The girls meet lots of people

This blogging once a week thing really is a challenge. I am sitting down on Sunday evening looking back over a huge pile of photographs and videos and even with these prompts it is tough to remember the beginning of the week. It has been a really good week all told, from what I can recall, and so I will do my best to communicate that to you.

Simple food for a simple person

First of all here is a shot of my dinner which I mentioned in the last blog post. This was a very successful dinner and I think I will get some more of these chinese chicken thighs. Unfortunately the hot chicken legs which I also bought were not as impressive and I only ended up eating half of them; a waste but I don’t see why I should eat something that makes me feel unwell. I haven’t yet been back to Tesco to restock as I've had enough food in so I don’t even know if I can still get any of these.

Left overs made for a lovely lunch

And so Sunday turned to Monday and I had a really productive day. I spent all morning uploading the videos of the girls to youtube in the background while getting a lot of work done for a heavy target we had in the office. It is good when you have lots to do and are productive while doing it. After my weekend of training the puppies I was also a little bit nervous of how they would cope on the first day of me being in the office but when I got back for lunch there were no mistakes at all and outside toilet was successful on all counts. How exciting this was to me. I finished up the remains of the chinese chicken, having pulled it off the bone, on the side with a bowl of noodles and it was very nice indeed.

Playing in the garden while I eat

It was a lovely day on Monday and so I was able to take my food outside with a chair and eat it in the sun while watching the girls gamboling on the grass. I think they appreciated this as well as normally they are confined to their bed while I’m eating but, being outside, they were able to run around and have fun instead.  I don’t have any deck chairs so I had to bring one of the dining table chairs outside; I had to be careful to bring it back in as it wouldn't have coped with any weather very well at all.

I commented just the other day to my nephew that having puppies really does take over your life and this update is going to demonstrate to what extent that is (if my previous one didn’t make it clear enough). I left the office at dead on 4 to make sure I got back for the girls before any accidents occurred and found none once more; a 100% day. After a ten minute toilet trip to the bathroom it was inside and I got to laugh as they played together with one of their new toys; Mr Sheep. They are getting very good at shaking their toys in the way we want them to shake a rat and it all bodes well for their suitability as rat killers. Only time will tell though.

This is another form of "blocker" a developer can experience

Very shortly after that I heard that the code I was waiting for from work was ready so I logged in and did what I needed to do and of course the girls now wanted to snooze and cuddle so I had to work around them. They absolutely love sitting on my lap and falling asleep and I have to be quite hard hearted to kick them off and make them sleep in their bed when they really do get in the way too much. The evening then followed the usual routine with the aforementioned rubbish chicken legs for my dinner and a feeding time for them followed by play, snuggle and bed. Every single second of my evening revolves around them.

Homemade preserve in lovely greek yoghurt

I have been sleeping better this week which in one sense is a good thing but in another it has meant more of a rush in the morning as I try to fit everything in and still be at my desk for my 7.30 target. On Tuesday I remembered to get a natural yoghurt, and a jam jar of homemade pear preserve, to take for breakfast in the office. It was absolutely lovely however one was really not enough so my attempt at being healthy was scuppered and I had a flapjack as well.

Puppies doing what puppies do best

I got back to the house at lunch time to a slightly less successful day. We had total carnage with the innards from their bed spread all the way over the kitchen floor and also some wees and poos on the floor. Not ideal. They hadn't even made use of the cardboard this time which was even more disappointing. I told them off and then forgave them quickly; as I wasn't totally sure who had done which it wasn't really easy to target my punishment. I think they already know, however, as I barely had to say anything and they were back in their bed looking unhappy.

A large bowl of very tasty noodles

After the success of the noodles (and the garden eating) the day before I repeated it but this time made two packets of noodles and decided to sling the left over chicken instead of eating it. It went down very well and despite it being a slightly cloudier day I had a really nice time sat outside watching them play with sticks. They are really funny with this as they always want whichever stick the other has; I have watched Louise fake interest in a loose stick only to distract Thelma long enough to steal the one that she was previously playing with. They are cunning little things.

A veritable cornucopia of junk

After work on Tuesday I rushed back, let the girls have a quick toilet break, then put them in the cage in Thomas so we could go into Manchester to pick up a fridge which Dan had bought from an auction website I showed him the previous week. The trip was easy but Thelma was a little sick on the way which was concerning. I don’t know if it was because the road was so bumpy and I was driving a little too fast for it at the time but anyway. I found the place after one wrong turn and then had to wait while they acted like I wasn't expected and couldn't find the item. Eventually the correct fridge was found, excavated from behind boxes full of wine, and loaded into Thomas. While all this was going on I was having a good look around at the amazing plethora of items in this warehouse. I particularly wanted the awesome dragons pictured here and there was a very nice looking range oven which makes me hope the rats don’t destroy ours still sat outside the Little Lady’s barn.

Snoozing away like champions

The journey back was much calmer and they both were asleep within a mile or so of heading back. I had arranged to meet my boss for a beer again at the pub but was home with time to toilet the girls and then walk (or at least attempt to walk) them rather than drive. Once again Louise was slightly more willing on the way there with Thelma dragging a lot of the time but we got there in pretty good time as I gave up and carried them half the way. We were accosted on the journey to and from by a number of random people who think of puppies as public property and this also held true while in the pub. It is nice to have them appreciated but I also am not that sociable and so having to make nice to randomers isn't really in my nature.

While I was letting the girls have their run in the garden before heading to the pub I was finally able to capture the behaviour I mentioned earlier where one of them has something the other wants. They have both started doing a very cute swivelling motion to take the contested item out of reach of the other. It has an economy of motion that is brilliant and results in what looks like a waltz. Very funny.

Playing with a stick

Wednesday was another really productive work day but unfortunately the weather wasn't good enough to sit outside so the girls didn't get to have their play while I ate. They did get to go outside obviously though as rain or shine they need to get used to heading outside to do their toilet. By the time I got home in the evening the weather had improved and so I had a really nice time watching as they tussled together for a stick which has become a favourite for them. I can only imagine the fun they will have when they get to the school with all that space on the top bank for them to chase around as much as they want.

As is usually the case after such an energetic work out the girls were pretty exhausted and when we came inside had a drink and then asked to sleep on my lap. I was happy to oblige as I really enjoy cuddling them and they were pretty soon asleep. I took three videos of both of them snoring but this one was the best. Unusually it is Louise here who is doing a passable impression of a steam train; normally it is Thelma who snores the loudest.

Destroying the hand grenade

I had arranged for Loz to come over to mine for dinner as the experience at the pub the day before had pretty much put me off. I planned to make my spicy pork pasta for him and was just getting everything chopped ready when I had a text from my boss and it was arranged that they would both come over. I was ready in plenty of time so I gave the girls some more attention with their hand grenade toy, which is now completely battered, and they had fun making the damage to it even worse with a game of tug.

Loz and Gerd with Louise

Once they had been tired out a bit more I went back to cooking and started frying off the pork pieces – this is always the stage which I end up rushing and they don’t get crisped enough but this time I got a good colour to them and some nice charred bits and I was even able to turn them off and leave them until my guests arrived. Gerd was first followed shortly after by Loz and we had a really lovely evening. They said, at least, that they liked the food and we also shared some Bulgarian beer, a few English beers and a small shot each of the lovely birthday whisky bought me by A. This was the first time Loz had met the girls and he was blown away as everyone is; fortunately they were on good behaviour and so were obediently in their bed while we ate. After they left there was time for a snuggle on the sofa and then it was bedtime as we were all pretty tired by that time.

I would NEVER spoil them!

Thursday again was a cracking day in the office, slightly less stressful than the Wednesday but still with so much productivity from the whole team. At lunch time I stopped off again at the pet shop on the way home for more puppy food and impulse bought them another rag toy as they are killing the toys very fast and I thought this new one looks pretty robust.  I also had not been able to find their hand grenade toy anywhere since the night before despite looking for it everywhere.

New toy, and old toy discovered

The girls got straight on with playing with their new toy as I put some butties together to eat inside as the weather was a bit bad and getting worse in preparation for a bank holiday weekend. I sat down on the sofa, having taken it to bits looking for the toy, and complained to A that it was nowhere to be found only to raise my head, glance towards the front room window, and spot it hidden underneath the radiator. Typical. I had done a "man look" as A would say.

Pre-fix bed; a total mess

When I got home from work I had a list of chores to complete before the weekend. The most important of these was to fix up their bed which they had largely destroyed over the previous two weeks. There was quite a large rent right down the front and it was getting worse every day as they worried it and pulled the stuffing out to cause mess around the house. I pulled a chair into the front room by the windows so I would have good natural light and got the sewing kit out and, with some difficulty threading the tiny needle with the cotton, set to work.

The result of my sewing attempts

After only about 15 minutes of effort I had managed to get some (very untidy) stitches in place which were sufficient, I thought, to hold the stuffing in so as to not spread all over my parents’ house at the weekend. I had found an odd sock which my initial plan was to fasten over the area as another barrier to them unpicking the mending but when it came down to it I couldn't be bothered; if they do managed to open it again maybe I will use the sock trick then.

After completing this task I went round and tided a load of things away, sorting out the front room and back room together so things are a bit more organised ready for packing into the trailer (something I am aware will happen sooner rather than later as time is flying) and then settled down for my usual evening routine of my food, their food and then play time. As usual the girls did not disappoint and the (very short) video above is recommended viewing demonstrating just how much their “break its neck!” technique has come on. They really do give it a good shaking.

Snapped handle

That evening as I tucked the girls to bed and went to my own bed the door to the bathroom blew open slightly so I pulled it shut and gave a tug to engage the latch as it doesn't close very easily. The handle snapped off without any warning leaving me with a nicely shut door but no way to grip the handle to open it again, and the girls inside. I eventually got it reopened using some pliers to grip the very slippery round bit that was all that was left of the handle and had to resign myself to the door swinging and banging until I was able to get a new handle. Oooops.

These girls are really very awesome

I slept really well and woke early enough to get in Thomas and head to the studio before breakfast time for the girls. They ate really well, considering they were in a new room, and spent the rest of the day stealing Winston’s toys and having a few accidents on the floor, unfortunately. It was a really nice day and good to see Dan and a few other people who came past and I was happy to get the fridge out of the back of Thomas. This was a great purchase and at £150 for a £1500 fridge which worked really excellently as soon as it was plugged on I think the worth of this website for items like this has been proven.

This is them "play fighting"

I was making such good progress with the work I was doing that I missed the opportunity to leave before the rush hour so stayed a little later and was therefore home quite late. I was not hungry at all after the lovely butcher bought breakfast and lunch I’d had during the day, so just had a small amount of biscuits and cheese to keep me going for the morning. They girls had loads of energy having slept all the way back and went into a major fight which lasted about 45 minutes and revolved around several of their toys as well as using each other as a rag doll. They don’t seem to hurt each other too much (and, if they do catch, yelp and the other will release immediately) but it does look very violent as you can see from this. We didn’t stay up much later than this as a very busy day was in store the next.

My nephew and my new niece

I was up before 6am as normal with these two as they asked for the toilet (how amazing; I don’t mind being woken up when it is them being good girls and proving their training) and so I was in the car and heading down the M6 early to go to my parents. I arrived before breakfast and was treated to a lovely daddy cooked fry up and then a few rounds of toast which filled the hole very well. I was there to see my Nan again and introduce the girls to the family but most importantly my sister was up with my nephew (mentioned earlier, remember?) and my very new niece who is actually younger than Thelma and Louise. It is a very long time since I have seen my sister, or my nephew, so it was really nice that we were able to get to the parents on the same weekend. Aiden in particular has really grown up and I had a good time with him talking about trains (he loves model railways as well) and playing with the girls (the weather wasn't great so he was the only one to come outside with me when I took them out to fight and have a poo).

My nana holding Thelma

A crowd for the family gathering

As you would expect everyone loved the puppies and everyone wanted to relieve me of them. Even my nana was very impressed and kept picking them up to stroke them as they ran past on the few occasions when I let them loose. Other than this they were superbly well behaved and sat on my lap for a fair while and then stayed in their bed during food even though the room was full of people and noise; they make me so proud.

Holding my new niece

Eventually the time for me to leave came around and then went past as we tried to organise a picture that my sister wanted of me holding Olivia. I am not the most confident of people when it comes to babies but she is a very sweet child and even managed to not cry or scream as I tentatively held her and smiled for the camera. Suffice to say that very shortly after this picture was taken my sister had her daughter back.

Trying to steal a puppy

It was then the chore of gathering everything together (it is like having children, this puppy business) and ferrying it out to the car before heading off. The pictures I had had printed had been delivered to my parents (as well as my new driving license with the new codes on it YAY) so I distracted myself a bit by opening the boxes to show my mum. They have come out really well again the same as the one of Mo I got before. I went back into the main room to collect the puppies and leave to find that my cousin Jason had decided to try and steal Thelma and stuffed her inside his top. She was non the worse for wear when I rescued her but him and his daughter were not pleased at having their cunning plan foiled. Aiden helped me out to the car with Louise and then with a hug goodbye I was off home.

I was feeling quite tired and nodding a bit as I drove so it was with relief I got back, let the girls have their toilet break, and got into bed. My day was far from over as it was the Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight in the early hours of the following morning and I was going over to John’s to watch it as he had bought the package on his Sky. I therefore got a couple of hours kip, woke up for the girls to have their dinner (and me to have a cheese toasty), laughed as they played with their new pig toy and then got back to sleep for a final two hours before the alarm went off and I was in Thomas again to drive to his house before the show started at midnight.

The girls make even more friends

I made good time and arrived at 11.57, having been due at 12 exactly, and I was assisted from the car by both John and Magda with the aforementioned mountain of stuff which I carry around for the girls. As you would expect they were both smitten immediately by the girls and Magda spent the entire night fussing them whenever they were awake; she would not be able to cope with the usual scrap which occurs when they are awake.

Midnight feast

They had gone to some lengths to cater for this evening and served up a really tasty duo of pizzas which hit the spot about 1am. There were other nibbles available but I’m not much for eating through the night and so I didn't have anything else. I had been undecided on my post-fight plans but as the night went on I stopped at less than 2 pints of beer and decided to get home; the stress of having the girls with me and risking them pooing on a cream carpet was just too much to bear. Eventually the fight happened after a largely uninspiring undercard livened only by a Ukrainian who was really rather impressive and it wasn't really that worth having waited up for. Pacman was out boxed from the word go and never had a look in as Mayweather dodged and smothered and did everything professionally possible to make it his fight. It was not very exciting, but we all agreed that he deserved the win despite a couple of rounds to Manny which had us shouting at the TV.

A huge pile of posh scrambled eggs

I headed home at 6.30am as the day was starting and fed the girls then put them in the kitchen and took myself up to bed. I had to go down to tell them off as they started barking at each other almost as soon as I got myself settled but I slept long enough to get over the night and was up for a very late breakfast of posh scrambled eggs washed down with lots of tea and felt a little more alive and alert.

Fixed the handle; follow those wires!

I was obviously still quite tired and it was quite a drowsy day all told but I did achieve a few things of note. I did my washing and was able to, in between rain showers, dry the large items hung up outside.  I also fitted the new handle to the bathroom door which was actually quite a pain as the screws were “neggies” and the bit kept slipping out; I also use “pozzies” and that is why. Finally I got out the box of electrical stuff which I had brought back with the aim of learning to wire it all up and after some studying, and a bit of sarcastic help from my good buddy Steve, worked out how I will go about wiring up the sub main and putting everything at the school onto a safe electrical footing once more.

We're not sleepy daddy... no we aren't zzzzZZZzzz

With those chores done I set about repacking the canvases that had been delivered to my parents. The girls were pretty good for the most part, despite the temptation of the bubble wrap roll on the floor. Unfortunately one of them (I think it was Thelma) had a poo on the floor without asking to go outside which was a bit of a shame. Never mind, they are young, and they are learning. With this task completed I settled down with the girls on my lap for a bit for cuddle before my dinner and then theirs. They were very cute and sniffy and saying hello and then all of a sudden both of them fell fast asleep without any warning. It is so cute when they do that.

Superb steak for dinner; so tasty!

Dinner for me was the steak bought from the butchers in Blackpool on Friday and it was absolutely outstanding. I am tempted to try and get past a butcher just before I go back to Bulgaria so I can pick some nice steaks up to take back. I was discussing this with S and S, and A, and we all agreed that the lack of good steak is one of the only drawbacks of being in Bulgaria. With the family fed I settled myself to writing the main part of this blog, and editing the videos, and finished about 11pm which was rather later than planned but I didn’t want to lose my flow.

Bright moon behind clouds

As I carried the girls up to bed I was surprised by the brightness of the moon so I popped outside and took a few shots. It was bright enough to read by in its direct light and that is not something you see in this country very often. I was woken a few times by the girls and every time the moon was bright except first thing this morning when it was low and red on the horizon. I didn't have the camera to hand, and could barely open my eyes I was so tired, so I didn't get a picture for you.

Playing in the beer garden

When eventually I dragged myself properly out of bed this morning it was a gorgeous day without a cloud in the sky. I fortified myself with a bacon and egg, and a bacon, butty and set myself to work. It was hard to motivate myself and the girls were wanting to go out and then come back in which broke the flow of my thoughts up however I did manage to achieve my target by the time I got too fed up and chose to take the girls to the pub for a walk. This time they were slightly better than before though I did have to carry them both along the main road as the noise and smell of the cars disturbed them too much. When I got there I was welcomed by the locals who know the girls names, if not mine, and then took them outside into the fitful sun so they could run around. They really enjoyed this and attracted the usual attention with random people, and employees of the pub, coming over to say hello.

I walked them back but this time Thelma was much more awkward and ended up being carried on and off. There was once more a lot of attention from random people (a heavily tattooed man with two kids in the car had actually pulled over to the side of the road to talk to me on the way there) and there was an amusing moment when three huge rottweilers came walking their owner down the path and met us; talk about little and large! I can’t wait for Rambo to meet them. Now I am sitting here waiting for my tatties to cook so I can have cold lamb, tatties and green beans for tea, while playing some of my game which I’ve not touched for ages. I hope to get this blog uploaded tomorrow though I’m working from home waiting for delivery of the tarpaulin so it will depend on that if I get to the office to do the videos.

Frustration

Good morning from Bulgaria!

Blazing hillside

 So, began with a jolt out of bed at 6.10am. I heard Rambo going absolutely ballistic down in the porch and as I have been closing him in, I wondered if someone was there. He was barking and barking and tearing around the porch like a lunatic! I was running down the corridor putting my jogging bottoms on, much like something you see in films. When I got to the porch and flicked the lights on I saw straight away what was going on. He was practically climbing the walls to reached two swallows that were perched on the electrical cable that runs through the porch. He was actually on top of the bags of cement clawing at the walls and wishing he was Spider-Dog! I managed to get him out and chase the sparrows out without any bloodshed. He hates those birds.

As it has been warm over the last few days with only the odd spot of rain I went out to do the watering round and I can't work out if these are the flowers I planted coming through or if they are just weeds. I guess time will tell.

Hopefully flowers

 Rambo did his rounds this morning and I caught him whilst up on the balcony. I'm not sure if he does this as often as he used to, but he obviously does it. I also caught him up on the top bank late the other night when I went to tuck him in, but with wolves in the area and visible sightings in the village, I want him in at night.

On his rounds

 After an earlier start than I had planned, I thought I would crack on and get the gate screwed together. I was quite looking forward to it. Off I went and gathered up all my tools, in my tool belt and set up in the outside porch as it has both a flat floor and a pillar to use to help screw the short vertical parts of the frame. Well, this is where it all went wrong today. With some stubbornness, I managed to get a screw at each long end of the frame for the top and bottom struts, with huge difficulty. The screwdriver was not functioning as it should, as I thought. Perhaps it was me. The clutch kept slipping and resulted in the screw going nowhere fast. I took to manually screwing it, done my shoulder an ouchie with putting so much pressure on the screw to try and get it to go in and had a bit of a tantrum. This is not like me, I rarely lose my rag. I then made a coffee and tried to calm myself and went out to have a look at the drill. I got it to work, but it just would not put this screw into the wood. Perhaps the wood is too hard, I don't know. Perhaps I was just doing it wrong or I wasn't strong enough, but this gave me the serious hump. If I had toys in a pram, they'd have been all over the patio.

The Mr woke up and bless him, the first message he got was sent with dragon fire to 2,000 miles away. He is so good lol. He kept me calm, told me what to do and it still didn't work so I told him I was going to burn the whole lot and went back upstairs again huffing and puffing. I really don't know what was wrong with me today. I think the frustration of that, tiredness and generally just not wanting to have to deal with anything or anyone were the main elements.

After much soothing from the UK and a bit of reassurance that the drill was old and needed to be replaced, I set off for town to get a new one. When I got there, they had only one set with the same battery packs that we currently have and it was very expensive and also came with a battery powered torch, which we don't really need. I came away with new screws only thinking that perhaps a 5mm rather than a 6mm will go in a little easier. I also stopped off to get Rambo some more meat.

I arrived back and got to the gate, which was wide open, and saw this. The gate being left open enraged me further. Laziness! I went upstairs to drop off my stuff and went to let Rambo out.

Drainage material

 I didn't notice it before I went up, but as I turned the corner towards his enclosure I saw this! Why on earth would you dump a trailer load of sand in the middle of the patio that I had just driven off an hour before when there was a pile of sand by the rubble pile already!? The blood pressure was rising again.

Dumped!

I was just about to open Rambo's enclosure for him when I suddenly thought that I had better check the main gates. Yes, you guessed it.

Wide open

Fuming, I shut the gates and let Rambo out who was, as always, delighted to be free again. I stormed upstairs, had a chat with the Mr and promptly went down to give off stink to the drainage guy who stared at me and shouted something after me which I ignored for fear of shouting obscenities at him. I don't know why I put Rambo away today, I usually don't when the men are around, but thank goodness I did. Not only Rambo to consider, but the farm is opposite the gates and the cows and sheep and of course, their dogs, all roam free. Pure laziness and a complete lack of consideration. I was really, really cross and he knew it.

I had planned to go and continue digging and weeding out the third bed today but I was so discombobulated in how I was feeling that I went off for a nap and then to the terrace instead. I took some time out to sit in the sun and try to relax. Gradually, I began to feel calmer.  poured a glass of wine and just enjoyed an hour to myself with the sun on my face. I presume the wine helped somewhat also.

The drainage man had two workmates turn up mid afternoon also and they were all working away out the back, putting our concerns over the depth of the trench along the back wall were the water currently seeps through when there is a downpour. After they left I went out the back to have a look and I measured the depth from the window to the floor inside and then the depth from the window to the trench on the outside. They are about 3cms deeper outside and so a few more and we should be covered to avoid any damp walls once all of this is done. Thank goodness!

Dug deep

I have sat this evening between cooking, ordering some shorts and a couple of tops and summer dresses as i really have very little in the way of summer clothes and after today, it is only set to get warmer so I am going to need them. Retail therapy always helps. I like to go down and give Rambo some fussing before it gets dark and he thoroughly enjoys that half an hour. Tonight however, I am sure the birds were teasing him as they again came into the inner porch and circled above him. He went ballistic again and I couldn't help but laugh at him chasing them around the patio area. He really doesn't like them. I think I will have to block that bit of broken glass in the door off, for my own sanity if nothing else., I did have a good old laugh though and the mood has really shifted.

Chasing birds

 Finally, a beautiful sunset to finish my day. If that doesn't warm the heart, nothing will.

Sunset

I am going to leave it here for the evening and watch the final frames of the Snooker Final. Have a good evening.

Leka nosht.

A x

Garden gate-gate

Good evening! Today has been quite a lovely day. 

I was questioned last night as to why there were so few sunrises and sunsets and my answer was that they have been a bit rubbish lately. Just to prove me wrong, last nights was pretty impressive with a great glow.

Sunset

This morning was less appealing. I had set my alarm so that I could get up to stream the Mayweather fight but my phone died and I overslept until 6.30. I saw a thick blanket of fog which made that time much less appealing, but I got up anyway and was pleased to see the fight hadn't stated by that point. Quickly out to let Rambo out and the fog pushed me back through the front door to my coffee.

Misty start

I watched a pretty bad stream for the fight which kept freezing, so I just didn't really enjoy it. The Mr had been up all night at his friends watching the whole show while I was snuggled up in bed. He's supposed to be the clever antisocial one!

I had wanted to check the garage to make sure that my bird proofing had worked and that I hadn't wasted my time yesterday, so I headed down to have a look. I found THIS! HOW? I was raging and grabbed the broom, opened the door and proceeded to chase it around the three rooms to try and get it out. It was like a Benny Hill sketch, all that was missing was the music.

HOW?

Suddenly, it took a diversion and flew straight through the hatch between the garage and what will be the kitchen and by the time I got down the corridor, it had disappeared. My first thought was that it had gone out the door and out into the rest of the house. I sighed and swore and huffed and puffed, but on my way through the kitchen and spotted the portal to the outside world. How I have never seen this before I do not know, I spend all the time cutting wood up for the fire in this room.

That is how!

 I soon rectified that!

Not any more, Sunshine.

 And also doubled up on the outside. I have a new found love for our staple gun!

Nor here

With that done I was feeling hungry and I was spending some time with Rambo and gave him a bit of exercise, as well as myself and then headed off up to the School to get some food. I had only just got to the top of the stairs when I heard my names being shouted from the gate. Little lady had obviously heard my stomach rumbling and she was stood by the gate with three triangles of eggy bread. I do love this and she knows it. She also asked if I would like some milk, but with the Mr not here I would hate for it to go to waste, so I told her no thanks.

I gobbled up the yummy bread and set to the next task. Yesterday I had cut the framework for the new garden gate and drilled out some holes in preparation for treating the wood and off I went to make a start. After spending quite a while trying to find the treatment, the only one I could find was the one the men had uses on the eaves of the roof. A dark gate would be perfect.

Treating the frame

It was very warm today and so I tried not to stay out too long at any one time, but I enjoyed the smell of the treatment. I have always been partial to all the smells I shouldn't be. Permanent markers and nail polish being my favourites - hah. Here is the gate frame in progress.

Result

I realised as I finished the last of the shorter parts of the frame that it hadn't rained very much recently and I took myself off to water the silver birch trees and the flower seeds I planted the other day up on the top bank. The trees are really doing well.

Silver birch

I also spotted a jumping critter. Grasshopper presumably.

Critter

I sat on the swinging chair reading for a little while while the frame dried off in the sun and threw Rambo's Kong which he kept dropping on my legs, full of slobbers. He is very kind.

Drying off

I am not very good at the whole relaxing thing and soon got bored. All I can think of at the moment is how much work needs to be done here in preparation for the puppies arriving. I recruited Rambo to help me clear the path to the front gate. The oak tree had suffered a few branch breaks over winter and Bekir had kindly chainsawed it all up for me but I hadn't got round to picking all of it up. Rambo was a big help. With his love of sticks (and branches) I passed the branches up to the top of the steps where he was and he dragged them to the patio. What a clever dog!

Unpaid helper

I had meant to get a picture of this the other day and when I spotted it again I grabbed the camera. Some of the spiders here live in holes. There are lots and lots of them all over the land, even in my vegetable beds. This one was unusually large, which is why I noticed it initially. I stood very still above the hole and tried not to shudder until after I took the photo. The hole is about 2-3cms diameter, so that means this beast is huge!

Spider in a hole

I decided that Rambo was enjoying my company too much to leave him alone and I wanted to go to the terrace for a sit down as there is always a bit of a breeze up there. I poured myself a beer and grabbed my phone and went up to set the rocking chair up. I then went down, grabbed a bowl of water and had to coax Rambo inside. He is not allowed inside and he knows it, but I think we can stretch to having him up on the roof every once in a while, he loves it up there and just stares over the wall at the views and who can blame him?

Happy place

Other side

I took him down a short while later as it was so warm and he was struggling with nowhere to shade. This was not before he had a wee against the chimney and pee'd on a flying beetle who then could not fly! Honestly!

Having been in the sun most of the day and possibly the beer on the terrace, I was feeling very sleepy and decided to have a half an hour nap. It was much needed indeed and I awoke feeling much better. I got another burst of energy and thought that if I cut the planks to go onto the gate and treated them today then tomorrow I can screw it all together ready for hinges and latch to be fitted, so I did it!

Panels

Whilst treating away which was hot work, I spotted the first of the flags to blossom. What an amazingly beautiful plant. There are hundreds of these all over the bottom area of the land.

Beautiful flags

Just so that you do not think I am paying someone to do all of this stuff for me, proof that I do actually work sometimes. The task was getting tiresome by this stage and it was still very hot. I actually very nearly stopped and left it for tomorrow. I quite often get this feeling when I have started a task and want to just leave it.

Proof I do work sometimes

Maybe I am lazy, or perhaps that is just the wrong word; it is like I just lose interest when something takes longer than I envisaged. Luckily, I also have stubbornness as a trait and I stuck at it and  finally it was done!

And done!

It was very late in the day for me by this stage and way past Rambo's evening feeding time, so he gobbled up his chow, I sat on the chair waiting for him and then I came up here to do this. So many photos today, so apologies for the long drawn out ramblings.

This was my day. The moon is bright in the sky straight in front of me and I have just eaten the rest of my curry. Now, it is snooker time. The final.

Leka nosht!

A x

Pottering

I woke naturally today at around 7.15 and the sun was doing its best to make an appearance. After a couple coffees and feeding Sassy who was thumping her cage earlier than usual, it was off out to see what Rambo was up to. I walked out onto the porch with his bowl of food and no sign of him. I started to walk towards his enclosure and he had obviously only made it half way there before he needed a rest. Lazy sod. I think he thinks he's a lizard; he's forever sunbathing.

Halfway collapse

He did actually get up when he smelled the food coming up behind him, or maybe he smelled me, who knows? As I sat waiting for him to eat, perched on the entrance step to his house I noticed that the plants containing the burrs that used to get caught up in Ralf's fur  were huge. The burrs themselves are also big this year and they are nasty! They just get stuck in everything, including my socks and clothing.

Burrs

However, there are some more pleasant plant life and all throughout the garden and the back bank are patches of lovely meadow flowers like this. The garden is alive with bees this year which is fantastic.

Summer meadow flowers

Every now and again Rambo turns around to see what I'm up to. I had just taken a photo and he looked up looking so sad that I had to capture it. I hope he isn't sad. Perhaps he misses the Mr? Nah..... Can't be that! :)

Inexplicably sad Rambo

He did cheer up after he had finished his breakfast and we played "you throw the Kong and I will pretend to bring it back to you and run away when you hold your hand out for it" for about a half an hour and until my shoulder could throw no more. I had set myself a task today to try and block the way in for the swallows as I keep finding them down in the garage area and they build nests so fast! They were getting in through the gap at the top. I caught one the other day as I was walking up from the bottom gate.

Bird entrance

I first of all had to select the right size piece of wood to hammer on there, which was the east bit. The hard bit was hammering the nails in. I got one in, tried a couple more, bashed my finger with the hammer, not only once, but twice and then gave up. The hammer went on the floor and I used brute force and ignorance to wedge bits of wood into the holes. I found this worked quite well and if they get in now, I will accept that I am sharing the house with swallows over summer, it's fine.

No entrance

I was inspecting it all from the outside when Rambo joined me and the birds that I had put out when I started were still swooping around the window. I took Rambo further back and we watched. Ok, I watched, he went ballistic if they flew too close to him. I am sure he thinks he will catch one of them one day. He hates them. We watched a couple of attempts at trying to get in, a couple of confused faces and then I snapped them, huffing on the wires.

Huffing birds

Rambo and Sassy fed and the bird proofing done, kind of and I realised I hadn't eaten anything yet. No wonder my tummy was rumbling, it was after 11am. I had been shopping yesterday and picked up some bits and pieces to whet my appetite again. I had smoked salmon and omelette. And it may not be presented in the best manner, but it sure was tasty!

Brunch

I took a bit of a break when I was called by the Little Lady again for coffee. Her son and his family must have stopped over last night and so when I arrived, the whole clan were there again, including the Kmet's children who were trying out their new roller boots! I was so jealous!! We sat for quite a long time again, chatting in whatever small quantities I could about Rambo's ticks, the Mr and when he was coming back and I was even asked about my brother, who they have presumably seen on Facebook. It was lovely, again. It was almost 1.30pm when I got back, time had really flown. I set into my next task which was starting a side gate so that the land is secure enough for the puppies when they arrive. We have a metal gate currently, but Rambo can squeeze through the gap if he pushes hard enough on it. I measured, measured again and went out to look at it and visualise it in my head.  Now, I am sure the Mr will be screwing when he realises that I did not do a drawing and carefully plan it all with a design, but I cannot be bothered with all of that. That's blue work. I don't think it turned out too bad.

Side-gate frame

What you don't see are the deep holes that have been drilled already for the screws to be fixed.  I had planned to treat the wood too before I screwed it together but first I couldn't find the paint brush and then when I finally did, it was rock solid because we didn't manage to get the white paint off it last year when I painted the window frames for the raised beds. That was a pain. I will need to go tomorrow and get another couple and some more screws so that I can finish it off until I find some suitable planks. It will be grand in the end!

I parked myself on the sofa and switched on the snooker, just catching the end of the first semi-final. A great end to a great day. Finally, after all the bashing of hammers, fingers and birds nests I thought I had better have a shower and clean up a bit. It's difficult to stay clean in this place. I had a bit of a pamper session with all my lotions and potions and am now sitting with a beer (empty currently) and wondering what to snack on for dinner; perhaps some more smoked salmon and some blue cheese and then the next semi-final will be on and I will watch that until my eyes refuse to stay open, again.

Leka nosht.

A xx

Half a day

First of all, I want to thank everyone who clicks on the blog link. We have achieved a first on yesterday's post and have had more than 1,000 views on that post alone. I am not sure why or what it is we are doing differently recently, but thank you all for taking the time to stop by!

I had a very late night last night, so getting up this morning was very difficult. I was only working until lunch time and got straight on with it once I had made my coffee. Before long, Nikolai pitched up and was shouting up looking to connect his big drill to the power, so I ran a cable that I use for the saw in the wood room and passed it it. He got cracking straight away. Looks like a definite blue job to me, I doubt I would be able to even lift it.

Pneumatic-drill

I finished up with work just before 11am and had forgotten that I hadn't fed Rambo. I'm a bad mother! He never whines though and was more interested in barking at the drill. Whilst sat on the porch with another coffee and keeping Rambo company I spotted something move on the pile of bricks. At last, a bright green lizard! I was very slow in my movements and instructed Rambo to stay when he saw me get up, which he obeyed (for a change). There were two. So pleased I got decent shots of them. What fabulous colours they have; especially the blue chin.

Chilled lizard

Nosey lizard

I was pretty tired after my late night and I was still up at 7am. I thought about going back to bed, but instead I had to go into the supermarket to pick up some more bits and bobs. I am not particularly enjoying any of me food at the minute and I wanted to get some treats to get my taste buds going again. Getting into the larger of the two local towns and the cloud started to descend. A huge storm had blown in and I sat in the car park for about 15 minutes before I made my move. Town and the shopping centre was extremely busy, much more so than usual. The shop was a nightmare; people everywhere and getting in the way. Just as well it was me and not the Mr, he'd absolutely hate that situation.

On the way back from town I realised that something was going on for May Day. Halfway up the hill on the way out of town were a procession of old classic cars. There were those little "Herbie" cars (Citroens, I believe) and various others that I did not know the name of. Unfortunately I was unable to stop and get photos, but it was pretty special.

Back at home, the storm had started to head our way and so I drove the car onto the patio to unload, after which I submitted to an afternoon nap. I really needed it.

I popped out after getting back up and burned the rubbish and then Rambo and I took a walk around to see what had changed over the last few days.  The Mr is certainly going to have to make hay while the sun shines. Look at the height of the garden grass!

Overgrown

 As I walked back up towards the house I saw a couple of trees. I have not noticed these before. I must have stared at them for five minutes, trying to think if they had been there yesterday or even last weekend. I could not work out how they got planted, because I certainly haven't done it. Maybe the neighbour? Maybe Sally? Who knows! They are both victims of winter by the looks of it.

New trees!

Despite falling over and having severely damaged branches, the fruit trees are certainly battling on. Look at the bloom on them!

Blooming trees

 Towards the vehicle gate, the silver birches are doing well with the exception of the one which snapped over winter sadly. The top half is not looking just as strong as I had hoped by now. I do hope it makes it.

Not so good

Whilst out watering the plants in the veg garden and pots the Little lady shouted over for me to go for coffee. After my nap and feeling still quite groggy, I accepted gladly. She was out digging in the garden with her daughter in law. The men were pottering around spraying the plants with something or other and we sat on her porch steps and tried to have a natter. They had also treated their dogs with tick treatment and offered me some for Rambo.  I explained that I already had some and I had found the vets that her son had told me about. I got a tour of her veggie garden. My goodness, these people sure know how to grow things. Her potatoes and onions are miles ahead of mine.  I had a lovely time just sitting there, listening to them banter and laugh and I felt very welcome and very much involved. They really do make me feel like part of the family.

I left to go and spend a bit of time with Rambo before dinner and the son came over to have a walk around and see what the drainage trench was like. They are a lovely family. Their kids are very well behaved also and no trouble at all.

And so I am sat here with a belly full of chicken tikka masalla, snooker on the laptop and a beer in my hand. So I will say goodnight and go and enjoy the rest of my half day off.

Leka nosht.

A x