Friday 1st August

What a mare of a night I'm having.  I posted this response and it just didn't want to know so I apologise.  Last night was good.  The hotel was fine but the fish supper left a lot to be desired and was expensive for nothing.  The beds were comfortable and it would have been OK on the second night but you know how it is...first night in a strange bed and all that.  So after yesterday swimming and generally chilling by the pool we had supper and sat out for a while until all the other residents had taken to their slumbers but we were out before most this morning.  We walked down the village and noted several more hotels that hadn't been there the last time I was there but the names are logged for future reference.  Stopped off at a shop this morning and grabbed a couple of coffees at the local restaurant  on our morning walk round the village but the owner went off to deliver some bread and his wife went AWOL.  They had left the keys of the shop in the door and we could have robbed them blind.  I shouted out a couple of times to try to attract someone's attention so that we could pay for the coffee but no go so I left a two leva note on the table making a guess at the price.

Back to the hotel for the all inclusive breakfast of a couple of toasted sandwiches each and then on to Kardjali which by now seemed a million miles away after calm and seclusion getting pinked up lying by a pool.  Filled up with the essentials at Lidl namely cat food for Mrs Kingdom's Dave and Allan and then to Djebel for beer for the pair of us and ciggies for her.  Back to hers, dropped her off and got the washing machine going and it's all now dried and put away.  Star Mush daughter came round and asked if she could have the code for my internet for her son...I obliged by logging him in and said that I would be here over the next two days should he want to go on it again...You wouldn't ask the question in the UK and though I find it hard to refuse...I did.  

Supper was cheddar cheese with crackers and pickle..LN...a little Martini and tonic is about to pass may lips and the photos will be in the next post...LN

And the rest

And it looks like it's going to pour down,,,so much for Momchilgrad fete worse than death tomorrow...LN

Saturday 2nd August

Well the rain set in overnight and carried on until this morning but then it cleared and it turned into a reasonable day.  I was even able to sit out on my upstairs balcony and read.  Bit of a change from lying round a pool.

Earlier today I saw a shadow over the lawn and realised that my stork that likes to circle was up to his/her tricks so this time I grabbed the camera, watched it go round again and it came in pretty close to the house and it was low.  I realised there were two of them and its mate headed off down the village but saw that the one had settled on the electricity pole so out onto the guest room terrace and managed to grab a few shots of it.  It stayed a while and took off heading for the hillside.  I posted a few of the pickies on FB, got into one or two conversations as you do and then continued outside until I could read no more so on to the bed for a quick nap.  

Around seven thirty the weather changed completely.  I suddenly noticed that the wind was getting up so it was a quick wizz round the house closing windows and doors and moving some of the pots of plants from the edge of the terraces and into the lea of the wind.  It was really sudden.  A few metal bowls went scurrying around the garden until secured, you could see the rain on the hillsides until the hills disappeared.  There was a peculiar light over Velikdenche, the village you can see to the south of my garden.  It looked like a rainbow that never got going and coupled with the sinking sun....there was a strange feel to the evening and then the rain came down so one more night without having to water my garden.  Thinking about the weather though, I've never known a summer like it here.  Yes you get this weather normally around May time but not going on like this for so long.  I'm going to wear my lawn mower out at this rate...

Tomorrow I've got my student in the morning and I've been invited to a baby naming in Djebel that I'm going to try and fit in.  If I'm early for the lesson I can do both so no one will be disappointed....especially me.  LN....I'm still sleepy after my afternoon nap....I think the swimming took it out of me but I'm sure the exercise did me the world of good...LN  

Sunday 3rd August

Lovely sleep last night and caught the end of the mosque wishing me a good morning...I'm even starting to join in the chorus.  No breakfast, read for an hour or so, went out and picked the sweet peas and threw out the old ones and they're sitting in my through lounge and smelling like sweet peas should.  Shower and hair washed and almost ready for nine fifteen but Gouldjan arrived and she was having a lift to Djebel but she realised that she hadn't printed off the lesson for her students so we were up on the computer when Remsier arrived to remind me about the baby day.  Unfortunately it was in Fotinovo which is one hell of a treck from Djebel so I said I would make it if I could but I gave my apologies in advance if I didn't.

We set off for Djebel at nine fifty, I dropped Gouldjan in town and she was meeting her boyfriend's mother in Kardjali.  I did chastise her for not wearing the statutory baggy trousers and headscarf but she is a modern miss and not to be tangled with.....Allah help the mother so to speak.  Over to my students and they had a relative staying from Istanbul and also her grandfather who I've met before...lovely chap.  I was offered a job just to talk to him since his has the possibility to talk the legs of a donkey, for three hundred Lev a month, but I declined the offer...even I have boundaries.  Their aunt appeared in her pyjamas holding a blood pressure monitor so we all had turns with it just to see how we were doing.  I came out at one hundred and thirty over eighty so I think I'm good to go so to speak.  I didn't really register the others but no one appeared to be at death's door even though the aunt thought she was.  She made claims to being diabetic with heart problems but we couldn't get out how many tablets she takes.  As I said she appeared in her pyjamas and proceeded to lie on the sofa with a pillow instead of heading up to bed.  At one point she offered me money to take her up to Michevsko to see the village but I wasn't in the mood to go trekking so the family were with me and we made valid excuses.  We had lunch and again she lolled on the sofa so I went out to see the grandfather who at eighty had a lot more going for him that the aunt at sixty eight.  He was shelling beans that are for winter storage so I settled down and helped them clear the beans from the shells.  Left there at two thirty and drove home stopping off for benzine...and parked Beauty in the yard.  What a surprise...there were two sheep snuggling up to the Beast, sheltering in the garage and obviously they couldn't find an escape route.  I left the gate open and shouted 'chuk' and out they went.  They could have been in the freezer...and no one would have been the wiser....except me.... :-/ :-/

Supper is cooking....potatoes and onions in chilli oil and the chicken wings are in a separate container in the oven.  A little beer to wash it down and then down to my book.  My current author is Robert B Parker...he churned them out for years....I turn 'em over in quicksticks and I'm on number six already....good to go so to speak....easy detective novels.

I can smell supper and I'm on my way downstairs...LN...beautiful night, calm still and tomorrow...nothing planned....LN

Monday 4th August

Six start and it seems pretty standard now.  Up for a coffee and out to watch the sun come up and eventually made it back to my bedroom terrace with the camera and the Kindle.

Pretty slow start today....I was faced with all the things that I could do but firstly I couldn't decide and secondly I couldn't imagine doing any of them and I have to get the pictures going in my head first and then I burst into action.  The metal panels in the front wall won.  I went out armed with a pair of surgical gloves that lasted all of five minutes, found the wire brush to take off the surface rust from the wall panels, found a new brush and the three in one metal surface coating that's supposed to tackle the rust.  I got the rake and removed the old leaves from the far end of the wall and off I went.  I finished one panel but lunch time but it was getting a little hot out there even though I was working under the tree so in I came and had to summon up the enthusiasm to move on to the next.  There was lots of advice from neighbours and lots of tooting of horns when the villagers drove by and after all, Monday is market day so what was I doing working!! ;) ;)

Late lunch of onions fried off with spicy sausage and that's it for today and then I was out to do the next panel....two down and only another nine to go and then I move on to the balconies...I'm hoping that my imagination keeps up with my inspiration, enthusiasm and energy.  

All quiet on the western front so they say....beautiful sun-set tonight but mostly they are....LN.....Blog and book and soon to rest my weary head...I have tomorrow worked out...for now...LN

Tuesday 5th August

Six start which seems pretty standard.  I suppose I could draw the curtains and close the door to the balcony but it's a good time of the morning to wake up.  Coffee, caught the sunrise and back to bed with my book and imagined a plate of bacon and egg and so to horse.....I was eating it by eight and about to threaten the other wall panels but I found the hoe in my hand and the trowel and the top gardens under the wall look so much better now that the weeds have been removed...even Harold my hare looked happier and I noticed that my Abelia is coming into its second flowering.....only one so far but fingers crossed.

So I was beginning to feel guilty about the wall work but I read my horoscope for today which advised thus... 'When we put ourselves under pressure, we compromise our own ability to enjoy life. Celebrate what you want to do now'.....so I did.  I got out a can of tuna, mixed it with mayo, three slices of toast and the remains of a bottle of white wine from yesterday.  I shut the main door after removing the key from the outside, went up to lie on the bed complete with lunch and a book, read for a while and got my head down for a couple of hours.  Such a hard life.

Out into the garden again, shelled the broad beans that I'd picked yesterday and found more cucumbers and four red peppers that I'd missed hiding in the cucumber bed.  Looked at my excuse for a lawn and decided that it needed a trim and so I've done most of it and only got the grass in front of the little house to do.  I was going great guns but then one of the back wheels fell off the lawn mower so I searched the area and found the metal spacer and now everything in the garden is a goer except me who'd had enough by this point.  

Tools all away...tomorrow is another day but I'll read my horoscope tomorrow to see if I can get away with the wall panels for another day but I think not.  I hate things that are half done and now I've a lawn half done and the wall panels two ninths done.  So maybe Djebel first thing...I really need some working gloves...it took me ages to get the pain off yesterday even using the proper stuff.  Just after nine my time...no supper for me....I thrive better on breakfast and lunch...off for a shower and back to my book...LN ...as I said....such a hard life.... ;) ;)

Wednesday 6th August

Usual time this morning and down for a coffee and up for a read but both Kindles were powereless so both now charged and my DS...brain trainer was also close to looking its brain cells  so it was out into the garden for me.  I didn't bother with breakfast this morning...still full from yesterday so out I went on an empty stomach.  First job this morning was to take photographs of the cacti that I had inherited from Kingdom...I think Ms Dom want s to start off some babies....and photos taken and despatched... ;) ;)

The intention was to go into Djebel and pick up some gloves for painting the panels but unfortunately the weeds got the better of me again...maybe I'm just delaying the inevitable but I will do it I promise.  I looked at the tomatoes and I believe the weeds were soaking up the water every evening and the tomatoes got zilch.  Now fully cleared and gave them a good soak and added support where necessary.  So back inside for another coffee and sudoku and suddenly the power went off.  Now normally I know because the UPS for the central heating kicks in and there is an alarm that sounds.....no alarm so alarm bells begin to ring.  I've unplugged it, unwired it, knackered the fuse by unscrewing it and now it's off to Djebel and in the event they haven't the bits...Kardjali.  Now there is no great hurry with this..the boiler is not destined to be lit until October / November but the girl guide in me comes out...I'd rather get it fixed.

Back out into the garden and had a bonfire to get rid of the garden rubbish.  I was tempted to complete the rest of the mowing but the weeds took preference.  I had the rest of the tuna mayo for lunch and this time opened a bottle of red since the white had mysteriously disappeared.  It has been so humid today so I eventually settle in and read my book and at this point the thunder started and the heavens opened.  Eventually the electricity came on so number one priority was to change the times on the boiler control to make sure that I don't pay over the odds for my hot water.

So the weather cleared and the sun was shining but tonight the thunder has returned and it's belting out loud and clear so this a quick update....LN.....I'm off to my slumber zone with my book and hope the thunder doesn't go on for too long....LN

Thursday 7th August

What a  disturbed night,,,I was awake at five so read for a while then eventually went back to sleep at half six and woke up finally and seven thirty.  I had some really vivid dreams that you just can't remember but you know that you had...

Coffee and out to the garden but there was no early sun and it took ages for it to break through the clouds and it was in and out all day.  It felt very close, there was rumbles of thunder but I was out with my trusty English fork and spade doing a few jobs around the garden,  Around eleven the sheep seemed much nearer than in the next field.  I was working in the yard so went out to the terrace and there were about forty sheep at the bottom of the garden and they were still coming through.  I picked up my stick and headed down and started yelling at them in their language...like chuck....and they headed down to the fence at the bottom and where there is no escape.  Eventually one remembered where they came in and it was follow my leader, they all rushed out.  I looked at the entry point and realised they'd annihilated the fence so into the workshop, grabbed hammer and nails and a few planks from the heap and headed down.  It's not pretty but it's functional...no more intruders today.  I found some baby hollyhocks that have seeded round the mother plant so I've moved three of them under the front wall and keeping my fingers crossed that they make the transition.  I've spotted a few more so just need to decided where I want them.

Late lunch of a portion of some sort of fish from Lidl but to make it more of a gourmet dish a I made a sweet chilli dressing and banged it back in the oven with some oven chips.  All was going well until there was a power cut and now that the UPS is unplugged and waiting for me to sort the battery out I've got no alarm bell ringing that the power is off.  I finished the fish off in the frying pan so the benefit of having two gas burners and two electric on my cooker came into its own and at this point I noticed that the wind came, the pots were looking precarious on the terrace and down came the rain.  I finished off with ice cream, got settled into my Kindle since I was going to get wet if I worked outside and then got my head down sitting in the armchair.  

Six thirty when I woke up....the screech owl was out and about but didn't manage to catch a glimpse of it.  Not much of a sunset tonight, there was too much cloud around but overall it's been a good day.  LN...really wish the weather would change for the better...this is like no summer I've ever known here...LN  

Friday 8th August

So thanks to my elongated nap yesterday I was awake at three thirty this morning with a bloody mozzie zizzing in my ear.  Now I know that I'm a light sleeper so I went down for the spray can of inhibitors and thought that I was safe to read for a while.  I heard no gentle humming but blow me down, my feet were exposed on the top of the covers and the blighter got me until I sprayed my feet and I believe got him.  I never really settled after that but played Angry Birds and cleared a few levels, read for a while longer and was ready for the mosque.  It was a very misty start to the day, put a load of washing in at seven and didn't hang it out until about eight thirty when the mist had cleared a little.  Lovely cobwebs about this morning covered in dew but unfortunately both my cameras needed charging so it's beggars can't be choosers....you'll have what you get.

Out gathering this morning and thought I'd get to the lavender before the bees found it this morning...it was way too early for them to be out.  Two bunches are drying inside and the third is ready to be brought in.  I also took some lavender cuttings and put them in the little house nursery...if they all take I shall need a bigger garden or be digging up my excuse for a lawn.  My bottle brush seems to be coming up for a second flowering but I think I have another plant in the same pot and I might have to separate them soon.  I'm not sure what it is...if it flowers I might have a clue but if anyone has any ideas....hand them over.  My Lonicera Semper...something is doing well and that was from my students trimmings when they gave theirs a haircut.  It has the most superb orange tubular flowers.  The bougainvillea has come on in leaps and bounds and will soon need repotting at this rate and I'm getting the gin and tonic in for the lemons that seem to have put a spurt on.  I owe it all to the inclement Bulgarian crap weather but at least something is benefiting from it... ;)

So up with a book this afternoon when it got too hot to be out and clouded over again and after my three thirty start I got my head down but whether someone was trying the door or not I don't know and knocking but I woke up at three thirty...do I detect something here.....went down, grabbed some water and back until four thirty.  Supper of chicken wings, potatoes and onion are in the oven and finishing off...I have a little Tawny port on the go thanks to my last guest and his wife....and chilling and preparing the bedroom before encampment tonight buy spraying and leaving for about an hour before I make my grand entrance....I'll say goodnight, or LN...I'm off to the kitchen to check on the sustenance for this evening...LN

Saturday 9th August

Had a lovely evening with You-Tube last night.  At the end of this month I'm off to an Andre Bocelli concert in Sofia so I thought I'd catch up on some of his recent performances and now I'm getting really excited about it.  After that I moved on to Leonard Bernstein and watch his making of Wet Side Story with Jose Carreras and it really took me back to the time that I had the video and would watch it.  LB was such a charismatic character and so passionate.  

So a couple of glasses of port were drunk last night and I slept really well until six, down for coffee and it was again a bit of cloudy morning but it cleared and it's been beautiful all day. Breakfast was the remains of last nights potatoes and onions refried with some bacon and an egg...way to go.   I had a brief spurt of energy this morning and used the mole heaps to pot up some more of the Lonicera that I've rooted and gave the container plants a good drink before the day really began.  I've looked at my excuse for a lawn but haven't done anything about it today...I'm still tempted mind, and there's lots of light left ....As it happened, my lethargic self decided that a day on my bedroom balcony in very little clothing to try to even up the tan would be well worth the effort along with the Kindle.  I stayed out until even I couldn't stand it any longer and moved on to the bed and continued reading...Another book finished and on to the next.  This author has written about thirty books but you can do them in a day more or less and it amazes me that they come up with so many ideas and some say that he churns them out but he has a nice jokey way of writing.....and Robert B Parker is the name....Private detective is his game... ;)

Super moon tomorrow night again and a meteor shower so I read on t'internet...so I'll be looking out for both.  There are just a few clouds in the sky tonight but it's perfectly still so we should be OK and it will be out the camera again....I got some good ones last time just as it was rising.  As for the meteors....I've got so little light pollution here that if it's clear it should be a good show.

Little bit of a kerfuffle going on outside and poor Remsier donkey and cow didn't want to go home...They were in Haciber's yard where there is a lot more grass than on the hillside and decided they wanted to stay there.  Eventually she got them moving and homeward bound but with a little difficulty.  It's a good job that I don't know Turkish swear words...I might have blushed.

So supper tonight is what I can get....I've not got much appetite when the weather is hot but it's been a day for water and lots of it.  Off to water the garden, tidy up outside and get the toys put away...LN....that lawn might even get done yet....

Hey all, just a quick note to say the due to internet connection issues the update today will be at best delayed until much later. So don't worry if it doesn't arrive until tomorrow even.

Come  Elsa stick 50 stotinki in the meter!  :P

Sunday 10th August

Mikey B.....you know me as tight as a duck's whats-it....I' don't put money in the meter it's fixed up to my bike and I'm peddling as hard as I can but I've been swimming all day and the energy levels are depleted... ;) ;)  And nice to know that you are still supporting the poorer nations with the odd comment here and there...and love you to bits and hope you are all keeping fine and the little lady is not proving to be too much of a deva....and taking too much after her father....

Seven start this morning but I lingered in the pit until just before eight and down for coffee.  I had a phone call from Gouldjan this morning and I said OK...what time do you want picking up from the bus stop since I knew that she had to give her Bulgarian lessons this morning.  Out to Beauty and the blessed thing wouldn't fire up and I really must get everything that makes it fire replaced...I hate having things that don't work.  So my next task should I choose to accept it was to get the Beast out of the garage without knocking Beauty's nose off which after a few backwards and forwards and shunting I managed to get it into the road.  Gouldjan was waiting and I relived the horrors of the new boyfriend between here and Djebel and then rousted my swimming pupil out of her virtuous couch and into swimming gear.  Off we went and found the hotel that I stayed at with Mrs Kingdom, paid over the fifteen lev for a day by the pool and my task for today was to try and get the big one to be confident in the water and take the first steps....or first sloshings without support.  This we managed to do....I had to keep telling her to keep breathing and if in doubt to smile and it seemed to work...I was trying to build up her confidence and not to have fear of the water and she managed a couple of lengths just holding on to my arm and for a first time...I was impressed.

We had lunch at the restaurant and the boy should have written it down...he missed one of the main courses and then back to it with some more swimming but the hotel was beginning to fill up and it was much busier than the morning session.  As it was I was pleased with her and she was pleased.  From just having the vision of 'I need to swim' I'd got her to appreciate that the water does most of the work...you only have to move around a bit.

Stopped at Lidl at about four thirty and picked up some goodies.  Back to theirs for coffee and a run down to the parents about what she'd achieved and also to grandfather.  Had coffee and grapes and came away with a plate of home made Banichka for tonight's supper.  And it was rather nice that grandpa said that he knew that his grandchildren would be alright because he recognised that I cared.....nice touch....

So home for  six thirty more or less....quick try for the internet but as you could see...nuffin....Watered the garden, the swimming gear is in the washing machine and programmed to come on while I sleep at cheap rate and can I just add that's the electricity at cheap rate and not me...before anyone jumps to conclusions.   Now down to get the Banichka and a glass of Ouzo  to make the medicine go down...LN....I've had a lovely day in the sun and swimming...what could be nicer..and tomorrow, Kardjali for my new residential documents...LN

Love you too mummy P... Always here skulking in the background getting my daily update  :) ...and as for mini me, she reminds me of you! Strong headed, knows what she wants and how to get it, but annoyingly lovely with it too   ;)  

Yeah!!  That is me back with you Elsa. ( Not that I have ever been away )   Thanks very much.  Love your photos of the moon.  It was too cloudy here last night to see it, but had a good view the night before!

Monday 11th August

Back to you Mikey B and DS,,,,it's not that I need a following but it's just good to share the beauty and the experience with you.  In fact this applies to all of you that visit the site and thank you.... ;)

So this morning five am start and don't ask me why...the mosque didn't kick off until six but now that it's a super volume it's best to be prepared.  I have a friend who shall remain nameless who has offered to put out the relays from the mosque in Djebel for two weeks free accommodation...but having said that I've never charged him yet...doh....but I'm sorely tempted to invite him over....and his wife of course.

Fresh bread with butter this morning for breakfast...it was enough.  I phoned the Librarian for a chat and a catchup and showered and shampooed and then off to the smoke to get my residency sorted and finalised and hopefully to get my UPS sorted for the central heating sorted,  Off in the Beast and I do love it, Kardjali was heaving with lots of Greeks trying to buy the place up and the car parks were full so I ended up having to pay.  Now it's one leva for one hour and after Brighton prices...I can afford that on my pension,,,and I said to the man as I was leaving that I thought I'd gone over and he said that no,,,I was right on time.  

Down to the Immigration and now I have a document that will allow me to travel to Europe without using my English passport....I'm semi Bulgarian,  It was explained that they want my English passport and my Bulgarian to run consecutively so this card is on,ly valid until next October but when my passport is renewed, I have my Bulgarian for the next five years and so on and so forth,,,  I went down to the hospital to register with the doctor but she is on holiday until the beginning of September so I'll leave it until then.  Good service all round.  Delivered my UPS to a new shop since the central heating shop that got it from is no longer there and she offered to send it to Sofia to identify the problem.  Now I reckon a service is about the same price as a new one so she's going to phone me when she has one and I'll make a decision.  On my way to my material lady I spotted a man who might know about UPS and he investigated and said that he thinks it's the board not the battery so I think it has to be a new one.  So on to my material shop and five meters of pure cotton for making a quilt cover at two meters forty wide...seven leva a meter...and as Princess would say...it would be rude not to.  I ordered five meters and paid thirty lev...I think there was a little discount thrown in there but I do recommend her to a lot of people.  

Into the underwear shop and got a pair of white trousers and a green top for ten leva, on to another Mania and a blouse for two, over to Kaufland and bought more potting compost, Billa did not have the fillet steak that I love so bought nothing and in Lidl, the price of Ariana had risen so it was a very small bill in there.  Delivered a packet of butter to my student's mother since I'd talked with the two girls on how good sweetcorn is with salt and English butter, stopped off at the garage and told him that I want a new battery for the little one and we#ll continued investigating from there since there has to be a solution.

Hope for three thirty....not a lot done until the temperature went down and now chicken cooking, lawn done, chicken nearly ready and beer opened...what could be better....couple of days doing nothing apart from waiting in for my new battery to appear and be fixed...LN...that chicken sure smells good....

Tuesday 12th August

What a night.....I woke up with cramp at about three this morning and it was almost as if my toes were paralysed so I spent about thirty minutes walking around on the cool tiles.  It was very hot last night so out with the Kindle for an hour or so and eventually went back off, woke at seven and lingered until eight and the day just seems to have flown by.  Decided that I needed a breakfast this morning so got out a tin, yes a whole tin of baked beans, two slices of toast and lashings of butter and demolished the lot.  More coffee and then out to the garden and repotted the oleander cuttings and three of them have roots on but the other two look suspect so I've dipped them in rooting gel and we'll see what happens.  I might have have lost a pot of petunias...I dug them up and the soil was so dry and solid and it appears the poor roots were getting nothing out of it so they're now in a bowl of water and tomorrow...into compost with them....such a pretty colour and I don't want to loose them...I paid good money for them from the damaged section in Kaufland... ;) ;)  Gave the garden a really super watering this morning ...the temperature was rising and I knew that I wouldn't be out there for long but those poor plants had to face the day....

I came in at just after one....two loads of washing on the line.  I'd removed the covers from the lounge sofas and generally tidied round but then it was down with the book and into the lounge for rest and recuperation.  I was toying with the idea of going into Kardjali...I'd seen some quilt covers in my cheapy shop but if they're there the next time I'm in they were meant for me...it not...I hope someone else enjoys them.  I thought they would have gone on the two sofas in the lounge...and made a change.  

Shut up shop and went to lie down with the book at about two thirty but I slept in a disturbed fashion.  I dreamt really vividly and was amazed when I woke up to find that it was only just after three so off for a shower to cool down and on to the internet.  Not much happened this afternoon...the book and a Sudoku kept me out of mischief...the garden is watered, I'm getting watered and I have cold chicken for supper so  all in hand.  LN...I'm going to have another lazy day tomorrow I think...LN

Wednesday 13th August

Caught the moon last night but it's started to lose some of its roundness already and up before the sun this morning.  It had the makings of another hot day.  Out to the garden with my coffee and saw the tail end of Haceber wheeling her wheelbarrow up to the communal dump two gardens up from me and the last time I managed to offload a couple of cucumbers and this morning was no different.  She couldn't manage to wheel and carry so I carried them up to her house. On the way I noticed my Avatar in her garden working away removing grass and I asked her if she wanted a cucumber as well.  She refused the offer so I asked her if she had any and she didn't so back down the road with one a minute later and I'm amazed that none of the neighbours have them. She was just off to get some bread from the mobile van and I asked if she could get me an unsliced and now we have a tussle on...she accepts the cucumber but won't accept the lev for the bread so she ends up throwing it on the grass verge and I end up rescuing it and dropping it down her top and of course they have so many layers that she's probably still looking for it.... ;) ;)  Back home and double poached eggs on toast for starters and it was still only eight thirty.

Watered the garden and decided to harvest some of the beetroot and I was surprised how big they have grown.  I washed them outside and broke the tops of and straight into the kitchen so that the fun could begin.  Now I have this fear of poisoning everyone by not washing the jars properly and I suppose I get paranoid about it.  Anyway...while it was cooking and before the assembly process began, I decided to design and print eight labels thinking that was about how many jars I would have.  No...I have three and for the effort I would ask if it was worth it....but they all 'vacuumed' up successfully so now into the fridge and then into a dark place.  

So hot outside that I took to the bedroom with the Kindle since there is a cool breeze with both balcony doors open.  Nodded off for a while but was awakened by the phone and it was the garage asking if they could come out and fix Beauty's new battery so out he came, job done, he tested some other things, we had a coffee and he walked out on to the terrace and took in the view and said how wonderful it was and I had to agree.  He hasn't really seen the house since the other terraces have been done and they notice the improvements where if you live in it you accept it and move on.  Back to my book with a couple of cheese and pickle sandwiches for a late lunch and I never did get out again to do any weeding.  Went round with the hose and touched the surface...it really is so dry and will do it again tomorrow morning before the sun gets up.  

Off to Kardjali tomorrow to give the new battery a spin and to see if those quilt covers are still available...well it's worth a try....I might just have to summon up the enthusiasm to do the rest of the beetroot and potentially make chutney and the rhubarb calls out to me every time I water it..... jam or chutney..... but I'm certainly not a domestic goddess.  So LN...let's see what tomorrow brings...LN

Thursday 14th August

Lovely red sky this morning but I missed the actual moment that the sun popped up her little head.  I was too deeply involved in the Kindle.  Finished the book...down for a coffee, out to water the garden and I gave everything a really good soak so goodness knows what my water bill for next month will be.  Breakfast was a bacon and fried egg sandwich  with HP sauce and it was sort of down hill all the way from there.  It has been really hot and apparently there is a warning out that temperatures tomorrow will reach thirty eight and steps have been put in place to have a suitable four meter by six meter to stave off any side effects.  

Lunch was a chicken sandwich so not very inspiring but the rest of it is de-boned and awaiting attention in the fridge. I took to my bed this afternoon for a little nap and woke up with a start thinking that I'd missed my appointment with Ms Kingdom and thinking it was Friday morning and that was without alcohol.  I think the heat had got through.  Started another book this afternoon and when the sun had gone from my bedroom balcony I put some really comfortable cushions on the throne, got myself a very weak gin and tonic and sat out in the cooler air.  It's been a really restful day and as for Kardjali...I really couldn't raise the effort...just too hot.  It's been a funny old summer....and when it gets here I don't think any of us was ready for it.

Screech owl was out earlier and I'd sat with the camera on my knee outside waiting for it to put in an appearance but I'd moved into the house to do my blog and as I went out to get the camera it was off.  The way that it came and settled on the new terrace by the bougainvillea I have an inkling that it might be nesting under the little house where the animals used to live....  good if it is...it'll keep the vermin at bay.

So tomorrow Djebel for nine with my shopping list which hasn't got a lot on it.  Into Kardjali to buy the new UPS for the central heating and then to find a pool to laze away the day with Ms Kingdom both armed with out Kindles....well it would be really rude not to.....and now to the kitchen to be creative with the remains of the chicken...LN

Friday 15th August

Six thirty start, coffee and out to water the garden so that the flowers could top up before the promised thirty eight degrees...and did they need it.  Coffee, out there with the hose, decided not to shower and wash my hair since I would be swimming all day so out to the car, it started first time and the new battery was all it took to make my life normal again.  

Drove into Djebel and stopped off at the supermarket and disturbed their newly arranged display of Ariana,,,six for me and six for Ms Kingdom and topped up on Turkish delight, sweet and savoury biscuits.  She was waiting by the cash machine...obviously looking for likely suspects and I parked and off we went for breakfast, her munching on a sausage bread wrap and me on a cheesy one....We stuck to the local Iran but I felt like a table wiper that had lost her vocation.  I cleared one table inside the cafe only to turn my back and someone sat down at it and so outside we went and fenced with the flies for possession of our wares. :-/ :-/

We stopped off at the vets since she wanted some 'Front-line' for the cats and we decided that the kilograms weight off the cats was not quite what it should be for dogs but if she was careful she could confuse the hell out of the fleas that she'd spotted on the felines.  I asked him about something to get rid of the beasties on the beams in the bedrooms and he sold me a couple of bottles telling me that it should not go near food or kitchens....Spray, close the door, leave for a couple of hours and enter at you peril....two bottles of the stuff are in the corridor and will be used tomorrow....with a face mask may I add...

We picked up a traveller on our way to Momchilgrad...he was in the vets with us and obviously needed a lift and we dropped him about six kilometres outside of Dzebel...hell of a walk if you haven't got a friend.  On we went over the Sedlari bridge which was a first for Ms Kingdom and on to the pool.  We dutifully paid out ten lev...or rather she did...I put in the fuel...and we found a couple of sunbeds and down to it.  Swimming, sunbathing, generally chilling in the thirty many plus degrees sun.  Now she has the habit of looking as Princess would say, of sunbathing though a tea strainer but as the day wore on the dots joined up and she was looking very brown.  We had drinks but decided that the portions of cheesy chips left a lot to be desired so we starved ourselves with the promise of better things to come.....but as it happened nothing came.

Over to hers for about six thirty via a dirt track joining the new Greek road with her road and that's where we spotted the two cocks fighting.  I've never seen one before and I was most impressed and not even a crowd watching it only a dog barking it.  Home to hers and a very tiny beer to keep me going until I got home.  Home for seven thirty...both cars ensconced and I'm about to do my blog and Haciber arrives with my rice and beef,  I don't know if it is because her husband died and they've had a 'Mevlgit' but I said thank you and I've just picked the meat out of it.

What a lovely day...I feel like I've had a day on the beach...sunned out, swimmed out and knackered.   It;s nine ten my time and a quick shower, hair-wash and into PJ's with a little mastica and ready to go to my bed feeling very relaxed...The screech owl was out but no way was I able to capture it...I'll get that bugger yet....LN

Saturday 16th August

Six o'clock start and had a really peaceful night's sleep.  It must have been all the exercise yesterday at the pool.  Looking at the old body this morning...a Neapolitan ice-cream springs to mind and it was best left covered today.  Put the washing in the machine last night so out it went pretty early.  Gave the garden a good watering, it must have taken me about an hour but the poor flowers were really look subdued.  It has been in the middle to top thirties for the last few days.  

Breakfast was the remains of a packet of sultana biscuits that I found by my bed having munched my way through some of them last night.  I did have to remove the quilt and give it a good shake...what is it with beds and biscuit crumbs.  Back out to the garden and moved a few plants from pots that didn't seem to be doing anything and planted them out.  They had good roots on them so perhaps they'll have more chance to search for nutrients that stuck in a pot.  Did a whole load of weeding and came in when it was too hot to be out.  The shower was beckoning me and found a new pair of turkish trousers that the locals call pyjamas and I call trousers and threaded up elastic in the waistband and put them on with a very thin cotton shirt.  Back to bed with the book and promtly fell asleep at just after two waking up at just after three.  Siesta is the way to go... ;)

Went out and got the washing in since it looked as if there might be a shower but the clouds rolled over and it's a beautiful evening.  Hacebar came round again this afternoon with another plate of rice and beef and that has set me up for the evening.  This is all part of Mevglit (prayers for the departed) but I'm not sure how many days she has to feed me for and provide me with a drink of red sweet stuff.  Same again tomorrow please. ;)

So now out to water the garden again.  I've shoved a piece of pipe down to the roots of the maple so that the water reaches them.  I was going to dig it up today and put it back in a pot but I think that might be more of a shock for it...I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  No supper, I'm stuffed.  Might be swimming with the girls tomorrow...they've suggested we go back to the one we went to last week but if the hotel is full they won't allow day trippers into the pool so I've asked them to consider Momchilgrad....it's a much better pool.  So LN....I'm gong to find a film so that I can chill out after the garden is watered...have a good evening...LN

Sunday 17th August

Normal start but I decided not to water the garden since it was a little grey over Jpe's mothers as my mother would have said.  Lazed around this morning, there wasn't a lot to do until I went to my students and nothing to rush around for.  I packed my swimming things but I was pretty determined not to head of to the hotel north of Kardjali...I was prepared to go into Momchilgrad but as for the other...if the hotel was full they could have refused us admission saying that it was for guests only and she wanted to bring her friend along so that would have been four of us.  The parents weren't there...they'd gone off to a 'Mevglit' and now I find out that if you buy a house here you're supposed to have a 'Mevglit' or celebration and I've likened it to a house warming party...but in their case with prayers, beef and rice and a sweet clove tasting drink.  As it was, my student decided that we wouldn't go swimming even though her sister wanted to but the younger one asked what she could do because the weather was so bad....so we didn't go.

The older one prepared lunch which was a spaghetti mixture with cheese, sauce and spicy sausage with grated carrot and yoghurt followed by sliced peaches.  A young friend of theirs came round and we chatted for a while and suddenly the heavens opened and it poured down so it's as well that we didn't go.  The parents came back with the statutory bag of rice and meat enough to feed the five thousand (sorry wrong religion) and proceeded to dish it out but I refused a plateful, I'd only just had lunch and the old joke about looking in each others ears to see how full of food we were was passed round the room.  It's strange I used to do this to my children.  When they said they were full I'd look in their ear and say that I could still see some room and now I was doing it with a family in Bulgaria and we were laughing about it.

Anyway...mum took to her bed because she wasn't feeling well so when it came time to leaving I blew her a kiss and would get no closer.  I left about four and now ...no garden to water tonight....and it's calmed down now.  My excuse for a lawn is looking exceptionally green which means that it will put on a growth spurt and will probably need mowing around Thursday.

So Cleo Laine belting out in the background tonight....I;d forgotten how good she is.  Such a variance in the songs that she is able to add to her repertoire.  I saw her in Peterborough years ago...my ex wasn't amused...said he didn't like female singers so I had to stay mute until I called it a day. LN....I'm about to raid the kitchen...no clues to date but it won't be much....lunch is still in the upper pipework...LN

Monday 18th August

What a busy old day.  Beautiful but misty old start to the day.  I sat out with my coffee and watched the clouds moving and new ones forming in the valleys.  Greek mountains were no where to be seen but they haven't been stolen...they've been returned.

I played outside and weeded the onion bed or rather dug the onion bed over and removed the weeds and the onions.  I think they were a fraction bigger than when they went in but every one is complaining that several crops have failed, onions being one of them along with tomatoes and I dug up my tomatoes as well.  So my successes...beetroot and cucumbers and again I got rid of another one this morning to Haciber when I took her her plate back that she brought the meat and veg round in.  Eventually came in when it was too hot to stay out working so removed some clothing and got out on the balcony and that's when the fluffy clouds got a bit bigger and it was hot and then the wind whipped up and it had got a bit of a nip in it. So there I am doing nothing more than a few Sudoku sitting in the sun and the phone goes.  I get myself downstairs and it's Gouldjan who is asking if she can come to have an hours kip.  Her house is full with grandchildren from Turkey who insist on watching television until silly o'clock in the early morning and spend a lot of the time crying.  I think the poor girl was exhausted.  Her plan was to come back on the six o'clock bus since there isn't one before that and get her head down for a power nap.  It is now just after two thirty so she has three and a half hours to wait for the bus so in my usual fashion I offered to fetch her and made the excuse that I needed some onions having seen what mine had amounted to.  In the end I had to be forceful and tell her that I would be there in fifteen minutes so she should be ready and waiting outside the school that's if she didn't fall asleep before then on the desk.  

We stopped off at the supermarket, I got my onions, carrots a few tomatoes and some biscuits and home we came.  I put her in the downstairs bedroom since the temperature always seems to remain the same in there, got her a clean sheet and removed the quilt and it was not three thirty and not a peep was heard until six this evening and she really did look much better for it.  Made some tea for her and I had a coffee and we sat around chatting until seven thirty, into the car and popped her home, came back and watered the garden and I've just had my lovely sheep farmer and family pull up in two cars and deliver a big slice of birthday cake.  The nephew from Sweden proudly told me that it would have been his grandfather's birthday today if he hadn't passed over last week and so they were delivering cake to the village.  What a nice thought.

Lovely sunset tonight but I'm sitting here still with a sweatshirt on.  The temperature has really dropped from last week but it is apparently about to climb for the rest of the week and hit the thirties again.  So cake demolished and I'm having it with a little Muscatel sweet wine which just happened to be on offer at Lidl so I'll say LN....and back to my Kindle...LN  

Tuesday 19th August

Nippy this morning.  I slept under the quilt last night and with the door open but when I went out to catch the morning so to speak I soon closed the door and back to bed with a coffee.  I read for a while and didn't really get going until eight this morning...nothing on the agenda so no need.  Found my way outside though and started to remove the grass from the under terrace wall garden and was just going in to make a coffee and thought I heard a car but didn't take much notice and then I heard the gate latch.  I had a visitor!!  The Librarian had stopped off on her way to Kardjali and did I want to go.  Firstly I had to sort out her phone.  Hers wasn't working, she had another so I changed the Sim over and we left it on charge while we hit the high spots.

Had a walk round the local new hardware emporium but nothing grabbed us so on to the main carpark and into the shop where I'd seen the quilts last week but someone had obviously bought them.  I did managed to find a couple of cushion covers that were good and a dark brown bottom sheet.  I checked out the labels and they are from Belgium so obviously someone has a good little business going.  Had chicken wraps for lunch with the local yoghurt drink and nothing else to do so raided Lidl.  Having stocked up the other day, my only desperate needs were a couple of packets of toilet rolls that I'd forgotten to pick up when I was in there and that was about it.  So home James, I did split a reduced pack of mushrooms with her and before she left we checked the phone and obviously the phone isn't unlocked so the Sim wouldn't work.  Another trip to the phone shop is necessary.

Had a little snooze this afternoon in the sun in the armchair in the hallway and back out to the garden to finish what I'd started this morning.  Made a reasonable job of the weeding but this year, they've gone wild...hot and damp.  Watered the garden and heard a car coming up the road but the farmer's boys were chasing a cow that had obviously lost the rest of the herd.  As they drew near they stopped the car and shouted and I realised that the little one was driving, his cousin was half hanging out of the passenger door virtually prodding the cow as they went and operating on kangaroo petrol.  They stopped, he stalled it, moved forward a little, kangarooed and eventually made it along the road back to the farm.  Is it irresponsible?  Yes I suppose so if there is something coming the other way but you have to love the spirit of the pair of them...rogues like their fathers but lovable with it.

Bonfire assembled for tomorrow, the wind has picked up a little tonight so don't want any accidents.  My lunch is still sitting heavily so no supper for me...almost nine my time so back to my book and early to bed I think.  It's been a very relaxing day...LN

Wednesday 20th August

Six start and the mosque bellowed forth.  I hear that it has cost a lot of money to put in the relay stations so that the Imam in Djebel can proclaim for the nation.  Even I am beginning to sing along......Coffee and back to bed after I have welcomed the dawn but the moon was up along with the morning star but the pickies didn't come out.  The auto focus on the biggie just doesn't respond.  

So out to the garden to enjoy the morning and sat out on the lounge terrace.  I was joined by a ten inch long lizard but where is the camera when you want it....powered down and inside.  Had a message from the newly beds that they would be coming round but another saying they wouldn't since they had some apples that needed bottling.  Out to the garden and cleared the weeds from the wall garden and by the entrance gates.  There seems to be a lot of the creeping weeds that are likely to trip you up...death to all vines.  Hung out the washing and thought about a bonfire to get rid of the grass but realised that it was in the wrong order...it would have to wait until the washing was dry and it did.

Mowed the lawn..well the top half at least and out on the sunbed this lunchtime and browned up some of the bits that the sun hasn't got to in several years.  I'm feeling that the years are slipping away.  Skin is so much better with a tan.  Lay out there reading until I'd finished yet another book....and then it was time for a siesta...if was hot today.  Woke up at six, down to the kitchen and put chicken wings with potatoes, onions and mushrooms in the oven and then it was time to play with the computer until it was done.  Went down and watered the garden, back in and left the chicken for a little while longer and started to watch a film from the borrowed disk.  Set it to pause, supper needed attention and was attended to and demolished...and absolutely gorgeous....now heading back to the film.....LN...It's been a good day...LN needed to do my update and I'll watch it later.  

Thursday 21st August

Really late start this morning and I missed the singalong with the mosque.....slept straight through it.  Into the shower and washed my hair and let it dry 'au naturel', the hairdryer takes quite a lot out of it because it's so long but I can't see me changing it this late in the day despite the fact that it would be easier if it was shorter.  Didn't bother with breakfast and watched the rest of the film that I didn't manage to watch last night and I've had a very lazy day.  

It's been very hot again but sticky with it.  There was a brief outside stint with the zoom camera.  There's been some aircraft activity around the area but they appear to have been dog fighting but way out of sight but no luck..they were more over Momchilgrad way...probably NATO flexing it's muscles again like they did a few years ago but at least I got some shots of those.  Lunch was the remains of last night's supper and even that was a late one.  I looked round and it was four o'clock...where did today go?  A bit of a wasted day but after all, it's my time to waste and I hadn't got much 'oomph' going on so why get stressed about it...gone are the days when I feel I have to pack every minute.

Electricity has been up and down all day today....the computer has gone off three times today and then I gave up and left it off.  Not surer what they're doing but honestly gov.....my bill was paid on time.  Might be swimming tomorrow, that's if the weather is OK in the morning....I'll just have to wait and see...LN....time for bed said Zebedee...LN

Friday 22nd August

What a night...we had a very noisy thunderstorm rattling around the mountains and it was going strong at just after two.  Angry Birds kept me company...there wasn't an ouce of sleep in me.  I did managed to go through until seven this morning and that man is singing to himself.

Nice start to the day, mist in the valleys, and a very red sun and it appeared very large....and I caught it in various windows of this and the other house.  It really does cheer you up. I sat out with my coffee, didn't want any breakfast and no watering to do because of the storm last night.  Picked two more cucumbers to add to the collection and walked over to my Avatars but the door was closed and she'd probably got her head down after last night's storm....I bed she still watered her garden this morning.

Decided today was the day for being creative so set out to do a prototype for the lavender bags.  I sorted out the material that could be used, printed off a few photographs of lavender and I know I could go and have a look at the garden but that might have took a little more effort than I wanted to use up today.  I found the embroidery cottons and a needle with a big enough eye for the hard of hearing and got the first one done.  The hard part was now to turn it into a bag and now I need some ribbon to finish it off.  Flushed with success, I made several of the lavender seed inserts and two more bags and a small pillow.  It's been a productive day.

And then it started.  Computer off, the clouds rolled over, the thunder started with forked lightening, the power went off, torrential rain and ...wait for it...hail stones...and this is summer.  The thunder went and now it's returned again so this is close to all there is....I don't want to get fried.  Supper, fish fingers and potato wedges.....comfort food and now I'm back to my embroidery...I think I've got the bug...LN

Nice lavender bag! The sort of embroidery I am just no good at. :)

Hey all, just a quick note from me to thee to say don't worry about the lack of blog post; there have been internet issues over at Chez Elsa today and she can't get on to post. She is very well and will hopefully, internet gods willing, be back with updates tomorrow.

Saturday 23rd August

Thanks Jean....it's been a while since I picked up the needle and thread and I'm pleased that I have.  It was handed over tonight as a birthday present for the Schoolmasters new lady love and I think appreciated.  Another thing that I made today was to laminate some lavender seeds with a picture of lavender encapsulated and then run over them with the sewing machine without any thread in it....lets the perfume out a treat.

So very damp start after yesterday's thunderstorm and my internet connection has been flaky all day....I might just need the tree trimming again between me and the antenna...it might be that simple but it does come back with 'resolving host' so I think it's a problem their end.  Baked some sausage rolls today that I found in the freezer and no I don't remember when I got them.  Fortunately the instructions were thirty five minutes at two hundred and I found no sell by date and they were fine.

Lavender bag finished and I made a note book for the birthday girl and a card by my own fair hands.  Showered by five and ready with boots blacked and over to Ms Kingdom's to pick up my date for the birthday bash in Momchilgrad.  We met up with another couple, S and S who also have a school over the other side of Momchilgrad and it was an opportunity for Ms KD to meet up with them.  Very nice meal.....I've just taken Ms KD home and back to mine for ten fifteen.  No thunder so far but there's lightening brightening up the sky even though there's not a cloud in sight.  I'm not lingering long...I'm expecting the connection to go down again so I'll say....don't want to push my luck and I'll be complaining about it tomorrow...

And down it went but I saved the text in Word....Bride's nightie springs to mind.....LN...I'm up and in five minutes I'll probably be down again....ah well and thanks to the Roo....It reminds me of 'The Noble Duke of York'....LN

Sunday 24th August

So from promising beginnings this morning it went downhill by two this afternoon with yet another storm and now it's very overcast.  

Six thirty start for me and at seven thirty I was delivering cucumbers to my Avatar as I disturbed her morning even before she had put her teeth in.  She was out tending her chickens and she told me that yesterday she locked herself out.  She's just had a new door fitted and like mine, once it's shut there is no opening it from the outside and apparently she went out to the outside toilet, no luxuries for her and her grand-daughter was outside too so they were both stuffed.  She panicked as one does, no windows were open so she ended up getting one of the locals to break in through the roof tiles to solve the problem.  I suggested that he could have come down the chimney like Father Christmas and we did have a laugh about it.  The first time it happened to me, I'd got my keys but I'd put the other key in from the inside so Kingdom shinned it up to my bedroom door before the balcony went in.  The second time I phoned Bekir who had a set of keys anyway and ended up meeting him in Djebel, driving him to his village to get the keys, back to mine and back to Djebel to carry on his socialising.  My routine...key in the outside of the lock every morning and when I'm leaving, remove the key, throw it on the inside sofa and stand and look at my car keys to make sure.  She's now hidden a key outside....a lesson learned.... :-/ :-/

Over to my students house this morning.  We sat out in the sun with coffee and biscuits and they told me about the habit they have of upending the coffee dregs and trying to read their fortunes.  I explained that in England the practice is with tea leaves but that reading them wasn't one of my skills.  We sat out until the flies drove us in, it was very humid again and they explained that they were expecting their uncle and aunt who were over from Turkey.  Her uncles job was to replace several light fittings to 'modernise' the place.  Now most of the new fittings had two bulb holders but the father explained that they would only be fitting one bulb because of the cost of the electricity and I laughed and ask him why that had bought lighting with two lamp holders and his response was that they looked prettier.  Now for me, if they have two they have to both be there otherwise they always look like one bulb has failed....ah well...and I suggested that they fitted a dimmer in the lounge otherwise I would be answering any questions that they had...it was a bit like being under interrogation.... ;) ;)

So back home for three thirty and it was a matter of head down...the weather is so draining.  The perspiration drops off you without expending any energy.  There was a good downpour so no need to water the gardens yet again....the girls are off to Davidkovo for a few days of rest and recuperation and the intention was to join them but I've declined the offer......the three of them will have a better time without me I'm sure.  Another time when the weather is more settled.  Crickets kicking off tonight and the screech owl is out.  The temperature has dropped fortunately so it should be a better night for sleeping.  Now to find a snack for supper since lunch at theirs was substantial....LN....on with the evening...

Monday 25th August

Reading until silly o'clock last night / morning and didn't seem to settle at all.  Weather was OK there was no storm but it felt a little chilly this morning and today's temperature was down to manageable and the garden beckoned.  First though I felt like breakfast so I cooked a pack of bacon, a couple of eggs and fried bread and so much for my dieting today...it wasn't going to happen at all.  I was half way through it and my Avatar was at the door, I went out and she had brought a wedding invitation for me for next Saturday.  She's not going, her grand-daughter is going in her place and it's her brother's daughter that's getting married and the reception is at an hotel in Momchilgrad.  Now what to wear?

Out in the garden after breakfast and cleared the weeds from a couple of flower beds and moved some things into the little house new garden to fill the bed up a bit.  I needed to dig out a couple of reasonable sized holes so that the roots at least stood a chance.  Digging down it was like concrete so I filled it with water to soften it up and I think all the tools came into play.  A bit more excitement...the fighter planes were out again but by the time I got the camera they'd gone so I decided to stand around for a while and yes, I managed to get a couple of pickies...not particularly good but OK.  In for a while for a break and the sudoku book came out for a while, I rested my eyes for an hour or so and then back out to the garden and came in at about seven after watering it, watered myself and got the day's grime off and fresh clothes on and about to settle in for the evening.  It's been a good day...I've achieved a lot in the garden and just caught a visitor to the burning pit and it was chewing really hard on something it had found in my kitchen rubbish...I wonder what that could have been...LN....I'll go out and investigate once I've posted...LN

Tuesday 26th August

Up with the sun and went out on to the balcony with my Angry Birds and looked up and saw that it hadn't let me down.   Up it came, red as you like and the clouds were swirling round it, mist in the valley...normal for me.  Apparently it had rained in the night according to the Librarian but I didn't detect that we'd had any here without it had cleared up before the sun got up.

Out to the garden and sorted out the forsythia that I'd started from cuttings.  They had the most amazing root formations so two into the front wall garden, two more into a bucket to bring on and one into the side garden and the final one went over to my Avatar's and we planted it in the garden.  She said that she was out of potatoes and that if I saw some,could I get them.   Back to mine and then down to Haciber's with a cucumber and I do love it when I can play them at their own game.  Cooked breakfast of bacon, fried bread and egg and I was finishing off when my phone went and it was the Librarian saying that she had a problem with M-Tel so I told her to get in the car and we could sort it over the phone with Sofia but if not we could head to Kardjali and she arrived about twenty minutes later.  So over the phone they could do nothing and suggested we went into the shop which we did and sorted them out with a vengeance...and vengeance is mine said the Lord.....

We called in at my really cheap shop and for twenty two leva which is approximately ten pounds I purchased a kingsize white sheet for my bed, two small pillow cases and a table runner to make my lavender stuff with, another pillow case that I can do the same with, a linen granddad shirt, a cotton dress and a H&M handbag.  Such a throw away society and please keep throwing it in this direction to the poor pensioners.  

We stopped off at Lidl for a few essentials and they had an offer on fresh chicken so I picked up a couple and back to Djebel for freshly baked bread and some ham for lunch which we did at mine.  She set off at about three, I delivered the potatoes that I'd found in Djebel to my Avatar and offered her one of the chickens saying that if she didn't want it it would go in my freezer but at three leva forty...she just couldn't refuse.  The fighter planes were still buzzing around....I hope they don't draw us into something that we would prefer to be left out of... :-/ :-/

Telephone call from the UK and at the end of the call I had a visit from Semile and Jaylan's lads and his uncle and he wanted me to print up some photos of a sheep called Black Eyes.  Now I don't know if this is one that is about to get slaughtered or just 'special' and I couldn't get it out of them despite the uncle speaking perfect English.  Jobs a guddun so to speak and they went off happy.  I teased the boys about driving cars and tractors and they took it in good part. ;) ;)

Tomorrow I'm off to top up my tan with Ms KD in Momchilgrad since the weather has settled down again...Thursday it is the pre-wedding bash in the village square and tonight I'm looking out for Mars.  There are rumours going around that it's the same size as the moon....load of bo**ocks  so to speak...it's just a little way off to the left or right and I shall be out there looking for it.  

Down to the kitchen...not that bothered about food but ought to do something.  I'll see what takes my fancy a little later on...LN.....it's a beautiful calm night here....I just love BG...LN

Wednesday 27th August

Seven start and out to the garden and potted up a few more shrubs, swept and washed off the little house terrace and watered the garden.  Looked at the clock and I had to get my skates on to be over to Ms KD's and off we set going through the men's village and on to the new Greek road heading for Momchilgrad.  We decided to cross the river over the little bridge, stopped off to get some food from the bakers for breakfast and we checked into the pool for about ten forty and not a soul in sight. Straight to our normal sunbeds, into swimming gear and straight way into the pool...such a hard life.  

We dried off and had our breakfast and then it was serious top-up until it was time for another swim.  We were only joined but three young lads all day...it was very quiet and we were both stuck into our Kindles between bouts of activity and listlessness.  So we had our last swim at about five thirty and showered and changed and decided to eat at the hotel to save trying to find anywhere else.  Supper was cheesy chips and those that have been here know that they are well worth eating, tomato and onion salad since neither of us are into greens and for meat, chicken wings and lamb skewers.  Ms KD had the luxury of beer to wash it down with while I settled for a lemonade with just a splash of her beer.  

Left the hotel at about eight, back over the bridge and hers for about eight thirty and then I didn't bother to stop, I headed home.  Such a relaxing day....we both agreed that time in the sun and swimming does give you a marvellous feeling and I've promised myself that it has to be once a week for me and such good exercise in the pool.  A little mastica on the go, no need for nibbles so LN....bed and sleep will be along in a little while...LN

Thursday 28th August

Messenger message this morning quite early so I knew that I was on a mercy mission to take Gouldjan to the hospital to visit her sister but as it happened I took the mother and grandson.  Sorted the garden pretty early and went round with the hose pipe.  The rain from last night didn't happen but it looks like we could be in for a storm tonight.  

So I managed to prize Remsie out.  She came round for a rest I think, started off on the sofa but ended up on the floor saying it was more comfortable down there.  The locals are used to squatting on their haunches...I don't know how they manage to contort themselves.   Into the shower and hair washed and over to the next village to pick up Gouldjan's mother and a telephone call later I was picking up Gouldjan from school so she could visit too.  Parked up at the hospital...they went in while I sat in the car and read my book and after thirty minutes they were back and had managed to talk to the daughter through a screen but they were keeping her and the one year old in the hospital under observation for a few more days.

Stopped at the bus station and got the tickets for Sunday for mine and Ms KD's concert in Sofia and back to Djebel so that Gouldjan could pick up her work to take it home with her, met up again at the local supermarket and the back door lock of the car had jammed and the door wouldn't shut properly so ended up tying it up for the journey home and telling Gouldjan to hold on to the door but for goodness sake not to lean on it.  Dropped them off with their shopping back home with the door hanging out since there wasn't anyone to hold on to it, backed it into the yard and decided to do it later which I did, with a hammer, nail, a dousing of oil and playing around with the central locking system.  Success...I am now a motor mechanic.

The band has started in the village square for the pre-wedding bash and I might as well go down since I won't be able to sleep for the noise.  No photos today so far but I'm taking my camera down with me so I'll post them tomorrow if I get anything decent....LN...I'm off partying...LN ;) ;)

Thursday continued

Well I've got back and left the partying to the teenagers.  It struck me tonight....there are not many of the old babas left....they are very Turkish with their head-scarves and long coats.  I'm witnessing the end of an era.  The young ones will not accept the restrictions of the old...there won't be any tobacco growing and stringing for them...one or both of them are making their way cross Europe and working at anything to raise their standard and can you really blame them.It's just a shame that a culture is dying but it's almost like my grandmother with the flowered cross-over apron....that went....and pipes, Woodbines and flat-caps.  I think I'm being maudlin except that it's not the drink that's brought it on....it's seeing all the generations together.

I left the party when the call was for 'Mastica', the bottle arrived and the men started dancing and drinking....LN..the cars line the narrow lane and I expect there'll be lots of shunting tonight and it will go on well into the night...LN

And there's more

I'm on my pc on another website and suddenly I hear the sound of fireworks close by, so here you go....I'm hoping some are wending their way home although I hear the sound of drums and music playing.....LN...I'm off to bed regardless....

Friday 29th August

Well despite feeling very relaxed last night and settling off quite quickly I woke up at about four and it was on and off from then onwards.  Came to more or less at about seven thirty but decided that it wasn't a day for rushing down to get coffee so I lingered in the pit until eight and then down for coffee.  Back to bed with my book and decided that there was nothing to get going for.  I was going to take the car in to get the door fixed but it seems to work and providing I carry a hammer and a nail it should be OK..I have the technique.

Got into a swimsuit and headed for the balcony with my Kindle and lazed around until I spotted an eagle chasing a pigeon but only managed to get long shots of it.  Hunger got the better of me at about twelve thirty and opened the inevitable tin of tuna but no mayo so I might as well start my diet today.  Finished the book and thought I might get my head down for a couple of hours but at the back of my mind was the lawn and getting it shorn...I lay there and the lawn got the better of me so at three thirty I kick started the mower first time and set too.  Just under two hours today and that was all of it.  I have some clearing to do of some of the areas and that could be a job for tomorrow which requires a wheelbarrow and a shovel.  I want to clear the old tiles that have been dumped at the base of my special tree, get some decent soil and peat in there and plant it up with a Cotoneater Horizontalis which should kill off some of the weeds and stop others taking root.  

Cleared out the fridge and got the bonfire going and settled on fish fingers and chippies for supper so in they went and I'd just settled down, go Michael Jackson belting out int he background and looked up and my owl was on my clothes prop so crept slowly up the stairs for the camera and thought I'd missed him.  A few seconds later he is on the roof of the little house and despite Michael Jackson he settled there for quite a while.  Took some from the corridor but crept out of the main door fire screen and managed to grab one before he took flight....he's still out there screeching away.....bless ...but not visible.

Supper over, about to get a shower since the dust from the garden while I was mowing seemed to stick especially on my feet but it stuck more as I watered the garden.  Shut up shop for tonight, crickets going ten to the dozen and fortunately a dog that has been 'unsettled' doesn't seem to have kicked off yet so hopefully nothing will disturb it tonight.  LN...just me and Michael...LN

Saturday 30th August

Cool start this morning and closed the balcony door after I'd taken my first pictures of the day.  Pottered in the garden, removed the old white poppies and deheaded them saving the seeds and we'll see what comes up next year....this year said white on the packet but we had pink, white, pink and white with a touch of red.  Seeds from China so it could have got lost in translation... ;)

Heard the bread van and went down to get a fresh loaf and a cheese bread for breakfast and all the local 'babas' were there.  Their task for today was to get my Avatar's stove going outside and bottle the peppers with a little vinegar, parsley, pepper corns. garlic to see her through the winter.  Two more local ladies were there to help so I offered my services and I was in charge of lifting the bottles and lids on to the cooker to warm and to add the oil when requested to do so.  There were fifteen bottles ready prepared and fill them we did.  I think there were one or two scalded fingers but the jars were upended and covered so that the seal became firm.

Back into the garden and moved a few more things round including the Acer....I don't think it was doing at all well where I put it.  The destructions in my book says that it prefers a dampish, cool place and boy did I get that wrong.  So over to pick up Ms KD for two and I think it's a bit emotional for her....but she's back to Cyprus and then off climbing in the Himalayas....hard life for some... :o :o...well it will be when she has to go over some of those bridges on her walkabouts.

The wedding cars have just come to fetch the bride at the bottom of the village and they all have their horns blasting away and the cars are decorated with balloons.  I shall put in my appearance at the hotel at the allotted hour so hence the early update.  Pictures of the wedding will probably be on Monday....heading off early tomorrow for the concert in Sofia so there might not be an update until Monday evening...so be warned....

Time to get scrubbed up and kitted out....PV

Sunday 31st August

Just had a reviving swim at the Holiday Inn in Sofia.  Preparing now for Andre...there will be no photos..understand that searching might be on the cards. Quick supper and taxi booked...LN