Spend spend spend

Today has been a day of spending big but that was always the plan. We haven't done any wood chopping though so not all of our plans worked out. No matter, it's been a really good day. Onwards.

Very foggy start to the day

As soon as I finished the update last night I went to bed, curled up, and went to sleep even though I had half a cup of tea next to me on the bedside table. I had that incipient migraine feeling in my legs and was feeling pretty wiped out. When I was woken up by the puppies wanting out at about 5am I was feeling a whole lot better and, after a little struggle, I got back to sleep. Once again A got up without disturbing me and I woke up pretty naturally, but earlier than I wanted due to the workmen coming on a Saturday. The beautiful clear skies of the night had been obliterated by really thick fog which smothered everything.

Bedroom Petchka

We were heading off to the big hardware store, via the bank, early this morning and one of the things on the list was the rest of the pipes for the petchkas in the living room and bedroom. To help us work out what we would need we lifted the petchka into the bedroom and offered it up. It sits in really nicely, and I'm glad that we're getting new black pipes for it as it'll look really good. We worked out we need 12 more metres of pipes; nothing is small in this build.

Thomas is fully clothed once more

Before we left I got Nikolai to help me, with his colleague, get the back onto Thomas. It wasn't too much hassle with their help but then it was a real pain to get the first bolt in to hold it on. Eventually this was done, we were loaded in, and off we went. The visit to the bank ended up being quite a mission as I had five payments to make and each had to be manually typed in but eventually it was done, I was richer, and we made our way to the big shop.

A testing out her new camera before buying it

When we got there we left the puppies in the truck, bought almost the shops entire stock of black petchka pipes, and then paid for them and stashed them in the truck before heading back in to get the bookshelves and for me to look for a mill (no luck) and a pond filter (a brilliant one was found). We left feeling satisfied, made our way to the electrical store in our local town and spent oodles more money on new cameras (one each) and a microwave. This last is a big concession for me as I didn't want one but it makes so much sense when you're coming in to winter and making big stews that you can then reheat easier. Here is the first picture taken on A's new camera - aren't I looking SHARP.

A beautiful day from in Thomas

After counting out lots of 50 lev notes at the checkout, with a queue developing behind me, we headed towards the local town which Bekir had informed us was having an open day today.On the way A was playing with her camera and snapping random shots of the way there. As you can see from them the weather really had improved since the foggy start and it was even above 20 degrees and lovely and warm. Sure enough as we pulled into the town we could hear music and there was a fayre ground and all sorts of other things going on. We managed to find parking not far from the centre, got our cameras on the go with straps and a memory card for me, and then headed into town.

Bolt cutters for splitting bones, and the head

More goat over the coals

We made our way towards the music, pausing briefly by the goat stall before walking on as it was very busy. After a while we realised that there were no other goat pits around so we headed back to the first one and waited. Then waited. Then waited some more. It seemed that the method to getting served was to push in at the front and the rest of the queue just didn't move, not even the little old lady in front of us (who had also pushed in, as it happens) and when a group of strapping young Turks came over and pushed in I threw my toys out the pram and we left. Annoying as I wanted goat again.

Slightly dry chicken, but lovely bread

We crossed the road once more and headed up the main festival street until we came to an empty table and sat there, ordering some chicken, some bread and two beers. It quickly became apparent why the tables were empty as the chicken had been over the coals too long and was dry and not that tasty. No matter we ate it all as we were hungry from all the spending. The owners were very friendly, took pictures of the puppies (Thelma was in full on sulk mode as she didn't want to walk anywhere and particularly not in crowds) and showed us a photograph of her son with his dog. They are very friendly.

Thelma mid chew, Louise mid beg

The puppies were getting plenty of chance to grab food from us as we were tearing off bits of meat and bread and passing them down. Even they weren't that impressed with the food, however, and after a while they refused any but the juiciest bits. They are ruined, I tell you.

Local kids saying hello to Thelma

Once we had choked down all the food we could we paid up (it wasn't very expensive) and headed out along the road. This time I had Louise on her lead and A carried Thelma who was sulking still. We were heading towards the noise of a band up the road and when we found it they were on a brief break from music making. As per usual the girls got lots of attention and these kids were brave enough to come say hello and ask to stroke them.

Louise singing along

Shortly after this the band struck up again. I had wondered why everyone was stood on the sides and no one was sat down on the benches in front of the stage but it quickly became apparent. It was much much too loud and even where we were the volume was overwhelming. The funniest thing, though, was Louise's reaction. As soon as it started she started to howl along. Once I stopped laughing I got a quick photograph and then we escaped so she could calm down. She was not impressed at all.

Very noisy fun for the kids

On the way back to Thomas we strolled a slightly different route back, first of all dropping a street lower and then (after Louise did a big dump right in the middle of the path that I had to clean up with napkins and then hunt for a bin to dump) through the kids fairground. The music here was really loud as well and we didn't stop long, just time to get some pictures to test out the colours on the new cameras. This one was from my camera.

Whole chicken over coals

The final photograph was as we went past the goat roasting pit from earlier. The goats were all gone but there were now chickens on spits over the heat. A got what I think is the best photograph of the day as she had been playing with her settings a lot. She's much more into cameras whereas I normally use the automatic setting most of the time and here you can see how it pays off.

New arrivals at the neighbour's house

We drove home along the nice newly resurfaced road past the sunflower fields but as we were going past the Little Lady's house we were hailed and encouraged to come out to see what she had to show us. It was a load of tiny chicks that one of her hens had just hatched out. They were in one of the numerous barns and store houses around her yard but she encouraged them out with handfulls of bread.

Little Lady preserving peas

A friendly wave from Usmivka

She was boiling up peas in a cauldron on an open fire in the yard, a load of jars full were submerged fully in water. This is how you do it properly, rather than my effort-full attempts at preserves. There's so much to learn. She offered some to us and will maybe drop it over later on. As we were leaving Usmivka came over to see us and I was able to get a lovely shot of his lovely smile from in the car. They're such a great couple.

The side wall for the drive is done

We got back to find the builders were still there but they had basically finished their work for the day. We unloaded everything then strolled round to check it out and spent a lovely few minutes sat underneath the pear tree enjoying the weather and the way that the driveway will end up looking. Then it was inside for a brew and A at first said she wanted to get out and chop wood but then very quickly agreed when I said I'd rather not. We were both pretty tired so we headed to bed to rest however I ended up not being able to get over and got up after a few minutes so as to not disturb A's sleep more than I already had.

Green water in the pond

I decided that rather than put the side on the wood store, which I'm not totally clear about a design for, I'd head to the duck pond and wire in the external plug socket for the new water filter. As I got down there I found the workmen were heading off, having had a BBQ again on the driveway, and I waved them off then gathered all the tools. It was quickly apparent that the pond would need emptying and cleaning else we'd just be washing the filter almost immediately as it has really scummed up badly.

New pond with the plugs underneath

I sat on a rock to wire the plug up and after five attempts I finally had it all done correctly and had shut the casing. It was then that I realised that I hadn't attached the back of the socket in place first and therefore had a loose socket. Fortunately I was able to secure it with a number of screws have inserted into the wood on all sides and it is pretty safe now. I then ran the power inside, fitted a new breaker and wired it all up. It will have to wait for us to empty and clean the pond before we can turn it on; that'll now happen tomorrow.

Sat together in the sun

Glorious day

I went inside and was shocked to see it was already 6pm and there was no sign of A. I tried to wake her carefully but Thelma had other plans and jumped on her face to lick her; they're lovely, these puppies. Once I had dragged her out of bed I poured as a beer apiece, got the chairs, and we took them onto the balcony on the new tiles to enjoy the still gorgeous glorious day. It was absolutely dead quiet (the ignorant idiots on motorbikes had finally gone away) and we both reveled in this being our home.

Photography

A was also pointing her camera at the beautiful sights and I got what I think is the second best picture of the day of her taking a picture. It'll take some getting used to, and I think I really should play around with the settings more now I have a very good camera to use, but even on full auto the results are brilliant.

There goes the sun

We stayed up there until the sun went behind the hill and then headed down to get our chores done. A did the ducks and chickens while I did the watering round and tomorrow I think we'll be eating some of our own cabbage with our huge Sunday Roast Chicken which we have planned. Dinner this evening was pizza and garlic bread and while it is lazy and may not be good for you it's nice to have lazy food sometimes. I've poured us a small dram of whisky to ease the evening away and A lit the fire, though I didn't think it needed lighting, as she is still waking up after her long afternoon nap. I do hope she can sleep tonight.

So now tomorrow we have a large list of things to do which we didn't do today but at least we don't have workmen around. I will miss them when they aren't here any more, I'm sure, but it would be nice to have more than one day a week without strange men around.

Wood chopping etc

We're out for dinner this evening at the restaurant so late in the day I'm making a dash for doing the update. The men have just gone up to get changed though so I won't get very far before I have to leave. I'm tired so I don't want to still be doing this really late after our meal. Oh well, onwards.

A shaft of light crept through the gloom

I slept better last night, though Louise did wake me up late in the night and both of them wanted out. Fortunately they also both went straight back to sleep and so I was able to also. A got up without disturbing me this morning and when I got out of bed she was sat with her coffee and it wasn't far off time for her to go. With the chainsaw sharpened yesterday I was going to be out chopping wood first thing today so as soon as she had gone I went and got all the stuff out ready to cut wood. There was a small pile of branches to be cut and then the logs that have been stacked on the side for ages so I had plenty to be getting on with. It was another cloudy overcast start with just the merest hint of sun in the distance when I went out.

Not a bad amount in one hour

I got stuck in and, other than a refuel and oil top up, didn't take any breaks until A got back with the men. The sharpening had made a huge difference to the ease with which each log was cut up and I chopped loads; it felt good to get back into it though I was ready for a break as it does get your back going. There was no additional person today to chop the other wood but Bekir said he had someone lined up for Monday so that is good.

The frame of the steps is in place

The first order of the day for Bekir and Gyuner was getting the frame for the steps fixed in place ready for cement to be poured. Gynuer was helping Bekir today for the morning in mixing cement and getting it up to be put into these molds. It is so good to see them in place now and see the space they will take up and they look very well indeed. Sally was back up his scaffold polishing the walls and putting a thin skim over the top for the whole day. Bless him.

The top wall is done, including gap for the steps

The driveway builders were already taking the wooden frames down from around the wall they poured yesterday. I was a bit concerned that this was too soon however Bekir seemed happy enough so I will be. To be fair they were standing on it to remove the buttresses and it was taking their weight perfectly fine without crumbling so I think it is strong enough.

Three snaps,three good pictures

The girls were up with me while I was watching all this going on and I got a couple of really funny pictures of them fighting. They do have a good time and today was no different, with them out pretty much all day both with us and with the workmen, and on the top bank and generally having a ball. Bless them.

Enjoying their pond again

After eating some yoghurt for breakfast which was in no way sufficient but needed eating as it was going out of date I headed back out to the wood to carry on cutting. I still had a few logs that I had laid out to finish off before I felt I'd done for the day and getting this done earlier rather than later seemed important. On the way I saw that the ducks were in the pond (they are using it a loads now) and I managed to get one picture before they saw me and jumped out; they don't seem to like staying in there when people are watching them.

Louise staying warm

It was still pretty cold and so when A came out to start bundling up more fire lighters she brought Louise tucked up inside her cardigan. This reminded me of me and Shug walking across Islay after Bruichladdich day with both puppies in our coats, one each. It wasn't quite as chilly as that today but it was close enough after the heatwave we have enjoyed that the girls are not loving it at all.

The first layer of cement is poured

Cracking on with the chainsawing

Before getting stuck in to the bundling A took my cup back in to get a brew for us both which was very gratefully received as I finished chopping the trunks up just before she got back and really did need to rest my back. On her way up she got a picture of the first step from the living room onto the balcony full of concrete and drying ready for the next step to be poured in the afternoon. She also got a picture of me chopping wood, unbeknownst to me.

Tiles on the balcony getting close to finished

The tiler was back today and cracking on. He must have been frustrated to not be working yesterday as he really did go fast and get a lot done. He's such a friendly chap and always has a big smile when he gets in and today was no different. He actually has a car and he parks it up underneath the plum tree every morning. I think the other workers are happy about this as they get a lift home and don't have to wait for another lift at the bottom of the hill.

A load of split logs

With the logs chopped that I wanted done today I went and got what I thought was the wood splitting axe and set to it. I did OK, or so I thought, and most of the logs split in one or at most two blows. There was one particular lump which was just not going and Gyuner came over from mixing cement to have a look. He told me that the axe wasn't the right one and then took over and really struggled as well with this chunk. Eventually he managed to get it split and went back to his cement. I did a few barrow fulls before calling it a day and while the axe may not be right and I will get the right one, this one did OK.

A bundling up the kindling fire starters

As I say A came out to do the some more bundles of kindling. We have used these several times now over the past week and every time they have helped us to light the fire without any problems at all. The only thing is now we want loads more so we have enough for every day, and sometimes multiple petchkas. She's very quick at doing the bundling but as I was splitting logs she also had to do the chopping which she struggled with on the small log end I gave her.

Bekir cooking lunch on the open fire

The men had lit their BBQ again on what will be the driveway. The other day it got obliterated in all the work to dig out the bank but they rescued the grill and found some more rocks and away it went. The flames were really high at first but quickly burned down and Bekir got involved first frying some nardenitsa and toasting bread. A few of them made use of it and they just burn old cement bags and some scrap wood so why not.

Sally still working away over lunch

Sally had, as I mentioned, been hard at work finishing off the walls in the living room. He put another coat on them and then went round with the polishing thing and the result is amazing. It makes such a difference in there, and this is before the tiles are down. He worked over lunch a little bit today as well so he didn't have to stop in the middle of a job.

The steps completed and drying

Bekir and Gyuner had finished off the cement for the internal steps before they went for lunch and so that is now going off over the weekend ready for when they start tiling the floor in there. Sally had asked if we want to paint the walls in there but I'm tempted to just leave them for a bit. I don't know what colour I want, and A doesn't seem to have a preference either, so there's no rush. White looks nice and it'll certainly do over this winter.

Another stack of very cheap pallets

Lunch was some soup and a butty with some of the left over pork from yesterday. It was very nice indeed and at the time I didn't want any more. After lunch I headed out with Bekir to go past the window people to pick up more hinges and catches for the fly screens (a success), find a new axe (every shop had sold out!) and get some more pallets (we only fit 15 in the back of Thomas this time as they were slightly better quality but that'll do for now). While we were out Gyuner helped A with her paperwork finally so we are all set for that.

Just starting to pot out our new purchases

The next task for us was potting out all the ferns and fir trees I have bought over the past couple of weeks. We gathered together all the large empty plant pots and took them to by the pile of soil from the chicken house and then started removing plants from small pots and putting them into larger ones.

Grubs, and Kat eating one

As we got to the end we started to run out of really big pots so I went and got the one from the porch which had the dead fruit tree (yes, that tree I brought from England didn't survive which was a huge shame). As we were shoveling the compost out of it to make room for lower quality soil we started to find loads of these bugs. I remember finding them last year as well. I splatted a few and then thought "actually, the chickens may like these" and sure enough they went mad for them, scoffing them down and looking for more. Now we know what to supplement their diet with.

Applying the cement seal to the roof

While we were doing this Bekir was back up on the roof of the wood store putting the missing metal in place, and securing some of the others which he wasn't totally happy with, and then putting a small amount of cement over the top, along with some mesh stuff, to seal it all in to the wall. While he was up there walking around some of the tiles popped which isn't surprising considering how old they are but rather than leave them he went, got more from upstairs, and replaced them. Unfortunately he didn't get time to put the walls up so that'll be a task for me this weekend; to get at least one wall in place for stacking the wood against on Monday.

Potted up and hopefully going to survive the winter

We got all the plants repotted then took them round to the porch and I gave each a good watering in. Our plan is for the colourful ferns to go along the top of the drive way, either side of the steps and the other everygreens to be planted on the outside of the fence along the side of the pond to give it some shade. Talking of the pond it is already going green so my bubbler thing isn't helping. I think I need to get a proper filter for it so that goes onto the list for tomorrow

Gyuner excavating

Gyuner, having finished helping Bekir with the cement, was back out doing the rear patio again. He had pretty much got the land down to the correct level so was now digging out the drainage which will run along in front of the cement slab. Bekir has got a full handle on what I want to achieve and is leading the way very well which is good. It'll be lovely to have this done as well before winter; just another in the long list of bonus achievements this year.

Our cakes before we scoffed them

The day turned out really nice

As soon as we finished our potting out we put the kettle on for the men to have a coffee and also made me a brew (A had orange aid). We got the cakes out that we bought yesterday and put three slices on a plate for the men while we took one each up onto the roof terrace. It was absolutely gorgeous up there, the sun trap effect working just as well as always and probably a good five degrees warmer than on the balcony. There was a pleasant breeze which kept it from getting too hot though and we stayed up there for a little while after we had finished our cake and drink just chatting away.

End of the day

After we went down we set the rat capture trap that we had bought yesterday as well, baiting it with some dog food, so that will be an exciting thing for me to check on in the morning. It was then time to tidy up and start this update before the men had to go home. I drove them back with no real excitement at all though we did find out that there is a village open day near us tomorrow which may partially change our plans. When I got home I was able to dash onto the roof to get a picture as the sun set then we got ready to go out for our meal.

They look how I feel

Dinner was lovely as always but I left the camera in the car so no pictures. I'm now going to wrap this up as all I've done since getting back is be grumpy as I have a slight headache, and type this. It is a late finish for me but not as bad as it could have been I suppose. Night all.

Back to full complement

Last night was not such a great nights sleep. After several excellent nights in a row I suppose it was due. As soon as the light went off, and I was feeling really tired then, I woke up and spent the rest of the night alternating between light sleep and awake. Not ideal. When A woke up I muttered and groaned and stayed in bed. Even when Louise came and jumped up on the bed after going out her licking my face didn't wake me up. I've stayed awake the whole day today in the hope that I'll sleep better tonight.

Shifting rocks in the... cold morning

I was up and out of bed before A left to get the men and once I finished my brew I headed outside to start retrieving rocks from the pile chipped out for the driveway. After yesterday when I felt like I was able to get loads done in the time between A leaving and returning today I only managed about six or seven wheelbarrows and they were driving round the corner. I did get quite a lot shifted in that time, though, and was slowly running out of suitable rocks to move.

Another angle on the support beam

After the picture yesterday of the support for the shuttering which was not really taken in a very sensible way I decided to shoot it again but showing what it actually is doing. The metal hammered in at the base of the support came from the old plumbing in the building while the wood is part of the old roof, I think. Even though this was not done by Bekir or Sally, they are still frugal and reuse where possible.

Some morning sunshine - way over there

It was a pretty overcast start to the day again today which during the morning got clearer and brighter and ended up actually quite pleasant. This didn't last, sadly, and by the end of the day it was again quite chilly and cold, though certainly not as bad as yesterday. As a demonstration we have only just lit the fire properly rather than having it burning all day though I still wouldn't really have liked to be out all day working like Gyuner was on the back patio area.

Sally up the scaffold once again

We had another brew when A got back and then it was time for us to head out to town for our shopping trip. I spoke to Bekir first thing about what he wanted to do, letting him know if he wanted to do the outside work now and leave the living room until later however the desire to finish a job once started was too strong. Sally was on with the plastering again while Bekir realised that the step on the balcony was very important so he made a start on that. Our trip to the shops was a mixed bag of success. The one shop didn't have enough black petchka pipes but we did get other items we needed and we also bought all the food, ordered the remaining curtains, and got cake.

Teddy has grown, but has a weird front right leg

On the way we had stopped to say hello to Teddy and he was very happy to see us. A spotted that there was something wrong with his leg and then the Special One came out and said that they were taking him to the doctor. It looks very floppy and once you have seen it then it is very obvious. Poor Teddy. We picked him out a toy on our shopping trip and stopped off on the way back to let him have it. He's such a lovely dog and was more interested in us until we left and then grabbed the toy and took it into his little shelter.

Waiting for us to get home

We got back to two very excited puppies who were, as usual, stood up on the bed in the spare room looking out the window as we pulled up. There was no damage or destruction this time at all which is very good. It was quite an unloading experience with everything we had bought but eventually we were done and it was time for a brew for us and the workmen.

Still at it, and flying round

I went through to check that it wasn't too late for coffee and found that Sally had finished plastering the external wall and was onto the internal bedroom wall. He really does fly when he's working; it's a pleasure to watch. The room really is starting to take shape now, what with the walls no longer dirty and broken and the plaster on the ceiling as well as the walls. So much brighter.

Our outside step

Outside I found that Bekir had just finished laying out and concreting the step. There was no progress on the tiling at all today as they need this to be finished. He had made a choice for us without asking, though I think it was a good one, in that the corners are curved and not straight. My only concern with this is we want it all to be tiled and that will be an interesting challenge for anyway but no matter; I'm paying for a good tiler so he should be able to manage.

A whole lotta cement mixing going on

The other workmen were hard at work having been stood around waiting for a cement delivery when we left for the town. They were involved in synchronised cement mixing as I watched and it was quite an impressive sight to watch.

Frames laid out for the inside steps

After lunch A went into town with Bekir (I was too busy with work to go) and got the plugs and light switches for the living room, as well as an external plug socket for me to use in the chicken house and tools to sharpen the chainsaw with. Later on I distracted him from putting together the frame for the internal steps to help me actually doing the sharpening and it turns out it is very easy indeed. The little trick, to tie a string around the chain at the point you begin sharpening, was the best thing he showed me. Back to those steps and we've decided to mirror the outside shape inside and after some discussion came up with the correct dimensions and now we are happy.

Dig dig dig dig dig

As mentioned earlier Gyuner has again been out the back digging and breaking up rocks and generally doing a good job of a really hard task. He's having to lower the level of the whole area to about 10cm below where we want the little patio to be, and then later he'll have to dig down to put the new drainage in along the front to try and prevent it all from suffering subsidence. After this picture was taken he also removed the remaining bricks from the mini porch so we can see really well what we will end up with and it looks great.

Living room looking much brighter now

Walls

And so once again the day drew to a close. The retaining wall at the back of the parking area has now been fully filled with concrete (more than the picture above as that was actually taken early afternoon but I didn't get out to take another afterwards) and the living room is now completely plastered, though Sally said he's going to do another coat tomorrow. The drive back was pretty uneventful and I got home to a dog inside the gates looking out which wasn't one of ours! I chased it around for a bit and eventually it jumped over our fence so that goes to the top of the list of Things To Fix next year.

The fire was on when I got back as I said and dinner was on its way and I didn't even start writing this update until after I had eaten. It was the pulled pork from yesterday but this time on a bed of fried rice. Lovely. Now I'm going to finish this up, sup my brew, and head to bed and hopefully sleep much better.