Motivation returns

Last night I wanted to try something I saw our neighbour cook one lunchtime and I had bought some of these peppers whilst out shopping. She simply drizzled an ample supply of both oil and salt over them and slow fried them. Well, I can understand why; they were absolutely gorgeous and went very well with my pork belly strips and salad. Delicious.

Peppers

I went to bed at a decent time last night but I was awake throughout the night with really quite bad stomach cramps and a bit of a dodgy stomach. I think I woke up about four times throughout. Now I hadn't really been feeling great for a few days on the lead up to this, so it came as no real surprise. When I got up this morning it was around 8am and I didn't rush myself into doing anything. My plan was to go down to the market, but I was still feeling unsure about my stomach and decided to wait a couple of hours. I usually go early but it was around 10.30 before I left and I was really starting to feel better again, thankfully.

They used to allow stalls in this little square section but they seem to have moved all of the stalls to the streets up above. However, there seems to be either the beginnings of something or the end of something in the square with a bandstand and a merry-go-round.

Market day

With not having felt great first thing I hadn't eaten anything this morning and by 11.30, after my mooch around, I was really feeling hungry. I just had to get a kebab from the best kebab shop I have eaten in so far. I did only have a small one and actually struggled to finish it, but I got there!

Best kebab in town

Whilst in the kebab shop I was approached by a big guy who spoke English. He was a friend of the kebab shop owner and said that the boss had said we buy property here and do it up and if we would like to buy another one or knew of anyone who would. I laughed into myself and thought of all the extra work and a little part of me died - haha. He was a very nice man and he told me that he had lived in the States for 15 years before coming back and getting married. It is also funny that people recognise us and (partially) know what we are doing here. Such a small community.

To let the kebab settle I decided I did not fancy a coffee in our local bar and so I sat and admired the little square outside the shop. Underneath the clock are water taps and people do use them a lot, just to get a drink or wash their hands. This is the lovely thing about over here, they seem to have respect for communal areas and don't damage them. I dread to think what would happen in the UK to things like this.

Taking a moment

I got back to the School around 12.30 and let Rambo out of his pen. I got hollered at by Little Lady to come for coffee and it was agreed that I would go over in ten minutes. As it is market day the men all go into town for the errands and a lot of beer, so she gets a rest day also and some time to herself. It's nice to just sit and pigeon chat with her.

I came back home not long after as her phone was constantly ringing and we kept getting interrupted and it was also threatening a big downpour. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do and when I saw the clouds I thought it would be a good opportunity to spend a while running through some of the Bulgarian language course we had got ourselves. I spent about 1.5 hours learning everything from the alphabet to colours.

Language lessons

The clouds had blown off and with the threat of torrential downpours tomorrow I wondered what to do with the hay from the strimming, so Rambo and I were out and looking around when I had an idea. I gave him a stick to occupy him whilst I was away doing my thing. He was very unsure when I told him it was his and he did a little double take. He was also most put out when I called him back after I took a fit of laughing at him just so I could get a photo.

Big stick

I thought if the hay, which was not quite completely dried out yet, was off the ground that after it rained it would dry faster and without moulding if most of it were off solid ground. Who knows? I dug this in and it probably is not as deep as it should be but I hope it holds through the wind and rain due tomorrow.

Experiment

So it was fairly secure and not too wobbly and I loaded the hay. I am not sure what they use here for their fantastic haystacks, but possibly the same idea. I will find out.

Haystack

I was feeling much more energetic now I had done something and I thought about the chicks I have agreed to take from the Little Lady - she has too many apparently. So, without attempting to build the chicken coop (that's a blue job and will probably leave me feeling like I failed again), I had an idea to use Rambo's enclosure for them to nest in at night as he doesn't use it any more and as they will roam during the day, he will be able to use it if the men need to put him away. Win. However, the grass needed some attention in there and I was the only one able to do it. Woman versus Nature!

Grim Reaper

This is what I was looking at when I opened the gate and I already was sorry I had even thought of it, but I needed to at least trim it down a bit if the chickens were to use it.

Enclosure

I took a couple of breaks as the sun was out and it was still hot out there but determination, stubbornness, call it what you will, but it got me through and I cleared a fair old amount of it. At least now the chickens will be able to walk around in there without getting lost in the jungle. They will have to be compounded for about 48 hours so as to get them used to where they roost/nest - my "Keeping Chickens for Dummies" book told me that. Thanks CJC and Fi!

Roughly cut

I got the job done and whilst it is not complete, it will be fine for what is needed. Usually the Mr does all this sort of stuff and to be fair, I may get the neighbours to sharpen the scythe for me as it would be much easier to use if it wasn't as blunt. So tomorrow I will be making two nesting boxes for the chickens and the Mr can build the coop when he gets here so that we can perhaps add to the flock. I really hope Rambo doesn't eat them.

I am about to prepare my salad for dinner and relax with a film and a cup of tea. So I will leave it here and tell you all about the chicken preparations tomorrow.

Leka nosht.

A

Stoned

Last night ended up being a late one after getting to bed at a reasonable time. This was due to the dogs across the way barking very loudly and for an age. It was too warm to close the window and I eventually gave up trying to sleep!

I awoke to bright sunshine again and made my way to the office to check what work I had been allocated. You guessed it, yet another busy day! I had made my coffee and I could hear Rambo barking so I decided to go and tell him off. It turns out the men had put him away. They were beginning to lay the pipe around the building so i can imagine him getting in the way, so fair enough.

Laying pipe

 I realised that there was no water in his bowls within his enclosure so I went to fill them up again. He is rarely in there now because I am a lot easier on him than the Mr and don't punish him as much. Again, the sea of red was beautiful and I had to snap this shot. How pretty.

Beautiful poppy

Rambo was not impressed; not even with three full water bowls. He didn't take his eyes off the men working. It's a hard life being a Rambo.

A longing look

 I again was busy with work with an urgent file to type. The turnaround on an urgent is within four hours, so with a file of just under an hour in length, I was being tested to the full. My fingers were almost on fire when I had finish. I did manage to get out and see some more progress though. It seems the first layer of dense stone is being laid.

Stone the pipe

 The men worked away as a team all day; one bringing the stone and the other levelling it. It looks like slow process, but those trenches were pretty deep.

Team work

After their lunch they must have taken pity on Rambo and decided to let him back out. He was very good today though and I didn't have to chastise him for getting in the way; he stayed calm and played when the men took a break from shovelling and barrowing to throw his Kong for him.

Obedience

 We were due to get a storm around lunchtime today and apart from a short downpour at around 11am, there was no sign of it until around 4pm. The clouds were building and the wind was picking up. I love a good storm. Especially now we have a proper roof!

Storm brewing

I had confirmation of my reduction in hours today so I did a little dance at my desk. I am going down to a three day week which commences the week following my holiday. I am so looking forward to that. Monday to Wednesday with a super long weekend every week! That is more like it! (Thanks Mr x)

They have made good progress today and this is the final end of day progress shot for the Mr.

Progressing

Whilst I was up on the balcony taking photos and watching for the storm (which incidentally blew straight past us, as happens here a lot), I spotted Rambo on the porch watching the birds and growling. This is standard behaviour at dinner time as they torment him by flying through the porch and twittering at him.He hates them with a passion.

Where's Wally?

 I have eaten already and made a success out of a sauce mix packet that I couldn't read the instructions on. I don't even know what the sauce was, but after adding the standard onions, peppers and chilli, it turned out really well and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really do need to learn this language if for nothing else, just so as I know what I am eating!

It's time to sign off and relax for a while, so to you all, Leka nosht!

A x

A quieter day

Here we are again.  It seems like I was only typing the last one ten minutes ago.  It's amazing how time flies by when you are busy.

So today, what can I tell you?  It has been a relatively quiet one with not much going on, but let's get to it and show you some photos at the very least.

I woke earlier than I have been and managed to actually watch the sunrise.  It comes up so fast here at this time of year and I ran quickly to get the camera, successfully managed to capture a before and during shot.  Here you go, isn't it stunning!

Just before

Just as it rose

Once coffee was consumed and the daily chores of feeding the animals, lighting the fire and washing up and cleaning down, I decided that as I had no paid work in from the night before that I would treat Rambo to a walk.  He loves getting off the land for an explore and quickly found the lead in my hand even though I had tried to conceal it until the last moment.  How can you not love this face?

Ready to go

Today, rather than doing the same route as before I decided that I would trek up the mountain path to the lakes and ponds that Rambo loves to paddle in, so off we set.  I was holding him tight through the village as one of the little men I often give a lift into town to had just let out his cows for the day.  Nevertheless, nothing would do than for Rambo to get straight into the cow's drinking trough and have a drink.  We'd only gone 100 yards through the village!  The water had frozen overnight, but he wasn't long in breaking through.

Obligatory drink at the trough

As I walked I took a variety of shots for the Man back home.  The snow is still around and piled up at the side of the roads and tracks, but on the whole it has pretty much melted away.

Village view

I am not sure why, but I noticed that the ground and rocks at the lower level of the mountain were a strange shade of green.  I thought perhaps it had something to do with the pine trees in the area, but what do I know?  Perhaps you can enlighten me.

Strange green coating

At the side of the track, as with most mountain routes, there was a drainage section and I couldn't resist trying to get a slow shutter shot of the water, but this was the best I could manage with a glaring sun above me.

Draining

Further up the track we saw this.  It is so sad to see these trees have taken such a battering, but I guess we have had an extraordinary period of winter weather lately.  It looks like the locals have had their chainsaws out in order to clear the track for traffic.

Trees felled

We walked on towards the lake that Rambo loves and I took this opportunity to hijack His blog to show you an arty farty shot of a tree and the sun.

Arty farty shot

Just beyond the felled trees I noticed some birds flocking down towards the lake and I managed to capture a few shots.  This is one, although I am unsure as to the type of bird as they were too far away.

Some birds

Maybe this is a rogue one, if you know what it might be?

Rogue from the flock?

I set off further up the hill after I decided that going to the lake down the field may be too risky on my own as a few wild dogs and the sheep dogs congregate there at times and they are vicious! So We went on up the hill to the reed pond.  Rambo got super excited but he does seem to be responding well to my instruction and discipline which is a real relief.  I love this shot:

Waiting patiently

When I finally let him in, this happened!

Woohoo!

It is a lovely spot here and right behind where I took this next picture is a house build that has been started but not finished which is sad.  Imagine looking out to this every morning:

Potential view

I dragged the little bugger out of the pond after he tried his damnedest to drag half a tree out of it (I kid ye not!) and thought it would be nice to get a shot of us both with this backdrop.  I would like to point out that I am not smacking him round the face but rather wiping the gunk from his eyes, no need for RSPCA calls....

Just the two of us

We headed back after this and I spotted a bird which flew off and I cursed Rambo for running ahead.  I managed to catch it in a tree further back.  Now whether or not we are correct, we call these Jays.  Perhaps some budding bird watcher can let us know the real name.  There seems to be a lot of them around.

Pretty bird

So, the last of the bird pictures (I am sure you are delighted).  The first little birds (maybe a finch of some kind) have just started to arrive in the last week or so and they sing every morning and rattle the drain pipes.  Buggers.  It is lovely to see that spring must be arriving soon though.  The second is a picture of the neighbours ducks right before Rambo almost ripped my arm off trying to sniff them.

New arrivals

Ducks before the fright

 Anyway, I got him home and he was happy for most of the day, thankfully.  The rest of the day was pretty uneventful I'm afraid.  I got called by the Little Lady across the garden to come for coffee but my work had started to come through so I had to tell her "later, I have work in England" - very basic Bulgarian, but I will hopefully learn fast whilst I am here alone.  I worked hard all afternoon and I had not long finished my last file when the electric clicked off.  I went downstairs to the fuse box to make sure nothing had flicked off and sure enough it was an external problem.  I went outside to play with Rambo and collect a little bit of wood to bring in from the land to dry off and use for burning when Little Lady again hollered for me to go for a coffee.  This was a bit frightening forme as I have only VERY basic words under my belt so far.  Bless her, she nattered on to me like I was a local and I just laughed when she laughed and tried very hard to pick out some key words.  I did manage to tell her that I had stew on at home and thanked her when she offered me some of hers, so I guess I am doing ok.

Anyway, before I sign off, we are set for more snow.  How much will become clear by tomorrow afternoon, I guess, but these clouds do not look inviting!

Storm brewing

Catch you all tomorrow.  Leka nosht.

A x

A cracking, and busy, weekend

So as a few people pointed out to me (thank you, I now know who really cares haha) I didn't blog last night so this blog will cover two days; though yesterday is a blur as I have slept since then.

A bowl of Ayran

First of all a quick additional picture to supplement the previous day; this is the bowl of Ayran that my little lady neighbour brought over the previous day. This is still in my fridge, barely touched, and I suspect it will be not good pretty soon so I'll try it for breakfast tomorrow and judge whether to get rid or not; it's lovely though, how generous they are. They have nothing and yet want to share the little they have.

So the first awesome thing which happened this weekend was pretty early yesterday morning. I was sat just eating my morning Muesli (and yes, I managed to only have Muesli yesterday; I'm not sure if I should be pleased about that or not but hey) and I heard my name being called, or rather a slight mis-pronounciation of my name, from outside. I almost ignored it, thinking it was the gypsy farmer kid from across the road come to complain about the padlock I've put on my barn, but I popped my head to the window and saw someone I didn't recognise, standing with the Special One.

Thank you to my Aunt and Uncle

To cut a slightly longer story slightly short, it was my local Kmet who I have been trying to meet, bringing me my first mail; a "welcome" card from my Aunt and Uncle which was so lovely to received so thank you to them. I had a brief chat with "youldjan" (or at least, that is what I wrote his name down as) and he told me that a new road to the village would be done this year. We shall see. Anyway, it was great to meet him and he seems like a really nice lad; I hope I can get on with him and he can assist me with the various issues I currently have around architects and planning, but more of that later.

Shortly after they left I swept through downstairs (all the coal dust from my excavating was everywhere, and there was hay all over the floor from moving it the other day) and had a shower and then came and relaxed until my guests arrived. This was my friend, and another expat who is local but living out of the country at the moment. I hadn't seen him since last year so it was great to catch up. After the guided tour, and usual "why do you want something this big" comments we had a cuppa and the he headed off to do some errands while my friend stayed with me and we did a few little things around the place before jumping in Thomas, hitching the trailer, and heading to hers.

We stopped on the way at the market and immediately attracted a crowd of men who were all interested in the trailer and were asking me how much I would want for it. This was quite amusing; one of them even followed us into the shop. When I told them what it cost me they were very impressed, and I probably should have said more. Anyway, I'm going to find out how easy it will be for me to get the trailer registered (over here, they are registered separately from the motive vehicle) and if it is a real pain then I may sell it; otherwise it will prove useful I reckon so I'll register and keep it.

The wasp on the table

After picking up beer, wine and food we were back to hers and then shortly after the other expat arrived and we were out sat in the sun with beer (or wine) and chatting away; this little wasp appeared on the table and started chewing the lacquer off to take back to its nest. Dinner was served after a while and was lovely and then the other expat left.

While we were eating a phone started ringing and after a few minutes of confusion I realised that it was mine. It was my friend who had heard about the potential confusion with the land ownership calling me again. I had scanned and emailed the rejection letter from Sofia regarding my PuP and he was calling back with interesting news. It turns out that the actual reason for the rejection was not what Lubo had told me (that Sofia had changed the law to make it impossible to change use on an old school) but that the Obshtina had not done the processes they were required to do. Why would he lie to me? I don't know, but I can tell you I will be finding out tomorrow. And he better have a very good explanation or I will be getting very angry with him and shouting.

Gorgeous colours in the trees, and Thomas

Anyway, after dinner me and my friend and I had another beer before deciding to head out for a bit down the road to the forest at the end. The plan was to go and dig up some more pine saplings, and more specifically get some Juniper trees for both of us. We threw a pick axe, shovel, and some of the new buckets into Thomas and then drove down and parked just before the trail dropped sharply into the trees so we could have a short stroll while looking for the correct specimens for our bucket.

Reflections in the lake

As we walked we spotted some good options for the fir trees but no Juniper so we kept going down and eventually went round a corner of the trail which overlooked the lake at the bottom of the village. It was so still it was glass-like and the reflections of the trees on the other side of the lake were incredible to see. I love all the colours of the different trees around as well; Spring in this part of the world is an incredible thing to see.

Pulling up a Juniper sapling

A couple of hundred yards further down the trail we spotted some good Juniper saplings and then the going got quite muddy and broken up so we walked back to the Junipers and then I ran (a short way and walk the rest, gasping) back up to Thomas and drove him back to my friend so we could load things into him directly. Digging the trees out was pretty easy as they were rooted relatively lightly in the top soil; I just dug away a bit with the pick axe until it was loose and then wrapped my hands up in my hoody and pulled them out. They are REALLY spiky! We got four or five tiny seedlings before we decided to call it enough.

An unidentified tree

Just next to where we were getting the Junipers was a clump of some tree I didn't know what was and neither (unusually) did my friend. I managed to get a very small sapling dug out but with less success than with the others so I don't know if it'll survive. I hope it does. If anyone can identify it I would be most grateful.

Rose lined clouds

From there we drove back up to where we'd seen the tiny Christmas Trees and parked up. Digging these up was far more difficult as they have a pretty amazing tap root even when they are tiny. I was covered in the clayey soil by the time we'd managed to get three trees and we decided that enough was enough and time to head back home for more beer and more chilling. As we drove the sun was setting and it was reflecting on the very tops of the clouds, causing a lovely rose-lined effect.

The morning sun

Our evening was exceptionally relaxed, with some tuna and mayo for supper while listening to Bob Marley and then I was dozing off on the couch with a glass of Jameson watching the fire and listening to my friend blog. The clocks changed last night so we made our plans for the morning and then I headed to bed where I slept right through and woke up to a lovely view (as always) from the balcony. I love her house!

Our plan was to hitch the trailer and go and collect the dad of one of her students then head to get some furniture that she is having made by a deaf and dumb man who lives in the mountains. We went in for coffee at her student's house and it was a really nice time as the family (father, mother and two daughters) sat with us and did some language stuff and also just had a laugh (for example there was much amusement about the word "the" which doesn't exist in Bulgarian or Turkish). It was amazing to me just how much I understood however my speaking skills were too weak for me to fully join in. We had cake as well as coffee which was like the more watery version from the cafe the other day but much nicer.

A proud man and his machine

After about half an hour both parents came in Thomas with us, we were dropping the mother off on the way to do some visiting I think, and headed up into the mountains to this artisan. His place was incredible and we got the full guided tour including his hand-built wall which is slowly progressing its way round his perimeter. He also has a large swimming pool type thing fed from free water collected from the mountain, a huge hot house with loads of tomatoes in it, and many fruit trees all in perfectly straight lines. He communicates with hums and haws and much hand waving and jumping about and the dad of the student was able to translate him perfectly. His most prized possessions are two Jupiter motorbikes, cold war machines from Hungary or Czechoslovakia I think. They are gleaming and I got some good pictures of them.

The hoopoo bird on the terrace

Sadly all of this amazing work and he hadn't actually finished (or even really started) the furniture we had driven up to collect and nothing he said or showed us could distract from that disappointment. We will probably go back next week. We recollected our helper's wife, and then dropped them both back near their home and went back over to my friends house to drop the trailer off and grab a bite to eat; toast with my mother's marmalade which was epic and really filled the hole. While we were sat eating my friend noticed that there was a HooPoo bird hopping on the terrace so I grabbed my camera and managed to snap a few pictures before it flew off.

New cooker

After this it was off on the other main task of the weekend; heading over to her friend who had a cooker for sale that I was interested in. We arrived but her son, T, was there as she wasn't feeling well and he took us into the house with all the goodies in that were being sold. There was loads of stuff and we ended up loading Thomas with another petchka for my friend, my cooker and gas bottle, a ladder and a load of other interesting items like some manual drills and screw drivers and also some cooking equipment. There was also some awesome Marmite stuff (a tea pot and a toast rack) which I have asked how much they want and I'll but it off them another time.

Radiator on Petchka

I also got a radiator attachment for my petchka which I have installed and am using now, it seems to be making a bit of a difference but it would be better if I was sat close to it. When I got home I spent a bit of time reorganising Room 13 to get the cooker in (I need a plug to use the electric hobs and ovens, but the gas one works great) and I have swapped the tables around a bit to get more storage and food preparation surfaces. I think it is great that I have Julian, though, as looking around I really don't have space for a bed in here.

Little tortoise on the road

While I was driving home I spotted my first tortoise of the year crossing the road. I stopped and took his picture and then picked him up and put him on the verge where he scuttled quickly to cover. I was tempted to take him home but then thought it's best to just appreciate them in the wild.

Stunning sunset

I made myself dinner on my new cooker and sat down to enjoy it. As per usual I was on high alert for cattle coming onto my land and sure enough, after a while, I heard the herdsmen shooing them in for the night. Some of them came up the cut and through my little grove. I dashed out to chase them off but then looked out the back windows and noticed that the sun was going down in a blaze of glory. I legged it back to get my camera, snapped some shots, and then went out to chase the cows away. One of them took a bit of an interest in the smallest sapling but I was able to discourage it with a shout and by running at it. I really should use the post borer (which I now have) to put some in at least just around the saplings. Maybe in the morning I can try.

And so we get to just now. I was relaxing, tippy tappying away nearly finished on this blog when I heard my little neighbour outside shouting for me. I didn't know what was going on so dashed downstairs, thinking maybe there was a problem. She shooed me outside and went to put the padlock on the door however I had come with such alacrity that I didn't have my keys or anything else with me so I stopped her. She ushered me over to her house and inside and before I knew it I was sat down on the floor around a large flat cooking tray covered in a pastry omelette type thing, with eggs and onions and leeks. It was delicious however I had already eaten my dinner so I didn't eat that much. It was a surreal experience but lovely too; as I have said they are so welcoming and the huge hug I got from Usmivka Mush (now that I have looked at what "smiley" actually is in Bulgarian) just showed how welcome they want to make me feel. Special One was there as well as was his brother and we even managed to talk a bit of politics around the table; the TV was on with the Turkish election results.

Pretty quickly I made my excuses as I was too full and I did feel a little unusual having been rushed over there with no warning. I really hope they invite me again and I am going to have to work out how to say "thank you so much for dinner last night, I look forward to joining you again" haha.

Right, time to put the pictures in and hit post. Got lots more planned for tomorrow so I'm needing to get an early night I reckon.