I have told them to get on with it and do it at the double...that should work in these temperatures ;) ;)

I'm off to Kardjali at ten thirty so blacking my boots as we speak with the other hand...I'll post pictures later of the half finished terraces....looking good...oh and....white rabbits for today....
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 1, 2013, 5:08pm; Reply: 1
Wednesday continued

Oh what a lovely time we've had at the shops but we did look a little like tourists carrying around our bottles of water until I was drinking from mine and Gouljan realised that she had put hers down while she was trying on a one leva sweater and she had to go back and retrieve it.  Off we went to the pizza restaurant for lunch and the biggest pizza I think I have seen was presented to me and I managed it all...piggywig wig that I am but washed down with fruit juice and a couple of bottles of water,  We did the market but didn't manage to get my tomato and cucumber plants but they will be available from the restaurant where I pick up the men and when I said that I only wanted four cucumber plants and ten tomatoes he gave a hearty chuckle but then qualified it by saying that I was on my own and only playing at it.....and I agree with that....the amount of water it takes to bring on onions to a decent size far outweighs the cost of buying them from the supermarket but my leeks from last year are still sitting there.  Just the weather for soup...it was thirty plus today in Kardjali...little less here since there was a decent wind blowing.  Came back with a Passion flower since mine seems to have succumbed to last year's winter and a couple of fuchsias and this time Sally was interested....he likes flowers and I know where I'm going to put them already.

Looked at the work they'd done while I was away and noticed that they hadn't left me a hole in the concrete for a climber on the terrace....Bekir had forgotten but easy done...he'll get his machine out tomorrow and cut the hole.  It's a good job I remember these things.  Any way, bucketing concrete onto the patio was a slow process so when they were washing their tools up at six I suggested the Ariana and we sat around putting the world to rights.  They're home...I'm home....I can now have my beer that I couldn't have until I had got them home safely....LN....let's see what needs eating from the fridge...
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 2, 2013, 6:14pm; Reply: 2
Thursday 2nd May

Boy am I late tonight....picked up the men as per normal and went to the shop in their village and picked up my cucumber plants but I had to go the the house in Sally's village to get my tomatoes...all ten of them.  Now this is playing at it as far as I am concerned...they all seem to grow for eternity and give a lot of it away and I shall be the recipient of what I don't manage to achieve.  

So off to my student for ten this morning taking the Beast since I had nearly used up all of the bags of cement...well not me personally you understand but my two super workers were down to three bags when I left.  Worked through the text and had a good lesson, went down to the shop and looked through the Avon..ding-dong- catalogue but there was nothing that needed ordering.  Off to the hardwear shop and paid for the four bags of cement, down to the carpark to pick up the Beast and drive it to the front of the shop, stopped talking to a couple of the local police and suddenly my name was being shouted for a little blue car.  Friends over from England had been to my house and had come to look for me since their level of Bulgarian is severely challenged and my workers after three years are still not communicating...So out for lunch, caught up, they are back on Sunday and we'll have a night on the pop.

Back to my gardening, planted my cucumbers and two small daisies that just happened to jump from the garden into my cucumber pots with a little help from Sally....planted carrots and beetroot and prepared the ground for the tomatoes.  Also going in tomorrow are garlic, french beans, leeks, onions, red cabbage and if anyone asks me 'how much'....I shall totally ignore the question.  Let's hope that the cows don't get them like they did last year.  I've also got to find pots for the fuchsias and a place in the garden for the passion flower.  

So men home.  There was great excitement  when we got back to the village and I had to get out and take a good look.  One of the men had bought a small diesel tractor / rotavator and it was sitting proudly on the carpark.  Splendid piece of kit.....

Supper was spicey sausage fried off with onions and served up in soft rolls...two of them.  The bottle of gin has been tapped and a couple of tots have left the bottle already but there again it is nine-fifteen my time.  LN...the connection is not good tonight so wanting to post this before I lose it...forgot to mention...beautiful weather today....my terrace is complete and the men are now onward and upward to the next...LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 3, 2013, 6:01pm; Reply: 3
Friday 3rd May

Six thirty start..not bad saying that I fell asleep playing my DX at ten thirty..lights out at somewhere near one.  Why do we do that?

Out for the men...back home in quicksticks and today was a gentle day for the pair of them tarting up the stone work they had done...I have a super little step to match the one into my lounge in the big house but exacting work at that.  Splitting stone to fill in gaps in a very ancient wall and cementing them in place...Sally is my hero.

Cleaned all of my windows today except for the four stair well upper ones but I shall device a method for tomorrow....it wasn't a day to try to improvise with the men here.  So now they dropped the bomb shell that Sally has tobacco work to do and that they won't be here until September.  In a way I knew it was coming and it's very silly really...Sally can earn more from me than from his tobacco but I suppose it's history repeating itself....a bird in the hand so to speak.  Berkir has his sheep to sort out and it's been so hot for the last few days that it must have been a chore mixing concrete but looking on the internet we are in for a few changes.

So tomorrow I am sorting the rest of the house and getting rid of the woodburner in the kitchen....can't see me having to light that until winter.  Logs are sorted and my garden carrying thing is where it should be ...in the garden ....and today I bought a new garden hose after covering myself with cold water when I went to water the seeds that I'd put in.  Sally said that he could fix the old one but for twenty two leva...a tenner for twenty five meters and all of the fixings including a garden spray...I settled for that.  I didn't intend going in to Djebel but I thought that since they are not working for five months so to speak I ought to pay them....I don't normally but they didn't say 'no' when I offered.

I'm planting the rest of my garden...again it went of the back burner due to having experts on site.  Sun down...moon yet to come up...no fire tonight but another gin and tonic is about to hit the right spot.  Lunch was two great big rolls of tuna mayo so supper was a bag of sour cream chipsticks...very tasty.  Sat in the garden eating them and internally putting the world to rights except that it's my world...and everything seems right at the moment.  LN...I'm looking forward to the rest...seven thirty start and finish drains you after a few weeks....and having to make decisions on the hoof so to speak...LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 4, 2013, 4:56pm; Reply: 4
Saturday May 4th

Beautiful morning, sun shining, out on the terrace for coffee and toast, made a phone call and the Librarian came over for lunch armed with lots of surplus flowers and tomatoes plants from her garden.  So that ten tomatoes that I planned for has suddenly become twenty so maybe I'm becoming more localised...maybe not...you have to have about a hundred.  Lunch was out on the terrace and we finished off with a packet of unopened biscuits that I'd found in the little house when  I was tidying up the men's 'relax area' and throwing out the bread. I got the feeling that nothing would be of use come September.

Surprise visit from Bekir and the Post Office supervisor from Fotinovo.  Bekir had left part of his kit for hoisting tiles on to rooves attached to my tree so up on the roof he went to get it down.  I offered him the biscuits but he said I could keep them.  While he was up there...he checked out the tree they'd massacred and he said there were green shoots already.  I reckon he'd been up with green paint while I wasn't looking ;) ;)

So we sat around after lunch putting the world to rights and suddenly the sky changed to a darkish grey and the wind got up something chronic... The Librarian set off for home because she had men working on the roof of the barn, I got in the washing that I'd done this morning and suddenly the heavens opened and the thunder and lightening started.  I thought it was a good idea to light a fire but it was almost annihilation by suffocation.  As the smoke went up the chimney so the wind blew it down again and I had to open the windows to the lounge and bathroom to clear the air.  The final solution was to stick another couple of firelighters in so that  more heat was created.  I turned the damper to make sure that no soot was blocking the flue and at this point I got a sort of tingle and the electric went off...how's that for timing...eeekkks. It must have struck the power house in the village and the UPS for the fire kicked in making a hell of a racket.  So by this time...the lightening is bouncing off the hillside, the thunder was crashing around with only seconds delay...the house is filled with smoke and the alarm is almost insufferable and I can't even make a cup of coffee. :-/ :-/  

Anyway....everything back to normal except that the temperature has dropped considerably and so far the thunder hasn't returned.  I was tempted to go out and do some planting up but it's started to rain again so I'm now in for the night.  Tomorrow already prepared for my student...but no staying for lunch with the family since my visitors arrive tomorrow afternoon for an overnight stay.  

Really good lunch so light supper.  Very relaxing day apart from expecting either my tree of the chimney to get it today....LN.....planting can happen tomorrow.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 5, 2013, 2:38pm; Reply: 5
Sunday 5th May

Very misty start after yesterday's storm and it took a while to clear.  Got the washing done though and out by eight thirty and seemed to be doing everything after that on the go slow.  I spent time taking things up that should have been up and other things down and got the feeling that I was acting like that Grand Old Duke of York.  Pottered in the garden and planted out some daisies from yesterdays haul and suddenly realised that it was time to get showered and wash my hair so that I could go and see my student.  Stopped off to get some petrol on the way and was approached by a local who has a house for sale in my village and wondered if I had any friends who wanted to buy it.  He's going to call round on Wednesday or Thursday but I'll wait and see if he appears.

So I was greeted by all of the family and we sat in the garden and had home made bread, home made butter, Turkish tea and pastries or rather they did.  I settled for the tea and half a roll and a little butter since breakfast for me had been toast about an hour earlier.  We went upstairs for the lesson and we went through the previous week's text and the homework and I'd asked her to have a guess what was about to happen in the second part of this text.  When we'd read through her version, we read the second text more or less together and her eyes opened wide and she said that she hadn't expected the story to go that way at all and it was almost like a film script.  So her homework this week is to answer the questions describing how the police would have written the report about the incident.  I try to make it fun and interesting.... ;)

Lunch with the family was something new to try....they're really trying to feed me up and I didn't leave until one thirty again.  Meat patties with mashed potato and onion on the top with yellow cheese and one of their local tomato sauces....all home grown or made except for the veal.  With it we had a potato salad and rice.  I get the feeling they spend the week planning the meal to surprise me.  I said that I make something similar but that I would add honey for a touch of sweetness.  The elder sister said that she is going to try it.

Waiting for my guests to arrive so I thought I'd get my update done so that I'm not excusing myself and missing out on a glass of wine or delaying the evening meal.  Got my head down this afternoon for an hour or so...it has been extremely hot and they do say the road to hell is paved with good intention but I couldn't go out in the garden.  It was just too hot.  I have lots of plants waiting to go in but tomorrow is another day.  House visiting in the morning, my other student in the afternoon and then the rest of the week is mine all mine....no workers to fetch and carry for....I need the rest.

So LN....I'm about to descend the wooden hills and maybe, just maybe I might do a little gardening until they arrive....I'll update tomorrow... ;) ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 6, 2013, 5:53pm; Reply: 6
Monday 6th May

Out in the garden last night sipping a drop of the red stuff and we saw our first firefly of the year and that was before too much was imbibed.  Supper was a lazy cold buffet until we could drink no more and bed called.

Woke up early and looked out of the small window in the bedroom to see the curved moon and it was worth getting up and taking a picture and even got out and video the morning for facebook.  The nightingale had sung most of the night, the cuckoo was welcoming the dawn and the chorus of edible frogs, so I was reliably informed, was still belting out the mating calls.  A few dogs started baying when the mosque struck up so that the Hodger was not alone in his morning prayer.

Out this morning doing a spot of early gardening.  The two new fuchsias have been repotted and have pride of place on the new wall.  The passion flower has a bigger space for its roots and has been strung out instead of being wound tightly round the wire hoop and now graces the back wall of the new terrace and has four buds on already.   This is probably a new on on the neighbours and they'll all want cuttings.  Toast for breakfast, quick get up and out to view one of the houses, lots of fairs going on today for St George's day in several of the local villages.  Back home for twelve, guests left, sorted out a text and on to my student for two and he's done lots of homework.  Did a little shopping in Djebel, met the new wife of the Kmet and he was telling the owner of the shop that my house was near the bus-stop further on from the mosque so I pointed out that it was easy to spot my bus-stop...it was the one that was falling down and in need of a new layer of paint if it was to remain there.... embarrassed or what.....nice one, point reinforced.  Paid my phone bill and was down to one leva so went to the cash point for a top up and .....no money in the machine so I mentioned to the girl in the supermarket that the machine was empty and she replied that all of the machines in Djebel were empty.  Went into my student's parents shop and relayed this information and they offered to lend me some....but I refused the kind offer....I have fuel in the car, food in the fridge and wine in the kitchen....enough for a siege at least, well a small one.

Home sweet home and followed the Kmet through the lanes home and tagged on to his bumper pretty tightly.  Pottered in the garden when the sun was going down and prepared for a gardening day tomorrow.  It appears I might have yet another visitor...waiting for the morning emails.  Little fire going....not really hungry so I'll settle for an early night...LN.....at home day tomorrow....
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 6, 2013, 7:00pm; Reply: 7
Monday quick update

I've just had a visit from Semile my sheep farmer advising me that I had left my lights on Beauty and that I should give it a quick start and leave it running....and it wouldn't even turn over.  So between us we pushed it so that we could run it down the hill and again...nothing and by this time it's more or less blocking the lane.  Telephone calls made and my Avatar comes out to give it another push but I decide that it's a mug's game and I've got jump leads in the back of the Beast so back home, deliver the jeep and we kick start it and but this time there are quite a lot of us looking on.  Drive the little one down to the next village and then leave it running outside the house.  Meanwhile I walk down, get the Beast parked up and go back to thank everyone for their help and input.  Unfortunately the subject changed and so did the language and they were all full flood in Turkish so I decided that I would say goodnight to them all and head back to the homestead......nice of Semile to notice but I've got the feeling that it would have been easier in the light....but at least it should be alright for tomorrow now...LN :-/ :-/
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 7, 2013, 4:33pm; Reply: 8
Tuesday 7th May

Pre-sun-up start but what a wonderful beginning to the day.  I know I get boring at this point but mornings are special.  The sun comes up at a different point each day as does the moon and it still amazes me.....I suppose I have the time to appreciate nature.

So what did today hold.  I was out planting my tomatoes at seven this morning and eleven are in and another eight for tomorrow.  I've sorted out the flowers that I started off in the house and labelled the lids but unfortunately they got mixed up so I think I have Cape gooseberry in a big pot and something else in a smaller one...only time will tell.  The passion flower has been repotted and is going up the wall of the little house, a honeysuckle is hopefully going to get established underneath the lounge window of the little house near to the garage, lupin, targetes, poppies have all been watered in and we'll await the results.  Hollyhocks, parsnips, beans, red cabbage go in tomorrow and I've got another well rooted rosemary to go in.  Dug out by the front gate so that it looks tidier and on Thursday I'm going to get some more wood stain to do the front gates,  Had a zizz after lunch.  It was so hot that I started to do a Sudoku and realised that ther was no way my eyes were going to stay open until the end.  Comatose for about an hour and a half but felt much better for it.

Pottered this afternoon watering stuff....the visiting stork cleared out the little pond and then made it's way to the next take away.  Chicken on a bed of potatoes and onions is cooking and will be ready in about half an hour.  Cork taken out of the bottle and now it's time to relax. I've had a busy day...LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 8, 2013, 3:03pm; Reply: 9
Wednesday 8th May

Early start and sun up was very red almost looked like a sunset....this was followed by high cloud which faded out the sun somewhat.  The wind was cold and so a hearty breakfast was called for so spicey sausage, fried egg and fried bread with HP Sauce.....fixed me up for the rest of the day.  Walked the estate and watered a few of the plants that needed it but there really wasn't any need since the heavens opened this afternoon and the thunder rumbled in the background.  I did manage to spend about an hour culling or pulling the dandelions out and lobbing them on the bonfire

I cut down one of the tent caterpillar nests that I found myself working under while I was digging in the garden.  I suddenly remembered it as it swayed in the breeze but where the caterpillars have attacked the wild damson tree, the leaves are bare and the fruit is looking a little sad for itself and this is a good one for jam making.  So it had to go.  There is one more on this tree but much higher up and I can't reach it but the one at the back of the workshop is getting huge but I couldn't bring myself to chop it off.  

Today was a day of visions.  I could imagine doing lots of things but fortunately it rained.  I loaded more books onto my Kindle, lit the fire and settled in for the afternoon.  It wont hurt to have a day off....the grass will still need cutting, the rest of the tomato plants will still need to go in and so much is weather dependent.  Time is one thing that I have now the men have decided to delay their exposure to work until September.

Cold chicken for supper....probably with chippies and I've just remembered that I have mushrooms that I need to do something with.  LN.....I've heard a rumble in the jungle...time to go...LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 9, 2013, 4:12pm; Reply: 10
Thursday 9th May

Stupid night....I had cramp and don't know whether it was down to the beer or that the temperature had dropped somewhat and I'd gone to bed in summer jymjams and no socks.  Tonight I'm in thermals and bugger the fact that it said that it's summer.

Felt so rough this morning after such a restless night and my ear was fuzzy so at ten I went back to bed and got up at twelve.  Very unusual for me but the weather was naff and it was raining.  Started to prepare my lesson for my student and suddenly it was one forty and I was now panicking.  Got it printed up, out to Beauty and no go....I suppose I should have taken it out earlier after it was jumped into life the other night but hey...I forgot.  So out came the Beast from its home and the fact that it starts on the first turn is music to my ears...well one of them at least...the second one doesn't seem to respond to much at the moment.  Into Djebel and the first thing that my student's mum said to me was that the lad was ill, had been dosed up and that set the tone for the lesson.  He'd done his homework, we did the text in quicksticks, he answered the questions and got the tenses right so thought that I'd save the rest for another day.

Down to the shop....thought about staying but wanted to get home.  The cash-point had money in so I'm not existing on fresh air ....went out to the garden and decided that there were so many dandelions that an hour with the fork wouldn't go amiss so dug up about one hundred and packed it in.  Lit the bonfire, lit the house fire, made a chicken sort of coq au vin with the remains of the chicken and the mushrooms that I was going to do something with last night and I didn't.  Added rice and that's ready when I am which will be in about five minutes.  Tommy licked his lips as I headed up the road with the dish and demolished the carcass....he's such a super dog.

Was going over to the Librarians tonight but must get Beauty sorted tomorrow.....and with a dodgy ear I'm not much company....supper calls....I've got a new book that I've started but I won't slag it off at the moment...I'll give it a further five percent....LN..seven my time and the night is young and I've got to seek out my thermals... ;)...LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 10, 2013, 4:56pm; Reply: 11
Friday 10th May

Fell asleep in the chair last night at about nine so knew that it would be a disturbed night.  Three thirty, read until five and then out until seven so not so bad.  Toast on the terrace...sort of has a ring to it....a bit of a chilly start but warmed up nicely.  A few clouds came over this lunchtime but not anything to worry about...white and high.

So you know how I said yesterday that I visualised lots of jobs and did nothing....well I pushed myself today without really trying.  Got two tins of laq yesterday and today have applied one and a half cans to my front gates and now they look the dogs b..s  The little one went up first originally and the long one was a different colour because the wood was new...now they're both the same.  Came in and had tuna mayo on toast with a little beer and then ignored the warning that you shouldn't operate machinery after taking in alcohol but that was the only way I was going to tackle the lawn.  Done and dusted...the grass is still too long down the bottom of the garden but the strimmer should take care of it....but not today.

So on to the garden....parsnips, mixed chilies, leeks, red cabbage, ornamental gourds and honeydew melons are all in.  Again I spent another hour digging up dandelions....I'd like to ask where they all come from but you'll give me the obvious answer....seeds... :-/ :-/ so I won't ask.

Supper is the remains of last nights with curry powder added.....there's a lovely evening glow on the garden and it's guaranteed a hot sunny day tomorrow.  Jobs complete...I might even go and play tomorrow....LN....
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 11, 2013, 5:03pm; Reply: 12
Saturday 11th May

Six thirty start and went out the the garden to enjoy the morning with a coffee.  Pottered around, visualised getting out the scythe and flattening the garden since my technique is not the best but my saviour was at hand.  The Librarian phoned to say that one of the lads in her village was eager for work and could he come and scythe down my garden....Could he....and she offered to bring him over, provide lunch and we could sit and watch him work.  She brought over her strimmer and he started with that but the clover wrapped itself round the blade so off I went to my Avatar to see if I could borrow her scythe.  Now  mine works but the handle dropped off and while Bekir found the time to mend my Avatars...he never quite found the time to mend mine... :-/ :-/

So the lad took to the hand held and did OK but decided that he would revert to the mechanical for the easy bit that has less clover and more grass.  So he started, it stopped, he played around with a screwdriver and fiddled with the air intake, even brought out mine which is similar and removed the plug from it, broke my spanner, and then I decided he had played around enough and suggested that tomorrow is another day.  If he'd have stuck to the mechanical aid it would have been more or less finished but as it stands...he and a mate are coming over with my Librarian as the chauffeurs....to finish the job tomorrow.  I've offered the grass to several in the village but no one seems to want it.....so over the fence it goes....the animals can have a take-a-way all you can eat brunch....

Dug over the side beds now that I can see them and flowers will be planted in due course.  I have so many seedlings that I need to bring on in already established gardens that it's a matter of sorting the good out from the bad.  So I've said enough...I've got to go and water my garden before inertia sets in....LN....had a good lunch so one more gin and tonic and that will see me through...lovely night tonight.....crickets doing their stuff  and warm as you like.....LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 12, 2013, 3:34am; Reply: 13
Sunday 12th May

So last night's moon was in totally the wrong place....I went into the second bedroom to grab a blanket to put on the bed since the temperature had dropped and looked out and was surprised to see it where it was.  I'm so used to seeing it from my bedroom or from the landing or over the garage in the morning that I had to capture it.  Not sure what the biggie is over it but I'm sure one of my star-gazing enthusiasts would know.

Six o'clock start this morning .  Stuck my nose out to sniff the air and it smelt cold so brought it in again and shut the door.  Grabbed a coffee and out onto the bedroom terrace to grab the sun and already the temperature is rising despite a smattering of cloud cover which keeping fingers crossed will burn off.  I've got two boys today and this time with scythes.  No one is going within inches of the two strimmers without they have pieces of paper to certify that they are qualified strimmer mechanics.  To horse...student at ten this morning and need to get a text prepared.  Catch you later.....have a good day... ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 12, 2013, 5:40pm; Reply: 14
Sunday update....

Early start for the boys...they were over by just before nine and the first nob was to get Beauty road worthy again with the jump leads and ...success.  It meant that I didn't have to get the big one out for my student.

Fried tomatoes on toast for breakfast and then I'm off to Djebel for my student leaving the Librarian with full run of the house and what did she do...got her head down while the boys were working away.  Had a good lesson. lunch with the family but picked up enough for lunch for those that had to remain and next week no lesson.  It is the Djebel fete.....breakfast with my family, off to the fair and we'll see how it goes from there on.

The boys done good so to speak.  They've cut down all of the using their own strength and cleared the grass over the fence and on to the hillside.  It would have been good pickings for someone in the village but no one wanted to do it so tough.  It now means that I can go over it with the lawnmower and keep it controlled...until next year.  Came back from Djebel with some five kilogram plastic containers that will be super for the workshop...they're all washed out and drying on the terrace.  Also brought some back for the Librarian for growing her herbs in.....Thirty one containers for nine leva....just about four pounds...rude not to.

Men packed up at five thirty more or less....staked the tomatoes with some new plastic rods since I couldn't get the wooden ones into the soil.  Delivered the scythe back to my Avatar and I've promised to mow her lawn tomorrow weather permitting.   Off down to pour another beer...supper was a toss up between spicey sausage or fish fingers and the fish fingers won.  LN....my tummy is full but my glass is empty....I have a mission to complete...LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 13, 2013, 3:20pm; Reply: 15
Monday 13th May

Six o'clock start, super morning and sat outside having my coffee and watching the starlings having a field day on the newly cropped grass.  It's feeding time for the chicks and they're all so busy.

Struggled this morning to find a text for my boy but eventually came up with one and printed it out and also printed out the different  verbs types that they learn about but of which I have no idea since I don't even remember learning them....So off to the lesson in my little Beauty and struck first time.  Gave a lift into Djebel to my Avatar's daughter in law and grand-daughter and we agreed a lift off time back to the village by twelve.  I told them I would leave the car in the carpark but unfortunately Djebel was full so to speak.  I didn't mention that it was the national elections yesterday, so there were bus loads of people up to vote and all of them were buying up the local supermarket to stuff into the coach for their return journey.  The lesson turned out funnier than I thought.  The story was good and there was a punch line about wine that had been added to by his dissatisfied wife falling into the wine press and telling all his friends that she had decided to go back to where she had come from.  I made a joke about the wine being full-bodied but I'm not sure if it went over his head......his homework...learn about four pages of words from the text and be able to use them in sentences....that should keep him quiet.

Picked up by return trippers and we stopped off at the other supermarket at the end of town and my Avatar is now the proud possessor of lots of goodies that should last her all year.  The daughter in law has stocked her up and if I run out of anything...I'm off to her 'shop'.  Arriving back I noticed that there were a crowd of locals in my neighbour's garden and I was invited to join them.  Now my car had it's engine running and they were waving me in to I asked them to wait and I'd take my car home first and then join in the fray...yoghurt drink, stuffed vine leaves, pancakes and stuff to coat them with, cheese and a rice dish that I left well alone, orange fizzy drink for those that wanted it and we finished with Turkish tea that I'm beginning to like.  I suppose I'm still a novelty.  A lot of the women I recognised from the ladies get-together from last month but I'm intrigued from the expressions on their faces when they burst forth into Turkish.  I just wish I could understand them fully...I get the gist but it's not the same.

Back home, said my farewells and sat on the sofa facing the front door and noticed that all those dark clouds that skirted us yesterday had headed back and so the washing came in in a hurry.  I'd made plans to do my Avatar's lawn this afternoon but it turned so cold and damp that it will keep for another day.  Fire lit, I'm battened down and there is a hoot-toot at my gate so I went out thinking it was the post but it was a man that started to gabble on freely in Bulgarian so I asked him to slow down and explained that I was English.  Immediately the female driver started to talk to me in English and asked if there was a shop in the village.  I said that there wasn't and the main reason for them coming to the village was to see if there were any people willing to collect...wait for it...snails so that they could import them to Kardjali.  Now my immediate reaction was to wonder if it was an opening for me but since I can't even pick them up...frayed knot...so to speak.

Supper I haven't a clue, a two litre of Merlot has been uncorked, my guest arrives on Wednesday so I've a house to clean and beds to sort so tomorrow is going down in the diary as an Activity day.  At least his first job isn't to cut the grass...it's down....but he might have to tackle two strimmers.... ;) ;)  LN....I think I've left you with enough for today saying that there are no pickies....LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 14, 2013, 6:12pm; Reply: 16
Tuesday 14th May

I have no pictures...the stork flew over at nine of the clock and no camera to hand...I was on the phone to England or rather England was on the phone to me...cheaper that way.

I have spent seven hours on the wrong end of a garden fork today clearing out the rest of the clover from the flower beds and walkways.  I would say 'beds' but a few of you who shall remain nameless would have jumped on it immediately.  My only interlude today was to take my Avatar's daughter into Djebel.  She asked if I was going and I said that I wasn't but then she put forward a case that I should drop everything and take her in.  So I had a quick wash, got out of my pyjamas and got dressed for town. Stand up loos with a dodgy knee aren't all that good so we were searching for one of the sit-down variety and we were successful.  Tomorrow it appears that I'm also providing cement so that the job can be done...there is no end to the goodies in my shop.

As I said, not much to report today.  Daughter in law asked if she could accompany me to Kardjali tomorrow when I go to pick up my guest....I said that I didn't want to be tied down to time and it would be better another day...she took it well.

Supper on the terrace with a glass of the red stuff....the weather has been cool but good for gardening and the rain stayed away.  Housework tomorrow morning just to spruce the place up a bit...all bed linen complete and the slow cooker might even be on ready for when we get home.  LN....it will be like Christmas here...seeing what he's brought me from good old UK...LN
Posted by: linda g, May 15, 2013, 2:25pm; Reply: 17
Hi Elsa, Pics are great, and have you managed to find the sweets yet??...lol.  Say hello to your guest if its the one we met. Mom sends her best. Take care Linda.xxx
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 15, 2013, 6:39pm; Reply: 18
Wednesday 15th May

Heck no sweeties to date...checked but seems most of them get exported and are too good for locals.....I'll try Plovdiv when I go there later this month.  As for my guest...yes it is the one that you met and boy have I got a work schedule for him... ;) ;)

Worked in the garden this morning and put off cleaning the house until the last minute.  I was invited for breakfast to my Avatar's house and we had Metitsa or yeasty pancakes and jam syrup washed down with the local yogurt drink.  The daughter in law was trying to coerce me into telling her the time that I was leaving for Kardjali so that she could have a life.  I agreed on two thirty but then had to go and dig her out and it was a good job that we took the Beast.  There wouldn't have been enough space for passengers.  So off we set and as we drove through Djebel I had to stop off at the doctors and now I'm beginning to feel like a chauffeur.  On to Kardjali and to the daughters digs to unload the stuff and then on to the television shop to get my Avatar a new view screen box but at this point I made her aware that I too had things to do in Kardjali.  Carried on to the bank and set up my standing order for the water board, telephone call received to tell me that my guest is sitting in the cafe enjoying the sun and a cup of fruit tea.  Back to the cafe, on to Billa to stock up with food, Lidl called and back to Djebel and home sweet home.  Lots of changes since he was here last time....and think it looks great.

Supper over, just lit a fire to give it that homely touch.....wine on the go and update and then chats by the fire...LN....as I've said before ...my glass is down and I am up....LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 16, 2013, 7:00pm; Reply: 19
Thursday 16th May

Woke up at five this morning and the bedside light was still on...maybe one too many red wines so switched everything off and went back to sleep until sevenish....Went out and watered the garden and my guest was calling in the sheep so I left him too it.  Breakfast eventually was fried tomatoes on toast which I've not had for a while and then head down working on the wrong end of a fork for a few hour.  Plants from England have been either allocated space in the garden or put into containers so that I can watch their progress.

Off to see my student this afternoon and we chuckled about the Winepress story and I must look out for some more by the same author.  Home for about four and took up with my trusty fork again and cleared the flower bed in front of A's bedroom in the little house and tomorrow out with the strimmer to finish off round the edges before it's time to mow the top part of the lawn again.  Sorry no pictures....I've just been too busy today.  Supper was chicken with sauteed potatoes and onions and yogurt and fruit to finish on.  I'm leaving the wine tonight while my guest is going for it.  I've settled for beer.  Watered the garden but it feels like it might be raining tomorrow,  I think he has brought the English weather with him.....if it doesn't clear up......he's having a short holiday... :-/ :-/

Fire going more for effect than need...late tonight...apologies all round and definitely photos tomorrow...... LN....I've got a guest to entertain.....
Posted by: KingDom, May 16, 2013, 8:26pm; Reply: 20
Is that 'The Guest' capitals intended :)  Say Hi from me.  Next time you pass Samodiva go and give Ilyas a kick up the a** and tell him you are there to inspect the work on the roof as a 'speeyon'.   Cactus looking good.  Have I mentioned I'm off to Cyprus? (pissing down in Wales) 8)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 17, 2013, 8:24pm; Reply: 21
Friday 17th May

Sorry Kingdom....checked out your improvements today..Ilias is too busy and dictates that the roof will not happen until August.  He has too much work at moment...he blames the rain for his late start..I gave him a wink and reckoned that it was all down to visiting that well known retreat a little up the road from yours,

Over to the Librarian's for  lunch and to Zlatogarad for shopping.  Bought some flowers for the garden and  a pair of shorts and lots of tools for the workshop...it;s been such a busy day and no camera with me and yes, I feel guilty since I did promise.  Tomorrow is a gardening day and there are lots that are in flower so it will be a house update...LN...I'm falling asleep at my PC...visitors are hard work,,,

Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 18, 2013, 6:14pm; Reply: 22
Saturday 18th May

Five o'clock start to correct the errors from last night's posting....I think the red wine got the better of me.  So this morning's breakfast was ham and poached eggs on toast and despite the fact that it came out of a Lidl reduced pile it was delicious.  Didn't finish breakfast until after ten...that's guests for you....and set about working in the garden, planting up the goodies from yesterday and mowing the lawn.  Found out this morning that Emaula's grandmother had gone to the higher plane and just before one they carried the coffin along the street to the mosque and only men followed on.  Women don't do funerals unless you are in the box.  My lawn strimmed and looking good and then I had the pleasure of taking down my Avatars to a reasonable level so that she could start putting her flowers in.  She introduced me to her new little flock of eleven chicks and she was so proud and something I've not noticed before...they were all different colours from tawny, tawny mixtures and yellows....beautiful.

Six o'clock when I'd finished her lawn and there was a procession of men coming back from the burial site and women going in the opposite direction that had been to the house to pay their respects.  Different way out here...they accept death.

Supper was a bag of barbecue stuff from Lidls reduced section and I added tomato paste and honey to the sauce to finish it off.  It was accompanied by pickled beetroot and potato salad and despite being an unusual combination it was a success.  Beer on the go tonight...It has been so hot today but tomorrow for Djebel fete it is forecasting thunder showers.  Up early in the morning...breakfast at my student's and no lesson....early night for me...LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 19, 2013, 6:15pm; Reply: 23
Sunday 19th May

Up at six to watch the sunrise....garden watered....showered, hair washed and out for breakfast with my student's family and then on to the Djebel fair.  How well we were treated!!..Breakfast was salami, two types of cheese, olives, syrup for the bread, strawberries and cherries from the garden with lots of Turkish tea.  They are such a lovely family and we talk local stuff and even politics and discuss the differences between my homeland and theirs although this is becoming more my homeland every day.  So walked down to the fair and it's to remember the day when Djebel stood up against communism at the time that the local Turkish population was told that they had to adopt a Bulgarian name and they would be arrested if they didn't.  Not a very happy time and today there were lots of Turkish 'visitors' over especially for the festival.

Managed to find a table in the square and watched the world go by eating some very sugary donuts and washing them down with fruit juice.  Met up with other friends later when the family's guests had arrived and they departed to do family things.  I bought lots of plants from the stalls and this afternoon was spent potting them up and unwinding a new jasmine to climb up the wall of the little house.  I've also got a beautiful hibiscus that I've got to read up about. :-/ :-/

Got my head  down for an hour this afternoon.  There was thunder rumbling around and it got very sticky with a few huge rain drops but it didn't really amount to much of a storm.  Late to be doing an update but have watched the sun go down and the moon come up and a few nice shots of the garden.  I've had a lovely day with friends and feel very relaxed going into the evening...LN
Posted by: gottaknit, May 20, 2013, 4:58pm; Reply: 24
"Swift,swallow,martin" Swallow - they have got here as well, but I bet yours are having a better time!
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 20, 2013, 5:41pm; Reply: 25
Monday 20th May

Thanks Jean...I have a variety of the things whizzing round and eating up all the nasties... ;)

So out in the garden at seven this morning and cleared the bed nearest the house.  I've got lots of zinnia self sets and now the bed is clear and they can grow to their hearts content.  Breakfast was a sit down affair and that's one good reason to have guests.  Out to the garden again and dug over the old red onion bed but the leeks from last year are still in residence.  My carrots are through and beetroot are doing exceptionally well but as for the garlic....I might just have planted it upside down...(joke) but if any of my friends in Australia have something in their garden that they don't recognise...it's probably mine.

Off to see my student at one thirty and the text was the history of chocolate and his homework was going to be, describe which one you like best and why but he has lots of exams this week so his homework has been put on the back boiler and his lesson for thursday has been cancelled since we don't know how long the exams last.  The joys of being in school and growing up.  He was actually more worried about his Bulgarian exams and after listening to him describing it to me....I wouldn't  fancy it.

Topped up the fridge...supper tonight was chicken on skewers with chili barbecue sauce served with potato wedges, potato salad and olive oil bread.  Another guest arrives tomorrow for a couple of days so the house full sign is going up.  Got down another of the dreaded tent moth nests from the red wild damson tree so that it didn't get decimated and straight onto the bonfire.....horrible things and I put it down to the fact that winter was very mild last year.

Down I go....it's such a beautiful night that I'm off to sit on the lounge terrace and sip a nice cool beer.....LN....it's such a hard life... ;) ;)
Posted by: 38714 (Guest), May 20, 2013, 10:31pm; Reply: 26
I was telling a friend about your adventures in Bulgaria and we both agreed you are very brave! However, the improved weather (over UK weather ) makes me think you made a very smart move. We wondered if there are any down sides to living in Bulgaria.
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 21, 2013, 6:33pm; Reply: 27
Tuesday 21st May

Not really understanding the word 'brave' Chris....life is where you find yourself and if you are the sort that face life...there isn't much that you have to fear.  As for the weather...it is definitely an improvement on the UK...we get four seasons and as for the downside...I'll give it some thought and get back to you on that...nothing springs to mind and for sure my pension goes a lot further out here. ;) ;)

So out this morning gardening at around six and it for sure is the best time of the day.  The birds gave me the wake-up call around five along with the mosque calling us all to prayer and the two dogs that sing along just because they want to and can.  Tommy my pooch along the road has also started to join in.  Came in and prepared breakfast...spicy sausage with fried bread with toast and peach jam to follow.  A good breakfast sets me up for the day and then out to the garden until eleven when it got too hot to work outside.  Emails, Facebook and lunch at one and then I decided that enough was enough for today so I got out a bowl of water with fabric softener in it and it was time for a pedicure.  The full works and the cheese grater to help it along followed by lots of nourishing cream and nail varnish.  What beautiful little toes I have now....I can at last put them on show with sandals.

Chicken for supper with roasted veg and the cold chicken can be for my guest that arrives at ten tonight and here for a couple of days.  Tommy got the bones tonight with some bread but not much of the bread was taken... spoilt kuchi.  We're out for the day in Momchilgrad tomorrow for a spot of work and then supper has been arranged for tomorrow night in Djebel at my favourite restaurant.  Simple update tonight...I didn't feel that a photo of my feet was up to much so no pickies tonight but it has been a super relaxing day.  LN...I'm off for a shower before I have visitors...LN
Posted by: scarahfluff, May 21, 2013, 7:59pm; Reply: 28
Hello Elsa.
Sounds like you are still having dream weather, I am so sick of cold wet weather. We have got so fed up with waiting for our house to sell! So we think we are going to have to sell cheap to cash buyer's. Every night we sit and read your blog and it is so refreshing. Have a fantastic time with your guests. :-):-) we will be over sometime in the future.  ;-);-)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 22, 2013, 7:33pm; Reply: 29
Wednesday 22nd May

Thanks Sarah....you know you would be made welcome...just book in advance to save disappointment... ;) ;)

Up early and up before either guest.  Dug over the little flower bed under the terrace and what a beautiful morning it was to get up for.  Watched the sun come up from the lounge terrace and it gave a different perspective and the reflection in the little house windows was surprising.  Upset and ant trail and created a traffic jam with ant powder and I'll check it out tomorrow.  Guests surfaced around eight and a big day for one of them....we had an auction to go to for a school house that was in need of love and attention.  Nothing to do with me...I was an observer and offered support for a troubled mind.  Met up with the guy who was doing the negotiations at the council office, into the appropriate room and it was a closed auction where a sealed envelop with the amount bit was opened.  The description of the property was read out, a few sentences mumbled, the one in charge said 'Chestito' so I turned to my guest and said...'It's yours'...and explained that you say that word for anything from a new haircut to a new car...it sort of means...good luck or wear it well and enjoy.

So out to lunch to celebrate, home for four this afternoon and the beer came out and we decided that I was chief cook and bottlewasher and that we weren't even going to paint the town a gentle shade of pink.  Gouldjan popped round with a pot of yogurt and since we hadn't finished eating I dolloped out another plate of food and she sat down to eat with us.  We had beer, she had a little wine and home she toddled after I'd introduced her to yogurt with peach jam....they don't do the conserve mixture.

Guests in bed and early start for one of them...they have to leave by eight to catch a flight but he's very reluctant to go.  We've had a very exciting day and now the hard work really begins.  LN....I'm up for half and hour with my Kindle...I've started a Dan Brown and it's quite 'interesting' and at fifteen percent I'm still reading...LN....
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 23, 2013, 3:29pm; Reply: 30
Thursday 23rd May

One guest on the airplane, one asleep in the lounge...curry supper prepared and rice about to turn al dente...now that's what I called organised.

Beautiful sunrise again until it started raining and there didn't appear to be a rain cloud in the sky but it must have come from somewhere.  My leaving guest was up at just after seven so we chatted for a while..I dished up the tea and toast and waved him off at eight or thereabouts.  Next breakfast for two was fried tomatoes on toast followed with toast and jam....piggies to the front.  Nine fifteen and breakfast over and cleared away...there's no messing in this house and out to the garden.  Was doing alright and then the wind came...everything scattered everywhere.  Batten down the hatches and it's been like that all day with what we call 'gypsy wind' with everything flying everywhere and just when you think it's all over...back it comes.  Went back to Dan Brown this afternoon between moving the heap of spoil from the garage and dumped under my special tree.  I think it was because there was no clear path to the bottom of the garden since the grass was too high.  Now I have a new focal point which needs seeding and planting and it's all ready to do that.

Delivered the chicken bones to Tommy but he was nowhere to be seen.  There were lots of little rubber shoes outside my Avatar's house so perhaps they are having a party but it was not a hectic one...not a peep was heard.

Sheep are wending their way home and stopping off by my hedge for the results of the mowing machine and my diggings.  It's been a restful day but a pity there are no poppadoms and lime pickle for the curry supper...perhaps I'll make some this year....LN...I'm just about to pour a red out of the decanter....I could hardly manage to lift the five litre bottle so I have taken precautions that as the alcohol takes over....the H&S might knock on my door.and be short shifted...LN..I have work to do...
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 24, 2013, 3:23pm; Reply: 31
Friday 24th May

Bit of a disturbed night...I obviously didn't drink enough....woke up to a flashing radio alarm clock since I hadn't reset it after the power failure yesterday remembering that after I normally reset it it goes down again....this is Bulgaria.  Eventually came to to a pounding of rain on the metal roof gullies and looked out and there was hail bouncing on my bedroom balcony.  Boy was it coming down :-/  Grabbed the camera but by which time it had turned into huge drops of rain and then the thunder and lightening started.  Quite an eventful morning.

Sat out with Dan Brown under the lounge balcony in the dry and enjoyed my first coffee of the day and watched the sun come up and watched it get hidden by the clouds.  There was a dynamic front and clouds were whipping up from Greece and over to Kardjali.  Got a bit chilled and came inside and breakfast was poached eggs on toast and then out to seed the stuff that I had flattened yesterday with rye grass and fed the birds breakfast.  Fortunately they seem to have enough everywhere else in the garden and left it alone.  Put the new shrubs that had wintered in pots into the garden and watered them in despite the rain.  Used the strawberry clay pot to bury some herb seeds and we'll see what comes up.  This afternoon when it got colder so lit a fire, settled in to Dan Brown and eventually the eyelids made it to cheeks and I was out for a couple of hours.  I do so like my little life here!!

Sweet and sour pork spare rib chops in the oven, finished watering the garden and the new lawn, sun's shining on the hillside and the first red is poured.  Looks like it could be a beautiful evening....LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 25, 2013, 4:32am; Reply: 32
Saturday 25th May

Hey hey what a beautiful morning....let's hope the rest of the day stays the same.  The weather seems to have settled down again after a brief interlude of UK stuff and  gale force winds but the mist is hanging over the river and across the mountains is now burning off.  Last night's full moon lit up the bedroom most of the night and as I peered at the clock radio I thought I'd reset it wrongly...two thirty thereabouts...and eventually I got up at four thirtyish to visit the little room, put on the landing light and no...it was showing the same time as the ticker on the landing...so...yep...a pretty sleepless night.

Seven thirty...a whole day ahead of me and not made my mind up what to do for the rest of it....fancy a trip out somewhere...I'll wait for my guest to wake!!
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 25, 2013, 7:14pm; Reply: 33
Saturday continued

Did a bit of shopping in Djebel and went in for milk.....and what did I forget!  Milk....

Lazy afternoon....it was so hot that I had to get my head down with my Kindle for half an hour and you can guess how long it took for me to glaze over and wake up about an hour later.  Out to the garden and created a flower bed by the front gate moving tobacco plants that are cosying up in other beds.  Watered them in and they should be alright by tomorrow.

Full moon tonight but the photos don't do it justice...it's so orange but looks yellow.  I'll remember the curtains so that it doesn't keep me awake tonight...LN...I'm back to my book but Dan Brown is really labouring this one...it might have to go on the back burner for a while...LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 26, 2013, 8:02pm; Reply: 34
Sunday 26th May

Really good sleep last night and didn't wake up until seven....strange for me but missed the sunrise and lingered until eight before I got out of bed.  Toast for breakfast, quick shower and off to see my student for a ten o'clock start and set the ground rules...don't feed me, I'm out for lunch and I must leave by eleven thirty.  So what did they do...insisted that we all had breakfast and it was liver, onions and pasta in filo pastry cooked in the oven and served with black tea.  Eventually we started the lesson at ten forty....and the text was about the London Boat Marathon.....interesting questions at the end but it had me working hard to complete them.... :-/

Went over to the the hotel near my Librarian's house for supposedly a swim in the new pool but it wasn't open for an aquatic interlude so we had lunch.  I stuck to juice while the beers came out clutching the car keys and wishing I wasn't.  The afternoon was spent sorting computers and trying to delete half programs so that we could get the big one back on the internet....my Librarian has been a little out of touch.  Watching the dogs playing in the yard was interesting.  The little one has made a hole in the flyscreen only he can get through and it was funny to watch him jumping in and out when the outside play got boisterous.

Late home tonight...got back at half after ten and feeling quite jaded and so much so that I've refused any alcohol.... :-/ :-/  The moon is really very orange and I'm looking closely for ET's bicycles flashing across it....magic.  Unfortunately we have just had a couple of flashes of lightening ...no thunder to date but I'm not lingering long on the update....

Time for bed...it's been a long day...LN ;)
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 27, 2013, 5:23pm; Reply: 35
Monday 27th May

Five thirty start...warm as toast after feeling yesterday's chill when I got into bed.  Long gymjams and sweatshirt worked its magic.

Down for coffee at six thirty creeping down the stairs so as not to disturb the guest.  Breakfast over by nine o' five....fried tomatoes on toast with yogurt to finish.  Played in the garden first thing and then decided that the beams in my bedroom were in need of a coating of the insect stuff to keep the beetles at bay....no not the 'Hard day's Night'.  The ones that munch their way through the massive beams.  Sprayed with the local equivalent of Rentakilol and on to stage two that took the paint off the handle of the paint brush and deposited it on my hands...China workmanship.

Electricity went off at about one just as I was about to print off the lesson for my student.  I phoned his mum to confirm that he had exams today and needed to revise and she advised me that he had finished.  Bet his ears get boxed tonight so we settled for Thursday for his lesson...suits me.  Into Djebel...I wanted some peat so that I could get more flowers underway.  Picked up Gouljan from her school to give her a lift home and I stopped off and picked up a plastic bucket and went to where they dump the cow stuff and picked up a load of compost.  Mixed the brew and now lots of shrubs are in pots and we'll see what we'll see.  The wild Philadelphus is planted up and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Supper was chili beans with spicy sausage...went down well with a drop of the red stuff but the fire is lit tonight in the grate...not just in our tummies.  Sun's shining still but the wind is cold and it's been up and down all day.  I've not moved out of my sweatshirt despite the sun. Haricot beans for breakfast...not much chance of the wind dropping....LN....I'm off down to enjoy the fire...LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 28, 2013, 6:22pm; Reply: 36
Tuesday 28th May

Beautiful morning, beautiful day pottering and did nothing worth recording so to speak,  Sorted out the old flowerpots and generally tidied around so that everything is in the right place.  It's not that I'm a stickler for order but I need to know were to find stuff.

Downloaded several books to my Kindle and have solved a mystery.....one of the books that I was reading has changed its name so tomorrow I am going to email the  author to find out  why. :-/ :-/

So supper tonight was chicken wings with honey coating served with potatoes and onions done in the oven.  Now as per normal, Tommy had the chicken bones but tonight when I wanted to retrieve my dish  he  decided to go for me...and bit my leg....I shouted at him but that's the end.  I left the  dish  there....I suppose he doesn't get chicken wings that  often and he was protecting his bounty but I think he has bitten the hand that  fed him.  I left the dish, came home and washed it in hot  water and the good old favourite Sudocreme has been applied with a bandage to hold it in place,,,,

LN...I'm about to rest the appendage, and take a drop of the  hard stuff to ease the pain....bas^^rd dogs.....LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 29, 2013, 6:46pm; Reply: 37
Wednesday 29th May

Really dull morning....clouds covering the sun and my guest decided that padded trousers would work for him.  I was still bumbling around in thin trousers and a tee=shirt...maybe I'm used to it.  My morning alarm was the sound of the spoon scraping on the bowl and I was aware that he had beaten me to the trough this morning and so I abstained and watered the garden and decided that my beetroot was never going to come to anything if I didn't thin it out.  It's now thinned, the residue are replanted and we'll see if they come to anything.  Mixed some cow droppings this morning with water to see if it will help my tomatoes.  I was very tempted to engage in an experiment of half and half but I forgot where the half way mark was so if I have no tomatoes tomorrow...I know why.

Phone the Librarian and told her to get her boots blacked we are off to Erdine on the bus on Sunday early.  SAhe ahs to be here for just before seven, down to pick up Gouljan and onto the bus for eight from Kardjali.  Taht should give us about five or six hours there so plenty of time for shopping and mosque visiting.

Got bored around lunchtime and went into Kardjali at about two thirdy.  Dressed my bite with a bandage and there were a few comments that I lose on bandage from my wrist and acquire another on the leg...I was told that I was a strong woman and if so I must accept my burdens gracefully if I am being tested.

ASo shopping unpacked...managed to get two shirts for my guest and two pairs of trousers for me for the princely sum of around two twenty....I call that a bargain.  Pork chops tonight with mushrooms, boiled potatoes and chili tomatoes followed by a big fat cake from the supermarket in Djebel.  I think the word is stuffed but I'm not over the road with pork bones tonight...I think the phrase is once bitten.......

Nine forty five my time....thinking about settling in with the Kindle and having another FES....Turkish beer....practicing for Sunday.  LN...just about to shut up shop for tonight...LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 30, 2013, 6:03pm; Reply: 38
Thursday 30th May

So this morning I awoke at six thirty to be greeted by my guest heading from the loo and greeting me with 'I need more sleep'.  My response cannot be repeated.

Back to bed with coffee...read for a while and out to the garden to get it watered....back to get breakfast of bacon, egg and tomatoes underway to feed the hungry troops.

Over to the Librarians to take back the strimmer, sort out the computer which eventually found its way to my homestead and is being sorted as we speak...was it in a state.  Back home in time to print off a text for my student who reminded me that I had a two part one that we had not finished because of his exams.....my brain was addled.  So finished the text....gave him his homework....down to the shop for one hour of chow chow with his mum and then after purchasing a brush for car cleaning I got back in Beauty...stopped off at the supermarket to fill up the  bread supplies and back to the house to pot up various lingering shrubs and plants.  

Watered the garden, everything sorted and now ready to face the evening. Supper was fish with sweet and sour topping and potato and onion slivers..delicious and for the ever hungry...yogurt and banana to finish...

LN ...tomorrow I have no students....I have an easy day...LN
Posted by: Elsa Peters, May 31, 2013, 7:11pm; Reply: 39
Friday 31st May

Slow start this morning and read until approximately eight since I am now into a good book again...Gabaldon....seven books,,three down and on to the fourth with three more to go....what a good plan.  The weather was droll this morning until it cleared up at about ten and the sun came out.  I still watered the garden and paid attention to the hypericum which appeared to have succumbed to heat stroke so a pipe was place alongside it so that the water got down to the roots.  Medical aid....

Stripped my bed and washed the sheets, duvet cover and night attire so that I have clean stuff to get into tonight.  Didn't do much today...it got hot around lunchtime so took to my book and settled out of the sun and read about ten percent.  My guest also took to the lounge to read but unfortunately his eyelids headed south. the snoring got quite loud so I took to the upstairs landing and played with Sudoku and Freecell challenging the brain to allsorts.

Out to water the garden this evening and didn't realise it was almost seven and then Gouldjan arrived with a couple of pancakes as a gift.  She has problems with her blood pressure so I'm taking her to the hospital on Monday to try to ascertain what the problem is.  Unfortunately it means that she is not able to escort us to Turkey on Sunday so it might be put on the back burner for another day.

Gave her a lift home since I had offered her a glass of the red stuff and I think it had gone to her head.  She was after scrounging cherries but unfortunately they weren't ripe enough for what she wanted them for so another day has been scheduled.  Supper was spicey sausage, fried onions, chippies and egg and not gourmet but adequate to fill the gap.  Lit a fire tonight as the temperature dropped but with the fire going there is enough hot water to wash the complete unwashed....radiators bubbling and I've even had to open windows.  What a difference a couple of hours makes but there again I only used a couple of logs.  So about to fill up the glass, washing up done and kitchen clear for another night...LN....back to my book...LN
Posted by: 38714 (Guest), May 31, 2013, 10:08pm; Reply: 40
Are you reading the "Voyager" series by Diana Gabaldon?  I've read the whole series and can't wait for the next one. If that's not the series you referred to, you should try it.
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