Goodbye to our guests

Well what a wonderful week that was. It has been so lovely having Cjc and Fi staying and having just got back from dropping them at the airport I feel sad that they have gone but happy that they also enjoyed being here just as much. They embraced every part of being here and were even super happy about the humanure and the shower over the open trench and all the things which it would have been easy to be uncomfortable with. Great guests.

Gorgeous morning view

The day started too early again as it does with collecting the men - by too early I mean it is dark when the alarm goes off and that just doesn't seem natural to me. It was a slow start but after running to the toilet I made it back out onto the balcony and took a few photographs of the super early morning sky. It is just amazing to see how the sun effects the sky at this time of day and how quickly it changes. I wish I could get a picture of the yellow stage just before this but it is so hard to get the camera to pick those colours up.

Thick mist descended

Forty five minutes later after I had cuddled a cup of tea and washed up all the dishes from the amazing spread prepared the night before (including awesome cauliflower cheese) I went back out onto the balcony as the fog had descended and that lovely clear morning had completely disappeared. While I was out there A finished feeding the boys and I was able to watch as they were relatively good at the gate with sitting and waiting to leave.

I didn't last very long doing this

A headed out to get the men and after a few minutes I decided to go and make a start on putting the planks into the trailer which I had pulled round to the back last night. I lasted all of eight minutes before heading back inside as it was really cold and the grass was very wet. I was just not having any fun and with the rest of the day relatively busy I figured getting inside and getting a fire going in time for A to return to was more important. Oh well, I did make a start and tomorrow we can focus on this and get loads of it done.

Ralf was cold and wet as well

I got the fire lit and made a brew for Cjc (as he was just getting up when I came in) and A as she drove along the lane as I was boiling the kettle. Ralf had been outside with me while I was doing the wood moving and he was soaking wet from running around through the grass - proof that I wasn't making it up about how miserable it was out there. I was back to playing Civilisation this morning and enjoying the heat of the fire and again I really enjoyed this. I need to snap out of it a bit though as I will have to get back to paid work tomorrow at least a bit of the day.

Some working, some relaxing

Our plan for the day was to go to market as it was market day in town. We were heading down about 10 so this left a bit of time to relax before leaving. Ralf led the way in this, finding all sorts of new positions in his bed in which to gain maximum comfort. We were only joined by two men today as Orhan had been at the mastika again (not very impressed with that to be honest) so Bekir and Sally were on their own lifting the tiles up to the roof for their jobs for today. Just before we left Bekir asked me to get some Grunt which is the black sticky stuff for the roof.

Someone in the kitchen was sending me a message

The fog had cleared by the time we got in the car and when we parked up in town it was lovely and warm. We took a turn slowly around the stalls, with me picking up the red rug I wanted for the other guest room, and a few other items being bought by other people, and then we hit the cash point and returned for another browse where a few more things were bought. After this we stopped off at a cafe for some drinks (I got the best cup) and then it was kebab for A and back to the car where I think I had received a parking fine but I am not totally sure. I needed to ask Bekir about it but forgot. It'll wait until I see him next.

Slippers and a flat cap

Among the purchases made today were two which bear conversation. First of all A picked up some little woolen slippers (having destroyed the ones I bought her by wearing them outside and Ralf attacking them). Aren't they cool? They also fit inside the little pink rubber slip ons she bought to wear outside so they won't get damaged every morning. Secondly Cjc bought a rather wonderful hat which he looks great in and I modeled it in the cafe and probably don't look quite as great as he. I won't be getting one of these I don't think. Not yet anyway.

Views across the plain, and an unidentified tree

I was taking the men home at 4pm so I got back in time to get Cjc and Fi to the airport and so the rest of the afternoon was rest, relaxation, some snoozing and some sitting in the sun and just a lovely quiet way to spend the final afternoon of their visit. On the way to taking the men Bekir said that they wanted tomorrow off which is really good as we're both tired and a lie in sounds wonderful about now. Our timings were spot on and we locked up and set out with plenty to spare, and the sun was still up so they could enjoy the journey over the mountain pass. We stopped a few times on the way for views and at one of them was this tree with huge seed pods. I don't know what it is so any identification would be gratefully received.

Gorgeous shot to end the day

Of course we reached the airport with time to spare which was good as we were all quite hungry. We ate at the cafe in the departure hall and the sandwiches were pretty good today. When the call came for carry on only to head to the gate Fi and A went outside for a cigarette and then couldn't get back in as the door is exit only. They wanted us to walk past to open it and let them in but there was a man with a gun watching so I indicated no and they had to walk round past the scanner again. Ha. We hugged goodbye and waved them through and then were back in Thomas and away with no delay at the barrier which was good. The sun was down but the sunset was still stunning as we drove round the perimeter road so I stopped and took some shots out the window then A took the camera and got some much better ones, including this one. Stunning.

The drive back was really simple and really quick; we actually got home before their plane was due to take off. I have had a cup of tea while typing this and am now very tired so it is off to bed for me I think.

Lovely late Summer day

What a stunning day it has been today; the storms of the weekend have completely disappeared and there has again been barely a cloud in the sky. It has also had quite a nice cool edge to it as well stopping the sun from having an unbearable heat for the workmen and our guests. Just all round a lovely day.

When we arrived, and the house special salad

Before I say anything more about that however we are back to our lovely meal last night at the fish restaurant. S and S had arrived as the fire was still going just about which was great and after a bit (mainly delayed by my blog) we set off for dinner. I had again forgotten to put more air in the tyre so we stopped with S and S at the petrol station to try and put air in there but their machine wasn't working. Oh well, it was off up the road to the restaurant and we got a table ready for S and S who fuelled and caught us up quickly. The plan was to watch the sun set however clouds were pretty set in when we got there. It was still gorgeous to look across the reservoir and we weren't really complaining. First of all we ordered beers and salads and A spotted the house special salad which when it came was just awesome. And it tasted as good as it looks.

Multiple views from the dinner table

The evening was absolutely brilliant. The food was excellent, beer cheap and tasty and company outstanding. We were in no rush to leave and so ate nice and slowly, picking away as we ran out of steam, and enjoying the evening views as they developed. The fish were feeding in the water just outside the window where we were sitting which was great, and as the sun set the view changed very regularly. I've put together as this montage as I have so many amazing photographs from last night I didn't want to overload the blog. When we left I drove (as A had driven us there) and we had one particularly memorable encounter just up the hill when a tiny owl was sat in the middle of the road and sat watching us until I stopped, the flew off into the darkness. If only the camera had been out and ready.

First thing sky

When we got home I went straight onto the roof with the camera, tripod and remote control to attempt to get pictures but despite shooting 34 different photographs not a single one came out even well enough to show to you on here. Oh well. I slept really well and when the alarm went off at 6.30 we were both so much asleep I put snooze on. This wasn't strictly necessary as I was out on the balcony taking the morning photograph when the snooze expired. The brew was made by myself again (this is becoming a habit) and when A went out to feed the boys I went down to put air in Thomas' tyre.

The sun glows, the factory and the fire smokes

After doing this I went inside and then saw that the fire was still smoking so I popped back up onto the back bank to check it out. There was no doubt that despite the huge amount of water A had thrown on it last night before we went out for dinner and then the really cold night with dew the pile was still smouldering. While I was stood there I got a shot of the just-before-the-sun-comes-up sky and also of the factory in the valley sending its plume up to join the slight haze of morning.

First rays of the sun

I was getting the pictures of the fire when I suddenly realised the the sun was just about to pop over the mountain and I swung round and caught the first rays as they breached that barrier. It really was a lovely start to the morning and it reminded me of when I was doing daily watering rounds (these are no longer necessary so they haven't happened for a while) and I got to enjoy this view every day. I should really get up there every morning between now and leaving.

Lifting tiles onto the roof

A went to get the men and I did some stuff for a contract I'm trying to get which I really enjoyed doing and it reminded me again of the joy of good coding. Shortly after A got back with the men and we had some breakfast (toast for me and I was selfish enough to finish off the struper today. We were only joined by Sally, Bekir and Orhan today as Shengen wasn't working but they were straight onto it and started pulling more tiles up to the roof for fitting.

Looking across the river valley

Our plan was to go on a little road trip round the scenic route towards Isat's so I could pay the bill for the roof files which had been outstanding since last week. We headed over the narrow bridge and then up into the mountains opposite which you know so well from my morning photographs. This road is one of the old routes down to the border but with the new road now open there is very little traffic on it. The views are stunning on both sides of the road and we stopped a couple of times, where A got some great pictures which you'll have check her blog out to see, but this is one I took looking over towards my friend's village. We didn't get lost and found our way to the builders' yard where Isat was busy trying to fix one of his delivery trucks. We stood around for a bit, enjoying the sun and reveling in Buglaria Time and then when he came free I paid him and we scooted back up the new road the quick way to home.

This view made me feel sick to photograph

I went up onto the roof to say hi to the men and found that they had been hard at work getting tiles and then carrying them to stack on the roof. I took my life in my hands and climbed the ladder to stick my head through the hole in the roof they used to carry the tiles up. I can tell you this for free I would not do their job at all ever for any money; I was sweating even just stood with my head out - I can't even imagine climbing and walking on that slope.

Lots of things growing really well

I had dragged Cjc away from his laptop to join me for a stroll around the grounds as the weather was way too nice to spend glued to a computer screen and what a good choice that was. First of all we went to where everything is growing and A had told me how well the turnips and that were doing but it is amazing to see just what has happened in the last week since the last time I went there. The cabbage is also looking great and the beetroot are probably overdue a thinning out. There are two melons which MAY get ripe in time for us to eat them but the tomatoes will probably have to be put into something that needs them green as they aren't ripening this late in the year.

Fire restarted, Ralf wants Rambo's stick, Zinnias and my tree

From the fenced garden we went onto the back bank and walked past the random tomato plant and over the fire which was still smoking even now. I picked up a length of metal from one of the frames that had burned and poked the fire and it burst into flames again. Amazing. We spent a little bit of time gathering unburnt items and throwing them onto the new flames and then went over to the top corner to admire the Zinnias and the silver birch. Rambo picked up a stick and Ralf did his usual fixation on anything Rambo has. Bless him.

The house framed by the Silver Birch tree

I set this picture on its own and with a short paragraph following as I think it speaks for itself. This is why I love this country and this place and particularly this spot on the land.

A secondary growth with a Zinnia bloom about to appear

Another photograph I really wanted to share is a details of the Zinnia bed. There was one plant which fell over very early and I was worried about disturbing the roots if I stood it up. I did have a bloom earlier in the summer so there was no need to damage it to stand it up. Now I see that it has sent a vertical shoot up from mid-way along its previous stem (now fully horizontal) and there is a flower developing at the top. Brilliant.

Having lots of fun in the water

From there we headed back down to the front with the aim of going to look around by the Silver Birches which I planted. Of course the way took us past Rambo's pond and so both of them went straight in for a drink and a jump around and to make themselves as filthy as they could. Check out how deep the water is on Ralf.

Loads of melons for the Little Lady's cows

Once we had finally extracted them from the water there was a whistle and it was A who had come out to get some fresh air from her paid job which was taking the day up. We persuaded her to walk with us so we went down to the vehicle gate together and then walked across the front "lawn" past the huge (and I mean very very large) cow melons which the Little Lady will be harvesting when she is ready for them, and then Cjc escaped back up to Room 13 out of the sun.

Cjc and the jaunty hat

I took the rest of the day off today, playing another game of Civilisation V and enjoying it again; it is a time sink it really is. Rather quicker than I hoped it was time for me to go into town to meet S and S for an appointment so myself and Cjc jumped into Lucy and rolled down the hill. Other than a slight detour when I was told "ne moke dolo" on one of the roads by the workmen there we parked up and I showed him to a cafe to wait for us to finish and the meeting went well so when we joined him it was a happy group. After one more coffee we headed back up and got back to find A sat on the balcony and Fi just waking up. Cjc and Fi went out onto the balcony to enjoy the afternoon and after expressing concern about sun burn I passed Cjc one of A's hats to wear. Doesn't it suit him.

So close to finished now

And so it was suddenly (due to Civ distraction time dilation effects) time to take the men home. A had already started cooking dinner which was smelling gorgeous and the drive was super simple and there was nothing of note at all to relate. When I got back I immediately hitched the trailer and towed it up to by the pile of wood on the back bank so tomorrow morning I can get started on shifting that as it really does need to be done. I pulled Thomas down, went in to meet Ralf (who found me by the front doors and then growled really loudly when Rambo came inside where he isn't allowed hah) and then went straight out with the camera to get the progress picture. On the way I found that the first tomato that had grown on the random plant had been got by ants and was looking really unhealthy.

Beard brother asleep

Dinner was just as tasty as it had smelled and I have sat and typed and laughed and eaten and chatted and sung along to and drummed along to through the evening making this blog post take ages but it has been a brilliant evening. We have had many laughs at Ralf as he has slept in many different positions in his bed but my favourite view was him just laying there with his little beard over the edge and looking super cute.

Now it is time to post this and give my attention to my guests as tomorrow they leave. Boo.

Two days in one

Yesterday I did something I don't do very often and didn't write a blog post. Sorry about that and to my dad, who was the only person who asked why I hadn't done one, thanks for showing concern. Hah.

Super tasty dinner from two days ago

Even before we get to yesterday I have a picture I took the day before, after I published that day's blog. It is the amazing roast dinner which A had prepared including a roast chicken and tatties (sprinkled with honey) for us and a veggie roast for Fi. It was lovely and we were left over with quite a lot of chicken as well which was very good.

Invoice, Bulgarian style

The only picture I have from yesterday is this one which is the invoice for the roof tiles from Isat. I love how it is just scribbled notes on a rough bit of paper. The day didn't involve very much to do with tiles, or the outside, or anything apart from playing computer games most of the day (Civilisation 5, if you must know) and then a film night while eating Leek and Potato soup. We watched Zombie Hunter which is a film Cjc had backed on kickstarter, and then Planet Terror which I really love and continued the Robert Rodriguez theme to our video watching. It was about midnight when we called it a night and I had no interest in writing a one line blog. So there you are.

Lovely morning sun

And so we get to today. Well we'll start with during the night as I didn't get the best night sleep ever with the wind so high. The door was banging and I was sure in my half asleep state every time I heard it that there were tiles coming off the roof. This meant I was half away a lot of the night. When we did wake up the sun was shining and it was a gorgeous blue sky but it was still quite windy. At least the rain has passed for a bit though. The kettle was on courtesy of A when I went through to get the camera and snap a picture to prove we have nice weather again. I wasn't feeling great this morning, with quite a congested tummy feeling, but this has slowly passed through the day.

Waiting to be fed

We both had tasks to do this morning with A going to feed the boys and I took the washing out to hang it up. When I went out the boys were so excited about feeding time they were stood right by the gate and stayed there after I walked past to the washing line. There was quite a lot of washing to hang out but I got it all done and the wind blowing so hard promised that it would be dry really quickly.

Licking his lips

I finished hanging the washing out before feeding time was complete so decided to go in and sit with A and the boys for a change. When I got there Rambo was munching away as usual but Ralf was really distracted and didn't want to eat it seems. He kept coming to see me so I got the blame for this. After giving him a good chance to eat we picked the food up and took it with us.

Mushrooms in the undergrowth

My next task of the day and one I wanted to get done really quickly was to empty the humanure and all the kitchen waste which has collected up. As usual it didn't take that long but the collection point is really starting to look full up; I'm gutted about how soon we have to leave, but will have to think about a much more sturdy, and larger, collection point for next year. Down near the compost area I saw more of these mushrooms which are the white underneath ones that Bekir said to not eat.

Collected loads of brushwood

After this we had some breakfast (toast with the lovely hard cheese for me) and shared a cuppa with Cjc who had woken up. Myself and A left him to what he was doing and took Thomas up round the land collecting together all the scrub bushes that had been cut down when the fence was being done. I had a lot of fun doing this as A was driving so I got to stand in the truck bed and bounce around like a hillbilly. There were a few trips needed as lots had been cut and we stashed it near the fire but not on yet as this would be added to the later stages of the burn. Ralf came with us and had fun too jumping in and out of Thomas.

Getting ready for the burn

The middle of the day was spent relaxing inside, with me playing more Civ (I was very close to deciding to quit the game as I am so close to winning it but decided over night to see it through) and we had a lovely time just chilling out. We have made our plans for tomorrow as well which I am looking forward to quite a lot. You'll have to wait and see for that however. And so it came to 1pm and we decided to think about starting the burn. We were hoping that S and S were coming over but there was some confusion about timings. Me and Cjc collected the water bottles together for our fire fighting stations and then we chilled until about 2 when we couldn't really wait any longer.

Getting the fire started

A claimed the honour of starting the fire and she got the one side going which ended up getting the fire going properly, but then had a lot of fun with some brush trying to do a secondary burn. This went, but not as well as the first side. Once again the fire was explosively fast in spreading and it felt like only a couple of minutes and the whole lot was roaring away.

I legged it inside to get my phone so I could take a video and by the time I was through to the bedroom to get it the flames were shooting 20 foot and more in the air. I shot some footage from the balcony and then some more from down by the fire and that is joined together here for your entertainment.

Watching it burn

Putting out the spreading flames

Flames being blown in the wind

It really did kick on very fast and became incredibly hot very fast. At the end of the film you can see the fire spreading away a little bit but the fire was so hot it was quite difficult to get close enough to pour the water on to stop the fire spreading. I was glad to be wearing the hoody as it allowed me to protect my face a bit. The wind was really high as well which was blowing the flames horizontally. It was incredible and we took loads of pictures but I'll only put these three up there.

Burning down

Myself and A were on fire fighting duty for quite a while, while Cjc and Fi relaxed and enjoyed the spectacle. After half an hour the wood had already burned down quite a lot and there were the amazing glowing embers that would continue glowing for a fair while afterwards. When it got to this stage I threw the brush wood onto the fire which caused another flash of flames. I also found an old table and some other painted wood from the stuff thrown off the roof which went on and burned well.

Ralf turning a tight circle

Who is chasing whom?

Rambo had been with most of the time but had become a bit disobedient so I put him back in his enclosure. Ralf was pretty well behaved and A spent some time playing with him as the fire burned lower. I love the angle his body gets to in the first picture, and the size of his teeth in the second are great.

The sun behind a cloud

The weather has really come good today and the sun has been out all day. It has been pretty windy but with the heat from the sun it was OK. At one point however the sun went behind a huge cloud and the temperature really did drop at this point. We were spending the day trying to work out whether to go to the fish restaurant which may be a bad idea if it is so windy, or to the other place. We have decided fish restaurant.

Incredible caterpillar

Finally for now is this wonderful looking caterpillar which Cjc spotted right in front of where we had been sitting. It was really large and gorgeously coloured and at first we thought it was dead but after a while it started moving around which was really good.

Right, now I must get the pictures in place and then we are heading to food; people are here and waiting for me and we want to get there before sunset. Cheers.

Miserable day

Today has been a miserable day. Not in terms of how we have been but the weather has just been awful. Because of this there are few good pictures and it will also be a short blog post. I bet you are all relieved to hear that.

A lovely way to end a lovely evening

Going back to last night, after I published the blog (and thank you for so many reading it) myself, Cjc and Fi stayed up until the alcohol had been drunk, listening to music and relaxing until just about midnight when we called it a day and headed to bed. A was fully fast asleep by this time and we had an uninterrupted nights sleep.

Fully cocooned and sleeping soundly

Once again I was first to wake up and get out of bed so I went to put the brews on and A almost got hers brought to the bedroom but she appeared at the door of Room 13 just as I was about to take it to her. We were both really tired and I didn't do much after this and when A left to get the men I headed back to bed and dozed until I was woken by banging on the roof as they got started for the day. I had woken up really needing a cup of tea so when A got into bed to sleep I stayed a short while then headed out to brew up.

Set in for the day

Cjc was awake already so I made him a brew as well and then I headed back out onto the balcony as the night had finally gone and it was, apparently, day time though it was still miserable and dark and horrible. As I was stood on the balcony it started to spit with rain and from that point to now it has not stopped once.

Sally's feet poking over the edge

The men started their day off bashing and hammering and drilling away and they did pretty well until about 10.30 when it started really hammering down. I made them a brew and said "if it is too wet to work up here, you can do the electric?" and left them to it. A short while later Bekir came down and said that they were going to go home and would see us Monday. I didn't argue, though it would have been ideal to have the rest of the day devoted to get electric into the roof space but they were cold and focused on the roof. A took them home as I was waiting for a call from work which arrived eventually through a confusion of dropped connections and network issues.

Two ways of resting

The rest of the morning was spent with me working and then trying to sort out contract work for when I return and each of us (apart from Cjc) heading back to bed to sleep. I'd lit the petchka and just about managed to keep it alight through the morning which meant Room 13 was warm and comfortable in stark contrast to the cold and damp everywhere else. Ralf did his usual of wanting lots of attention and then sleeping, this time on Cjc's feet once again.

Much sleeping going on

I told you this was a short blog and this is the last picture that I have to share with you at the time of writing. The rest of the day has however been really enjoyable. We had a bite of lunch then headed over to my friend's house for the afternoon where tea, coffee and some wine was drunk, much fun conversation was had, and Cjc and Fi got to see around her house which Bekir and Sally have made so lovely. We stopped a little longer than I planned but it was such a lovely time. On the way back we stopped at the shops and bought a chicken to roast. Ralf was extra super excited to see us but now he is laid in his bed - not quite like this picture (which was taken before we went out) but still. He's a good dog.

So it is early but I am going to publish this short blog and I'll record the end of the day (if anything interesting happens) in the post tomorrow.

Full day of fun

I am starting this blog in the morning as yesterday I forgot to write about an episode of yesterday which does bear telling about. On the way back from our trip out we were driving up the road out of town when we were stopped by a police check point. There were four or five police cars and they had stopped loads of vehicles for a document check. It was only when the policeman came to the window that I noticed for the first time in a LONG time I had forgotten to turn my lights on; a 50 lev fine. Anyway I handed out my registration card and told the officer that I didn't speak much Bulgarian and no, no one else in the car spoke any. While we were talking I quickly flicked my lights on when he was distracted and handed over the rest of the paperwork for the vehicle. He walked round the front of the car, did a double take when he saw the lights actually were on, and then came back to the passenger door, passed the documents back to A and, very peremptorily, said "GO!" but with the slightest hint of a smile. We were able to pull out ahead of all the other cars which had been stopped by the checkpoint and scoot off. I think we maybe got away with one there.

It was cold and miserable this morning.

Anyway, that was about yesterday and now, after writing that, a whole day has gone past and I've just got in from our meal out and am sitting typing this while Cjc pours me a Kilchoman Bramble liqueur as an evening snifter. I am going to be late tonight but that is OK; it has been a great day. It was also a great evening last night; after the blog was published the food was fantastic and the company was epic. We stopped up chatting and (for me at least) sipping a beer and having a great time and it was only as eye lids were drooping that we headed to bed. The alarm went off to reveal a miserable start to the day with heavy fog and it was cold! It was so horrible that I was out of be first and made the brew for A.

Shengen shifting roof tiles

I was aiming at paid work this morning but before anything there was a huge amount of washing up to clear from the BBQ the night before so I did that which took two full bowls of water. Ralf came legging it up to see me after his breakfast and he went up the corridor towards the bedroom before realising I was behind him so he actually skidded and wheel-span in his urgency to get back to see me. A had headed out and she took a fair while to get back; just before she arrived I went to check my phone in case she had got into trouble but actually she had gone to Isat's where Bekir had collected one of the ridge tiles, and some fire bricks for the chimney repairs, so he could show them to me and then order for same day delivery. We chatted and I decided that while these were slightly more expensive they were better quality and why should you spend so much money on the roof and then skimp a few leva on the ridge tiles. After this conversation the men headed up to the roof and cracked on with the tasks for the day; when I headed up to get pictures (having let you down so much yesterday) I found Shengen using my trolley to move huge piles of tiles from the roof terrace down to the other end of the roof.

Poor Rambo waiting for the men to return to working down there

Cjc appeared shortly after the men got back (I have a suspicion that my conversation with Bekir disturbed him) so I made us breakfast again which was the same again - bacon and egg butties, and they were lovely. Sat out by where the men had been stood using the pulley to get the tiles onto the roof we could see Rambo sat looking forlorn as today they are on the roof and they had already moved every tile up onto the roof. Poor lad.

A loading super heavy wood onto the bonfire

A headed outside to set a normal burn going and then after coming back inside for a little while decided to go back out and build the bonfire. The fog had finally burned off and it was starting to warm up which was good as this morning we had actually lit the petchka in Room 13 to provide us with warmth as it was so cold we all wanted the heat; I had even put SOCKS on today! She worked really hard and managed to get the whole lot packed on in record time. I sent Cjc out with the camera to take pictures and find out how long it would be before she would come back inside which apparently made her a bit upset that we weren't out there helping.

Much better arrangement for our desks

There was, however, a good reason for us not being outside helping her. For a few weeks now the sun going down in the afternoon has been shining in the side window of Room 13 and causing A to squint quite badly at the screen. I have talked to her about switching things around however we had agreed that it was too much hassle to remove the books and the book shelves so we could fir the desks next to each other. With A outside doing the fire I thought maybe we just had time to get this done so we set to and worked like the clappers and JUST before she came in we finished setting everything back and tidying up. It did take a second for her to notice but she was chuffed.

The last of the tiles are delivered

Probably the only reason we did get the room finished is because just as she finished the bonfire Bekir shouted down that the tile delivery was here and Rambo needed to be put away. A little after this Fi was up and about and had rested really well. A coffee was waiting for her and we spent a lovely time chatting while sat around supping our brews. As we had managed to get the room rearranged (I had planned on doing it while A took Fi out shopping) we were going to go into town with them. The men worked solidly for nearly two hours to unload the truck of the tiles and bricks (I need a fork lift truck!) and then it was lunch time so they went straight for a well earned rest.

Stood by the cold war warrior

She wanted to be a wing walker

Cjc provides the rocket power

Refueling probe

So we headed into town with a few things planned. First of all however was a bit of tourism. We had spotted a fighter jet in a park by the side of the road a few times but never had time to stop so today we drove specifically over and found that there was actually a car park right there. We hopped out and walked over to the airplane and spent a fair bit of time wandering around, climbing on and into it, and generally enjoying the fact that there was a Mig 21 on a stand without any barriers or people stopping you getting close and actually moving the ailerons and rudder which were fully functional. Amazing. Basically only the engine had been ripped out as the seat was still in it and it looked like the instruments may have been up there too. Brilliant. After this we went to the bank, visited the market where we bought leeks and lettuce and bananas and then past the hardware shop where I very nearly bought a petchka for the living room and did buy a lightbulb for the new bedside light and finally past kaufland for a few bits and pieces. It was a lovely way to spend a portion of the afternoon and we got back home ready for some relaxation.

The tiles go onto the roof

The men had been hard at work all the time we were out and almost all the wood frames that support the tiles had been attached to the north side of the roof so now they were passing the tiles up to stack on the roof ready for putting in place and fixing down during the day (weather permitting) tomorrow. It was a conveyor belt of tiles from Shengen passing them to Sally who lifted them to Shengen who stacked them so Bekir could carry them to the correct location.

Carrying the rugs in after our sunbathing

Myself and A had gone outside with the rug down to the front "lawn" and spent a really lovely hour or so in the sun and shade dozing, playing with Rambo and Ralf and just loving every second of the opportunity to enjoy the grounds still even this late in the year. Eventually the sun went behind a cloud and it was then that I got the pictures of the men working, and also grabbed one of A as she brought the rugs inside. While we were down there we thought we could hear a woodpecker but eventually we saw a little finch that was in the tree trying to get some nuts free and bashing away with its beak to break them open. Brilliant.

The monster tomato plant

After finishing lazing in the sun I took a quick turn around the land and ended up by the Hugelkultur and the huge tomato plant which has taken over one end of it. If you remember I transplanted all my tomatoes in here when they got waterlogged and all but one totally died. This one was the only plant to show nay kind of life so I left it and it has now grown so large it covers the whole area that the six plants were in, and has loads of fruits on it. Wow. It is probably too late to get ripe fruits but I could probably make one jar of green tomato chutney with the fruit. We shall see.

Saved the wood for next year

When I got back to the front A was playing with Rambo chucking his ball so I called Cjc down to give me a quick hand with a task I wanted done for tomorrow in case it rains. All the wood outside that isn't going to be used by the men was needing putting in the back corridor so it was dry and not going to rot over winter. It took us about half an hour or so, and involved moving a lot more wood than the pile for the raised beds, but now everything is in and it can stay there til next year. There is enough for me to make another bed, and two or maybe three more raised beds. Excellent.

Gorgeous golden sun set

It was then time for me to take the men home which was a nice journey as they were talkative and also the sunset I was driving towards on the way back was outstanding which I enjoyed, and also prompted me to drive fats to get back to photograph it. When I got back I found A and Fi and Cjc ready for our meal out, but no one photographing the sky. I legged it onto the balcony and was just in time for this shot.

Clouds stripy as the sun sets behind the ridge

Fluffy clouds and a stork

I had a really quick shower and then we were ready to go to our favourite restaurant for a meal. As we parked up the sky was so gorgeous I took 14 pictures of it as we walked across the carpark. I present the above two photographs as the best of them and trust me when I say it just got better and better as it trended towards darkness.

Post dinner happiness

Dinner was absolutely lovely as always down there. We ordered way too much food as always but this time the Shashlak arrived really quickly and my Kavarma took ages so I was the latest eating. It was lovely to share this place with my best mate and his lovely mrs as we just love it there and so did they. Something shared is so much better than keeping it to yourself. The usual singer was in with her unfeasibly high heels and she was on form again. We also saw the waiter who had asked us to record a "sorry" message to his girl but sadly he told us it hadn't worked and walked off looking really sad. A drove back which meant I could have two beers and when we got back I jumped onto the bed of Thomas and was driven up round the land while I was stood up there which was brilliant.

Gouldjan's Rakia

And so the evening has been me typing this blog, Cjc, Fi and A sipping a few drinks (A has gone already to bed as she will be up getting the men, but we're still sat here now listening to Fun Loving Criminals) and we poured one glass to share of the Rakia which my friend's friend had given me ages but I hadn't got round to trying. It is serious rocket fuel - it doesn't taste of much but my lips haven't burned from alcohol like that for a fair while.

I'm going to sign this off now and be sociable for a little while. See you tomorrow.