Post birthday week.

So first of all, let's start with some sunrise shots.  The last few weekday mornings I have been up at the time I should be and have managed to get a couple of good shots, both from the school and also whilst going to collect the men.  Stunning.  Very much worth waking up for.

Beautiful sunrise!

View on the way to get the men.

Sun breaking through

We had a trip away this weekend.  We set off to see a couple of friends of the Mr's who live a couple of hours away and who have also renovated a school and have almost succeeded in setting up a hotel with the result of years of hard work.  Anyway, the trip up there was fantastic.  We drove along a more scenic route, not necessarily the most direct route, but worth it all the same.

We hadn't even left the surrounds of the land when I saw this:

Mother and child

One of the things about where we live that I love is the fact that animals mainly roam free.  Or freeish.  The cows are sometimes monitored by a person who follows them around all day and guides them.  Sheep tend to be watched over by sheep dogs.  Even turkeys roam free!  As with chickens and ducks.  I just love it.

Christmas lunch is growing!

So along the way to our friends, we were nattering and generally admiring the stunning views around every corner, when I spotted the Stone Mushrooms, which I had read about previously on the map in the local town whilst waiting patiently for food that night of the surprise birthday meal, remember?  Well, what a great spot it was.  Lucky I was there, as the Mr was paying so much attention to the winding roads that he missed it both this time and also the last time he made the trip.

Stone mushrooms - Not for risotto

Leaning Tower of Mr.

Too big!

Further on, my old job came back to haunt me and I post this for Mr & Mrs C to have a look at.  Deals being done in Bulgaria Mr C!!  This was a big one.  Maybe 30MWs??  Anyway, I had to snap a photo.

Solar farm!

In England, this would be ripped down, no doubt, but I think this is pretty special.  A stork making its nest on the bell tower of a church.  Messy, but what a sight, eh?

Religious storks

I'm afraid I don't have any shots of our time at our friends, but be assured we had a really lovely time.  We were well looked after, fed and "watered" very well.  Their place is huge and it was amazing to see what shape our place could take after a couple of years hard graft.  Makes you realise that it will be worth all the sweat, blood and splinters!

Whilst we were away, we stopped at a large hardware store and set to buying my new toy!!  The sander!! Amongst other bits and bobs, we bought little Ralf a bed to lay in.  Here he is test driving it!

Ralf's new bed.

And now I draw to a close.  Here are my skewer kebabs that I made.  They were fabulously tasty, as were the homemade burgers.

MEAT!

And finally, of course, a couple of pretty lovely sunsets from the balcony.

Cloudy

Silver and gold linings

So, today was a busy day.  Moving LOTS of wood and painting the old window frames for Mr's cold frames for the garden next year.  yes, see, it's not just a bloody holiday!!

Rambo inspecting my work!

Working up a sweat!

Take care and stay tuned!

A x