Weekend away

So with a day off blogging yesterday (I bet you were all gutted to not have my ramblings to read) I'm back and gonna crack on with this double day blog post.

Ralf stole both the toys - cheeky sod

Winding my memory back to yesterday morning we were up relatively early considering no alarm was set and there was no hurry to be awake and the first thing we found was that the water was back on which was a real relief. We would be able to shower before going to see our friends later. We had a few things to get done before and after feeding the boys we went and watered everything well as it wouldn't get any attention til Sunday. Ralf has a love of stealing toys, or anything actually, belonging to Rambo and he did his usual trick with Rambo's ball, and a bottle Rambo was playing with, and at one point had actually managed to get both. Rambo didn't let this state of affairs last long and stole the ball back soon after.

Gorgeous morning, and a new poppy starting

While down by the vehicle gate watering the Silver Birch trees I looked back up to the house and the colour of the sky with the lovely trees and the new roof extending itself now once again above the green building was so striking I had to get a picture. We then spotted what looks like a fancy poppy or something which has appeared down there as well; so many great flowers everywhere.

Very excited to be heading out

With the watering done, and my breakfast of bacon and egg butties complete, we got the boys together and took them for a walk. This was the first time we'd taken them together since the abortive attempt with BobS a few weeks back. They actually walked really well together and were no trouble at all, though they did pull a bit at the beginning of the walk.

A much needed swim to cool down

We headed up out of the village towards the pond at the top but on the way, as the pups were getting quite hot, I decided to drop down to the slightly larger pond in the middle of the meadow above the village. The only problem with this one is it is used as a watering hole by all the cattle and so sometimes it is not possible to take the boys. As we approached a large herd of sheep and goats were just skirting the pool but the herder took them to the other side of the lake so we were able to get there without worrying his sheep. Ralf and Rambo both went straight into the water and had a great time; in a near field there were four dogs with another man who kept barking and coming to investigate but we ignored them and they left us alone after that.

Rambo swimming, Ralf being skinny

This pond is deep enough for Rambo to swim in properly and so A chucked some sticks for him into the deeper part so he could fetch them and swim. Ralf was in and out a number of times as he could swim pretty much immediately he went in and he was having such a great time chasing around. You can see the other dogs in the background of the picture of Ralf. Shortly after this we headed back and those dogs took an interest in us again, barking and chasing across the field. I stopped and looked and then backed away while staring at them and this made them pause, then just watch as we left. With the water having cooled them both dogs were much happier on the walk down and Ralf in particular had more energy.

As we walked towards the house we saw Usmivka working on his potatoes in their garden. We had a brief conversation but then, just as we got in the side gate, the Little Lady appeared and was insistent that we go for a coffee as she had guests. We put the boys away and I grabbed the two pots of hers, some dry bread for their chickens, and one of the bottles of Quince Jelly and then we went over and had a very nice coffee and some biscuits while chatting with the English speaking guest of hers. The mother of this guest was one of the ladies who had come over here a month or so ago with two others and cried as I showed her round. Just as we were getting close to needing to leave Usmivka came in and putting his arm around me first said "this is my son" and then A "and this is my daughter". Bless him.

Locals wishing us safe travelling

We headed back and got ourselves ready for the off, packing the bag and tidying up and then locking every door in the place. We picked up some of the coloured key fob things so we could set them on the front and side door keys that we took with us. As we were leaving through the vehicle gate A got some pictures of the horse and foal that were standing opposite the gate. They just stood there totally calmly as we drove off.

Me with the Mushroom stones

The journey to our friends took us through the main town and then I decided to follow the satnav over the scenic route I had taken once before. It is a stunning drive going over that way and we stopped a couple of times to take pictures. The best thing though was as we went round a corner and found a car stopped in the middle of the road A suddenly noticed that we were right next to the Mushroom Stones which is an interesting geological phenomenon surrounded by barbed wire right by the road. We stopped at a little pull in just up the road and walked back, followed in this by the stationary car which we now worked out had spotted the stones as well and was working out where to park. They were pretty bizarre to be fair, and I'm really glad she spotted them as when I drove this way on my own I was paying so much attention to the road (as this time actually) that I hadn't seen them at all.

Huge solar farm

Another landmark we drove past (this time one I see every time) was the huge solar panel farm that extends for a mile or so by the side of the road. This picture was actually taken as I was driving past at speed and it has come out really well considering.

The church storks nest

Finally for this section of the journey we drove through the village with the stork nest on its church and this time I remembered and parked the car up so a good clear picture could be taken. The two storks were even in residence at the time which was good. This nest is so large and so messy I can't imagine it being allowed to stay on a church steeple in the UK. I think it is probably valued by the locals here though.

Amazing lunch at a hardware store

We stopped on the way as planned at the larger hardware store and I managed to buy the sander and large nails that I needed, and we also got a bed for Ralf to go in Room 13. After the usual ritual of being shown that the tool actually works (by plugging it in and turning it on) we were both hungry and A smelled food and found a restaurant on the 1st floor. We went up and what a great choice it was. Where in the UK you get microwaved rubbish at these places this had an open kitchen with a chef (who was very smiley) and some amazing food made fresh while you watched. The Adana Kebab I had was completely gorgeous (after some confusion as they asked how hot I wanted it and my language skills let me down for a moment) and I can tell you that there was only crumbs left after we finished up. At the end we were given two turkish teas for free by the chef. I love this country!

Dude on a trike

And so back on the road and the rest of the journey was unremarkable other than some turkeys we drove past in a village, and this awesome trike bike thing we over took. I gave him a wave and a thumbs up as we went past and he responded with a toot on his horn. We arrived safe and well at Chaz and Ivan's and there was evidence of the progress they are making everywhere. It was lovely to see them again and, after a few beers sat in the lounge (and some AMAZING apricot spirit which had apparently been aged for 16 years in a buried bottle - crazy) we headed down to the local bar for a couple before dinner.

When we got there a few faces were familiar but the two scottish ladies from my first visit were not there. We had a lovely time, meeting a German / Slovak couple who were lovely, but the most amusing / disgusting experience of the night was when the really drunk person sat on a chair by the wall let go and wet himself while he was asleep. It ran all down across the patio and pooled and was pretty disgusting to be honest. The landlady didn't actually do much about it and, after leaning to hard on the plastic arm of the deck chair he was sat on and breaking it right off, and being remonstrated with by a few of the villagers, this distasteful fellow stood up and staggered off. He'd have been hosed down and ejected if it was my bar. This excitement over we went inside for the last drink as the temperature was cooling down slightly and I enjoyed the music in there, and the conversation also.

Dinner was a lovely curry, pork and beans made by Ivan, and chicken tikkas that hadn't been marinaded long enough according to Chaz but I thought they tasted great. We then sat and threw a ball with Ivan's little niece who was staying with them, chatted a lot, drank more beer, water, tea and other liquid refreshment, and spent time trying to work out what film it was that was on the TV at the time. I have just googled and found that it was "All The King's Men" and Rotten Tomatoes says it is rubbish, though IMDB isn't so critical. It was a really enjoyable evening but A was dropping off to sleep sat up by the end so we adjourned and slept through pretty well,  though the dogs in the village did chase off a coyote at one point that woke me up, and I also had a horrible falling nightmare where I thought the bed was suspended high in the air and was about to fall; I woke A in a panic as it turned into a waking dream but I don't think she had remembered in the morning. I lay there for a while after calming myself down but I was still not confident to swing my legs over the side; strange what your mind does sometimes isn't it.

We woke naturally feeling rested and beat Chaz awake by a few minutes, with a brew each, and then he set to making us an outstanding breakfast of which there are once again no pictures as our cameras had not left the car, my phone was also in there and A's phone had no battery. Trust me when I say it was a feast and it has sustained us all the way through to now though as I type this I'm feeling a little hungry at just after 5pm. We headed off shortly after breakfast so we could get back for the dogs and the journey was simple, though I took a slightly wrong turn at one point and we came into the big town from a different direction. My parents and my Friend will know where because we drove past the large pile of rubble I had skidded Thomas over after our caching trip while my parents were here.

First joint fixed

When we got back the boys were super excited to see us and unfortunately Ralf got over excited and was snapping as he was jumping at me, catching my arm slightly. It didn't draw blood however I did tell him off and it took some of the joy out of seeing them again. We unloaded the car and then set to with the tasks that had been set ourselves. For myself I was going to put together the beams I had cut the other day into one layer for the raised bed. I set it all out and drilled the embedding holes and then put the new long screws in with the driver and they are perfect.

 A playing with her new toy

A, meanwhile, had taken the new sander and was working away to smooth all the old paint down and remove the flakes so we could do another coat of paint to keep the wood from rotting. She seemed to be enjoying herself and did a cracking job of getting all the flakes off and tidying both sides of both frames that will be used in this cold frame raised bed contraption.

Drilling into the really dense wood

I kept on with this first frame and, with a bit of help from A to turn it over and maneuver the super heavy wood I got the job completed in not that much time. It looks really good and most shockingly of all the dimensions I had used were perfect. We offered the two window frames up to make sure the middle cross piece was in the right place and it is snug as a bug. Brilliant.

Two frames stacked, and me stoked

After doing this I stole the power for a bit and cut up wood for the next layer and then proceeded to put that together as well so now I have two of the three frames required for one raised bed; the final, sloping, frame will be made with help from Bekir and his chainsaw. With some effort (they really are very heavy and we have decided that the guest bed won't, after all, be made of this wood as it would be impossible to move) I dragged the second frame on top of the first and they match up really rather well; when they are screwed together with the internal joints they will be perfect. Don't I look proud.

The windows fit!

With this second one done we tidied up and put all the tools away. At first we weren't sure where to put the windows for safest keeping but then I suggested we once again rest them on the frames; now they will be at an angle so they are too wide to settle in snugly however for the length ways one they are just spot on as I said.

Ralf and his new bed

It was really rather warm outside so we came in after this, showed Ralf his new bed (he sat in it for a bit and then got up; maybe it is too warm for now but it'll be ideal in the winter) and I sat on the sofa with my book and a cuppa to cool down in the nice breeze in that location; it is going to work exactly as planned when the place is done, have a couple of soft chairs or sofas there to sit and read, looking through the bedroom out that window on the balcony, or out the landing windows to the back. I then came in Room 13 to type this while A has gone for a lay down. I am now really rather hungry so I'm going to risk waking her so we can go out for some food and get this published as well. I'll update you tomorrow on the evening.

Cheers.