Monday 1st December

Well white rabbits or whatever else you come out with at a new months wakening.  I woke again at four thirty, back to sleep and exactly seven when I woke for the second time.  Downstairs and I made my jungle juice, I seem to settle after having it leaving the intake of coffee until much later in the morning....or sometimes into the afternoon.  I was unsure what to get up to today, I thought about going into Kardjali but the weather wasn't all that good, it was cold and miserable so I got on with my normal day, fed Cat who scoffed down the chicken and the roasted vegetables that I left.  The other chicken leg went into the slow cooker with the remains of the vegetables and I've just finished it and there's plenty left for cat for tomorrow.

I made boiled eggs for breakfast with toast to give me a good start on the day, made my bed settled at the desk in the stairwell and continued with my friend's ancestry.  It's quite a big chart with huge numbers of children so having tried putting it down on paper I decided to print off the different families and use those to work out the best way to display them.  I should really buy a program that will put everything in the right place for me to save me lots of brain ache but at least I made some progress.  I've printed them off and where the family is large combined two print offs together and laminated them with my old A3 laminator and it seems to work.  I've given up doing more delving until I've sorted out all the information that I have otherwise it gets very confusing.  

This took me to four this afternoon so I rejigged the fire and got it going again, fortunately we had sun this afternoon and it was quite hot working in the stairwell with the sun on the the windows.   I missed the setting sun except for the last dregs and noticed the moon around five and again just now, it's got a halo round it but it was really difficult to photograph it.  Supper over, washing up done, more present packing tomorrow, I want to know that they're all done and then just special presents to buy.  LN....Time for Netflix and the fire....I've done enough today......LN

Tuesday 2nd December

Another cold damp day, two degrees this morning and it's down to five already so I suppose we could have a frost.  The moon is up tonight, Saturn is supposed to be coming in front of the moon tonight and without binocs you are supposed to be able to spot the rings.  Now the outline plan is given but no timings so will probably miss it, or catch it by accident so not promising any photographs.  

I fed the cat the remains of my chicken and cremated vegetables and most of it went, I threw the little that was left in the trug and lo and behold, cat came back this afternoon searching for the left overs, mounted the trug so I took pity and put some dry biscuits in a dish and that was devoured....it must be the cold weather.  I lit the fire, did a load of washing which is still drying in my downstairs bedroom, only had toast for breakfast, cleared the kitchen, made a fresh coffee and put the television on and back to Vikings.  I watched a few episodes, got tired of that so picked up my old sudoku print-offs and managed to do one that had eluded me for several attempts...success.

At three this afternoon I had a funny cramp in my leg between the knee and the ankle and for some reason I decided a hot bath would clear it up and it did.  I also washed my hair with the new Johnson's Baby shampoo that I bought in Greece at a very reasonable price while I was in the bath, not much lather and wasn't impressed so rinsed the shampoo out and got out of the bath.  I wrapped my hair in a towel, used two to dry off, grabbed fleece pyjama bottoms and top from the shelf in the bathroom and found the thickest fleece that I have and stuffed that over the top.  Came down to a fire that needed attention so gave it to it, made a fresh coffee and snuggled down with the sudoku again but no more success.  I've just cooked one of my giant fish fingers for supper and making it into a sandwich but I do have mince meat thawing for tomorrow, I do eat well most of the time.  Sarah Cox playing in the background tonight, about to settle down to supper and then on to moon watch....wish me luck.  LN....Activity day tomorrow, I've just realised that I really am on a count down to leaving for the UK....eeeks.....LN

Wednesday 3rd December

Another cold damp start to wake up to, mountain to mountain mist and the sheep following each other for safety.  I was awake at seven and checked to see if Cat was still asleep on the cushion on the bench under my bedroom balcony but she must have heard me open the door to the lounge and there were two green eyes staring at me.  Now you know I don't like cats, I'm more of a dog person except for the barking ones in the next village.  Having said that I realise I've taken on some responsibility by feeding her, even if its grudgingly, but this morning I had nothing and it was really cold.  Last night I'd taken out a pack of mince so I took around two inches from the end of the thawed out meat, bite sized it and put it in the microwave, added biscuits and delivered to the terrace....and it scoffed it all and had the nerve to sit there licking lips as if to say where's the rest.

I had beans on toast for breakfast, drove into Djebel for a last few items, saw my neighbour on the way walking to Djebel so stopped and picked him up.  He'd been to the post office in Rogosche, the one I use and had the same complaint, the girl was never there so it makes me more determined to get my sent to Djebel and I can pick it up from there.  I dropped him off in town and parked up on the central car park, walked to the gift shop by the cash point and bought the presents that I wanted that are going to Northern Ireland overland.  I dumped those in the car, bought more Allergia tablets because I couldn't find them the other morning when I wanted them, had a chat with my garage shop lady, walked to the other cheapy shop but they didn't have what I wanted.  I'd searched for a hat this morning and could I find the one that I wanted but later this afternoon, I found a whole box of them so really didn't need to buy a new one.  Walking back to the car I spotted my neighbour so asked him if he wanted to go back home which he did so it curtailed the rest of my shopping, dropped him off, warmed up soup for lunch and settled on the sofa with Netflix, the wrapping could wait.

At four this afternoon I was toying with the idea of driving into Djebel and buying all the things I should have bought this morning, hummed and aarhhed and eventually got in the car and drove in at five and was driving home at six, everything bought and tomorrow is a wrapping and finishing day....Christmas is really on its way.  Fire still going well, house toasty, four degrees outside but dropping but there are clouds about, it's not a winter sky.  LN.....I've had a good day, in patches....but not cooking the mince, that's for me and Cat tomorrow......LN

Thursday 4th December

Woke up at six this morning and it's been a full on day.  Cat was sitting looking into the conservatory at seven, almost demanding food with those green eyes so I took more of the mince and cooked it in the microwave, topped it up with biscuits but it ate all the meat and left the biscuits.  It continued sitting by the dish but no way was I going to top it up with meat, the rest was mine and would have been finished tonight but instead I had a dinner invitation with a friend from one of the nearby towns that I haven't seen for a while.  I cooked the mince with onions and it's sitting in the frying pan in the fridge and will come out tomorrow and go into the slow cooker and will probably be made into spaghetti bolognaise depending on how the mood takes me.

I was out there chopping wood and splitting some of the larger logs and kept the home fires burning all day.  It's been a cold wet day but this time it didn't clear up after lunch...we saw nothing of the sun at all.  The rest of my day was taken up with wrapping and sorting out presents, the parcel for Rosie, my friend's daughter together with Bekir and Sally's gift backs have been left with my dinner guest, he will take the one to his daughter in Northern Ireland when he goes over and one of my ex-workers are at my friend's school tomorrow morning so they'll be taken back to the men's village, that's three down and lots more to go.  I stopped off tonight on the way back from the restaurant and bought the final few gifts, they will be wrapped tomorrow and then they'll be all set for delivery before I go to the UK.  I only need a few specialist presents from Kardjali but I have time to get those over the weekend.  

Bit of a hairy ride over to Momchilgrad, I'm not too keen on driving at night and forgot that there are lots of sleeping policemen on the lane between the two main roads.  Also you have to be wary of the few stray cows that haven't made it back home and the odd bus that seems to want the middle of the road.  Anyway made it there and back safely, reversed into the drive first time despite the intruder light switched off because it comes on with every car that passes and seems to stay on and so I switch it off at source.  LN.....Now time to relax, get this posted and be ready for 'cat duty' in the morning....LN

Friday 5th December

I awoke at six this morning and switched off the light again and lay snoozing until seven.  It seemed like a good time to get up and start my day.  I didn't bother with coffee and only used the juice of one lemon, turmeric and black pepper and honey to get my system into motion leaving out the ginger and some of the other spices.  The weather was cold, damp, miserable and I suffered it for a while but then I considered how much wood I've got stored and lit the fire, it was soon going well and it cheered up my mood considerably.  I provided Cat with some of the mince that I'd already cooked with onion ready for my evening meal, I hid the dried biscuits inside it and most of it was gone and the magpie came down and finished it off.  No possible shots of the magpie, they are such timid birds that any movement sends them winging their way to safer domains.  I need to build a hide, preferably in the stairwell and position the cat feeding bowl in close proximity.  I did notice some rather large mushrooms half way down the garden but there are so many different varieties and I don't know one from the other so there they will stay.

I washed and dressed, set my sights on finishing the presents for my family in the next village and it's done.  I played around creating gift label but resorted to a pack of fifty stick on labels that I picked up for only two lev, stuck on white paper and secured with wrapping twine seems to work.  I made poached eggs for my breakfast, got a load of washing into the machine and that's almost dry enough to put away.  I put the rest of the mince into the slow cooker with a packet of concentrated tomato juice, switched it to high and realised by the aroma, a slight smell of burning that I needed to turn the temperature down before yet something else was cremated.  I gave up on wrapping presents around five and took to the sofa with a bowl of the mince with pasta, an early supper and the next half hour was getting the fire to show signs of life, there is little air going up the chimney, everything is lifeless outside, not a breeze to be felt.

I carried on watching 'Vikings' on Netflix, thought I'd not watched this series but then realised I had as bits came back to me but it was a few years back.  It's eight thirty my time, the temperature is nine degrees outside so not so cold but it's supposed to be dropping overnight, not that it will bother me, once in my fleece blanket nest, it could get to freezing and I'm sure I wouldn't notice.  One of my successful projects, duvet covers out of fleece blankets, one in the wash and one in service.  LN....It wont be long before I'm curling up with a book.....LN

Saturday 6th December

Six start again but lay in bed until seven, it seems a good time to start my day.  It was another dull, dreary, wet day, not only dull but raining heavily, the water container under the downpipe to the little house was full and spilling over into the yard.  Cat wasn't on the cushion and obviously had found shelter under the honeysuckle or something similar, the food that I'd left last night was already in a dish for Cat so I went out on to the terrace, gave a few of my special call that it seems to recognise and it appeared by magic.  I won't come near my as if it knows that I really don't like cats so because of the rain I put the dish down under the balcony in the dry and there seemed some confusion over where it was going to be fed.  I pointed to the dish, went inside, it obviously jumped up on to the terrace and when I checked from the lounge window it was picking out the bits that it wanted......and it obviously doesn't like pasta but the onion and meat was all picked out of it.  I left it out there, there maybe a cat who is really hungry and will finish it all, I'll check in the morning.  The magpies have it as an established feeding ground but they're so nervous that I'll never be able to get a good shot of them at the feeding station.

I made my lemon mixture with fresh grated ginger for me and sat sipping it and chewing at the ginger.  I'd also added turmeric with a little black pepper and those are the bits that give you wake up call when you 're least expecting it.  Around nine I made cheese on toast for breakfast using the cheese triangles, full of calories but tasty, answered a few emails and decided that I wouldn't be going out and facing the weather.  I'd lit the fire, blow the extravagance, it was cold or it gave the impression of being cold but it was eight degrees, warmer than it's been for a while.  I thought about going into Kardjali with my final list of things to purchase and then it started raining so hard that I gave that up as a bad idea.  Instead I put Netflix on and watch Vikings until around one when I had a sudden burst of energy.  I went out to get in a container of logs taking the empty one with me, saw that there was already a full container so wheeled it inside and then decided to fill up the empty one with medium sized as delivered and started to split a few using my burly axe and a lump hammer.  If the axe goes straight through, brilliant but if not, the lump hammer comes into play and I do it the easy way.  I didn't stop there, I've managed to fill the wheelbarrow and chopped enough so that I'll have some to come back to already prepared.  

It was now getting on for three thirty and I set to to prepare the Beast with a cover to protect it a little if there is snow when I'm away.  It's too long for the garage and has it's nose sticking out, I've got a large blue plastic sheet and this year I've change the format slightly.  I've strung a rope over the beams in the garage and attached the plastic sheet with cleats to the rope, it was designed on the go.  It did mean that I had to get the ladder out which for me spells disaster but I found good hand holds and the job looks OK.  I need to put a few more breeze blocks along the bottom of the sheet from the inside and I'll see how it fares before I go to the UK in case modifications are necessary.

I tidied up outside, watered the plants stored in the little house and that's two jobs off the list, the presents will all be finished tomorrow and then final packing, rubbish to the container or a bonfire if it ever stops raining.....and I've still got four days to go.....I'm on the final countdown with present delivery for the village ladies scheduled for Wednesday.  LN.....It's been a good day despite my reluctance to make much effort this morning, I upped the anti this afternoon.....LN

Sunday 7th December

Another six start but I settled down again and eventually got going around seven.  Coffee and back to bed, Cat was waiting but I had nothing except biscuits to offer and that wasn't well appreciated.  It managed enough to take off the edge obviously but then thought it would used 'guilt' on my but it didn't work, I just carried on with my poached egg on toast.  Eventually it drifted off for better pickings and hopefully it did OK.  

I lit the fire, it was cold, it was another dull day so I tidied up the conservatory, checked the cover that I'd put over the Beast and everything seemed to be intact.  I started to think about packing and sorted out underwear, tights and for the life of me I can't think what clothes I still have in the UK. I know my old duffle coat is waiting for me, I've had it for years but still love it, it's warm and windproof and it reminds me of the one I had when I was all of sixteen...memory lane egh, we all go down it at times.  I had intended finishing off the presents but the mood didn't take me so I had a bonfire instead.  It had stopped raining and the sun was trying its best to break through and I heard my name being called, recognised the voice and shouted that I was at the bottom of the garden and my friend whose mother lives in the bottom square had come up to see me.  I'm not sure what she wanted but she ended up eating the remains of the medlar fruits that are hanging on and suggested that next year I water the tree more when there's a drought.  She also gave instructions that I should cut it back really well along with most of my other shrubs.....later...I have lots to do.

I've managed to come to a decision on which clothes to take and two washing loads later, the house looks like a Chinese laundry and I just hate damp washing around.  It's a toss up at the moment between a very heavy leather coat or my red down short jacket and I think that if it snows and the wind gets up, the leather coat would be really wind and waterproof.  I've also managed to bring in the rest of the pots, cut back the sun-daisies from the pot with the freesias in, put some supports in and moved it nearer the kitchen window where it's warmer.  I caught sight of the magpies hanging around the wild plum so grabbed the camera and stood still in the lounge with the camera at the read and managed to catch the thieving magpie, in fact two of them but having finished most of the cat biscuits I think they'd had enough.  LN....Time to think about food, poke the fire and add a couple of logs....it's getting chill out there.....LN

Monday 8th December

It definitely seems to be the norm....six thirty start and I didn't jump out of bed immediately....it was seven when I was making my bed ready for tonight.  I made my ginger juice with additives, toast for breakfast, fed Cat but it wasn't having any of it and more or less the dish remained untouched except by a large ginger cat that came round later.  On sighting, Cat became very territorial and soon frightened it off the property but it did come around later but I'd already throw the food on to the grass for the birds.

I drove into Djebel around one to pick up a few more presents forgetting it was market day.  Eventually I found a parking place towards the top end of town but it didn't take long to walk down to the children's gift shop, one present that I'd completely forgotten about but now it's resolved.  Walking back across the square I felt hungry so went into the local restaurant, was welcomed by the waiter, seated and ordered chicken and rice thinking that that would be it for the day and it was. I stopped at the supermarket, bought more chocolates and a special body wash for a gift, home for about one thirty and then it was nose down and wrapping.

The ladies presents are more or less there and the two families that I pay special attention to in response to the help they give me, the garage especially with the cars, I never get turned away whenever I have a problem.  The other family is my first student, we've moved on and don't see each other as much but we keep in touch.  So tomorrow all I have left to do is finish off the ladies presents and then put the wrapping paper away for next year.....I won't be tempted to buy more and I shall be delivering on Wednesday.

I've done my last load of washing and that's drying on the radiator on the bathroom, my clothes are ready for packing in the upstairs bedroom and tomorrow morning is the first run at getting everything in that I've put ready.  I'm only taking a small carry-on bag and will probably regret it but it is what it is....I shan't succumb to adding a bag at this stage.  We've had mountain to mountain sunshine for most of the day but the clouds were gathering this evening.  It's such a pity, there's lots of news on the internet of spectacular things to be seen in the night sky but Bulgaria is not the place for seeing them.  The temperature has dropped, it's down to five degrees, it certainly feels more wintery .  LN.....I think I shall have more chance of getting snowed on in the UK listening to the warnings......LN  

Tuesday 9th December

Another dull morning, it doesn't seem to know what to do.  I was cold and a memory from FB reminded me of the snow that had fallen this time last year.  I do hope that it stays away until next week, then it can send down as much as it likes.  An overnight email forced me into making a couple of phone calls and thank goodness my bank works twenty four, I sorted the problem quite quickly but at least my brain was able to relax again.  It reminds me that in the old days we would have had to wait for the bank to open and most times that was nine in the morning, you would have to make your way there and wait to be attended to....everything is so instant now but it does fit with the rest of society....it needs to be instant.  I did have to wait for the second company I had to contact since the particular department didn't get going until eight and I just got really fed up with the number of traffic lights I could spot, the number of bicycles and tick mark the boxes with steps in them.  This was when I was changing departments within their organisation, I'd passed through one lot of security and now it was internal transference and I know they have to be careful, but I could feel my blood pressure rising so I let out that I wasn't finding this easy and my age had something to do with it.  

I was surprised by a phone call around eleven this morning and it was Bekir.  I'd asked him about five weeks ago if he could sweep my chimney for me and had heard nothing back so I've not been very generous with logs on the fire taking care not to have it roaring away.  The outcome is I'm picking him up in the morning and it took me back to this time last year when the Nipper broke down on the way to collect him and was low-loaded away and when I drove him back in the Beast that packed up on my way home in the dark and that was low-loaded away with help from a taxi driver and his son.  Fingers crossed for tomorrow!!  That turned out to be a really expensive day.  I drove into Djebel and bought more tablets since I was getting a little low and I'm doing a comparison with the price of the tablets in the UK.  Two packets of my normal ones cost eight lev which is the equivalent of four pounds and I popped into the car shop which was next door to the chemist to be told that my Christmas present has got lost in the post on its way from Poland.  I wasn't told what it is, or was and after a full investigation, the money has been returned so I hope someone gets to enjoy it...for free.

Cat has been hanging around all day, I've put out cat food twice and it doesn't seem to have a lot of energy and I think we have a lot in common.  My reserves are low, I find leading up to the festivities that I get stressed.  I'll be OK when it's finally here. it's the lead-up.  The water heater is on for a bath, I made tuna and mayo and had it with toast around an hour ago so I shall be leaving it a little while before I head to the bathroom.  I've not managed to find another super series on Netflix and it's at times like this that I revert to one of my old favourites and watch it all again and it's amazing the things you spot on a second viewing.  LN....Time to switch off, the camera hasn't been out today but tomorrow when I spot Bekir hanging on to the chimney on the roof, I'll have it at the ready......LN

Wednesday 10th December

Six thirty start this morning, mountain to mountain fog and the temperature was down to one degree.  It was tempting to snuggle down again but today I had people to see, places to go and work to force men to give up there time for.  I was in the Nipper by seven thirty and heading for Bekir's village to pick him up, I had a choice of routes.  The old road that had been shut off by a metal barrier was now open for business but the last time a friend tried it she was terrified so I opted for the switch-back single track that I broke down on last time....heck of a choice.  I decided to take the 'cheren put' or local rough road to the Makaza Greece road and noticed that it was now signposted to Bekir's village and I was wondering if there had been road works but no, it was as rough as ever but at least it's wide so you can choose your obstacles.

I pulled up outside the local cafe and five minutes later Bekir appeared, friendly greetings all round, his main job was to clean the chimney for me and he came armed with a big round ball of metal on a rope. A brush is attached to the base of the ball and it's a matter of climbing on the roof, removing any hindrances like cowls or protective stone wear and letting the ball find it's way down the chimney removing anything that gets in its way.  I was in the bathroom, I'd cleared the protective shields so that I could see into the down pipe and from the top Bekir asked if I could see the ball.  I said no, the light wasn't good so I put my hand inside the hole and the ball arrived again so I acknowledged it's arrival with a yelp.  He then moved on to the chimney to the kitchen and the exits are side by side.  There was little soot down that one and not much down the other so I scooped it out with a kitchen utensil and put it over the wall to the hillside.  That done I put everything back and then remembered that I wanted to ask Bekir if he could put some mesh round the chimney pots to stop the birds falling down in the summer.  There had been a lot of them this year so I found a suitable mesh in the woodstore, found the tin-snips and some wire to hold the mesh in place and job was a 'gud-dun'.  

To get my money's worth I asked him to look at the kitchen light which he did and managed to screw the fixture back in place and insert the new tube.  He'd done the initial installation but decided that bigger screws were better and we found some in the workshop and another one off the list.  Next one, I asked him to look at the roof guttering where it was leaking and it was this that was my downfall, literally, last year.  He started by clearing the guttering of leaves but as he delved deeper, the guttering had actually rusted through so it was a trip to Djebel to buy two meters of guttering and a corner piece and everything is back in place and the only difference is that the new piece looks new, but it's not that obvious.  There was only one last thing to do, the pipe from the upstairs expansion tank for the central heating had to be checked to ensure that there's sufficient water in it and unfortunately the rust from the radiators makes it almost impossible to see the water level so the small pipe was removed, cleaned and the water topped up.  

At roughly two thirty, the list was complete, everything tidied away and we were heading back to Bekir's village.  About three weeks ago I sent presents over for Bekir and his family and also for Sali, the man who used to work with him.  Bekir said that he hadn't taken the present over, Sali had been in hospital and was at home now recovering and would I like to see him.  I thought about it, my schedule was tight but we went to Bekir's house for the gift bag for Sali and his wife, there were quite a few people in the house but I sat by Sali on the sofa and my heart went out to him.  He looks very ill, there was never very much spare flesh on his bone but he is very poorly and I'm pleased I found the time.  I also had a box of chocolates and a beautiful shawl for my present, we said fond farewells, I dropped Bekir near his house and took the rough road down to the main road and was home by three thirty.

I've done most of the things, the last load of washing is in the machine, toast for supper, fire going eventually but it was slow to start, the chimney was cold.  I've made the decision not to drop off the present for the family, we'll have a get together when I return and I'll see the present opened, next year.  LN.....Now to sort out final clothes to jump into and then start my journey.....LN

Thursday 11th December

I worked through my count-down list, was up really early and the fire was still going to I threw a log on and it picked up straight away.  I had my bonfire at seven in PJ's and boots, there was ice on the grass so I took care.  Next job was to turn off the water and was expecting to see a frog or something down there but even that must have found a new home for the winter.  Packing complete I loaded it into the car along with the presents I was taking to the garage shop, locked everything up, put the padlock on the gate and set off for Djebel.  I unloaded, drove down to the garage where the car was staying until I returned, walked back to the town since both the boys were busy with MOTs.

No taxis in the rank and fortunately I asked the right man, his taxi was parked on the main car-park, I told him I wanted Kardjali and the bus station, he quoted the price which was over the odds but any port in a storm.  I told him the bus left at twelve so he put his foot on the pedal and I was there for ten to twelve and we were loading.  I took my bag on the bus with me, I'd got the first row and a Bulgarian lady joined me who lives in Rome, worked in Rome and had come back to visit family and was fluing home that night.  I decided to have the night in the hotel, she got off at a drop stop for the metro, I stayed on but got off at the next drop stop when I saw a taxi rank and managed to get a taxi immediately.  There was lots of traffic but it didn't take too long and the cost was fifteen lev....roughly seven pounds so not bad.

I went to reception to check in and was surprised when I was given a second floor room as I'm normally on the fourth floor.  I remembered that they'd changed the system, done away with kettles and installed water dispensers hence my request for a water jug.  I remembered the restaurant 'serviture' and he found me one but when I got to the room there was a kettle, no coffee sachets, creamers ....nothing.  I went back to reception and thanked him for the kettle but were was the coffee only to be told that I'd booked a basic room and they were not obliged to provide this item.  There was nothing for it, I replied that I didn't know that I'd booked a standard room, there was no mention on the website and how much would it be to upgrade, I was a regular guest and was a member of the 'Club' even though I've never got it to work for me with discounts.  He immediately offered me a room on the fifth floor an no extra cost, I have a kettle, coffee, strawberry flavoured tea and sugar.  

And now for a wash and brush up, I shan't be long before I'm curled up but firstly down for a special burger.  LN.....I'll keep you posted......LN

Friday 12 December

Special burger was just as I expected, four inches in height making it impossible to tackle it with except knife and fork with fingers at the ready to pick up the bits that went astray.  I slept OK woke up early enough to have a shower and wash my hair, down for breakfast at eight thirty and the bus to the airport at ten thirty for a lunchtime flight.  I noticed the changes in getting through to departures, I think they're trying to get enough people through a small terminal.  There are now very small baggage control area and two sets of passport control areas... but my passport control officer had to put his thinking cap on.  He searched the passport for an entry stamp for Bulgaria but obviously there wasn't one since I'd ordered it online and it had been brought in by the courier and delivered to me.  He asked why so I said that it was a new passport but this didn't deter him from his quest so I said that it was new and he still didn't get it.  I explained how it had been delivered to me in Bulgaria so then he asked for my residency card which obviously I carry at all times, and I was through one of the hurdles.  There were more to come.  Putting the baggage through security with a narrower belt system led to more queues, I thought I'd prepared for it but obviously not enough for the new system but I was through and adjusting my clothing at the other end.  The duty free area has almost been removed so I didn't bother, set myself down and waited, got on the second bus to the aircraft which left first, I had the whole row to myself and had a good flight.  The plane landed without any hitches, it was a long walk to passport control and when I saw the automatic check points I found a man, said that I always had problems getting through and ended up really stressed and asked him for suggestions to which he said 'walk to the end, three men doing very little and I was called over by a very chatty blond headed young man who was missing the human interaction and he wanted to know all about Bulgaria and why I was living there....a pleasant interlude for both of us.

Onward to Gatwick, then to the train station with lots of people milling around, automatic ticket dispensers which I knew I would find difficult so I found another lady who was a 'helper', told her what I wanted, tapped my card and I was launched, the train appeared in five minutes, only two stops to my destination, ten minutes walk to the bus, tod the driver my destination stop, tapped my card again, dropped off at the end of the street, I'd reached my destination and then to settle in.

It's strange coming back but lots of my things are around me and it wasn't long before I felt settled.  Spag.bol for supper with a difference, no tins of tomatoes so splashed tomato sauce into the mince and it worked, a nice long soak in my bath, into fleecy pyjamas, watched a little TV and then to bed around ten.  Sorry too tired to do this last night for the early risers but I'm an early riser here so here you go.  LN.....Not quite right but all I can manage to make it seem normal.....LN

Saturday 13th December

I slept well, woke up at six thirty, normal time for me in Bulgaria.  I tried to go back to sleep again but it wasn't happening for me and it's been a busy and tiring day.  My daughter set about filling out the Asda order, the cupboard was bare.  She was used so the format, created it and arrived with her other half to go through what she was proposing to order and to make changes and additions to it.  The order was placed at lunchtime more or less and she managed to get a delivery between five thirty and six thirty this evening and it was here by five thirty.  I'm amazed at how helpful the delivery drivers are, there was around five crates of items and he even helped to put some items away.  I stayed out of it, my contribution was dropping a jar of marmalade and clearing up the glass.....'I'm not being much help am I mother' was the phrase that came to mind from an old advert on the television years ago.

We had a very pleasant afternoon with daughter and SIL, I haven't seen them since April when they last came over to visit.  I didn't make my summer trip this year, not sure why.  I wasn't really active in the garden thanks to my fall after last year's visit to the UK, summer moved on and then we were in to autumn and I had lots of documents to sort out, a new passport, Bulgarian registration documents and new driving licence and every step in the right direction seemed like a monumental task to be accomplished.  It's also that a big birthday is looming, I'd like a get together here but most of my close friends are of a similar age and some I'd even have to drag out of nursing homes.  This afternoon I did managed to get the hand shears out and cut back the hedge that sits next to the pavement at the front of the house.  I noticed when I arrived that it was encroaching and while not dangerous, would be better cut back.  It didn't take long, unfortunately my ex is not able to keep on top of some of the maintenance that a house and garden requires.  I might try again to set up a gardener, one that will take the rubbish away, it makes me realise how lucky I am, my garden waste goes over the wall onto the hillside and the animals are grateful.

I wrote the cards that are going to distant shores today and will get them in the post on Monday.  The rest can go in normal post and then I shall have time for myself until my daughter finishes off the school year and then we might get in a few shopping trips to find presents for the family.  We shall be catching up with the rest of the family between Christmas and the New Year, we're so far apart, and I'm finding that it gets more difficult as you get older.  I shall probably be taking the route of money for the grandchildren, technology moves on and things always need replacing.  I did think about hiring a car to get round to a few of my friends in outlying areas but I think driving in Bulgaria is a little different that driving in the UK...it wouldn't be sheep and cows on the road here, it would be cars, more cars and at speeds that aren't reached in Bulgaria except for the Romanians heading down to Greece on the Makaza road.  I might just meander through the countryside by bus and taxi for final destination...I've got time to plan these things.

Now the sleepy dust is starting to kick in, just after ten my time while my computer reminds me that it's just after midnight and my body clock is still adjusting.  LN....Looking forward to a good night's sleep with little to do tomorrow unless I feel inclined to go to church or walk down to the beach with a camera....which I really ought to do......LN

Sunday 14th December

Another six start or so I thought but I realised that I've been existing in two time zones.  My Big Ben clock hadn't been adjusted since daylight saving had occurred so now I have changed it and operating in line with everyone else.  I didn't bother settling down again but went on the hunt for the documents I'd been working on for my friend and her family tree, I knew that I'd brought them over but I tend to settle in in a hurry and I'd put them somewhere 'safe' but eventually I located them.  I wasn't going to work on the chart today, I was going to go to church on my spiritual quest which entailed getting a bus at roughly ten or just after so before that I made toast and had it with apricot jam, washed and dressed and then set about finding shoes and a coat.  The leather one that I came in is so heavy so I checked in the wardrobe in the third bedroom and came across one that wasn't mine but it fit, 'Cinderella' and would do.  I then delved into my shoe store box and came across a new pair of brown leather lace up ankle boots which I must have bought twenty or so years ago, never been worn, tried them on and fit perfectly.

I set off for the bus stop, arrived at ten and the bus came as planned at eight minutes after ten, paid with contactless and arrived at church around quarter to eleven.  The lady conducting the service from the platform asked me if it was my first time at this church and I replied that I had been coming to the church for the last forty years, on and off.  I rattled off the members that have since passed over so that she knew I was genuine, went into the church and took my seat.  Unfortunately there was no one to play the hymns and she ended up playing head banging songs that we were to sing along to, the medium looked uncomfortable, I closed my eyes remembering that I was in church and eventually the medium took over, gave out four spirit messages to individuals and we all disbanded.  I went out onto the pavement to watch my bus sail into the distance and with the next one in another hour I walked down towards the sea and took the Coast Road bus, stopping at the village, into Tesco and bought chocolate and goodies that I'll secrete away in my bedroom.

I made lunch, watched television and the removal of one of the four remaining 'Strictly' finalists and next week will be the grand final, and I've already booked the TV.  I've just been on the hunt for a cable for the camera that I brought over with me and was put to much use today.  There's got to be one somewhere but having searched in all the usual places I shall have a better look tomorrow.  Unfortunately I shan't be able to post them.  LN....Cards to be posted tomorrow, especially those for overseas, there's no so much urgency with the others.....Christmas egh......LN

Monday 15th December

The new cable is ordered for the old camera, I did a complete search of all possible hidey holes and didn't manage to find one to fit so hence no embellishments tonight either.  It should be arriving soon, and if not I might be going into Brighton tomorrow, Christmas presents need to be purchased.  It will probably be cheaper than my usual practice of allocating funds to the family and unfortunately I never hear what's been bought with the money or even if it's gone as a part-payment towards something bigger or more expensive.

I slept well and was up and about at seven.  I was on my own until almost twelve and found myself going through the wardrobe and finding things that I used to store in my old study.  Looks like I've been evicted from another area.  I opened up a folder and found my old school reports and certificates won for inter-school athletic events at the local stadium.  I didn't manage to get to grammar school first time round and had a year at another secondary school....and found an accolade I'd missed.  While reading the school report from the secondary school to start grammar school in the September.....'She will be missed for her sense of humour', and I think that's the thing that's carried me through life.  I also found some really old photographs of members of my ancestry chart and written on the back were who they were and I can only imagine I must have done that when my parents were alive.  I'm going to attach them to the family chart, to put a face to a name on a family tree makes it more interesting.  I also found one of the first nightgowns that I bought for my first born, an outfit that I'd bought for my daughter for a family event when she was about seven and lace gloves that my mother had crocheted for me.  They will probably be 'disposed of' when the time comes...so much history so maybe I should get rid of them first.

The home help turned up just before one, knocked on the door so I went down and let her in.  The knock on the door forced 'mine host' out of bed, and into the world of the living and fortunately the lady worked to the same programme, she knew what she had to do and got on with it.  I carried on with my Christmas cards and they will be posted tomorrow.  The rest of the afternoon has been spent watching the television, quiz programmes that haven't changed over the years and stretch the brain a little.  The weather wasn't good enough for me to venture out, it would have been a walk down to the village, not over the Downs to the sea with the prize being a pork pie on the beach, a can of coke and a block of Cadbury's chocolate and fending off the sea-gulls.  I do like the walk up on to the Downs but the weather does have to be good.  

Now to settle in to the evening...time to sort out supper even though I'm not really hungry. LN....No chance of going down to the village and getting fish and chips, the car has been 'sorned' and his driving licence has expired.....time for a dive in the freezer......LN

Tuesday 16th December

Slept well eventually, woke up at seven thirty and set about writing the script to accompany the ancestry diagrams for my friend.  It's a bit of a challenge, she doesn't have internet and computer so I couldn't send it directly to her, so I had to devise a way to get the printouts to her.  Also another complication is that the printer here isn't WIFI so I had to send an email with the script in the body of the message and ask my host to print it out.  The laminated charts I'll roll up and post to her in a cardboard tube with the texts and that should be all on it's way tomorrow. As they say, where there's a will....

This took until lunchtime to sort out and the afternoon has been helping with things that need sorting here, phoning a man that's repairing one of mine hosts computers.  Apparently the said computer has been fixed but just needs final set up and I have got a promise out of him that he will get it back to us tomorrow so fingers crossed he will stick to his plan. I've also felt very lazy today, I got as far as tights and a large fleecy top, I should really have walked down the village and posted my cards and will have to do that tomorrow or it will be too late for them to be delivered.  It's been a grey, cold day and that's another reason I didn't make the village, a few shafts of sunlight broke through but nothing that tempted me out of the house.

I did manage to cook for us tonight, I used to live here, knew where things were and nothing was an effort but I have forgotten where things are kept.  I tried to get the dishwasher to run but the directions written under the different buttons on the front have worn away meaning that I couldn't find the 'Start' button but just managed to find that to 'Cancel', two keys have to be pressed at the same time, so could remove the eight hour delay that I'd managed to programme before it would set off on its task.  I decided to leave it to 'management' to sort out.  I don't have the luxury of a dishwasher at home, there's only me so a bowl of hot water, washing up liquid and a squeezy is all I need.  Hoping for better weather tomorrow and my cards will be posted.  I'm not feeling the Christmas spirit and need to get enthusiasm from somewhere and a walk over the Downs might do it.  LN.....Looks like I'm going to have to dig deep.....and again no cable to post any photos......LN

Wednesday 17th December

It's been a funny old day.  I did manage to have a bath and wash my hair, using shampoo that's been here for a while and I managed to find a hairdryer so job was a good-un.  I breakfasted on toast with lemon curd and was determined to get down to the village to post my seasonal overseas cards, they may be a little late but at least I don't feel so guilty now.  I walked out of the drive and couldn't decide whether to go up the steep hill to the Downs or head down to the village and then come back over the Downs, and since there was a heck of a wind blowing, I chose the village route.

Lots of traffic and road works but walked down to the post office first, handed over my cards to be posted along with family cards that I'd just selected and twenty pounds had just left my possession.  I managed to find business where I'd been asked to hand over a cheque, they'd changed premises since I'd been away but that was the second thing off my list and then into the local Tesco and everything on my imaginary list was obtained.  I walked towards my new route over the Downs and noticed that the allotments when just before you join the Downs had new figures protecting the property and I managed to get my camera through the wire netting and caught a few good shots.  I joined the Downs, fortunately there was a tail wind so it was hood up and best foot forward and I managed to avoid quite a few dogs taking owners for walks.

I took me about thirty minutes to get to the steep path down, I hung on to the rail and arrived home at the same time as an engineer who'd had the computer in for repair.  I managed to get into the house first, cleared a space for him on the unit where the computer was supposed to sit and unfortunately it's in my bedroom so everything else landed on the bed.  Eventually the job was signed off and paid for, he left and on the door mat was a postal delivery of the cables I was expecting but in the confusion, those appear to have been lost but I've managed to find another one and now I have photos to post.  Hurrah.....!!  I haven't had time to think about supper so far, looks like it might be a cold snack and it won't be long before I'm in bed tonight, I've had too much fresh air today.  LN.....Let's hope nothing untoward happens with the computer now that it's back....I think I'll stick to my laptop.....LN

Thursday 18th December

What a day weatherwise, the outside light was triggered by the wind and was on and off all night, the rain has been continually falling and it's been dull and miserable most of the day.  Fortunately I did my journey to the post office yesterday and got most of the ones that I'm sending on their way, the family ones remain on the table in the lounge.  They will be despatched tomorrow if it ever stops raining.

I had a bacon sandwich for breakfast, mine hose didn't appear until lunchtime when it was time for me to have lunch.  I opened a can of mushroom soup and had it with buttered toast and that's probably going to see me through until tomorrow morning.  The computer that came back from repair has been in use today but unfortunately there isn't a printer attached so I ended up copying the 1901 census that shows the children that were taken over when their father died, they're shown as 'step-children' on the census return.  It would have looked neater printed out but I think my friend will understand why I copied it out.  

As for the rest of the day, this morning I tidied up the clutter in my bedroom.  The shoes in the chest have been paired up and laced where ever possible so that they stay together.  I have quite a lot of clothes for washing but taking into account the weather, it will have to wait, wet washing hanging around would add to the problem.  I have enough clothes to wear, I had forgotten how many sweaters I had stored over here and with no room in the hand luggage to take them home, it looks like they'll be here for a little longer.  Time to move downstairs for the evening, I'm not sure what is currently running on British television.  The BBC is currently advertising the series 'Traitors' so it looks like a new series in due for release, didn't see the last one, won't see this one but I understand quite a few people got hooked on it.  Time to switch off and post but unfortunately there will be no photos tonight, it's been too wet to go outside to see if there is anything worth recording. LN....Fingers crossed for better weather tomorrow, I have a village walk with a purpose to carry out......LN

Friday 19th December

So I thought I was waking up at six but when I checked the clock it was four so it was a bathroom visit and another snuggle down.  My body clock kicked in at seven, I was back on track.  Coffee and back to bed eventually surfacing at eight thirty and not a sound was heard, not even a mouse from the rest of the house.....thank goodness.  I decided to sort out the monetary presents so phoned my bank and now all my 'presents' are ordered,  and 'delivered and now I can sit back....my Christmas shopping will be done by the recipients and if they buy the wrong things, nothing to do with me gov.  The upside is, I'm not sure what people want especially the teenagers so it's much better that they put the money towards what they do want.....even if it only turns out to be 'drinking vouchers' on a night out.

My next task was to write the addresses on the cards for the family and get them ready for posting.  I also repacked Brighton calendars, addressed the envelopes, packed up my first shot of my friend's ancestry chart and cards, calendars and ancestry parcel I took down to the post office in the village and another twelve pounds went on postage.  The thing with post offices these days and especially out village one is it caters for all demands.  After I'd paid the lady I realised I was getting short on cash so with my card topped up my wallet meaning that it was all done in one place.  So much easier than it used to be.

I walked back home and was surprised how dark it gets very quickly, I'd left at three thirty and arrived back at four thirty and street lights were coming on.  I do miss being mobile here, I was fair huffing and puffing by the time I got home and all that I was carrying was a loaf of bread, I'd remembered that I was getting light on the white bread, brown to me is just not the same.  He was such a nice man in the Co-op in the village, I decided to buy a lottery ticket and he wished me luck with it.  It was a lucky dip so fingers crossed it will be.  I don't want supper tonight, I had toast for breakfast then a sausage sandwich around twelve just before I went down to the village and I feel stuffed to the gills.  It appears I didn't work it off.  

Just had a phone call with my Ancestry buddy and tried to explain to her how to read the information that I've put in the envelope to her regarding her family chart....including the proviso.....if you don't understand it.....phone me.  I think I might just find space for a jacket potato so now am going down to the kitchen to see if I've remembered to use the microwave....LN.....We all get used to our own kitchen equipment.....wish me luck.....LN

Saturday 20th December

Not a bad start to the day but then the clouds rolled in.  The poor birds hanging on to the branches when the wind got up, I really did feel sorry for them.  My morning was spent sorting things out.  I'm out of sync, at home I have a place for everything but even though I lived here for quite a few years, I've not really settled this year so this morning I was organising things so that I knew where things were and didn't spend my time going upstairs for things that I needed downstairs and vice-versa.  I made toast and lemon curd for breakfast, it just happened to be on the worktop so it was there to fill the gap.

I delivered my last card to the next door neighbours.  I'm not sure if they were in I just put it in the letterbox and hopefully they'll find it.  I also wrote a long catch-up email to a friend who used to live in BG but moved back to the UK when a daughter was born.  She's probably still reading it and I reminded her that I'm still taking care of her rocking chair, it's in my bedroom and a very comfortable spot to sit in for reading or just admiring my domain in all weathers....I still love my home and England makes me realise even more how Bulgaria has become my home. I also had a lengthy conversation with my daughter and we made arrangements for how I'm going to split my time here....Christmas eve, day and boxing day and then back home but we have managed to fit in a shopping day.  I will be with them on Monday night and then we are having an early start on Tuesday and off to Eastbourne, last minute present shopping for them and it will be my first day of Christmas shopping.  Fortunately the money gifts have arrived so they can buy what they want  or need.....much better that way and easier for me.

I made supper tonight, the gammon joint was cooked over night and it was only a matter of putting in jacket potatoes and opening a can of beans and those didn't even get warmed.  I did go to the freezer for an ice-cream but it looks like the 'elf' has managed to get there before me and there were none to be found. I've just watched the Strictly Final and was pleased with the result, not maybe perfection but won with the right attitude.  She wasn't performing on the West End but a footballer who had no previous experience of dancing and their dance to the theme tune of Peaky Blinders, honouring the fact that she came from Birmingham turned out to be a brilliant performance.  Now a quick blog, I might go to church tomorrow morning if the weather is fine and if there is a service, I really must check before I venture out.  LN.....Christmas is approaching fast, I really need to find some of that Christmas spirit....and not from a bottle......LN

Sunday 21st December

Four thirty I came round from my slumbers, realised what the time was and then snuggled down until seven this morning and fully rested.  Unfortunately mine host doesn't really wake up and get mobile until lunchtime, no matter what noise I make in the house so I usually go downstairs and the television becomes my companion.  It's not so bad during the week, the news bulletins let me know what going on in the world but at weekends, it's the usual round of rubbish television, old films or repeats.  I made a sandwich for breakfast using some of the ham from the gammon joint left from last night and thought that would be enough until mine host appeared around twelve and cooked bacon, sausage and fried an egg for a real breakfast.

I disappeared upstairs, played around on the computer and went back downstairs to watch television.  Around three this afternoon I had a catch-up phone call from my son, I mentioned that I'd put money into his bank account for distribution to the off shoots and that there was no way he could keep it for himself, I'd made a note in their Christmas cards that 'Dad is in possession of the 'loot', have a Merry Christmas!!  No way he can get out of it now.  They are off to spend Christmas with the out-laws but we should manage to catch up midway between that and the New Year.  It's been a while since I've seen them all, probably last Christmas.  

I had another phone call from my friend to say that the ancestry investigations that I sent over to her had arrived, she'd only briefly looked in the envelope , she had been to the Jazz Club that she still goes to at eighty three, it was the last one of the year.  They'd had a really festive time, she drives so there's no real drinking involved and we got to discuss the contents of the envelope.  I think I know more about her family that she does and she hasn't yet got her head round what I've sent her so I gave her a few pointers, pointed out the hand-copied 1901 census which shows the status of some of those listed as stem sons and daughters, a fact I'd come across that she had no knowledge of.  Also on this census it shows her grandfather, grandmother, her aunt and an illegitimate son from one of the brothers, her mother wasn't listed, she hadn't been born yet.  I can imagine her pouring over the records tonight and I've said that if she wants any more information about any one on the chart, to make a list and I'll have a look for her.  I might have a few things to do between filling my face with chocolate and nuts!!

I've only managed to take photos of my tree today, I didn't make it to church this morning, I didn't fancy getting the bus into town, the weather wasn't good and then getting back.  I do miss the convenience of a car!!.  I'm heading down to the kitchen, last night's jacket potato done in the microwave went down a treat so that's on the meny for tonight's supper amybe with a little cheese.  LN.....I am now on a mission, post and then kitchen......LN

Monday 22nd December

Up and about at seven this morning, I didn't bother with breakfast first thing and it was ten when I was cooking a poached and putting it on toast.  There was a change of plan, I was originally going to stay at my daughter's house tonight and shopping in Eastbourne tomorrow but on reflecting on already purchased Christmas presents, she found that they had bought enough so why put yourself through last minute shoppers, crazy carparks and high seasonal traffic.  Better to curl up with a good book.  I didn't mind the change of plan, so tomorrow she will pick me up at a time to be decided and I shall be there for a few days.  I better get buying some stocking fillers.  I've put money in the accounts of people that matter, my presents to my ladies are all waiting for delivery, other special people either have them already or will receive them when I get back.  The most poignant delivered present this year was to Sally, one of my original builders and from here I'm sending him healing thoughts, he really isn't well.

Mine host had a new cleaning lady today and why the company sends someone who hasn't a clue what they have to do when they arrive at the property, can really confuse some of the older clients.  I think that I might even have to mention it to the company.....some of the users are OK and can cope with change, others don't.  Carers are supposed to give care not ask what they are supposed to be doing.  A simple form completed when the person signs up to the contract agreeing what work is to be carried out should sit in a folder.  Older people get confused and can be taken advantage of and only half of the work completed.  Now down from my soap-box.

I managed a lovely long bath, washed my hair and feel that that will take me through until Christmas.  There will be vying for bathroom access when I stay with my daughter, not that I shall be rushing to get washed and dressed, pyjamas might be the order of the day.  I'm sure Santa won't mind....Christmas is more about tins of chocolates, and generally grazing, the only formality being the turkey and the trifle.  Sorry. no photos, I did intend to walk down to the village but the weather just didn't encourage me to venture out.  

I don't know if any of you caught the film 'Oppenheimer' on the television last night.  What a superb performance by the Peaky Blinder star for which he received an Oscar.  LN....Bring on the next Peaky Blinder film.....and now..... it's time to switch off for the night......LN  

Tuesday 23rd December

Not a bad morning, not sure of what was really happening for the rest of the day, I couldn't remember if I was going to my daughter's house for Christmas today or tomorrow so I sent a text so that she could remind me of the arrangements made.  She confirmed that she would be picking me up later this afternoon so I was ready with boots 'browned', laptop at the ready and she arrived around three thirty, luggage transferred from house to car and we were on our way.  

The house is beautifully decorated, there is nothing to denote Christmas in my house. Christmas tree, lights and beautiful hand painted windows of 'The Grinch' peep out at me from the kitchen, she's so artistic.  My grandson was there to greet me, luggage was moved to the bedroom and coffee delivered to my hand.....hugs all round and time to settle for just a few days, but this is what I come back for.  Driving back from the village we stopped to take photos of the village by night, the village pub near the pond and of the house lights of the house I've just checked in to.  With her help, I've managed to transfer the photos to my computer and let's see if we can get them on here so that you are able to see them.

We've already made plans for tomorrow morning.  I've handed money out for presents but I still like to participate and add presents to the stockings to open on Christmas morning.  LN.......I might even add presents to mine......LN

Wednesday 24th December

So I slept really well with my snake water bottle and when it came for bedtime, I was offered a weighted blanket by my grandson when I said that I needed the weight of blankets more that the warmth.  We had a little joke about it hinting that if I slept on my back I would end up flat as a pancake and I found this very funny but as morning was breaking I found myself in my half sleep composing a poem about it.  Which when I surfaced completely into the world, I forgot to write it down so it's lost to the ether.  I found it so comfortable to sleep under and found out that they are available on Amazon and am sorely tempted to get one sent to Bulgaria, I don't think Easy-Jet would accommodate it.

Breakfast was cold sausages and toast while still in PJ's and after that we had a last minute shop and didn't stop long, the supermarket was heaving and a visit to Co-op that wasn't so busy for chocolate that I'd forgotten in my rush to get out of the supermarket. It's been a television afternoon, grandson coming and going either to the gym or the pub with friends and now the table is laden with cheese, gammon, pickled onions and things that have to be enjoyed....it's time for me to say goodnight and join in the fun.  LN....I have to have an early night....and wait for Santa......LN

Thursday 25th December

Slept OK but was awakened by noise in the hallway, my grandson had returned after a night in the village.  The noise stopped, the house went back to sleep as did I until eight thirty....Christmas day had arrived, Santa had been, coffee was made, present distributed and the unwrapping ceremony came alive, minus my grandson, who was still sleeping off the effects of the previous night's activities.  He joined us later.

The lunch was underway, my SIL was in charge in the kitchen and my daughter and myself sat in the lounge at the dining room table exchanging presents and the stockings came later.  Mine was full if sweets that into a dish and I seem to have been grazing all day and the pile is still not going down.  Lunch as exceptional, too much food to eat but we all managed most of it, the washing up went into the dishwasher and it wasn't like the old days when we would all chip in and then sit down for the queen's speech.  This year it was the King's speech to the nation which we caught later.  The suggestion was made that we would go for a walk and my daughter and myself set off to do a walk around a circular path over the fields, we wrapped up warm, boots and wellingtons, gloves and hats, long jackets to keep out the biting wind.  We saw horses with jackets on, pheasants, dogs taking owners for a walk, no one was really smiling, it was all 'heads down' against the wind.  We walked home, the boots are on the mat drying out, we were on the sofa thawing out, I fell asleep and have just woken up and am so pleased that we made the effort to go for a walk.  My lunch has move down really to attack cold turkey with pickles and a cheese board and then settling down to whatever the television has to present.  LN....It's been a quiet gentle day and I'm going to have to leave clothes here to get the new ones home....LN

Friday 26th December

Very quite evening last night.  We were all tucked up in out beds early and breakfast was the usual post Christmas Boxing day breakfast of turkey dripping on toast with a sprinkling of salt with lots of coffee.  My SIL who has been chief chef and bottle washer this year also saved the pork fat and there was no comparison with the real thing.  He'd also got what we called the first pressing of the pork fat and put that in a small dish along with the second pressing of which the residue at the bottom was of a much darker colour but the turkey won feet feet up.  Only my daughter and myself partook, my SIL settled for scrambled eggs with lashings of tomato sauce and grandson wasn't much into food despite having an early night.

We settled into the Telegraph Sudoku, the regular and the difficult, I managed the first one and haven't yet tackled the second.  I'm back at my UK base now and have started to unpack, I have more coats than I set off with and have already decided that I shall go home in my new windproof long coat over my body warmer leaving my duffle coat here for anytime I grace England with my presence but I am also leaving my heavy leather coat that I travelled over in.  It's too large for me now that I've lost weight and far too heavy but is a good one to leave here and that's back in the wardrobe.  I've accumulated a box of chocolates that I'll keep in my bedroom so no grazing can take place when place in the lounge and lots more of chocolate from my Santa stocking.....we do love Santa.  

I came home around four this afternoon and where do the days go?  My son and family might be arriving on Sunday so I'm back to tidy this place even though I don't live here any more.  It's amazing how one can feel responsible even though I live a plane ride away.....a four hour bus journey and a half an hour's taxi trip.  The ultimate woman's guilt trip.

Saturday tomorrow and I do want to start sorting lots of mail that's hanging around, trying to make appointments for things that I want to do and that depends which businesses are working or have shut up shop until the start of the New Year.  I would normally go into town for the sales but with only a small suitcase and having such good bargains in BG....it would be a waste of effort to tussle with the masses for things I don't really want or need.  Now to find something to eat....it's been a long time since breakfast, even though we ate well.  LN...I'm heading for the fridge first and the freezer second.....and I suppose as another option, there is always chocolate......LN

Saturday 27th December

Much better morning to wake up to...the sun was shining, it was cold and proper wintery but it took me until three this afternoon to get into gear and walk up over the Downs.  I went up the hard route since there is a rail to hang on to and then it's downwards to the windmill and the sea.  There are too many dogs around, most people seem to have them, probably rescued from BG.

There's a new update for tomorrow.  What was going to be a family meal is now my son and family coming arriving in the afternoon, no time was given.  It's not going to be a family occasion as it normally is but there again this year has not been ordinary.  I shall think seriously about coming over next year at Christmas, lots of people on the move, ice and snow sometimes hampers the travelling, lots of people about.  I might just have a quiet time with my neighbours and watch people actually open presents not just drop and run.

I wrapped up warm in my new coat from my daughter and SIL, hat on, cloves on, boots on, hung on to the hand rail as I climbed to the top of the slope then freewheeled it down the grassy slope towards the windmill.....it's all downhill after the first climb.  Lots of people said hello, I think it was because they thought I was 'Billy No-mates' walking alone and with not even a dog to talk to but that's the way that I like it.  Over the crossings on the main road, down another slope and the sea and vista are before you and I noticed that the ferry from Dieppe to Newhaven was making its homeward run standing out very white against the sea and the sky.  I walked along the undercliff walk and found a bench, sat in the middle of it so that no one else could join me and watched the antics of the ones on the beach or rather the pebbles. People came and went and I sat it out until the ferry had docked, walked back to the High Street and to the Co-op for lottery tickets for tonight and bought a chicken for supper.

Chicken underway with jacket potatoes, watched the Seniors snooker semi-finals, had a few chats on the phone and finishing off with the blog.  Nothing lined up tonight on the television, I've found it not very inspiring this year.  LN......And then more chocolates to get through, I'm building up my strength for the homeward journey...and that's my excuse......LN

Sunday 28th December

Nice gentle start to the day, my son and family weren't arriving until mid morning and that sort of stretched out until early afternoon.  I tried to stir mine host out of bed so at least he would be there to greet them, this proved difficult and he was out of bed just before they arrived.  I cleaned the fireplace area, lit some candles to make it more Christmassy.  I've done nothing for the rest of the time, cards have been thin on the ground this year and I've not felt like decorating the place but it was important today, I found a perfumed candle that I got going and it freshened up the room.  Mine host doesn't like windows and doors open, as you know in BG, I live in the fresh air, like the curtains and door open if it's not raining just to let the air through.

In they came bearing gifts, some hand made flowers for me and chocolates and more chocolates for mine host.  It was my son's family home so nothing is out of bounds and after a cup of coffee we gravitated to the loft where we were searching for some of his old clothes that he had pre-university,  I never throw things away, our loft is rather like Aladdin's cave and full to the rafters so at a date yet to be specified, the loft is to be sorted, we didn't find what he wanted to on the first fun through.  I did open a suitcase and found a jacket I'd crocheted for my son when he was one year old with mittens still attached.  I also found in the same suitcase my wedding dress....it was in a box when I left so obviously someone has been 'tidying'.

The record collection has been gone through and two have left for their new home, the book collection has been earmarked for a later date, the monk's bench I think has a new home and also one of the dental cabinets.  It's good to know that some of the furniture will go to homes and be treasured not put in a sale and sold for very little money.  Off they went around four thirty, much later than intended.  I had no presents to hand over, I'd sent money for presents to my son and were yet to be distributed to the offsprings.  My daughter in law said that she's managed to get two retuned tickets to Paddington, the musical and my money will pay for those, it's nice to know that they have something that they will remember.  Sorry this is late tonight, by the time that I'd taken the chicken from the bones and served it up, the evening has just shot by.  LN......Note to self...must do better.....and again, sorry... no photos.......LN

Monday 29th December

It's been a damp miserable day and I haven't even put my nose outside.  I thought about going for a walk and then pushed it to the back of my mind.  We had the home-help lady in today and again it was one that mine-host had never had before and yet another one that didn't know what she was supposed to do when she got here.  I know it's holiday times but the last thing people need when people come into their homes, is the presence of someone they know and who will get on with the job without intervention on their part.

I went downstairs this morning and made Marmite on toast and that all that I've had today.  I'm feeling as if I should be going down and making supper but that requires effort on my part and there's not a lot of that around at the moment.  I did have a lovely phone call from my ancestry friend thanking me for all the hard work that went into preparing her family tree.  She's had time to give it a good going over now that Christmas has been an gone and to be fair she only received it a couple of days or so before Christmas.  Apparently she has shown it to one of her cousins and some of his family are on the chart so my friend said that she was going to let him take it and I suggested that if he took photographs of the set that I sent her, he's quite computer literate so could put the photos on his computer and they would have their own copy.  I suggested that she gave him my email address and if there is anyone that they want to investigate further, just to drop me an email.

I haven't done much at all today, I started looking through the books that I have deciding at which point I send them to the charity shop in the village or start putting name plates in them for who I think they should go to.  My grandson has earmarked some of them already except that his mother said that he has accumulated far too much already so maybe not mention it.  I found an old pilots flight bag and measured it up to see if I could use it as under seat luggage on my flight back but one of the locks proved difficult to work, it was open but then I was old that it was now working, I put the catch in the lock and now I can't open it again.  Looks like I might be buying a new one to go back with, I need wheels on it, I just can't manage to carry anything heavy these days.

The need to eat is getting stronger so I have to go down to the kitchen and investigate what's available.....the hunger grubs are having a field day down there.  LN.....They need feeding....LN

Tuesday 30th December

Slept until five thirty and then went off again until eight thirty which was much more respectable. Marmite on toast for breakfast which has become the norm....lots of coffee and then I played around taking photos of books that I want to keep, phoned a friend to say that I wouldn't be going over tomorrow and would be doing it next week since I have plenty of time.  I phoned an electrician to see if I could get one to come over and fix the overhead light in my bedroom, I'm relying on table lamps and occasionally you need more light to do certain things.  I got his answer machine and he's not phoned back so he's either resting between Christmas and New Year and obviously doesn't need the cash.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.

The rest of the day I've done very little except read, eat chocolate which I'll regret eventually when the bathroom scales provide proof of my gluttony when I get back to BG and I'll worry about it then, not now.  I had an interesting one today.....I was going through my books and found one from a girl I used to work with and we proved to be good mates, mad as march hares and had some moments that were memorable.  We worked a lot on customer sites training technical subjects and had to be quite serious when we were doing it but we had moments where one would put the other off.  We also did a good impression of Torville and Dean and in the book that she gave me as a leaving present, she enclosed a leaflet to one of their performances.  I still have the book and leaflet and decided to take a photo of it, try to find her on FB and send it to her.    I found her, found the camera on my phone, phoned her instead, she answered the phone, I realised I was face-timing her, panicked, and eventually we settled down to a long conversation and catch-up.  We haven't spoken for about twenty plus years, but it was like yesterday.  We asked about families, her son is more or less the same age as my grandson, I heard about old work colleagues and so pleased that I spoke to her.

This afternoon has again been a day of nothing...my daughter has ordered the hat that I wanted, offered to order the new travel bag but I said that I'd already done it and am expecting it on Friday.  She has Prime and it would have been here quicker but it is what it is....I don't like to put too much on to her, she needs a holiday too.

Nothing on the agenda for tomorrow except to listen out for the electrician and it will be good if he returns my call, it will be another thing sorted.  I have to walk down to the village to get bread, I'm down to the crusts on the loaf and despite my mother telling me that crusts give you curly hair.....it never worked on me.  LN.....Soon be time to curl up and visit the land of Nod.....I've done nothing but I feel tired.....it must be the thought of heading into a New Year......LN

Wednesday 31st December

I've had a beautiful day,  long leisurely bath, my new carry on luggage arrived early and is ready for packing and I've just had a 'musical evening' with my daughter and SIL.  We've had Oliver and finished off with Les Miserable and we were all singing along with the bits that we knew and no alcohol involved.  We've just spent half an hour trying to find out the name of one of the boys from the barricade from the film, I know his face but not sure what he featured in but it will come to be eventually but I still won't know his name.

This is short tonight.....I would just like to wish a Happy New Year to friends far and near.....far too many to mention and I hope that you find peace in your corner of this globe.  May health be with you, spirits high to carry you through and for those far away, I'll be back soon so that I can deliver and you can open your Christmas pressies.....LN.....Now let's see if we can manage to track down the one we were searching for and that I don't suddenly should out where I know him from in the middle of the night at wake up the household....LN