Not a day of rest

So after then excellent evening yesterday which ended up quite late for us we headed to bed and I think both of us slept pretty well. I woke as the sun was coming up but then went back to sleep and when I next came to the sun was well up in the sky and into the clouds that were starting to blow in. The forecast was for thunderstorms later on but OK to start the day and that seemed to be what we were getting.

Hard work makes me happy (and covered in hay) 

A hefting her part in the hay move

Our day got off to a completely different start than expected when we were about to feed the girls, after letting the chooks out again, and I was just wondering downstairs to see A who was outside when we were called by the Little Lady to go and give a hand with unloading a huge hay lorry parked up by their drive. We both got stuck in with a will and hefted and hauled bales until it was all moved and stacked in their barn. There was too much to fit in there and so some had to be left out in the yard.

Sweeping the leavings off the truck

It was about half an hour of strenuous effort involving the Special One throwing the bales off the lorry, the ladies passing them inside the barn, and me helping Usmivka and the Other Brother to stack them to the rafters. When the lorry was fully unloaded the Other Brother got on the truck bed and swept a loose leavings out onto the ground. This kind of thrift, where you get everything and don't waste anything, is something I really appreciate. The job wasn't finished yet though as we went through all the loose hay pulling out the bits and pieces of string mixed in; no cow wants to chew on string.

Super productive greenhouse 

Can't quite reach the top

With the job completed the Little Lady took us around her garden to show us their new calves (which will be meat soon) and then round her excellent garden where she showed off her polytunnel with already huge and red tomatoes (she gave us one as a gift) and peppers, and the 8 foot high pea plants which have shot up in the past few weeks. These people really do know how to grow and we need to watch them and learn.

Where the cooker will be stored

We had both been feeling quite dozy before the call for assistance had come and now we had had that burst of exercise we had some energy. One of the main things that we wanted to achieve today was to bring the cooker over from outside the barn (where we had just put the hay) so when we got back to the house and had fed the girls we started to make space to store it by moving the laycorn boxes from where they have sat since I arrived here 15 months ago or so. We didn't stop there and kept tidying in that area and then went through to the kitchen and cleared it out preparatory for the workmen who are supposed to start tomorrow digging out the floor in there. We then took a few other bits and pieces from around the house which lives in the garage.

I got all the bits and pieces out for the new junction box and started watching videos and reading instructions online. My main task for the day was to get the electric back into the bedroom and as I was very nervous I read lots and then decided that the only way to work out how to do this was to look at the other box, done by Steve last year. I had to turn the electric off to open this up and just as I went to do this we were called again by the neighbours and so headed over there where we were treated to an incredible lunch (including an amazing jam made from rose hip fruits which put my attempt to shame) and also had a lovely time with their other guests who were the ex teachers from the school and their daughter.

It was lovely to sit there eating and chatting (the daughter speaks really good English and said that she would start to read this blog so "Hi!") but when the next round of guests arrived we made our apologies and headed off. When we got back all of our motivation had completely disappeared and we were feeling pretty exhausted so after we both fell asleep on the sofa we decided to go rest for a bit and as the thunder rumbled around us, with a few big bangs that were pretty close, we dozed for a while and when we got up felt much more alive.

Nice and clean guest room 

Our bedroom is now better also

While we waited for a call from the Other Brother about the petchka I decided that I wanted to achieve something and the mess of a guest room and our bedroom had been dragging on my mind for a while so we set to. There were loads of clothes in both rooms that we had no need of, dust everywhere from the unfinished walls and ceiling in the guest room, and just general mess and clutter preventing things from moving. We just attacked the problem steadily, sorting through the clothes, filling suitcases with things we'll no not need til winter, or maybe ever (a whole suitcase full of socks when I never wear them out here!), and the rationalising our clothes into fewer wardrobes so we have more space. I also go Henry out and hoovered up everywhere and now the rooms are both tidy, our clothes are easy to find (or stored) and when Bekir and Sally come back to finish the rooms we will be able to clear out those rooms much easier.

The petchka we want for the living room

At some point earlier in the day (I can't remember when now) I headed into town to try and buy some more flue pipes so we could move the petchka in the bedroom to its final location, some picture hanging kits and a few joint strips for the wiring in the roof. When I got there I found that the petchka we have wanted for the living room is on sale and so I think I'll be heading back tomorrow to pick it up. Other than that it was a totally useless journey with only the joint strips to show for it. Never mind.

From blue sky round to dirty thunderstorm black

The weather had been bouncing around all afternoon with the rumbles and a few downpours and this actually made us a bit happy as it meant no watering round, and also cooled off the humidity a little bit which had been quite heavy in the morning. I headed onto the balcony at one point to get some pictures of the storm as it gathered and it was pretty awesome how the blue sky contrasted with the huge black cloud over the hills opposite.

So much fruit on the pear tree

While I was out there I remembered to get a picture of the pear tree and all the fruit which is on it now. How amazing this is to see, after the tiny harvest last year; we will have to get harvesting this so I can make more of the pear preserve which goes so well with fresh yoghurt. I love seeing the land producing things; it's free tasty stuff.

Pictures above my desk

The other thing which we did today was to put the picture of Mo up next to the Wasted World from the studio and the other painting done by my friend Crisi and now the landing looks amazing. I kept walking around today and stopping as the three pictures caught my eye; they look really smart up there and now I'm going to have to get more pictures up around the place as they liven it up and also put our stamp on the property.

During the afternoon the two ex teachers came over again to have a look round and see what had been done since last year and they said so many lovely things about the plans we have and what we have achieved. They were particularly taken with the roof terrace and the views from up there and also were amused that we are doing all of this just to have a house for ourselves. It is always lovely to show them around and feel the connection with the old use of the building and it renews my determination to have a room with the museum stuff that I have been saving. We promised to see them again next year when they are back and hopefully by then there will be loads more progress made.

Snuggled puppies

And so it got to evening and we had a meal made up of left overs from the BBQ which was just perfect for how we were feeling after such an itty bitty day. The rain was still falling quite heavily but we still sat by the back window and once again discussed and agreed that this table and chairs would stay here. We also both love the sofas on the landing too so that will be factored in to the plans. The girls had been off their food a little today but this evening they ate their dinner like the hungry little creatures they are. They then curled up on their sofa and A covered them in the rug as it made them look even more cute.

And so the day draws to a close; the clouds have blown over and the sun is now shining so we'll be off up onto the roof terrace shortly to watch the sunset and drink the last of our beer before bed. This week promises to be a really busy long one, particularly if the builders do start, and both of us had plans to do paid work over the weekend but completely failed to do any so that won't help.

See you tomorrow.