Just another day

Today has, quite literally, been just another day as the last few days have gone. I've not much wonderfully exciting to write about however I have taken some nice photographs of various things so I will construct some sort of an update around them.

I woke very late, well after 8am, and went inside for my brew as I was really thirsty. Last night I had once again been in the sleeping bag (the duvets weren't dry, remember) and I was actually cold in the night. I was so tired though that I didn't think of pulling the duvet inner that was laying on the sofa onto me to warm me so I just rolled over and slept as well as I could. I don't know if this lack of sleep as given me the headache which is assailing me right now but whatever it is I need to make sure it doesn't come back soon.

The sun emerging from a cloud

When I did finally get out of bed I was pleased to see that the clouds were not there and the sun was out. Well I say "out" but as you can see from this picture it was just coming out. This was taken from the balcony where I went with my brew to feel the sun on my back and appreciate one of the things which has surely been most surprisingly lacking since I got here; good weather. Anyway, I've complained about that quite enough so I'm going to shut up about it. For now.

While I was walking towards the front door I heard again a sound that I could hear quite clearly while I was in bed; a humming thrumming sound. I had thought initially maybe it was wind in the over head lines, or even a car running in the lane, however it became clear that it was coming from the tea trees. It was so loud my initial thought was that there was a bee swarm up in the branches but as I investigated, and ducked right under and looked up, I could tell that the sound was coming from all over each tree. It was bees, flies and insects - thousands of them, all having a good go at the blossoms which have opened all over the trees in the last day or so. The video doesn't seem to have picked up the sound but I will put it here for you anyway, to enjoy.

Bee on nectar

Bonking insects

I went back outside later to try and take some pictures of the creatures that were all over the tree. I didn't manage to get any of the big bumble bees that were there (not that many of them, sadly, but a few) but I did get these which came out OK of a bee and two insects that were obviously very excited by all the lovely nectar on offer. They all moved so fast (and the wind was getting up by this time) so it was quite hard to take anything other than blurs.

Still tiny

The sun wasn't just cheering me up; Rambo was bouncier and happier than I've seen him for a few days when I went out to feed and water him. He didn't do his vomiting thing that he has been doing loads recently either which was great to see. He was also pretty hungry so he left me largely to it while I took the watering can (yes, I did a full round this morning) first of all up to the top to do the Zinias (which are growing, though not loads of them) and the Magnolias which are also looking pretty happy. I do still need to build a couple of windbreaks for them, but this can be done over the summer in time for winter.

Some of the mushrooms that are all over the place

On the way back down I spotted a couple of the little mushrooms which have popped up all over my land in the last few days. They remind me of puffballs though I don't think they are. They could even be the edible ones which you buy from the shops. I will ask my neighbours when I get a chance.

Sickly tree

From there I refilled my watering can and then went to do the trees. They are all doing really well and the first one I planted, which didn't have any roots at all if you remember, looks like it is thriving. The one which is doing the least well is the second last I planted, in the hole I dug out where the other tree was. It has lost a lot of its leaves and some of the branches actually have no leaves on at all however most of them, even where all the old leaves have gone, have green sprouts on the tips and a fair few have good large mature leaves. I think it'll end up being OK as well. I do think that before I leave this year I will need to remove the large tree next to it (in the background in this picture) as it will probably be competing too much for light and water.

Many thanks for the stickers

I was sat, having just finished my rounds, when the phone rang and it was the kmet with some post for me. I went down to get it and asked him about a parcel which was sent from the UK about four weeks ago and still hasn't arrived. He said it may be down in town and he would go and ask about it. I hope he finds it, there are gifts for me in it and I really love the sound of what they are (from the hints I've been given). Most things arrive fine to me and this is a picture of my hard hat now officially marked as health and safety accredited. I still haven't gone back to do the ceiling in there but I may put it on the list.

Swooping Helicopter

I had been hearing the sound of what I thought was a helicopter for a while and kept dashing out to try and get a picture but I could never catch a glimpse. This didn't stop me and, while I was waiting for a conversation to continue, I grabbed the camera again and this time it swung up over the edge of the valley with my cheren put in it and I was able to get a bit of a shaky photograph. Apparently it was over my friends part of the area this afternoon and it was spraying something on the crops. I wonder if that is what I can blame the headache on.

Blowing hard on the washing line

My washing was still on the driers and I put it out onto the balcony first thing but then, as the wind picked up, I went to bring it in and found that they had both blown over. This probably prevented the clothes ending up in my neighbour's garden to be fair, so never mind. I took the good advice to take it and peg it onto the line to air any dust out (and it was still not dry as well, and smelling a bit musty) and I also took the bedding for the same reason. I did not actually end up leaving it hung up for long as the wind was so great it was always at risk of flying off. I also had to put a secondary support in for the line. My bed is now made and I am looking forward to sleeping well tonight again.

The first load of stuff for burning

Breakfast was the chili beans on toast (after I had washed up the pan, and found the emergency bread in the freezer which was a relief as I thought I was totally out of bread) and then I went up into the attic for a bit to do some more collecting of burnable stuff. My aim was to clear the area I had identified the other day, and burn it all. I have so much to do up there that I really need to make these targets and stick to them. My morning meeting occurred in the middle and then, after I had collected what I thought was a good amount to get the fire established so I could just bring things straight down to an already burning drum, I went outside.

Finally got the fire to start

The wind had really picked up by now and it was really hard to get it lit. I failed completely using the oven lighter stick and went back to matches, which then took me about 10 or so before finally the old mayonnaise tub caught and that was enough to establish a flame. I went back in to get a few more bits to put on it and then saw that my little lady was beckoning me. I went to see her and she gave me a pancake, and then asked me to stop burning as the wind direction was taking it all over to her. I can't blame her really as it was a pretty noxious smoke today however that pretty much nixed my plans for having an all day burn.

Sunbather

While I was stood by the fire making sure it was going to catch properly (and dodgy the smoke) I saw that a lovely butterfly or moth was sat on the blackened area where T and Bekir had burned the old mattresses from the attic. It was sunning itself and kept opening and then closing its wings as they do. I got a few pics then it flew around and landed and started walking towards me and this was when I was able to get this amazing photograph. Later on, when I was bringing the washing in, I saw another of these but it was tiny. I didn't have my camera with me at the time sadly (or probably to some of your relief, huh).

Sassy having a good long drink

All of this took place really early in the day and, unusually, Sassy had not been banging for her food so I hadn't been in to sort her out. I decided when I wet in to feed and water her and she was super thirsty as she ignored the food (after a quick munch) and spent a while having a good gulp of the fresh water. The eagle eyed amongst you (ok, my mother) spotted that where I said yesterday I had pics of all the animals I had forgotten to put Sassy in. So here she is, in all her stretched out and gulping glory.

The fallen over tomato plant, and the fruit taken last night

While I was making my sarnies I looked outside and saw what I thought was a casualty of the high winds that were causing the tea trees to thrash around outside my window. I dashed down and found that fortunately the tomato plant had just been blown over a bit as the tie I had put was now too low down to support the top of the plant. I quickly fixed it. The inset picture is a photograph I actually took yesterday showing some of the fruit on this particular plant. It's nice to have something growing well as my fingers have been firmly not green so far over here.

The fuchsias are back blooming again

A wild flower; any identification people?

I was pleased to see, while checking the pots out there after saving this tomato plant, that the Fuschias which were so badly battered by the hail storm seem to all be doing very well again. The first two which I bought have now both got open flowers on again (having lost them all) and the second batch all have unopened flower heads waiting to burst forth. This is great as I really want these to be the centre piece of the summer show for my entrance. Once I get round to finishing that digging.

Threatening clouds replaced the blue sky

Around this time the weather really changed and changed fast. The wind was blowing, as I've said, from a different direction to usual and it was pushing clouds towards us that normally hover on the horizon. They reached me with a big black thud and have remained pretty much set in all afternoon since. I told you I would stop whinging about the weather and that was how long it lasted. It's just not what this place is supposed to be getting and I hope it isn't going to continue. I did see someone on facebook saying the weather is getting worse every year he's been here, but that could just be grumpy expat complaints. I'd NEVER do that!

*coughs*

I finally got him to stand still long enough for a picture

Determined to not let this get me too annoyed, and also because he kept dropping the kong on my feet while I was sorting the flowers, I threw it for him a few times and had a good run around the patio. He was very good this time and kept giving the kong back for me to throw again rather than running off with it when I went to take it off him to keep the game going. Maybe he is finally learning. I doubt it though. After this my headache, which had been building all day, really got bad so I decided that I should rest. Fresh air was suggested and I agreed so I took my rug, got a mug of water, and wrapped myself up while lying on the hanging chair. I don't think I slept but I didn't want to move and was only disturbed twice; once when Rambo decided that he wanted to nudge my leg for some reason and then when it started hammering down with rain suddenly which, when it blew in on me, prompted me to go back inside.

I had more advice about my headache which was to have something sweet and I opened a pack of Teacher's whisky chocolates and ate a few of them. I've never been much of a fan of these as whisky should be in a glass with maybe a drop of water, but the advice was good as my headache has very much retreated now. I had a lovely recipe suggested to me for a stew I could cook for tonight to use up the stewing steak I bought the other day and, while putting this blog together I have boiled the meat for a bit, then added loads of veg and other things and it is now bubbling away happily behind me and smelling divine. If you want the recipe, here it is: "Boil some stewing steak for about an hour and a half in your pot.  Add the parsnips, onions and potatoes and salt, pepper and chillies. Voila.  Stew.  Would be a bit better with a few carrots, but should be fine."

So while I wait for it to boil down (could take a while) I'll get to the other part of this blog which will set it apart. I was talking on twitter about some of the old tools that I have and promised some pictures of them for some "old tool porn" aficionados. So here you are. In no particular order:

The large pump action screw driver

The smaller pump action screw driver

A manual drill just like my dad had

A tiny manual drill

I heard from Lubo today that the lights have been delivered so I am meeting him in town tomorrow at 9.30am to collect them, get them fitted, and then try again at KAT. Here's to me reporting that my car is on BG plates by tomorrow evening. I think I am going to hold off on publishing this for now to get a picture of my stew, and also maybe the sunset which I think is going to be quite a good one from the looks of things. I'm done typing for now though.

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Some welcome glimpses of blue sky

As the evening has progressed, and my stew got closer and closer to ready, the weather has steadily improved again and there were actually hints of blue sky in the direction from which the weather has been coming all day. Now this is normally where the weather goes to so if it goes into reverse I hope it is clear that I don't expect to get the rubbish we've had all day back, thank you.

Sheep at pasture, sheep dog far right

While I was taking these pictures the sounds of the sheep in the field next to my land was really calming and I stood listening to it for a fair while, thinking about just how lovely it will be to sit here over the summer with company and appreciate this balcony just that little more than I am at the moment. I took the picture and then noticed that the sheep dog had spotted me and was watching looking very suspicious.

My stew; nearly as good as hers....

Because of my early start tomorrow I went and had a shower before the stew was done and then, upon returning to Room 13, did the washing up, chopped and chucked some mushrooms into the stew (which was getting very close to ready) then had to wash up the knife I'd used for the mushrooms. Not the best efficiency I've ever achieved but never mind. I then did some more paid work and finally, my stew was ready. And it was nommy.

So, it is time for me to post this blog and let it fly out to my loyal readers, you crazy fools you. I am glad you read it though and hope you liked today's "just another day" which seems to actually have been quite a long update.

EDIT

The sun going down

I really wasn't planning on doing an edit today however after I finished eating my stew I decided to grab an orange and my kindle and go and sit on the balcony and read and eat. I did so and while I was there the sunset started in earnest. I took 63 photographs of it but none of them capture the magic as well as this one. The suns rays were so stunning extending across so much of the sky as the cloud moved across in front of it. Amazing. Rambo was doing regular rounds of the land, saying hello as he went past, and the little old man went past to collect the sheep and waved and said hello as he was herding them down to their billet for the night.

Stunning, relaxing, and a wonderful way to finish the day.