Saturday 1st June

Yes Chris...it is and I read the first ones around two years ago and was surprised to find so many more in the same series.  Started on book four a couple of days ago and have trouble putting it down but I'm thinking that since some of the characters have gone a little hazy...I should start it over again.

So despite the sun being out for the day this evening is considerably colder than it has been.  We've been at the Librarian's for most of the day who now has to have a name change since she forgot her logins for the site and I couldn't be...well you know the rest...to sort it out so we have a new member....

Her computer has been rebuilt or rather one of the one's that she uses has been rebuilt by my guest.  All is sorted, she can get on to her favourite sites with little or no effort and our internet connection which sometimes leaves a lot to be desired has behaved itself very well today.

Lovely lunch...Lidl pieces of fish with salad and tonight I can't say that I'm in the mood for much to satisfy my hunger so it will probably be cheese and biscuits or toasted sandwiches if I rise to the challenge.  Just made up the guest bed and I'm surprised that the sheets were still on the line when a gust of wind from somewhere near the Sahara raced over southern Bulgaria during the afternoon but at least they're well aired... :-/ :-/

So fire going...student tomorrow since Turkey has been called off because Gouljan has health problems and we're off to the hospital at seven on Monday morning for blood tests...that's for her not for me....  I made the joke that she should drink more red wine and instead of blood...it eventually evens itself out so it's more fifty fifty and all problems evapourate.  Down to face the kitchen, make decisions as to what to serve at table and fill my glass.....what a hard life...LN

Sunday 2nd June

Woke up by the weather this morning...absolutely throwing it down but at least it made up for my lack of watering last night.  I'd had a bit of a sleepless night, settled into my book between the hours of four and five and had some pretty violent dreams post reading session.  I think I was pleased to come to.  What were the dreams about?  Haven't got a clue but I just woke up with an uneasy feeling.

Didn't bother with breakfast and printed off the seventh grade English exam for my student this morning.  It was still chucking it down as I set off but my student's neighbour was there to greet me....I've a certain novelty factor.  Another of their neighbours was also out hiding under a raincoat but news has obviously spread.  So into the house....the family had been banished to the little house so that we could have the lesson inside since it was so cold today.  Lunch was being prepared as we worked through the text and the exam and I learnt that her sister was running her own teaching session in accountancy to nineteen hairdressers as part of their course.  All so that they could get there tax returns organised.  Pretty thorough I thought and they also are learning basic English as well.  I tried to evade lunch but there was no joy...chicken and rice with yogurt as a side dish followed by Turkish black tea.  The session was eventually broken up by a telephone call from my guest telling me that I had had more guests arrive from Holland and that they had left but would be returning in about an hour.  It's now five thirty and I'm still waiting and I haven't a clue who it could be.

Rain has stopped and it's looking lighter.  I took a trip round the garden, my lily is one of the original that I rescued and has started to flower.  It is so pretty.  The hibiscus has put out two new flowers and the fuchsia is looking very healthy and the yellow flowers are really coming into their own.  I just like flowers that take care of themselves.  As for my runner beans....four of them have showed their heads but some dog or cat has had a lovely time rolling in the bed, the rhubarb has put up lots of new stalks but needs a good input of animal droppings, the lavender is about to flower and the new herbs I planted in the strawberry pot have started.  Unfortunately I can't remember which one I put in each hole so I'll have to identify later.

Heading for the fridge to work out supper requirements. It will probably be something to go with beer....the wine took a bit of a bashing last night.... is it true that abstinence makes the heart grow fonder?....or have I got that quotation wrong!!!!  I'm thinking yes....LN...I have things to do... ;) ;)

The quote is "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" or was that a rhetorical question?

Monday 3rd June

Quoted from 38714

The quote is "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" or was that a rhetorical question?

Definitely rhetorical Chris..... ;)

Gouljan at the hospital today and at seven ten I was at the bus station to make sure that she was on time.  At ten to eight the hospital was buzzing but she was seen promptly at eight ten.  Now I like this hospital.  The NHS type doctors work in the basement, she was given a full examination, the doctor decided to give her a cardiogram so took her along to the room and she was back in five minutes and ten minutes later we were on our way so that they could take some blood samples.  She has to go back for the results or she can phone on Wednesday and we were out of the hospital and eating breakfast at nine o'clock.  Just like the NHS I hear you say.

So a little shopping, stopped off on the way to see Bekir's niece who has just had a baby and is in hospital in Momchilgrad....met the father and her father I already know.  Into Djebel to top up on all those things that are a little low and my student at two....it's been a busy old morning.... :o :o

Monday update

Student sorted and his mother and I had a conversation about 'want' and 'won't' and the pronunciation which is difficult for Bulgarians.  We eventually worked it out and where she was applying the logic of verb tenses I was trying hard to get the point over....worked for me.

Supper tonight was liver with rice and onions and it was delicious.  So tender and it was more like a risotto.  Getting the washing up out of the way and there was a knock on the window and my neighbour's daughter wanted me to open my shop and supply four barrow loads of ballast which I did.  The son is over from Copenhagen and is enlisted to provide the labour for two concrete pillars as gate posts.  The joys of having a holiday with your mother.

Bit of a drab sky tonight and looks to be threatening rain despite the wonderful sunrise.  It has been a slow decline all day with just a hint of rain around four o'clock.  Good for the gardens though as I keep telling myself...nature is taking care of it's own so to speak.  Off to have a wee dram and get back to my book....it's been a really long day and I'm hoping that I sleep the sleep of the just tonight...let's wait and see...LN...the wine is out....

Tuesday 4th June

Beautiful morning when the morning mist had lifted and left us with a few clouds playing on the mountains.  My first visitor at nine thirty was a man I call my 'malke mush' since disability has left him only about four feet tall but with a lovely face and voice.  He lives in Turkey and is over here for a wedding on Saturday and I believe he is the brother of the two men that used to own my houses.  Normally he comes to talk to Sally and Bekir about the work that is being done but I think he is very pleased with the improvements to what he considers his family home.

Showered and had a bonfire...not sure that I did those two tasks in the right order and went out armed with pick axe, shovel and garden fork to remove some of the wild cherry succours that occupied the bank between the two houses.  The are no more and are now sited down by the bottom fence and have two choices...either they will or they won't.  Hung out the washing realising that I had a narrow window of opportunity to get it dry and I was right....one hour at the most as the clouds came over and the heavens opened but just before that we had a fly past of somebody's air force fully loaded with missiles so I was informed by my guest.....I wouldn't know....I was too busy trying to focus the camera to even see what was underneath the delta wings.

And open they did...it has poured all afternoon but has calmed down now.  I had a visit from Gouljan late this evening with her six year old niece who welcomed me in English...they are already learning it in her nursery school but unfortunately also have to learn Bulgarian since Turkish is spoken at home.  Children have a tough time here...

Now for supper...fish fingers tonight...the creativity bug has departed.  LN....I'm off to the kitchen...I have a hungry guest...LN

Wednesday 5th June

Five thirty start and then dog dozed until seven thirty watching the mist over the mountains or rather looking for the mountains in the mist.  It took a while to lift but got breakfast of tomatoes on toast organised and ready to take Gouljan in at ten for the results of her tests.  Dropped her off at the hospital and paid my phone and internet bills, headed for the second hand clothes shop and came away with two pairs of linen trousers, a shirt and linen blouse for just under three pounds.  Can't be bad.  Met up with Gouljan and all her tests are OK.  Her blood and sugar count are on target and the light headedness has been put down to stress.  She catches the bus at six thirty each morning to start at eight and doesn't get home until four thirty in the afternoon....reminds me of the hours I used to put in for TM but I didn't get home until six.  Maybe she doesn't have it so bad :-/ :-/.

Lunch in town at a local restaurant and don't think we shall need to eat tonight.  Soup, main course and pudding for three for under twenty leva.  Picked up a few other things in town.  Organised the tickets for our Friday visit to Edine and I've just checked the weather and it looks like we are going to have sun and showers.  Order of the day though.  It absolutely poured down in Kardjali today and it seems par for the course.  Let's give you good mornings and lousy afternoons although when we got back to Djebel they hadn't had a drop.  Dropped Gouljan off, picked up a big pan for loading bottles into for bottling cherries tomorrow.  I have loads of the things and the jam making will be on Saturday.  I know how to do that without help but she's coming up tomorrow to go through the bottling process with me using their techniques.

No supper so far but it's a little early.  I came back with some zinnia plants and while the garden is damp I'm going to get them in tonight.  The new additions to the wardrobe are washed and waiting hanging out or decorating the upstairs bathroom.....LN...I have things to do....

Thursday 6th June

Lazy start and didn't feel much like breakfast since I'd cooked chicken wings with honey served with french bread and mayo last night quite late so they were lingering this morning.  Not uncomfortably but still quite sufficed.  Two cups of coffee and then out to the garden to check up on the plants that I put in last night and then the cherries became the priority.  I'd arranged for Gouljan to give me a hand this afternoon so I had to get some down to work with.  I decided that the best way to get them down was to prune the branches so that the tree looks in a better shape now that we've taken two meters off the top.  Still loads there though but they'll have to wait for another day.  Bet the birds think that it's Christmas or Byram knowing that it's a Muslim area.

Finished digging up the wild cherry that insists on working its way through the supposed lawn and plays havoc with the lawn mower.  Replanted them down the bottom of the garden to hide Gaudi's fence.  Two chances...they'll take root again or they won't.

Three texts for my student and we settled for one about the Vikings.  Sat in the shop with his mother until just after four and headed home in time for Gouljan.  We completed ten bottles of compote and she took the rest of the cherries home to make some jam.  Had a deputation from one of my neighbours this evening and I have been invited to her grandson's wedding on Saturday in Kardjali.  Her son had asked if I had been invited and she said that she had forgotten so it was with great insistence and it's imperative that I'm there.  Beautiful and alongside was my other neighbour reminding me that on Sunday I have to go to the party to celebrate the birth of twin girls to her daughter in law.....and by popular demand... take a bow....;) ;)

Spag Bol for supper...kitchen tidied and the jars are upended after boiling.  Cooker cleaned and everything ship shape and Bristol fashion.  Fire lit and water heating so that I can get a shower tonight....off to Turkey tomorrow...money, phone, camera charged and passport already for lift off at six forty five tomorrow morning...LN...early night for me.

Friday 7th June

Out of bed at five thirty...shower and hair washed and woke up my guest at just before six telling him to get his ar** into gear as my Librarian and now known as Buddy would be arriving soon so that we could go to Kardjali and catch the bus for Edirne in Turkey and become tourists... ;) ;)

Everyone in the car for six forty five, in the car park for seven twenty...on the minibus for eight and over to Haskovo to pick up the coach just before nine.  We were tourists.  By about eleven I was picking up tourists Visas and promptly getting ripped off to the tune of a few pounds but the theory was...if you want to visit my country you promptly pay up or stay out.  I think an email to the Turkish tourism association might be in order but I was rescued by the coach driver who decided that it was cheaper to pay in Turkish Lira than in Bulgarian Leva in the absence of English Pounds.  Hey Ho.... :-/

The coach was thoroughly searched on the way in and two bottles of Mastica were smashed together over the rubbish bin so that if they couldn't have them ...nobody would.  I think there is an element of smuggling...drink is expensive in Turkey and so is meat but on the way back it was cigarettes.  There were more disappearing into the duty free and cartons being disposed of than I care to think about.

Anyway...back to the main thrust of the day.  The coach driver took us to the main street despite the fact that he was motorway only and gave us instructions that we were to catch a mini-bus at three twenty and one of the ladies that had travelled with us would make sure that we caught the right one back to where he waited on the motorway.    Works well for me so we had four hours to amuse ourselves and today was really exploratory.....never having ventured to Turkey before on the bus.

So over to the main mosque and it was beautiful inside.  It has such a calm atmosphere with family happenings, people praying and children running around.  I picked my spot as you can see by the photo and off to the museum for a bit of culture and then on to a restaurant for lamb kebabs with fabulous salad and the most amazing pitta bread that I have seen coming home at one foot six in length and ten inches across....and I failed to photo it.

Almost time to leave...we walked down to the bus station and the heavens decided to open....on to a mini-bus....back to the main bus that was returning from Istanbul and back to Kardjali for about seven thirty.  It has been a long but enjoyable day.....and will be done again but with an overnight stop in Edirne.  And now after a little wine to my virtuous couch...LN

Great photos, Elsa. Reminds me of a trip I took to Morocco. I guess you weren't bothered by protestors where you were.

Saturday 8th June

No Chris, no protesters just loads of tourists and yes, I did the Mosque in Casablanca if that's the one you were thinking about...quite beautiful.

So today.....weather was calm and hot once the mist had cleared so last night's washing was put out so that I had a choice of skirt or trousers for the wedding today.  Dug up loads of dandelions and took off the extra greenery from the grapes so that you can actually see them and I'll have to get the powder for spraying them but there is just so much rain about.  The wind got up so I didn't even manage a bonfire this morning but my Avatar came round with some home made soft cheese and filo pastry slice for lunch so that stopped play and I looked at the clock and realised that I had roughly an hour to do everything......shower, shampoo, legs scraped, toe and hand nails varnished and at two forty I could hear the band signifying the start of the 'sladbar' and calling the people to assemble.

Into the mini-bus and on to Djebel and we waited for the same performance of the trio to get her neighbours out and ready.  The couple with the families went to do the legal bit and eventually there was a cavalcade or about fifteen cars and three coaches heading for Kardjali to the reception.  It started at about five and at nine we were having our third course and the music and dancing is non-stop and no speeches.  I did manage a jig or two and was complemented by one of the young local girls with a gentle 'bravo' in my ear.

Back on the coach and home for just before eleven so sorry this is late......now got a drink since it's a pretty non alcoholic affair....most of the ladies don't.  LN.....I'm ready for bed.....I've got another party tomorrow for the three month old twins at lunchtime....LN

And now for the rest of the pickies......it appears to be playing up....

Sunday 9th June

Seven thirty start....cold morning and sat out to enjoy my coffee but with a sweater on.  The cloud didn't seem to know which way it was going and the sun was trying hard to burn it off but to no avail.  So breakfast of scrambled on toast...washed up...tidied the kitchen and went out in the garden to despatch dandelions which I carried out successfully until it was time to get ready for the baby ceremony.

Emalau was shouting me from the gate at ten to twelve and advising me that the bus was waiting.  Walked down with the boys and found out that it was an all women gathering and off we went to Djebel.  We arrived at the restaurant and goodness...what a lot of women and most of them from Benkovski which is a village to the south.  The salads were on the table with a selection of fizzy drinks...we managed to find places in a line so that we could sit with the Dushinkovo crowd...the babies were wheeled in and hoisted in the air, one kicked off with gigantic decibels while the other slept and they were taken out again.  They made a further appearance and the other one still slept and the television still belted out some sultry seductive dance moves...situation normal.

The courses started coming....chicken soup with chunks of bread followed by chicken legs with potatoes and at which point I gave up.  I refused the meat and rice, I was full as a little tick and only just managed to sink a slice of chocolate cake.  The mother came round and thanked us all and the donations were duly made welcoming the two little ones.  

Home for half past two and decided that a bonfire was the order of the day and got rid of the old cherry tree cuttings and trimmed the mulberry tree.  Had the bonfire humming, cleared the garden and am now smelling like a bonfire.  Neighbour came round and gave me a bag of meat which I think has been identified as lamb which is in the fridge for tomorrow. Supper was fish fingers and chippies.  Gouljan brought round another pot of yogurt and snaffled one of the fish fingers.....I gave her a lift home with her mother's big cooking pot, ate my supper and am now about to shower.  The is no photo of the babies...today was much too hectic.

LN....I need to smell sweeter than I currently  do....but I do love bonfires...LN

Monday 10th June

Rotten night...I was disturbed by my guest paying a night-time visit and then one of the little beetles that has been attacking one of my beams was gnawing its way through waiting for enlightenment and it's next life span but boy was it interrupting mine.  I moved into the spare bedroom and this morning sprayed it with everything insight and hopefully it is no more...Watch this space.

Two loads of washing out by ten thirty....gardened until one removing loads of dandelions.  Potted up some seeds and gave liquid feed to the others and dropped some peat on to some of the plants on the bottom garden where the ground is not so fertile.  Quick shower and on my way to my student with a text that was quite funny but involved demons and wicked women and I think he got the gist of it....his homework is to tell me about the spook..baba iaga...though the letters are not the same in Bulgarian.

Carried on in the garden when I had left off when I got back.  Washing dried and beds remade.  Tree trimmed and bonfire started but unfortunately it didn't materialise to anything worth writing home about.  Supper was the meat that was delivered yesterday as a memorial of one of my neighbours whose father past over.  I served it with sauteed potatoes with onion, grated carrots, tomatoes and onions with mayo and the meat was delicious.  I went out afterwards to sort out the bonfire but to no avail.  Emaula came round and insisted on eating my mulberry berries and I suppose I should make some jam out of them.  He sat with us and drank a can of turkish beer and now...nine thirty and he's set off for home.  The lightening has moved from the valley to over head so it's time that I shut up shop.  It's getting noisy here....LN.....I have my connection to think about...LN

Tuesday 11th June

Busy day doing nothing but chopping at the hedge, putting up the curtain rails in my bedroom, washing curtains and rehanging.  It has been very hot today so there was a brief shut down of activity while I concentrated on my book.  Book four in the series...we went through a dull patch but at seventy percent it burst into life again.

I had a zizz this afternoon realising that the eyelids were going south and when I had dropped the Kindle it was time to get comfortable in the lounge on the sofa and my guest was taking up the other one at the other side of the room.   Woke up at  about five and then burst into action taking down the lilac and the other stuff that was removed yesterday that the sheep had a good feed from the mulberry tree and the residue was trimmed and tost back over the hedge into my garden.  Tonight I had a good bonfire to get rid of it but had to resort to a fire lighter to get the thing going and then it was 'chop and burn' so to speak.   It now means that I can see the horizon.

Supper tonight was only toasted cheese sandwiches.....we had had a good lunch and the beer bottle has taken a hammering but bonfires are hot work at the best of times.  Clouded over tonight and started to rain about eight tonight......not so bad though...I don't have to water the garden.  Now down stairs and back to my kindle.  I have heard that the road to Greece is open so I think it is a trip to the Librarians tomorrow so see if she is up for it...LN....I'm about to chill....

Wednesday 12th June

Horrific storm last night..thunder and lightning going ten to the dozen and me wondering if the house was safe.  There was sheet lightening over the hillside and fork in the valley and me shivering under the quilt.  Not much rain but enough for me close the doors onto the terrace and unfortunately I was awoken this morning by the wind blowing over the photos in the lounge and me wondering what the heck was happening.  At one point I though it was possibly a poltergeist..... :-/ :-/

So phoned the librarian this morning and asked her if she fancied a day out in Greece going over the new crossing point despite the fact that the signs said that the road was closed.  So we ventured along it and lo and behold....I think if we had we been Bulgarian or Turkish we would have been allowed...three English and we were advised that the nearest crossing point to Greece was via Zlatograd....so back over the road that we had travelled....went on to Zlatograd but decided to visit the old village and it's treasures instead of heading to Greece.  Lovely day despite the rain and lots of new friends made.  

Back to the librarians and decided that to tidy up for her visitors in the next month we had some serious work to do.  Cleared the patio and had a bonfire and it's a start.  Back home eight thirty...unpacked some lovely vases and dishes from one of the shops in Zlatograd....I've had a lovely day and we stopped off at the road side and dug up some super plants for adding to the garden.

Home and supper over and done with......down to the serious stuff ....a bottle of red...LN

Thursday 13th June

Rain rain and more rain.  What a day and night...thunderstorms that kept me awake and rain downpours that did the same.

So out this morning to plant the shrubs that I dug up yesterday from Zlatograd and it was rain clouds all the way.  The rest of the garden was damp, clouds overcast and there was not much to write home about.  My guest has developed webbed feet all in the space of a couple of weeks,  So didn't do much apart from light a fire to keep the home fires burning, went into Djebel for my student at three thirty since he had a dental appointment earlier, chatted to him mother and home for six and got supper of chicken wings, potatoes and onions underway and opened a five litre wine box to keep us company.

Everything sorted...read for a while and suddenly realised that I hadn't given out the daily journal.....now you have it and now I'm back downstairs...this book at 94% is getting to the cliff hanger stage.....LN

Friday 14th June

So what did it do today!!!  Rain to start off and I believe we will have rain to finish.  Not a bad day....the cherries are all removed and they are boiled to oblivion and I'm not sure that they are in a fit state to make jam.  Picked three cucumbers from my four plants and they are now made into Tarantor...cucumber, yogurt and garlic.  The petcha pipes have been removed and cleaned and reassembled and not much muck over the winter was gathered.  I've only had the pipes out once this winter so it shows that if the wood is good there's no need.  

Decided that the garden to the north of the property needed clearing and it's now done,  The grass seed goes on tomorrow and it has acquired a new name....the grave garden.   So now I have the Frog garden, the little house garden. the hedge garden and now...the grave garden since I found a window frame and sunk it in.  The weeds are all being taken from round it and the grass seed goes in tomorrow.

Supper was fish with sweet and sour chilli sauce with fried onions and potatoes,,,,,Absolutely delicious,  If the weather holds we might go to Plovdiv tomorrow...we'll take a rain check in the morning.  Finished my book and now on to the next.  My guest has finished the first three so I might be relinquishing my kindle since he can't download to the Kindle fire...what sort of piece of 'kit'.  So LN....I've got washing up to do and a kitchen to sort....it's been a good day....

Saturday 15th June

Well that sun was shining when I woke this morning and the mosque kicked off at the same time.  Worked on the pc for a while and then decided that since I was cold that I would take to my bed and get in a few more zzz's.  Eventually came to at about seven thirty, shower, hair washed and dressed ready to become a tourist and do Plovdiv.  Into the car and picked up the bus from Kardjali and arrived in Plovdiv at about twelve thirty.  Walked to the Old Town through the park, beautiful old trees and the blossom of the trees was amazing.  Lots of people about and a book market going on which seemed aimed for children and huge sheets of paper on the floor so that the children could try out their artistic talents....

Got on the tourist trail, super shops on the way to the Old Town that might need investigating at a later date.  Retail therapy.  One lady covered in gold frightened me when she moved...I thought she was a bronze statue.  I carefully approached a man sitting on the wall but this time it was a bronze statue and whispered in his ear.  Saw lots of Roman remains, walked to the Citadel via lots of old houses that were open to the public and on which declared on the gate....'I am not one on the tourist trail.  This house is NOT open to the public'.  Had lunch in a restaurant just below the Citadel, walked back through the park to the bus depot and managed to catch the six o'clock special which deposited us back in Kardjali for eight of the clock.  Back to the car, home James...supper not required tonight....only a couple of beer until bedtime.  LN....and guess what...it's raining again.....and it's supposed to be summer...Pah...LN

Sunday 16th June

I'd just like to say a Happy Father's day to my own father who is no longer with me in body but very much in spirit....Mr P and the current Mr P and my son in law....hope you are having a special day....and of course to any of you that are fathers.

The weather looks like it has done a turnaround and summer is back.  The forecast tells me that we are going into the thirties from now on so siesta time looms.  My student today and lunch with the family.  They are such happy people and I stay because I have such a good time with them.  That one hour's lesson seems to stretch for about three and we discuss the whys and wherefores of English grammar and it seems like a three way conversation at times with translations from the Turkish to the Bulgarian and then over to the English with the elder daughter asking the younger one, my student for instant translations.  And the phrase...here we go, it's tennis again...is heard to rumble round the room.

Gardening on the cards for the rest of the day once it cools down a bit....much too hot to be out there just now....I hear my Kindle calling....

Monday 17th June

Beautiful morning...sun shining and threatened to be hot all day and it was.

Went into Kardjali on a hunt for new lawnmower wheels since two of them have become slightly damaged but i reckon it's a trip in to Haskovo from where the machine cometh so to speak.  I tried looking for the parts on the internet but there was an American site but considering the duty that has to be paid and the formalities...sod that for a game of soldiers.  I think the phrase is...once bitten and I'm not referring to my Avatar's dog.

Back into Djebel for lunchtime and phone Gouldjan to see if she had finished for the day since the school bus is no longer running.  The children have broken up for this year until September.  My lesson today has been moved until tomorrow.  My guest leaves in the morning on the six a.m. and that was one of the other reasons for going into Kardjali...the bus ticket is purchased and he's on the fast through bus.  So gave Gouldjan a lift home and her father asked me what brought me to their village.  I pointed at his daughter and his response was that I should take her up to Suden Voda lake and throw her in...not sure what's gone off there but I didn't ask.

Lazy afternoon...supper was chicken kebab sticks with mushrooms covered with honey and served with potato salad.  Lots of noise outside and my opposite neighbour has had the tractor round to turn the hay and it's now baled ready for the winter.  The two farmers boys were helping out moving the hay around the field into the path of the tractor.  They have to learn early on. :-/

Early start in the morning so not a late night.  Nine thirty here and I'm thinking that it's time I got my head down.  LN....out at five....back by six thirty...student at ten...home by lunchtime and we'll see what happens after that...LN

Hi Elsa, Lovely pics, and weather looks nice, bloody cold here...lol. If theres anything u want me to look for over here for u like wheels...hehehehe just say, make model, size etc, I might be able to get them here... just let me know. We have some big hardware stores and its the birth place of the Victor Lawn Mower......lol. Take care. The Gang..xxxx

Tuesday 18th June

Thanks Linda....I'll keep that in mind when the Beast need a new set of wheels as long as you pay the postage ;) ;)

So had a sleepless night.  Whenever I set the alarm I have to stay awake to make sure that it goes off and stay awake I did until three this morning then went off and wondered what the heck the noise was.  I had to get my guest to the bus station in Kardjali to catch the six a.m. to Sofia for a eleven thirty flight.  Dressed by four fifteen and convincing him that we had to leave by five just in case the police were doing road checks having nothing much better to do since there is very little crime out here.  He's not very good in the morning so it was push and shove all the way.  No way did I want to drive three hours if he missed it.  We were there at five forty, a beautiful sunrise was starting and the camera was sitting on my desk at home....bother I thought and those that know me are aware that that wasn't the actual word I used.

He's on the bus...the driver knows that he wants to get off at the airport bus stop, he has egg mayo sandwiches to help him on his way and a bottle of water. I've had the phone call to say that everything went to plan but that there is now a dustbin man strike in the UK so it isn't look it's best.

Decided to have toast for breakfast, put in two slices and went into the garden to throw away the rest of the old bread and thought that I could seed the bed that I'd dug over and headed for one of my garden forks, smelled toast and went into the kitchen to find it full of smoke.  The release button had jammed, I unplugged it, it was popping for all it was worth and it was deposited on the outside table so no toast for me.  Settled for hard boiled eggs and realised that I'd had a lucky escape.  I keep the toaster on a melamine tray and the top layer had just started to peel but my work top was fine.  Beds stripped and two loads of washing out before my student at ten.  His mother had been into Kardjali at the crack of but wasn't the first in line to register him for the school in Kardjali that he has chosen to go to when he starts back.  Her ticket number was one hundred and thirty or so, so after the lesson I offered to take her in so that her husband could carry on working at the garage.  Registration complete, he looks like getting the course he wants, bought a new toaster, back to Djebel by one thirty and ran the taxi service for Gouldjan and she was home by two.  What a good start to the day. ;)

Toast for lunch to make sure that it worked, up on the computer for a while and realised that the eyelids were heading south so had a beer, took to my virtuous couch and woke up at five thirty.  Watered my garden, dug over one of the garden beds ready to move the chili plants tomorrow morning, cleared out the weeds and couch grass from the frog garden and now at eight thirty am looking to get out my Kindle and carry on with the fifth book in the series.  Can't say that I am enjoying it overly....lots of coupling and not a lot of other action and I'm hoping it will pick up a little.  I'm clicking through quite a few pages.

Nothing for supper tonight, it's still too hot to eat.  Maybe egg mayo later....I feel I've eaten for Bulgaria and Britain having a guest for the last five weeks.  Now back to sense and sensibility and no one to darken my doorstep for a couple of weeks now.  LN....it's time I put my pc to bed....LN

What are you currently reading? I see "Inferno" is near the top of the best seller list here. Is that the Dan Brown book you were reading recently? I've just started "My Antonia" (accent on the "An") by Willa Cather. It was written in 1920 but I think I will enjoy it.

Wednesday 18th June

Gosh, how late am I ...I have been looking at You-tube and forgot all about you.

As for the books I am reading...the fifth book in the series of Gabaldon Jean and as I said...too much coupling for me...I'm waiting for a story line.

Out into the garden at six thirty this morning and was absolutely worn out by nine.  Remsier came round and we trimmed the Linden tree and she took home lots of the blossom for tea.  I've tried it but it does nothing for me but I like the aroma.  Worked in the garden until about ten moving and repotting but I had to come in...it was just so hot.

Read for a while, put away the washing..stripped down the guest bed and got the bed clothes washed....went back into the garden once the temperature had dropped and uncovered my carrots from the bed of weeds and kept my bonfire going to get rid of them....Today has been a down day.....thoroughly chilled.

So tomorrow same again on the cards....I was going to visit the Librarian but I think I need a few days on my own,

LN.....there is no supper...it's too hot...I've showered but my skin is still leaking....LN....

Thursday 20th June

Slept downstairs in the recently vacated bedroom....it was so hot last night and that room has thick walls and a small window.  The result...I made it through until seven thirty this morning.  Out on to the lounge terrace for my morning cuppa, back to get the second and ended up letting that get cold.  The garden beckoned me and like the fool that I am.....I was out there.  Finished uncovering the rest of the carrots...I've go five rows of the beauties, strung up my cucumbers and picked another two and notice that something had nibbled at two others so they got slung over the fence.  The two goodies are over with my Avatar.....I really must think of something to do with them...they are my best crop apart from the beetroot which is growing at an alarming rate and I think I might just be able to get some boiled and ready for the weekend.  The Librarian is over on Saturday for the day for a rest from her gardening and decorating.

So I came in when it got too hot outside and it was in the mid thirties around lunchtime.  Took to the lounge with the cooling breeze, carried on with my book but still not a lot of action and at 24 percent I would have though it would start to liven up.  Eyelids heading southwards so shut the door and brought the key inside and went off for a couple of hours but the dreams were strange and in the end it was the barking of a puppy that woke me up but it was intermingled.  I'm still not sure if there was a puppy or not but I seem to remember a scratching on the fly screen....and all this without alcohol.

Remsier came round at about five and we chatted...or rather we tried hard to communicate for an hour or so.  We sat in the lounge and I think she likes the calmness of my house.  Most guests do.....she also had had a zizz this afternoon....and talking to my Avatar this evening she got her head down as well......I think we'll rename this place 'Sleepy Afternoon Ville' or SAV for short.  

Back to my garden and dug up the plant that I was unsure of in my rosemary bed.  I thought it was two plants but after digging it I found out if was one so replanted it but with extra stuff for the roots and dug well into the soil so that it might do a little better.  Not sure what it is...it was a gift last year but no flowers to date so watch this space.  Nine my time and I'm just about to pour the first.  I didn't come in from the garden until eight twenty so it's been a good day.  The garden is beginning to look good with the zinnias coming into bloom and the tobacco has just beaten them to it.  Delightful aroma of the tobacco envelopes the terrace.  So....LN....down for a small tot tonight,.....the shout of 'mastika' might be heard later...LN ;) ;)

Friday 21st June

Seven am start....I like it in the downstairs bedroom and it seemed to take me ages to come out of my dream.  What was it?  I can't remember but it was going round in circles in the end.

Coffee on the lounge terrace enjoying the warmth of the sun and thinking of nothing in particular.  Worked on the pc for a while and looked up and thought I saw a sheep in the garden.  Did a double take thinking that it was a reflection on the windows on the landing but no, there was one that had found its way in.  I went out shouting 'freezer' to no avail and the beauty couldn't remember where he'd got in and eventually scrambled under the barbed wire and ran like mad to catch up with the rest of the gang.  After that the garden fork somehow got into my hand and I spent the next hour or so digging up dandelions until I suddenly looked at the time and realised that I had thirty minutes to shower, wash my hair, print off a text and get into Djebel for my student.  Went in with wet hair screwed up into a French pleat but one of the ladies commented on it saying that it was very pretty.  One thing about wet hair...it keeps you cool in these temperatures.  Lesson over and down to the shop for my hour or so with his mother.  My student's fourteenth birthday on Monday so must do something special for the lesson and I think it's already planned.

Home for two after a little shopping....came back with a French stick and made tuna mayo baguette, sat reading for a while and yes, you've guessed it, nodded for an hour or so.  Cleaned the kitchen, back out into the garden and at six Remsier came out and asked if I had any work which is a precursor to...can you take me into Djebel.  Now I don't mind because she doesn't make many demands...her gas bottle had run out and she needed a refill to prepare for the five thousand.  So in we went...

Little bit of sadness lingering....I heard today that a very good friend has died at the age of sixty nine.  I don't know any more details but I saw him only three years again after a gap of forty years.  There are some that stay in your heart and he was one of them.  I'll light a candle for him tonight and my condolences go out to his family.  :-/ :-/

Back out into the garden and finished cutting back the tomato greenery and tying them up and it's turned into a very pleasant night.  Sheep are safely home.....I think....well there aren't any in my garden anyway, garden watered and all my bits done so to speak it they are ever done.....not in need of supper after such a huge lunch...I'll do until morning.....LN...I'm going to enjoy the rest of my evening...watching the candle burn.....LN

Saturday 22nd June

Six thirty start this morning but the day began very slowly.  It was beautiful sitting out and watching the world.  One or two birds in the garden that I didn't recognise.  I've heard this strange very soft bird call a few times now but I've not managed to locate the owner despite searching RSPB.  One looked very much like a partridge but it was nowhere near the pear tree.  It was brown with red throat markings and quite large.

So out with the hoover and the mop and bucket this morning...I was expecting the Librarian but it was a tentative arrangement and so when she didn't show I didn't panic.  Upshot is...I have a very clean house.  Finished working at about twelve when I became too hot to do anything else.  Sat in the lounge and read for a while really couldn't settle.  Maybe it's the lack of activity now that I am on my own again or back to pleasing myself and not sure what to do first so....I did nothing until I was forced into activity by a sound of breaking fence and one little sheep who I'm sure has a different name than the one I called it was heading for my vegetable patch but I was quicker that it was.  I think all the rest of them had line up now the defences were broken but this little cookie was quick.  Grabbed some wood, hammer and nails and it's now fixed.  There was one very fierce looking one that faced me out as I hammered in the nails,  It had a bell round its neck and was obviously the leader of the pack but I was more worried about the dogs that protect them.

Tools back into the little house and out to the garden and removed the bindweed from the side beds and re-edged the 'lawn'.  I use that word loosely...it might be one one day but at least it's short and green.  Going out to give the garden a good soaking tonight...it's been a humdinger today and some of the plants are looking a little the worse for wear.  Then my turn to have a shower to freshen up....the flowers aren't the only ones in need of a lift.

LN...must prepare for my student tomorrow.....LN :-/ :-/

Sunday 23rd June

Six thirty this morning and it's now getting into a similar routine in the morning...Kettle on, make coffee and sit out and watch the world.  The weather seems to have settled down now and it clocked in at about thirty six this afternoon...far too hot to do anything so I didn't.  Bit of commotion going on this morning with the tractor and baler and cars stopping and one of my neighbours seemed to be directing the operation.  The bales were loaded on to the tractor but not sure what happened to them after that....into the winter store but if the weather stays like this it might come out even earlier.

Out at nine to meet with my student's mother to set up a surprise for his birthday.....she asked if I wanted to go with them to Greece and the sea for the day but I declined gracefully....legs and the necessary bits needed doing and I had my other student and a lunch appointment today.  Lesson went OK but the family were looking a little tired...they have had guests from Turkey and mother had been cooking for ten the previous night and I think she was still getting straight.  When I arrived at the house...their neighbours, mother, father and daughter were sitting under a tree in the shade bottling green beans and they had thirty something jars.  The kazan (big pot for boiling them in) had a roaring fire going underneath it to get it up to temperature and was sited in the road.  I joked with my student that I would probably be leaving with a few jars ...but sadly ...no...they were still far too hot to move.

Got back home at about three....opened all the doors and went to the lounge and lay out and read.  I was close to dropping off but thought it better if I didn't so onto the pc....freecell and sudoku for an hour or so...much better for me.  Did a bit of creative work in word which I'll explain later after my student's birthday tomorrow.....

Time to water the garden and find the rest of the chicken from last night despite having a huge meal with the family...LN....start of a busy week I'm thinking....LN

Monday 24th June

This morning I was awake at four thirty to hear the hodja calling the faithful for breakfast before they started fasting and zilch for the rest of the day until sunset....tough life at this time of year if you want to keep the faith.  Me...well ...lay there for a while...read my book....got up and made coffee...went on the pc...watered the garden, pegged out the washing, lit the bonfire and it was only seven thirty but made sure the smoke was going in the opposite direction.  What a lovely time of the morning for doing things.

Came in and made a card for my student's birthday and it was rather special.  His present from his parent is a ticket to the UK for fifteen days holiday and I'm taking him.  His card was actually a folder labelled holiday fund and I included some English money for him as a start.  In Bulgaria they aren't much into birthday cards but his mother this morning gave him the booking print-out and said 'Happy Birthday'.  He looked at it, couldn't quite work it out and then she told him that he was going to England for fifteen days.  His immediate response was to go down to the supermarket and but a really decent box of chocolates as a thank you...super.  So when I arrived for the lesson. I had a hug and a chocolate but the lesson was more to his taste reading about two of his favourite footballers.  I knew that I wasn't going to get very much sense out of him...he was over the moon.

So down to the shop and spent a couple of hours with his mother and whenever I say I must to she says "no, stay".  Eventually I dragged myself away, went to the stationery shop and got a new packet of printer paper and headed home.  Delayed what I had to do...my grass had grown and it needed doing if I was to have two days helping my Librarian with things she needs to sort out so I took the bull by the horns and set off with my trusty mower and I've managed to fell three quarters of the garden and the rest I can do when I get back.  Phone the Librarian to see if my services are really necessary and I'm over there for nine thirty-ish tomorrow so that we can go to the market.

Guest at the weekend....but only for a few days but I've had to reorganise my schedule so that I might have my student on Saturday not Sunday.  As I said ...a busy week this week....LN...I love it really...and there is one very excited birthday boy...and that makes me very happy....I've just had a surprise visitor...Emaula has invited me to a village barbecue at ten o'clock on Thursday morning...it cost me fifteen leva....and if I could manage it ...OK...if not....the rest would have to support me....of course I can manage it...it is paid and I'm looking forward to it.....LN...the party season has started....LN

Monday continued

What a super moon tonight.....so big, orange and ...just there....it really is a beautiful night.....LN

Elsa, where are you? I know it's past your bedtime, but no post. Hope you are OK as you are so reliable, never miss a day. Don't keep us in suspense!

Hi Elsa Hope your ok  :) and hope someone would let us know if your not  :-/
Jackie  

Wednesday 26th June

Thank you you beautiful people for caring.....I'm fine...a slight oversight on my part and I couldn't get a connection last night.  I'd packed my dongle or so I thought but at the last minute had changed from my laptop bag to a shopping bag and not swapped over the little beauty.  So when I got back tonight I checked and it wasn't where it should have been and divine inspiration lead me to the original bag and there it was.  Now my Librarian hadn't paid her internet connection so stuffed and apart from walking down to the local motel which after the beer we'd supped because it was such a hot day...that wasn't really on the cards...a day without....sincere apologies.

So what did we get up to yesterday.  Into Benkovski to the huge weekly market and it's not one that I normally visit but I managed to buy a lightweight bed quilt, a duvet cover set and a pair of shoes and I really didn't want anything....well you know how is.  As well we both purchased huge pink hydrangeas and mine is still sitting at her house.  I struggled from my car with it and there was no way I was struggling back to the car from her house.  She can bring it over next time she comes...she parks nearer my door.  Stopped off at the said local motel yesterday lunchtime to watch the youths gaming about in the swimming pool and we were both seriously considering going back to the house and taking a dip but since we were charged two leva each for watching the sport and it is only two leva for a swim...we both felt short changed and didn't go back hence the lack of enthusiasm to make use of their internet connection last night.

So up this morning at six thirty. We'd breakfasted by eight and on with the show.  She's got visitors soon so I've been giving her a hand to get things straight.  We worked in set areas, knew what we wanted to achieve, broke for coffee, went back to it, stopped for lunch, back to it, washed a carpet, swept the yard and all in thirty five degrees.  Sat down for a cuppa around five, supper finished by six and back home for seven fifteen.  Two very busy days but well worth it.  One of the neighbours arrived and we went through the conversation where I call the things that I'm wearing 'pantaloons' and they call them 'pyjamas' and I had it explained to me that if it's got flowers on it, then they are pyjamas.  Simple logic that I'd missed.

So now to start on mine.....I have to get the garden watered and get showered.  Tomorrow we have the hojja visiting so there's a bun fight in the square.  I hope I can find a shady spot to sit.....LN.....out I go and I promise photos tomorrow...LN

Thursday 27th June

Eight...late...start for me.  Mooched around the garden re-potting stuff and my neighbour arrived with a parcel from England which she waited for me to open.  Two new batteries for my camera and a credit card.  

Over to the village square and into the little mosque without a missile and I sat outside of the main hall in the overspill section with Remsie and a few other ladies.  Both hojas were in fine form and I closed my eyes and heard some fine chanting and a good few 'Amens' from the main room.  It went on for about an hour and there were hands outstretched and at one point you stroked each others hands between yours and the covered your face and wiped that over from hairline to chin....so I have some more investigations to carry out as to why.  The meat and rice was served with a drink of strawberry juice and a cake for dessert.  On leaving I put my head inside the main building and noticed that the men were on one side of the curtain and the women on the other.  Children ran in and out taking their shoes off at the door and I believe that one six year old had got new shoes and enjoyed putting them on and off.

Home for about one, did a couple of loads of washing and then got my head down.  It's been threatening thunder today but nothing came of it.  Playing on the pc this evening when another of may neighbours asked me if I would take their grand-daughter into what I believed to be Djebel.  Unfortunately she was a young girl and no one had mentioned to me that I had to pick up her boyfriend from Djebel and then head out into the hills for about eight kilometers up a dreadful road.  It was eventually sorted and I said that I would go back for them at nine but they said that they would come down in another car and I arranged to meet them at the Djebel hotel and I would stop and eat at my favourite restaurant.  Cheesy chips and tomato salad washed down with a fruit juice and a bottle of water.  I sat it out until the local football team arrived in a state of undress and then decided it was time to take up station to look for my passengers.  It was agreed that they would be there at nine thirty.  So I waited and waited and at nine fifty decided to take off home and I got here for just after ten.  I don't know whether it was lost in translation or not....we'll see tomorrow morning but if there is another car....I hope they got it.....my car is never to be painted yellow with a flashing sign over it.

It's been a frustrating evening....tomorrow I'm off to settle my house tax and to sort out the car tax for Beauty before I get the MOT's done on both vehicles next month.  There's a rather loud party going in the next village and a few fireworks have been let off...somebody celebrating something.  LN...I'm now going to celebrate getting home with the first beer of the day....LN....approximately forty kilometers round trip...LN

Friday 28th June

Well the party didn't stop me from sleeping last night.  I think I was out as soon as my head touched the pillow but five thirty when I made the first cuppa and watched the sunrise.  Beautiful time of day...a little cloudy but calm and peaceful.  Gouljan phoned at eight and I arranged to pick her up at nine fifteen at the bus stop to take her into work.  On my way down I saw the grandmother of last night's fiasco so I asked Gouljan to make sure that she got home safely and to let her know that I'd waited and no one had turned up.  I asked Gouljan to tell her that I was worried about her and so was her grandmother but apparently she came back in a taxi at twelve so that accounts for the white mice and pumpkins scattered in the road.....it wasn't Cinderella after all.  Just don't ask me again until I paint the car yellow and get the flashing sign.

Paid my house tax for last year and this....thirty eight leva for both years....the car I couldn't sort...I have to have the previous, previous owner with me but since she has died and the car was used by the son...bit of a dodgy one to sort out.  All I have to do I'm told is to get a solicitor to say that I have full permission to drive the vehicle and that's the end of it.  All my speeding fines go back to him....nice one.

Did Madame Tussauds text with my student today.  He went to Turkey with the school yesterday so feasted me with Turkish Delight and iced tea that he had brought back.  Such a good lad.  Into Kardjali with his mother and father while he manned or boyed the shop and managed to pick up a shower curtain rail instead of having to go into Haskovo for it.  We now have a shop that stocks everything after a revamp and I think I might go in tomorrow and have a real look round.  Back home for four thirty after a little shopping getting in essentials like beer and spicey sausage.  Cooked a late lunch/early supper and I've finished for today.  Watered the garden and planted out a few pinks that I'd still got in pots.  The tomatoes are coming along just fine and picked another couple of huge cucumbers and they smelled delightful.  I only wish that I liked them but my guest arrives tomorrow night so they'll come in handy.  Eight of the clock my time....housework tomorrow to tidy up before my guest and then I have my Sunday student tomorrow afternoon so that I have Sunday free.  It's a beautiful calm night so I might just go outside and get stuck into my book.  Gabaldon's fourth but at fifty six percent I'm still not sure and flicking over a few pages.  The book is just so long and it's not a riveting yarn like the others.

Glass empty so I'm going down the wooden hills and putting my pc to bed.   You can spend too long on these things.  I'll say LN and see what the weather is like tomorrow before I make a decision as to what I'm doing.  Have a good evening everyone...LN

Hi Elsa good to know your well  :) can you book a few weeks  respite time for me in the little house looks fantastic  ;) a very grateful friend  ;)  
Jackie x

Saturday 29th June

Quoted from createdbyme4you

Hi Elsa good to know your well  :) can you book a few weeks  respite time for me in the little house looks fantastic  ;) a very grateful friend  ;)  
Jackie x

I think you'll be better in the big house Jackie....not much plumbing and electricity in the other yet since my workers are busy with growing tobacco and sorting out their sheep until September or October and they consider it too hot to work.  It's better when it's cooler...I get two days work out of them for every day worked.  And yes....the rest home is open for bookings.. ;) ;)

Late start this morning and to date I'm not even dressed.  The plan was to get the house sorted but in truth there's not much to do...it's normally reasonably tidy.  Sunny start with just a few clouds...it's supposed to rain today but since they have been wrong with the forecasts just lately.....I watered the garden just in case.  Not so funny one yesterday...I must have put the empty fly spray can in the burning rubbish instead of the container rubbish and my goodness did it go off with a bang last night.  Fortunately I was standing about twenty yards away from it when it exploded but it certainly set the dogs off...sounded like a gunshot.  Note to self....firstly don't do it and secondly make sure to stand well back once the fire is going... :o :o

Now to work....I've done the Daily Mail sudoku for yesterday and this morning and I've lazed about enough....let's see how the rest of the day pans out....

Saturday update

Cleaning...done...washing done....two loads of it on the line....over to my student for the lesson....thunder starts....rain pouring down...washing undone. :-/ :-/

Home after being fed and arrived about nine so the washing is now going through the rinse and spin programme.  I would have left it out but the forecast for tomorrow is rain again so it's as well in and sorted.  All ready for my guest at probably midnight or one.....I'll just leave the lights on and take to my virtuous  couch if it's any later than that....LN.....busy day tomorrow....

Sunday 30th June

This is going to be short and sweet as I can make it tonight.  As you know I have a friend over at the moment and the challenge today was to set about cleaning up the school that he has invested in and by golly did we clean.  Typical of the old schools that were abandoned, there were lots of interesting things left lying around so for the first couple of hours this morning we tackled one of the rooms and put the pictures from the floor into a pile, the slides that were scattered into another box and other things of interest such as old press cuttings and photographs into another.  The we set about putting burnable rubbish into black plastic sacks and the fallen plaster from the ceiling and general dust was wheelbarrowed out and dumped in the garden.  Bonfire is scheduled for tomorrow and an architect is due on site to come up with workable plans.

We're both knacked.  We bought a couple of brooms from the local shop and there is a technique with it.  Not quite the Nimbus 2000 of Harry Potter fame and I tried with the spell to get it off the ground but it didn't work.  Well I can say that his brush is as good as new while mine isn't.  He didn't get the hang of using it while my comes from years of experience but I can safely say that he has been on the end of the newly purchased wheelbarrow while I managed to avoid it...... ;) ;)

Stopped off and got a couple of bottles of beer on the way back and I was almost ashamed to show my face in the supermarket since my legs and shoes were covered in a thin layer of dust.  My money was as good as anyones though and no one seemed to take offence.  Supper cooked and over...spicy chili sausage, fresh home made potato salad, tomatoes and cucumber salad and hot crusty bread rolls.  There are sweet cake things for afters but I can't say I have much room for anything and just need to go to my bed.  Nicely tired after physical exercise is good.  

Tomorrow is much of the same but morning with the architect might delay the picking up of the tools.  Let's see how it goes.  Weather tonight ...the sky is covered with heavy grey clouds and it looks like we are in for a downpour.  Upside...I don't have to water the garden ...that would be a step too far tonight.  LN...back to my guest and my beer....LN ;) ;)