And so I return

It’s been so long since I’ve had time to get to this that I’m not sure where to start. I’ve been keeping notes for the last three weeks, but even looking back on them, I’m not sure I can remember what the hell they mean. I’ll also have to do it in chunks, as I’m having all sorts of problems uploading the damned diary just now.

I do know that the house has been abuzz with customers, builders and friends. It’s been like Waverly Station on a Monday morning…Phew !!! This old girl’s exhausted.

But let’s get this tome underway….I know in one of my last entries I mentioned Christina & Volcho’s donkey and the fact that it is, without a doubt, the prettiest one in the village. I thought I’d let you judge for yourself…..

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Isn’t she/he lovely … Naughty, but lovely 🙂

On the subject of donkeys though, I was going into Yambol with Ivan and saw the sweetest sight… a baby donkey, standing on the side of the road with its mum. You have no idea how cute these things are. I was just so enamoured with the little darling and very excited about seeing my first baby magari. Ivan then bought me back to earth with an almighty thump when he made the statement that they make ‘very nice’ kofte !!! (meatballs, for those who don’t know). I was completely horrified and did the old ‘ you’re taking the piss…aren’t you ??’ routine, only to be greeted with a face that wasn’t kidding at all. He then went into a description of just how fantastic they taste. And I know it’s different courses for different horses (or in this case, donkeys), but that was when I told him never to invite me to his house for meatballs !!!

The world of home produce has continued…another reason why my diary has fallen behind…(excuses, excuses!!) But I have actually been very busy in the kitchen [photopress:home_produce.JPG,full,pp_empty]

I’ve extended the range from just having Tomato Relish to Plum, Apricot, Raspberry and Blackberry Jam, plum sauce and Chillie jam…it’s been all go in this kitchen, let me tell you, AND I’ve actually sold some of it. Not enough to enable me to stay in Bulgaria, but I guess every little helps.

AND it just gets better…..take a look at this

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That’s some of the Rakia that Ivan has made from the plums taken from the huge tree outside my kitchen and its pretty damned good. I did have my first sample at 69%…holy mother of god !! far too strong for me, but it went for it’s second distilling and has returned at 45%…and I reckon that’s more than enough to keep me warm this winter. 🙂

The universe has been treating me to amazing sunsets night after night and I know I mention this fairly often, but sometimes they just humble me and I think a beautiful sunset is always worth sharing

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Already this site is playing up and not letting me save or upload, so I’ll call this ‘part 1’ …

Part 2 might even make it on here tonight as well……..I have so much to tell and so many fabulous photos to accompany everything that’s been happening.

so, for now….caio