And it is all down (near enough)

So my plan to get an early night last night almost foundered on my talkativeness and the fact that during our chat I'd forgotten so many things I needed to say that I kept remembering just as a good night was being said. Never let it be said I'm not talkative.

Anyway my sleep was good, once I got there, but I woke up feeling tired and the snooze came into use again. I turned the alarm off then had a risky additional snooze with no back up but that only lasted for five minutes as my sense of duty to the dogs and to the men was too strong. What I wouldn't have given for a lay in this morning though. After this slow start the day was very similar to yesterday with a gorgeous sky when I got out of bed (see picture yesterday) and then while I was feeding the boys the sun rose and was lovely above the mountains (see picture yesterday). I did bring the boys out with me today and spent a few minutes reading and some doing some paid work before heading for the men. They were ready and moved quickly today but the shop must have been slow because it took ages for them to get back out the shop to me. We were on the road and heading back towards mine very quickly though and as per usual they headed straight up to the roof.

A very wet Ralf

I say this, but I distracted Bekir briefly before he could get changed by asking about the garage door. I was trying to express that I didn't know how long it'd take for the new lintel to be dry so I could attach the door but he said it would be a really quick job. We shall see. After this rather than going and having breakfast I decided to get the watering done and this was completed without much hassle apart from both Rambo and Ralf were super hyperactive this morning and after the tenth time that Ralf had gone for Rambo quite aggressively I decided to take him and put him inside. He was in the pond at the time when I shouted and, true to form, he rolled over onto his back except he was in several inches of water and so soaked himself. I carried him inside and as I was doing so Rambo went to jump at him while he was in my arms so, after depositing him on his chain, I grabbed the drill and fixed a hoop inside their house and then confined Rambo to it with his extending lead. After this I finished the watering without any problems. Everything is looking healthy and all but one of the Red Orachs are now thriving; I still need to talk to Bekir to double check that identity.

Slightly less roof all the time

Breakfast today was many slices of toast with butter and marmalade as I decided that more fried food was not a good idea, what with me doing less physical work at the moment. I really enjoyed it actually and it set me up for the day. I had plans for a more relaxing restful day today, particularly as it has felt for the last few days like I am coming down with a cold. I stayed at my desk, replying to emails, then popped upstairs and found Bekir visible on the roof, Orhan doing his labouring, and Sally out of sight on the other side. Work was progressing apace.

Dug the holes for the inside fence

After a while of sitting at my desk I decided that I really did want to achieve something so I took my cup of tea, the fence post digging tool and a trowel, and headed down to the entrance path to dig the internal post holes for the fence. I was not able to complete the full job as the men had my extension cable taking power up to their radio and I had no desire to make them work in silence so I could use my power tools. I have since decided that tomorrow I will complete the job using a hand saw as it won't take me that long.

Bekir wrenches another beam down

A brief moment of rest for Sally

Mahmet helping on the roof

Orhan at work

I took loads of pictures of the roof being torn down today but really they are all of a muchness. It went as per usual, with Mahmet working hard to get his tasks down by the fence finished and then coming up to thelp on the roof before going to do more down by the fence. Orhan was full of the impatience of youth and several times I watched him go to pull a beam down before Bekir went to stop him and say "slow down, you need to move this first" or words of that type. Sally was working away on the other side as I have said and Orhan was careful to split his time from helping Bekir to removing the planks and tiles that Sally was passing down. You could say it was a well oiled machine.

Tiny chicks

There were a few moments of specific interest to tell you about. First of all, when I went up to offer them another coffee (I try to make them three a day if I am able) I was called over by Sally who pointed to a nest he had just found under the tiles which had some very freshly hatched chicks in it. They were so new that they recoiled from the sun (though it was pretty brutally hot up there today - a very warm day indeed). I passed my camera to Sally who took this picture, and then he covered them back up for shade. I don't know what will happen to these little critters now though.

He is just so dexterous

Next there were a few occasions again today were I was able to marvel at the balance and confidence of Bekir as he strolled nonchalantly along narrow beams and balanced without any care at all on an angled section of wood that was out over a two story fall. I know I would not be able to do this and I am impressed by anyone with that level of balance.

Another section of guttering is removed

Finally for this section I was sat on the balcony for a bit with my book and Ralf (who was on his lead as he persisted in going to sleep against the wall, right under where the men were working and tiles were falling down) and I was able to get a number of pictures as Bekir and Orhan worked together to rip the totally rotted guttering from along this last edge of the building. I didn't stay there long as by this time I'd been outside for a few minutes and was getting hot and both me and Ralf were ready for a brew.

Swimming in Ralf's drinking water

I did take Ralf outside a few times today and once I came back inside and went to let him have a drink from his bowl by the front door but stopped when I saw a frog was swimming around in it. I grabbed the camera, snapped a photograph, then filled one of the bigger buckets with some water and transferred it. I left it there to show the men and then learned more. First of all from Bekir that it wouldn't like the water (it was swimming in some when I found it; maybe it hopped in and couldn't get out) and then, as I took it to put somewhere shady I showed it to Sally who said this type will, when bigger, spit in your eye and that is not a good thing to let happen. The small ones are OK but steer clear of the big ones. Interesting.

Ralf, with his saved-for-later bread

One time when I was coming down the stairs, not long after lunch, Ralf had curled up in his usual place at the bottom of the stairs and looked up as I approached. I had given him some bread when I made my sandwiches (cheese and tomato; yep - original) and he had run off with both slices and then dropped them there. He did eat both but it was just funny that he would take the food and save it for later.

At one point there was an unexpected visitor which turned out to be a chap who was coming to ask me about the old materials from the roof. Now I'm not that interested in selling the wood but the good tiles have been saved for this very purpose. I took his card and will get Bekir to ring about it over the next day or so, so they can be collected soon before they get in the way of the new roof.

Design for the raised beds

Another task I completed today was to design and calculate my wood requirements for the raised beds and cold frames that I am going to make with the old windows. This has been part of my plans for quite a while but I have been struggling for inspiration. Today I was able to work out what I wanted and put it down on paper and then write a list of my requirements for Bekir to ring through to the wood yard when the large order for the rest of the roof is put in. When that arrives I will start building. I could start digging before, maybe I will.

Only a small amount remaining

I felt a little tired towards the end of the day; it was very warm and I hadn't really got my blood moving with exercise, so I went to lay on my bed and read and, before I knew it, my eyes shut and I was dozing off. I woke up because the sound of the men working stopped and I got out of bed to check the time. It was nearly 6pm and time for the men to finish so I was glad that I was awake. I had a quick glass of milk to wake myself up before driving and then it was time to take them. We had a good drive back, with some conversation including me, and then Bekir got a phonecall from a friend warning of police with a camera up the road (useful to have friends) but they didn't stop me or even really look funny and I was back quickly. Today, rather than forgetting and rushing out late I went onto the back bank immediately for the progress picture. There was a little more of the roof remaining than I expected there to be but that will be done tomorrow.

Really gorgeous sunset

Dinner was the remains of the pork (just as lovely cold as it was hot) with butter fried mushrooms and lettuce and tomato and cheese; very nice, and washed down with a pint of beer which disappeared entirely too rapidly. I started typing and decided to be less rigourous with this blog and not be so strict about when things happened and I have quite enjoyed just jumping around the day. Of course, I have probably forgotten something (like yesterday I forgot to say that Lubo said KAT would be in touch this week about progress; if DVLA can turn it round that quick I'll be so shocked). The sunset today has been absolutely beautiful so I popped onto the roof to a shot and as I came back down Ralf had come up and was sitting on the middle landing waiting for me. Bless. This evening I have left him to run around, having blocked off his access to all rooms I don't want him in.

Still nearly 30 degrees

And so I sit here having just got off the phone to Her and, at after 9pm, it is still nearly 30 degrees. She is about to spend the last night in her flat in England before a hotel tomorrow night and then flying out here on Thursday. It is very soon now indeed.

I had better go take the boys to their compound and then myself to sleep; I am going to get that early night I missed out on last night.