Bulgaria with Noodles

It seemed to be a really good idea, at the time, but then again disasters usually start that way. We went to the double-glazing company and they said that the work of installing the new windows would take a day "or two at the most". Well, it is now been two weeks and the windows still are not finished and our apartment looks a total mess, a bombsite. All of the furniture has been moved, as well as the carpets and everything else, so trying to live here is a decidedly uncomfortable experience. It is frustrating too, as we just do not know how long this is going to continue. On the first day, Monday, a heck of a lot of damage was done when the workmen removed the old windows and window frames. Chunks of plaster and even bit of concrete were gouged out, exposing the brickwork. I think that it was on the following day, the Tuesday, that an angry man suddenly appeared in our apartment. I honestly thought that he was going to start a punch-up. He was furious because someone had sma...

I have a confession to make. I did not paint the rest of the woodwork with old engine oil. Yes, it looked tatty and it had to be sanded down and then painted, but I did not do it. My dear wife Irena kindly volunteered for this job. Yes, I was not completely well at the time, but really the truth is that climbing back onto the scaffolding after my fall was frightening. Terrifying, actually. Irena did the actual work and I was there to assist, hold the ladder and pass things to her. I do feel a bit of a wimp and a failure, but more than a month after my fall I still have problems sleeping.