A little bit of sunshine in my life!!

This little girl has brought a lot of sunshine to my life, just as Rosanna has, she is Kathy and Kenneth's latest foster child , Yasmina!! She is a joy and while I was feeling very low after my accident she made me laugh and took my mind off things for a while bless her, I really love these two little girls!!!!

Well Done Dr. Johanna Cloke!!!!!!

I am so proud of you Johanna, well done on your Graduation and becoming Doctor Johanna Cloke. It was hard work and lot's of study but even though you had to do all that in Romanian , you did it. !!!!!!!! We are all so pleased for you and your next big event, your wedding coming soon and I know you had to work hard with all the arrangements for that. I wish you every happiness Johanna and Philip and am sure you will both be very happy. I love you very much Jo and am so proud to be your Granny.

Disastrous Holiday!!

I will not write a long boring blog about the holiday in Kusadasi, just to say it was awful. The journey was full of hold ups, the luggage was wet through on arrival and worst of all I had a bad fall and ended up in hospital. I have broken my nose and as you will see from the picture I am slowely recovering from the terrible bruising.If I had been drinking I could have said it was my own fault but I hadn't so really do not know quite what happened except I tripped over on the way to the bathroom in the night. That is why I have not written my blog as I have difficulty wearing my glasses, but I am putting my best foot forward and trying to get better for Johanna's wedding on the 11th October!!!

Cooler!!!!!!

Good morning all, I have been busy making Pitta bread and Rock Buns this morning and ironing and getting some things ready for my week away in Kusadasi with Amy. I shall take a few Rock Buns with me to Tina's (my tutor) this evening as they are always very kind and Tina's Mum makes pancakes for me so I would like to return the favour.

I had not been too well last week so on Friday night Amy suggested we should get our best tog's on and go out, we went to the Hotel Arad on the Terrace and had steak and three nice salads it was very nice and the food was delicious as usual. We just had one drink each and chatted about all sorts, but then the heavens opened and the rain just fell down in torrents. We decided we would go home but it was good to get out for a while. Kathy rang later on Skype and we all talked for an hour and Amy and I were singing for them all, they were all at Lesley's (Kathy's dearest friend.)

Yesterday (Sunday) I got all my housework done then Hajni came with Alexandra for a couple of hours, I watched a little TV ( good programme discussing the "Davinci Code") went to bed early as I was tired, I seem to get more tired lately (old age creeping on!!!) Well I will go and sweep the porch and path now and clean some windows , then may be a wee rest before my lesson at 5.30 pm.

Keep well every one and enjoy each day as it comes, you never know what may happen , so enjoy today!!!!!!!!!!

Projects

Angie Hope you are feeling better, we all love you and are thinking about you ,I am sure Bill is a good help and will be looking after you. Keep smiling!!!!



My goodness, where is the time going to?? each week seems to go faster. On Friday Amy and Rosanna came to stay with me, Johanna and Philip went to Brasov for a short break and to show Philips Dad Malcom so I had said I would look after Rosanna and Amy was missing her Mum and Dad so she came too. I made some nice meals for us, we went out shopping and as you will see from the pictures Rosanna made some good things too, she also made Blueberry muffins all by herself. Amy helped with the washing up, making beds etc etc and a lot of other things too.

On Monday I went for another lesson with Tina, she is lovely and very patient with me . It is going to be a slow process but I am sure I will be pleased when I can have a conversation with my neighbours and friends. Angie managed to get us on Skype, it was lovely to hear her and see her. She had an op. last week (Not nice) but was being very brave and positive , she did look tired we all love her very much and hope she has a speedy recovery.

It has been slightly cooler this week and Rosie and I got the hanging baskets all down and sorted all the dead bits out and gave them a really good watering. I got a lot of little jobs done , but had Neuralgia for three days and found it very painful. Amy came again yesterday and I had decided not to go to the ECC as I did not feel so good , but she convinced me to get ready and said it would do me good, which it did!! Must get ready for my lesson now and make sure my homework (Tema) is right. Hope you are all OK out there!!!!

Learning the Language

Buna Ziua, ce mai facetí?

Má numesc Rose,eu am saizeci si sase de ani. Locuiesc ín Romania din Decembrie douá mii sase.

Hobby-urile mele sunt, crosetatul,cititul,grádináritul si calculatorul. Mi-am fácut multi prieteni ín Arad si Subcetate locuiesc aici, acum si nu má voi íntoarce sá locuiesc ín Marea Britanie.

This is a little of the Romanian I have been learning. It is difficult to write it properly as my key board is not the right one. Hope you can understand some of it!!!!

Sunday Afternoon at the Strand

I spent Sunday afternoon at the "Strand", It was buzzing, hundreds of people enjoying themselves. I went with Kathy , Kenneth, Amy and Yasmina, we went to watch Kenny MC for a promotion. He is working there for 5 weekends during the summer holidays, and he is very good. It was very hot and most people were in the pools ( I think there are four pools) and now a new ripple pool. I had some whitebait freshly cooked , delicious. The last time I had them was in Cornwall but , my goodness they cost a lot more there. There was a lot of stalls selling hot corn on the cob, crepes , hamburgers, freshly made chips , and lots more. It only costs three new Ron (60p) to go in so quite a few families can afford to go and swim, picnic, laze on the grass or whatever! We have three girls here helping (students) they thought it was great and as good as being at any of the holiday resorts.

Well I am going for a Romanian lesson tonight after a break as my teacher Tina was on a well deserved holiday, she works 8 hours a day and does tutoring in the evening and has a little boy to look after too.I have been practising , but still find it difficult, the older you get the harder it is to learn new skills.

I made plum jam this week. I went to see an old friend in Saleani (Mariana) and she gave me lots of delicious plums and home made Tomato juice , she is wonderful and she was so pleased to see me and the same for me too , I wish I lived a little nearer and I could see more of her.

Gloria ( my friend from Belfast) has been away and I have really missed her, be glad when she comes back. Hajni has been good though and now has a little car, she took me to "Jackson" and I got a couple of things and we hope to go in to Hungary soon to the markets.

Must go now and practise some more before my lesson ha ha !!!!

Another Hot Summer!!

Yes it is another long hot summer with temperatures in the 30's every day for weeks now. I see UK is not having it so good with all the rain and just a few hot days. Everyone is busy here, Kathy had 25 norwegian visitors at the day centre yesterday plus of course the street children, they all had a barbeque. Kenneth is working hard as usual mainly on the house at Dorabanti for Johanna and Philip to go and live in when they are married. Johanna is doing her final exams and arranging things for the wedding. Kenny is sorting out things ready to restart uni. and Amy is learning to drive, helping with the little ones Rosanna and Yasmina and helping me too, she comes to the supermarket with me and helps with everything.Phlilp is working and getting ready for a visit from his Dad, who is coming from Australia.

As for me I do keep busy with keeping the apartment clean and tidy, trying to study Romanian, ( which I find difficult) going to town, meeting friends etc and hope to go to the ECC ( English conversation club) tomorrow night, I did not go last week and really missed seeing everyone. I am getting to know the city very well now and don't get lost as I used to. There are the most interesting shops to see in the side streets and lot's of them are down in the basements, (no space is wasted here) and very qaint.

As I walked through the village the other day I saw many Damsons , Plums, Grapes all nearlly ready for picking (Hope to make Damson Gin for Christmas) and it looks like a good crop of walnuts too, how wonderful and there are so many you can just walk along and get as many as you like Yum!!!! It also seems to have been a good year for roses they are beautiful , there are so many flowers here and everyone makes the effort with window boxes and hanging baskets.

I just fancied Pitta bread the other day and as you can't get it here I made some , it was so good I shall make more tomorrow, much better than shop bought and of course the smell whilst it is cooking Mmmmmm!!! Well must go now and do some more study I so much want to learn the language, wish I wasn't so thick !!!! Bye for now!

So much to do!!!!!!

Hello everyone, well there is so much to lately I have to write down what I am doing each day on my calender and really have not much time left to email friends or Blog, ha ha. However I seem to be able to have a quiet day today so here goes. We have had my niece and family here, you remember baby Oliver and Niamh. They have every moment of the visit and loved all the different food they had. I was having a party for some of my friends from the ECC and it was Estela's birthday so it was great to have everyone at my house. I made chili and rice, cold buffet, trifle and summer pudding. It all went down a treat we all laughed and sang , it was a great evening and well worth the hard work to see everyone mixing with each other and having a jolly good time.

It is still very hot on Sunday we all went to Hajni's house in the village and had a nice meal there and more singing and dancing. It was almost 90deg F so the barbecue was done outside but we had to eat indoors it was too hot to go out.The children were fantastic and Niamh sang 5 or 6 songs for us she is a lovely little girl and very well mannered too, of course we had performances from Daniela, Rosie and Alexandra too .

I felt rather fragile come Monday so had a quiet day and studied my Romanian as I had a lesson at 5.30pm. Tina said I had done very well and got fairly good marks for my homework.On the way home there was the most fantastic thunder storm (Fortuna in Romanian) the sky lit up with the streaks of lightning I just managed to get indoors before the down pour, but we do need the rain. The people rely so much on their home grown veg. and it was so dry so they will be pleased and by Tuesday the air was lovely and fresh.

Tuesday and it was Kirsy's last night ( Gosh!!! that went quickly) we wanted to take them to the "Bulzan" for traditional food but they are closed so we went to the Terrace at the Hotel Arad. We had a very good meal and the children played in the gardens. Niamh was heard saying "Oh it is so nice here , I must come again" and we hope they will all come again we shall miss them.

It is Wednesday now and very pleasant outside just warm enough with a slight breeze. Hope to get a few jobs done while it is cooler , so I must get on now. It is the ECC again tonight phew!! I have never been out so much!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quite a busy week

Monday,Wednesday and Thursday I was at the dentist to sort out my teeth.By Thursday I had new teeth and all a success. Wednesday I called to see Gloria, she said she had really enjoyed the crumpets I gave her so I must make more asap.We went to town together on Thursday, I called at the bank, payed my phone bill etc etc. We called at Elefantul ( a little shop on the Boulevard) and I got a summery bag in cotton. We called for a couple of coffee's and cold drinks as once again it was very hot. Found a new shop next door to Ziridava where they have bit bigger sizes and got two cotton tops , ideal for this hot weather.

Friday I stayed in and got some jobs done in the apartment and Eddie came with plumbers to fix my tap etc.I also stayed in on Saturday and Irina and Daniela came to see me which was nice. Also Paul and Kenny dropped in for a quick visit. Sunday again already, I decided to make the chili for next Saturday for a wee party for Estela's birthday, I will freeze it then there will not be quite so much to do on the day.Kathy and Ken took me out in the evening , we went to the Hotel again on the Terrace, very good, I had Papernash(hot fresh doughnuts with jam and cream) delicious!!!!! So all in all another good week.

Last Weeks Diary!!

Dana , the sweet girl who waits on us all on Wednesday nights, We have become friends now, she is a lovely girl. The other pictures are of the Terrace at The Hotel Arad, it is a very nice place to sit and while away the evening and the food is very good too and the service excellent.


The weather is still very hot here , so I do not venture far as it just doesn't suit me, I keep in the shade and if all else fails "Wear a Big Hat!!" By the way I must tell you my good news,,, only three Mosquito bite in eight weeks , wonderful and even the ones I had did not react as bad as they used to. Thanks to Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) , one tablet 100Mg's per day and it is proving to be very successful.
Wednesday evening I went to the English conversation club on the Terrace at the Hotel Arad. It is a beautiful terrace with Honeysuckle perfuming the evening air, conifers , geraniums, begonia, fuchsia and roses. We all had a good time and Kathy , Ken and Amy came too. It is always a pleasure for me to see all these lovely people and to chat the night away.
On Thursday because it was too hot to go walking I went to Gloria's house in Subcetate, it is a lovely house and they keep the garden looking lovely. We sat out on the balcony for hours chatting and drinking refreshing elder flower cordial with mineral water. Gloria got the binoculars out as I spotted a pretty bird with yellow and green wing and tail feathers it was sitting in the apricot tree. What a nice afternoon, thanks Gloria and I went home with mange tu and apples and i think i may get some apricots next time they have lots on the tree.
Sunday I decided to make crumpets and to be able to give some to Gloria to try. I was in the middle of cooking them (it is a slow process) when Kathy and Ken came with Yasmina so of course they had crumpets with their coffee. It was good to see them and have a chat , Sundays are such long days when you are on your own. Anyway they also called for me in the evening and we spent at least two hours all the family on the river on a pontoon, having snacks and drinks, it was really good as we watched the little boats going up and down and every time one passed the pontoon rocked .
Well that was my week more or less !! A good one!!

Assorted Photo'e of my time in Cyprus

Susi Yum !!!



At least I got in the sea once!! Lovely wedding


I thought I would just show you a few of the photo's in Cyprus.......

Gosh!!!! it's hot

Good morning, it is so hot here at the moment it is hard to concentrate so I am going to get a few things done this morning before it gets too hot, it is going to be 86 deg. (F) today. I did get in the sea in Cyprus but only one day, it was lovely in the water, shame I could not have gone in every day. The Doctor I saw was trained in Bucharest and he was telling me how much he likes Romania and he would like to live here again. I also met two Romanian girls working in one of the shops, they were so delighted to talk to me ,it was a little difficult with my limited Romanian and there little English but we managed to talk for quite a while. It was obvious they were home sick and were pleased to talk about their home. I also met young people from Bulgaria, Poland and Germany who have all gone to Cyprus to earn some money. The culture and traditions in Cyprus are very similar to the Romanians and they are a caring people too.

To be continued late.

Home at Last Hurrah!!!!!!

Well I am home at last, it was a long time to be away and do not think I will go away for that long again.However I had some good times , the wedding was wonderful and a perfect day for Pattie and Robert, The meal at the Japanese restaurant was a great experience where the food was cooked in front of you on a great flat grill (pictures to follow) and the last night at the Mexican restaurant was really good too. Cyprus is a lovely island unfortunately I did not see much of it I had wished to go to different places and do all sorts of things , like snorkel etc.etc. but I had not been there long when I had to visit the Doctor. My BP was 195/100 and my left leg and foot were swollen so much I could not get my shoes on. The pain was awful but I tried my best to get on with as much as I could. The doctor had told me to rest in the afternoons and gave me water tablets. I was so disappointed I had gone all that way ( and the ex pence) and could not be with the others on the beach and swimming in the sea. Just unfortunate but we met a lot of lovely people some of whom joined us most evenings, (Karen and BJ and Tony and Cindy) we had many laughs.

On my return to UK I had three teeth out which proved to be very painful so that when I landed at my Sisters (Betty) I was feeling quite ill. She looked after me and so did her husband Tom and I began to recover. I just though can anything else happen on this holiday???? I had also lost two suitcases to damage on the airlines . My nephew Tony invited us for a meal which was lovely and it was great to see all the family, he did Salmon with ginger for me as my mouth was sore, it was delicious. I also managed an evening out with my niece Gaynor (Betty's daughter) we had a lovely meal at "The Hare and Hounds" on top of Werneth Low. I also got to see my old school friend Janet and we chatted about all sorts of things.

Well I will probably have Lot's more to say about my month away but for now I must go, I just wanted to get back on line for now.

On Count Down Now!!!!

Well I just have not had time to do my blog. Getting ready for my visit to UK and then Cyprus to Pattie and Roberts wedding and a holiday, can't wait I haven't had a holiday for a long time and really feel in the need for one. It's the getting ready that gets me down but I shouldn't moan should I ? some people never get a holiday.
Wednesday night was a good night again at the ECC and more than ever people there, didn't get home until 1.15am but I do so enjoy the company they are all such a lovely group of folks. I had also been to Gloria's in the village to have tea and biscuits and wish her Drum Bun (good journey ) as she was off to Ireland Thursday. Friday was Daniela's birthday , she was five and as her adopted Granny I felt I had to do a party for her. I just made nice dainty sandwiches for the children and chili and jacket potatoes for the adults and Hajni made one of her delicious cakes. She had Lot's of nice presents from our family and a good time was had by all. I really must get cracking now as I have had a house full again today , must get packing etc etc so I may not be on line for a while but will tell all about my time away when I return. Bye for now!!!!!

Quite an eventful week!!

Hi Folks, well it has been an eventful week to say the least.I had my first pedicure ever which was super and so relaxing, also a manicure which together cost me all of £6 my goodness!!! needless to say I gave the lady (Addy) a good tip, the Romanians certainly have to work hard for just a little money and sh did not even want to take it but I insisted.Gloria took me as this is where she goes for a little pampering too. Whilst I was "being done" she went to pay her gas and electric bills and called back for me. We sat by the fountain for a while then walked along the river Mures and ended up at the Continental Hotel to have coffee and cakes (theirs are some of the best in town, the cakes I mean - though there are many good cake shops!). Friday Hajni came to take me to shop and we came back to my place for hot chocolate. I had a wee rest as I still don't feel too well (will get sorted out eventually), I received a txt from Andreea from the ECC ( English conversation club) inviting me to her birthday party that evening at The Hotel Arad at 8 pm. I must be honest I really did not feel like going but it would be the first time since I came to live here that I would go out socially in the evening, I was a bit dubious of going on my own but why not just go for it??? I had a bath washed my hair and got my togs on etc.

Wow!! I was so glad I went, the food was amazing, the starters were Brinza,(cheese), a fabulous home made salami, mushroom Pate, salata de beouf (similar to what we call Russian salad), pickles etc etc and great fresh bread. After an hour roast pork chops and chicken, mashed potato and chips also with pickles and last but not least, Pancakes with jam or chocolate or fresh fruit salad. It was all delicious. The drinks were all free too, you could have what ever you wanted and champagne at midnight. We all had a really great time and sang and laughed all night, I got home at 2.15am Thanks to all, that's Romanian hospitality at it's best.

Needless to say I had a quiet day Saturday reflecting on the night before and thinking again how nice the Romanian people are ... also how good the food is. Oh ... and the beer and wine here! Ursus and Silva are my favourite beers and I particularly like the black beer yum! They have a wine called Murfatler which is excellent (vineyard pictured).

It is Sunday now and the family are back from their short break (which they badly needed) so they are coming to see me and we can swap stories of the last weeks events.
Happy Sunday everyone.

Good Morning, It is Easter here (Orthodox)

Hi Everyone!!

Busy week again so not had much time to do my blog. but here we go. I spent a lot of time at the beginning of the week researching Mosquitoes and solutions to them biting me, I have 26 bites already and it is only April. I am afraid they just like biting me!! However after many hours (yes hours), I found out about a patch, a Thiamine (Vitamin B1) patch which has been tested in severe circumstances and one patch on your body gives protection for 36 hours. I have of course tried everything else, sprays, gels, plug ins, electronic devices and antihistamines but I remember being advised by my doctor in UK 3 years ago to take Vitamin B1. So I have ordered some and will let you know the out come later in the summer, meanwhile I am eating Marmite every day (VIT. B) and taking as much of the vitamin as I can. Well that was a bit boring, yes? but you never know it may help someone else.

On Wednesday Ramona had a special class for the Italians so I did not go but went to the English club at the Hotel Arad. Gosh it was packed!! Met Chris from Dorset, a girl from Poland, Tim was there from America and all the usual crowd from Romania of course. We had many laughs and Lot's of good conversation, a few drinks and Papernash (a kind of hot fresh doughnut with jam and sour cream) delicious! I did not get home until 11.45 but once again had a great time with people I now consider to be my friends.

As promised Gloria came for me at 11am Thursday and we took a Taxi to the Primaria then walked along the Boulevard chatting and looking in the shops along the way. I took her to a nice dress shop I know where I manage to get larger sizes as my waist line is expanding ha ha! I got a lovely pair of summer trousers . We then crossed over and I got the lovely hand made glasses I wanted for Pattie and Roberts wedding present. It was time for a sit down so off to Libalula for apple strudel and coffee ( no wonder I am expanding) we sat for nearly an hour chatting about our lives here, family etc etc.She is a lovely lady and I am sure we will be good friends. Lastly Ziridava and then back to her house in Subcetate. It is a great house, huge, and a lovely garden and balcony where we sat another hour with green tea, biscuits and more chat. We are hoping to go for a manicure and pedicure next week so I shall look forward to that.

It was Good Friday now and Kathy was putting on a party for the street people at The Secret Garden so I wanted to do my bit, I cooked 30 eggs (hard boiled) got nice biscuits and some packs of fruit teas. Hajni made cakes and potato salad, some ladies from the church came with meat and salad and we all made sandwiches. Also a lot of young people from France, Poland, Spain and Germany were there to offer help. We waited for the street people but no one came just two boys and a young couple, Kenneth went to look at the station, where they hang out to see why they hadn't come. They were all at the back of the station holding a birthday party for little Lissa... so I went home then, I was tired and needed a wee rest but Kathy decided they should all go to the party and take our food with them. I will let you know what happened then later when I find out myself. So that was my week,certainly not boring I seem to meet new people all the time and it is great, I love it.

Happy Sunday to all my fellow bloggers

Just to say , have you time to read my Daughters other blog, clokescrazycasa , you can click onto it from my blog. I think it makes interesting reading it is about her family and her extended one too, go on give it a whirl, thanks Rose.

Surprise!!!!!

Well I finished my last post by saying "you never know what may happen" (or words to that effect). Kathy and Kenneth came to see me, great!! we sat and chatted and Kathy gave me a few guidelines on my Romanian study, which really helped a lot. She seems to think I will master it, hope so, there are so many reasons why I want to learn the language. I want to be able to chat to my neighbours, to the Taxi drivers (who are so kind and patient with me) I usually use Verbita, they have never let me down and very polite on the phone.also to be able to go to the doctors and all sorts of places and be able to ask questions and converse with them. Instead of having to ask Kathy or one of the family to go with me , they have enough to do with out always having to help me they do a lot anyway and look after me in Lot's of ways, so thanks gang!!!!

We then decided to go for a meal at Pizza King and on to their home in Saleáni so that was a nice change too and the apartment now looks lovely and cosy. Yasmina was a delight as usual, she is quite a character and Rosanna had been out at a friends and she came in to see me too. Kathy suggested we go to Practikca a store similar to B&Q , we got plants to brighten up my porch. Hydrangeas which I thought were very appropriate for me , coming from Hyde ha ha !!!! and a nice "Box " to go in the lovely pot which was a present from Betty, Angie and Pattie on their visit, so I have made a start but hope to have Lot's more and maybe a couple of fruit trees. So I ended up having a super day thanks Kathy and Kenneth, Oh I also got brass numbers to go on my door.
Well I have had a really busy morning, cleaned the budgies, hoovered, swept and scrubbed the porch and front path and now I think a short rest is deserved yes???

Learning the Language!!!!

On Wednesday I made my way to Strada Marasesti to the ILC (International Learning Centre) where I was to sit in on a class to see if I thought I would like to attend regularly to learn Romanian. There were four Italian men and me !! They did not speak English and I ,of course know no Italian so it was a little confusing to say the least but I actually was able to follow what was going on. The tutor is very nice , Romona, and she took me on one side and said if I would like to go she would address me in English and that she thought I could do it as I do know a little already. So I shall go again next week and give it a whirl, I really do want to be able to speak the language.

Feeling slightly brain dead and a headache(through concentrating) I set off for the Hotel Arad to the English Conversation club, I soon relaxed with the friends I made last week and we all had a great evening talking about alsorts . I really do enjoy this club , the people are so nice .

Thursday Hajni came , my friend from the village (Subcetate) with her little "KA" and took me to Billa (supermarket) to replenish my food supplies.We had a coffee when we got back and I played with little Alexandra.

Friday I was busy in the morning doing my jobs and then sat down to try to study the Romanian exercises I had given to me on Wednesday. The door bell went and standing there was a lady, I greeted her in Romanian but she answered in English!! She had been trying to find my apartment for a few days , then saw my name on the door, I asked her in and gave her some tea ( Yorkshire tea of course!!). She is called Gloria and is from Ireland, she lives in Subcetate and had heard an English lady was living here. We chatted for ages it was so nice to have the company and compare notes. Anyway we are going to go to town next Thursday and do some shopping and have a coffee. It will be lovely to go with someone as it is not the same going on your own. She is a very nice lady and I am sure we will become friends , she too gets a little lonely as her husband works here but is out all day. Well that was my week , it is Saturday now and I have no plans but who knows what might happen!!

It was an interesting week to say the least!!!!!!

I had not been feeling well for about 10 days, so Kathy took me to the doctors on Tuesday, I was having a lot of pain (won't go into details), they asked me to go back Wednesday and gave me an Ultra Sound (how quick is that? No chance in UK of getting a test that quick). The result was I had a kidney infection so antibiotics were prescribed and I soon began to feel better. Kathy said if I felt well enough would I like to go to the Hotel Arad Wednesday evening to the English club where Romanians who want to speak better English gather and just chat in English over a beer and a snack. It is run by Marius (a charming man) and was great fun. They like English speaking people to go and as I have a broad Lancashire accent it was a big challenge for them to understand me.

My daughter Kathryn was brought up in Scotland and spent most of her married life there too and she speaks beautifully with a lovely Scottish accent so she has been before but it was easier for them to know what she was saying. The people there were very nice and very friendly, we had a laugh and a few serious discussions , I really enjoyed myself and look forward to going again next week. The room we were using at the Hotel was as near an English pub that I have seen here, the staff were great and the food excellent. Marius also suggested I go to the Romanian class on Monday so I shall give it a whirl and see if I can improve my Romanian, Kathy doesn't need to go as her Romanian is excellent.

On Friday Hajni was so excited as she now has a little car , so she took me to Metro shopping . I got a suitcase for my trip to UK in May and stocked up on household stuff, it was good not having to get a Taxi as Kathy is so busy most days she just does not have the time to take me. Saturday I got some housework done and then Rosie came for a few hours as Kathy and Kenneth were moving furniture for Johanna and Philip to their house in the country, so all in all a busy, interesting week and to top it all the weather was superb, hot and sunny some days 20 degrees.

Weekend with my family

Last weekend was spent mainly with my family. Amy came Friday night and stayed overnight. We had a nice breakfast of poached eggs on toast together and chatted. Then Irina came to do a little cleaning for me, I give her some money and some food and it helps her out. Daniela came too and insists on helping . I did not feel well at all so Amy went for my shopping for me. Later in the afternoon Kathy called me to see if I would like a short stroll in the park and go for coffee at the continental hotel so I made the effort and went. It was nice to be with them all and this is how Romanians like to spend the weekend, with the family. Amy came back with me and we had a good evening together. On Sunday we all went to Timisoara, it was a beautiful day sunny and warm and the square was full of stalls selling lovely hand made gifts. We went to our favourite restaurant, Casa cu Flori (House of Flowers) where I had trout again. The whole weekend was great and I saw Kenny too and his apartment in Timisoara.

I have not been well all week and very unlike me have not been out. I kept myself busy with a bit of knitting so I didn't keep thinking about how ill I felt. Oh well, tomorrow is another day and I hope to have a better week next week.

The Secret Garden

Could I ask all the people that visit my blog. if you have a little time to spare, to take a look at my daughters blog. http://visdecopilarad.blogspot.com it is interesting reading and may give you a little glimpse of the work she and her husband do. At this Easter time I think we all should stop and think of all the things we take for granted , including myself of course. Thank you hope you enjoy reading.

A Good Day

I had a good day today, feeling better!! Going out did me good. Kathy took me to change the hotel booking for Kirsty and Nick, then on to the supermarket Kaufland for fresh supplies of vegetables mainly for my new meat free diet. I got lovely fresh spinach, so for the first time I made Saag Aloo (potato and spinach with spices and onions , garlic and ginger), It was a great success and I really enjoyed it, Kathy told me how to make it as she and Kenneth lived in India for a while and know lots of spicy vegetable recipes. My Grandson was born in Pakistan. Then I went to the Textile shop on Strada Emminescu to get a gift for the couple of friends who have their civil ceremony at the Primaria tomorrow. I then offered to have wee Yasmina for a couple of hours, she is a sweet, clever little thing and no trouble to look after , she plays happily and never cries. It was a pleasure to have her, we are all very fond of her and dread the day she may have to go back with her Mummy. I will post a photo of her and one of Daniela helping me when she came last Saturday. Will go and relax now and watch a little TV. Yes !! it was a good day indeed.