That's what Sundays are for

Once again I'm updating sat in the living room with the fire going and A sat on the bean bag in front of the fire reading. This room is such an asset, it has made so much difference already to our lives here to be able to spend time in it. We were saying last night that this time next year, when the kitchen and nook and dining area are done it'll be an another massive change and what an exciting thing to look forward to that is. Anyway, I've got plenty to type about so here goes.

Parking, Bulgarian style

After doing the update yesterday we pottered around for a bit and then got ourselves ready to go out. Now neither of us were particularly in the mood for leaving; we'd both woken up looking forward to spending the evening in the living room chilling, but we agreed that we should make the effort as we don't have a huge social life here (not that we want one) and it was so nice to be invited. We showered and got dressed and headed out, having taken a look at the map to find the place. We were turning right at the lights to go down towards the location google maps had given us when A looked left and saw it; only about a mile away from where we thought it would be. No matter, at least we'd found it. The carpark was completely rammed and we drove almost all the way through it before finding the last "space" which was actually up the curb under a tree. It took several attempts to get Thomas on there.

Stage is set for the band to perform

We wandered around for a little while trying to find the venue and eventually were directed to it past the toilets and out into the garden and across to the back right corner. It certainly was tucked away but when we got inside we were first of all greeted effusively by a very nice man who I reckon was the owner of the bar and then Venko saw us and came hurrying over to meet A (who hadn't met him before) and get us a table. We chose one right in the middle in front of the stage which amused him no end. It was a really nice little place with lots of photographs of jazz and blues musicians adorning the walls. When we got there it was quite empty but people drifted in over the next half hour or so until it was quite a good audience. Venko asked two of his friends to sit with us which was really nice as we spoke a little, they practiced their English and us our Bulgarian and we just generally felt welcomed.

Venko with his unique tambourine storage solution

About 10pm the band took to the stage and started playing and we were immediately so glad that we had decided to break out of our grumpiness and come along. It was great fun, they were really good to watch and the choice of songs was brilliant. Venko is a real front man and hams it up just about perfectly, though he also has a good voice that works well, particularly on certain songs. It was great. They did two sets and were going to start their third and final, around midnight, when we decided to say goodbye and head home. I was tired and we had stuff we had planned for the day.

I ran the battery on my camera down to nothing shooting videos of them with the vague idea of putting them together into a medley but not I come to edit them down I've decided to let each one stand as a video in its own right. So they are linked above and I'd recommend them for a listen. What fun.

Rocket launchers wired to the fence

We got back to very excited puppies and made ourselves a brew which we took to bed. The fires had gone out while we were out but it takes so fast in the bedroom that we were warm very quickly. After finishing our drinks we fell asleep very quickly and slept in once more until nearly 9am which is just amazing two days in a row. First job was a brew and then I wrapped myself up nice and warm and went out to rig up the launchers for the rockets on Friday. It didn't take long but the wind is still very high here and I was gasping for another brew when I came back in.

Louise dancing for her boyfriend

Rambo had come up on the top bank with me and obviously the puppies had followed me out and they were all playing together while I was working. Thelma had found a bone to gnaw on and Louise was intent on continuing her frustrated romance with Rambo. I can't wait for her to come off so he reverts to ignoring her. Bless them.

Egyptian Vulture swooping low

Huge wingspan on this amazing bird

We took our brews into the living room and sat on the sofa chatting about stuff, mainly breakfast, when I suddenly got distracted by a huge bird swooping low over the land just past the balcony. At first I thought it was a rook, as we've had a lot of these around recently, but I suddenly realised it was far too large for that so I ran onto the balcony with the camera and sure enough it was an egyptian vulture. We see these quite a lot but very rarely this low down and close. Wow. I stood watching it as it circled for a while then slowly flew off over the top of the village. So amazing.

Louise is back to fighting strength

Louise with me

Since her illness Louise has really recovered and now after a long hiatus she is back to fighting and playing and chasing with Thelma. They have been in and out a lot today, proving that they aren't actually THAT bothered by the cold, but when inside have spent some time fighting and chasing around the living room. It's great to have this space for them particularly as the temperature will drop much more than this and then they will have a problem going outside to play.

Nearly full bookshelf by the balcony doors

Lots of books and whisky

After this A swept out and mopped in Room 13 while I shifted books off the bookshelves in the corridor and brought them into the living room to stack. I then brought the bookshelves in here as well and we have managed to get both bookshelves in fine without having to move anything else around. We still have so many boxes of books downstairs that we will end up without enough shelf space however we'll have shelves in the nook next to the kitchen which will give us enough.

Nice and clean again. Until tomorrow, probably

When I had finished this A was determined that was us done for the day however I was convinced we should finish the tasks we had set ourselves and so I got the broom and started sweeping and this encouraged her and so we worked like dervishes to clean up and tidy everything else on the corridors. It didn't take all that long and now we are clean and (relatively) dust free between living room and room 13. A had the idea of some runners down the corridor which I think is a cracking idea as well so we'll be shopping for them next.

Thelma with her rag toy

Louise curled up on the bean bag

Bringing her toy so she can play with us

Two flying dogs

She JUST lost her grip

Two strong puppies; so much muscle

We spent a large amount of time today playing with the puppies and I make no apology for the number of pictures above. It is just so lovely to have Louise back on form and since she has got better Thelma has become a much happier more settled puppy as well. Right now she is asleep on A's lap and this is something she would never have done before. She is still completely obsessed with whatever toy she can see at the time however all you have to do is hide them and she relaxes. Louise is very affectionate and lovely as always. It's just brilliant.

Up the scaffold again

After this lovely relaxing interlude we got started on the final task for the day, at least for me. Some of the curtains had come off their hooks and also I wanted to put my guitar hooks up so I could have my guitars out and not stored away for another winter. We dragged the scaffold in and I got to work, having eventually tracked down the spirit level, and it didn't take long before I was done and tidying up after myself. A was outside feeding the birds and putting some washing out which we didn't think would take long to dry and it didn't.

Relaxing in front of the fire with a wine, and puppies

And so our chores came to an end and we settled down and listened to some music (Atomic Rooster, if you're interested) on the record player and after a bit I fell asleep on the sofa while A settled on the bean bag in front of the fire with a glass of red wine. When I woke up she fell asleep herself shortly after and I started this update. It is so toasty in here with the fire going and we're burning less wood than expected, though of course the temperature isn't that low yet so we'll see when it gets to the dead of winter. We can always drag the sofa closer to the fire anyway; no need to heat the entire room and this one gives out so much radiant heat even when it is barely glowing.

Just about to enjoy this beer

We shut the curtains when the sun started to go down and now it is super snug. A went to put dinner on and brought me back one of my beers I had bought on Islay and forgotten about as they were boxed with the whisky. It is very nice, very smoky to taste and totally different from anything else but with a lovely long flavour. You can see the guitars hanging on the wall in the background here; this is deliberate as A wanted them in the shot.

So now I'm going to put these pictures in place and finish this update; we're going to watch a film this evening maybe before dinner, maybe not as it has been started now. Either way, it's set to be a lovely relaxing end to an awesome day. Tomorrow is back to the grind stone but after a real weekend finally.