Just more cement

I had a crazy busy day today so didn't get outside much to take pictures as the men were working however they were pretty much cracking on with the same work.

Halil chipping at a gap in the corner

Bekir filling in more of the ceiling damage

Mixing more mortar up

The back wall is nearly done

A mesh over the ventilation

I did get out at the beginning to see the start of the day as Halil was chipping away some old mortar with the hammer to make a better gap to start repairing the corner. Bekir was back up the ladder working away on the roof. He said that this would need to be done in several thin coats as some of the damage would require quite a thick covering layer. They carried on through the day, as I've said, and finished up with the back wall done and a good chuck of the ceiling as well. They have also put a mesh over the gap where the old wood burning stove would have vents and this will provide some ventilation for the chickens.

And that's it. After school we all went into the pool and had a great time but no pictures of it as we were all in the pool. Thanks for reading, back on Monday.

Throwing mud begins

It's been another hot and busy day here so let's get to it.

Wasps nests out of the aircon

Bekir dealing with more nests on the roof

The day began early as I woke and immediately went outside to start dealing with the wasp problem that has emerged. I must have knocked down about 15 nests over about an hour. There were some that I couldn't get to, like inside the higher of the two air conditioning units, so when Bekir and Halil arrived I asked them to help and while doing the aircon unit we found four more huge nests underneath the tiles above the porch. There are so many this year! One funny thing was that when Bekir tried to throw one of the nests off the roof it went straight down the downspout from the guttering so that then had to be disassembled so we could get the nest out.

Bekir measures for the light fittings

Power run for the lights

Cables done and held in place

Bekir works on fixing up the ceiling

Halil starts throwing mud at the wall

Good progress late afternoon

Polished off and left to dry

After this they got back to the regularly scheduled work which was first of all fitting the wires for the lights in the chicken house and then, when this was done, mixing up some cement with lime and plastering and repairing the ceiling and walls in there. They worked steadily all afternoon and by the end of the day they had done quite a lot of the damage on the far 2/3 of the building. This was in such bad shape, with the roof leaking for years and years, it's good to finally get this building safe and secure again.

Tomato harvest at lunch time

Angela making awesome ragu preserve

At lunch time I helped Angela by harvesting a big bowl of very ripe tomatoes and then she did something awesome and turned it into a very tasty ragu. This will preserve well and we'll enjoy eating this a lot. We'll probably do another batch tomorrow I think.

So there it is; another day done and tomorrow is Friday. Thanks for reading, back tomorrow.

Cleaning out the chicken house

I'm late starting to write this update because of everything that has happened today so let's get to it before I collapse in a heap on the floor of tiredness.

Wonderful productive garden Angela has created

All the family sat in the morning sun

Before we get into the day we were up quite early this morning and so Angela and Rosie got to do the watering before it got too hot. I also sat out and pottered a bit and then we all sat on the deck chairs watching the sun rise and the puppies got involved as well; it was a lovely full-family moment.

Messy building ready for tidying

Halil shovelling out the old hay and dust

Bekir fiddling with wires

Halil scrapes the walls

Bekir chips away at the ceiling

The men were in on time and Bekir said that he was worried with how hot it is that rendering the outside of the chicken house would be a bad idea. I agreed and so we decided to switch focus to inside the building. It was a total mess, having been used as a temporary tool store by the men for a few months and also the chickens and then Bekci living in there. First thing they lifted out a load of stuff and then swept the big bits up. Then they got two shovels and worked to knock down the loose cement and plaster. After a bit they found my new power washer and switched over to using that which was a much more sensible idea indeed and really kept the horrible dust down that was making it very unpleasant in there while they were working. Bekir also did some electrical work including running a cable through into the next room of this outbuilding so we can have a plug socket in there.

Rosie with her blue tongue

Two clowns doing magic tricks

School kids singing a patriotic song VERY lustily

I collected Rosie from school as Angela had an appointment and when we got back it was straight into the pool for a bit before we packed up and headed into town where the Childrens Day celebrations were being held. It was really awesome, we had some food and Rosie had a drink that turned her tongue totally blue then there was dancing and singing which Rosie danced to before we headed home. And that is why I am late starting this update.

So there it is; another awesome day and here's to tomorrow. Thanks for reading.

Back to Greece

Today has been a long and awesome day as we headed back down to the Greek coast for sun, sand, swimming and sea food. It was lovely.

"Take a picture, Daddy" - Rosie

Sat in Maisie waiting for Angela so we can GOOO

Straight in the sea and it was lovely

Very pleased Angela got to snorkel today

Rosie playing while the wave breaks

Rosie went and offered to share her toys with this boy

Rosie filling up her bucket and watering can

And then dumping the water into her hole

The day started early as alarms went off and we gathered ourselves, woke up (mostly) and got into Maisie for the drive down. Talking of Maisie it was very comfortable and lovely to drive in her to Greece so that was great; lots of space and the aircon worked great and she was very comfy to drive and be driven in. We got to the beach by about 8 or just after, once again, but this time we were far from the first and the recliners were all full by mid morning; the difference just two weeks can make. I was in the sea with Rosie pretty much immediately and we spent the day swimming, playing in the sand, swimming and playing in the sand. Angela got to snorkel this time as well which was a great thing, and Rosie got to sit and play very briefly with another boy on the beach before he was called away by his mum. Ah well. Rosie had a great time and we were sat next to some very nice English speaking Bulgarians who come from near where we live, and now live in the UK. It was a really lovely morning indeed. The sea was far choppier and had quite a swell compared to last time round but Rosie did very well after some initial reluctance and even though she got splashed in the face multiple times she was very good with it.

Rosie was most amused at the seagull on the umbrella

We are happy to be at lunch

Post-beach Rosie

Cheese and Honey and Sesame Seeds - lovely!

Angela with her Seafood Spaghetti

Rosie exhausted from the day

Once again at lunch time we packed up and drove from the beach back into the town and found ourselves a little cafe on the sea front. It was a great spot with a lovely fresh breeze blowing in and we could sit right overlooking the sea. Rosie was again looking at seagulls and counting them. We ordered a little too much again, but weren't quite as over the top as last time. I was mostly pleased that the place we chose did serve the amazing cheese and honey dish which I just love. Angela was very pleased with her seafood spaghetti and it was truly scrumptious. After dinner I went and had another nap under some trees while Rosie had some ice cream and then they did a wander around the town before nudging me to come drive home. Which I did, and again it was super comfortable. Rosie was awake all the way until past the border and then passed out and I was able to lift her out of the car and settle her on the sofa for more of a sleep.

Bekir still twisting barbed wire

Getting to the end of the day and the task

After we got back we all fell asleep but the workmen were still at it doing the barbed wire, working in the heat to get it done. When I woke I got them some ice cream to finish the day up. They had been looking after the puppies (though apparently Xena never wanted to go back inside) so they were really awesome today. They have finished all the barbed wire apart from the returns back to the walls. This needs a little work for something to attached the barbed wire to so that's for tomorrow. Then it'll be repairing the actual building and this project will be complete. Finally!

So there it is; another day, and what a great day it was. Thanks for reading. Back tomorrow.

Busy weekend, and barbed wire

Welcome back and it has been a very busy weekend here, while today good progress has been made.

Thelma snoozes on my shins

Xena watches from the stairs

A load of recycling and rubbish

The day warming up nicely

Pool time for everyone

Rosie paints while our friends watch

Settling down to far too much meat

The kids get their dessert at Rosie's Café

Saturday was an awesome day. I got time to cuddle with Thelma and Xena before Rosie woke in the morning and then we all got stuck in continuing the tidying and cleaning that Angela had done such an awesome job of on Friday. I loaded up Thomas with loads of recycling and some rubbish, flattened a load of boxes, and then Rosie and I went to leave the recycling then went to town for a few bits. It was a lovely warm day and we were all ready for the pool (and I was already in it with Rosie) when Dincher and family arrived for a pool and BBQ visit. It was a really lovely time with everyone swimming and having fun in the pool before we climbed out and cooked and ate a lovely BBQ. The kids got on really well and us adults had a great time too. We were all pretty shattered by the end of the day, though.

Bacon and Eggs for Breakfast

Rosie helps with glue

The deer stands and watches us

Now the deer runs away

Sunday morning I was woken very early by Rosie and couldn't get back to sleep. By early I mean 2:30. I did a few bits and pieces, made some breakfast for us all then headed back for a nap. Angela had a wonderful day playing with Rosie and then she came to Room 13 and for the first time she helped with some hobbying and then we went into the pool for a bit. Just as we were waiting for dinner we saw a deer in the field which saw us, watched, then ran for it. Brilliant. It was a good day indeed.

Bekir and Halil make a start on the barbed wire

Agile Bekir fits the barbed wire

Halil's barbed wire dispensing device

Halil tidies up some stones

Getting to the end of the fence

Key on a chain to keep it safe

And so we reach today. There was a big storm in the night which woke both Angela and I up and we were around the house shutting windows however Rosie didn't stir. The men were in as the rain stopped about 7:30 and they got stuck into running the barbed wire around the top of the fence. They made really good progress and ran through all the barbed wire we had already bought. They popped down and picked up enough to complete the job but by the end of the day they had all but finished the outside run - I think they have one more strand to run down the back fence. I also saw that they had put a little chain and clip on the key for the front gate which is a great little idea.

Rosie and Angela having fun in the pool

Stuff gathered ready for another beach day

After school Rosie went into the pool with Angela while I helped prep for dinner - I have had a stinking headache all day today with how close it has been after the storm and we are going to Greece tomorrow so I really wanted to be rested and fresh.

So there it is. Thanks for reading, we'll be back tomorrow.