IT'S NOT WHAT YOU SAY IT'S THE WAY THAT YOU SAY IT!!!!

We had visitors for dinner on Sunday!!! I posted the comment on face book that I was unsure if we would have them roast, boiled or fried. sadly apart from one friend my attempt at a joke went unnoticed. Perhaps if I had rephrased it or said it in some other way, I knew what I meant, Our pastor would often say,' after church the congregation would go home and have the preacher for lunch'

A little bit of the green stuff.

Anyway moving swiftly on, our visitors arrived,  they became quite excited at the fact we had some of the green stuff showing in the garden, and they were still deep in snow. We had a good time together chewing the fat and generally putting the world to rights, and time just flew by as we compared notes on how life had been since we last met{ some two years ago} and the one thing we had in common was, that life in Latvia, was good ! despite the ups and downs we all experience,

The promise of things to come.

At the moment I am chomping at the bit waiting to get out and start getting the garden ready for planting, I have started pruning the apple trees and have cleaned the greenhouse ready for trays of bedding plants. The other day I tried to put the digging fork into the ground and the result was more like using a tuning fork it set up a vibration that shook my brains and I'm not sure what note it struck but it wasn't middle C  that's for sure.
School lessons came and went and on Wednesday while we were there ,Sandra told us that the next day it was Dagmara's birthday and to be at school at 10 o'clock, arriving on time we found the whole school assembled in the main hall awaiting their Principal's arrival, she had gone to get one of the dinner ladies who's birthday it was as well and when back in the hall she presented the lady with flowers, many of the children and staff also showed their appreciation with more flowers and gifts, a Latvian equivalent of Happy birthday was sung,then the attention was turned to the 'boss lady' I have spoken in my blog before of Dagmara's commitment   to the school and the children who attend. I have never ever seen such a show of affection as was displayed Thursday morning, from the smallest child to the oldest, all had flowers, ranging from just a simple bunch of pussy willow to quiet elaborate bouquets were presented and then the staff gave more flowers, so many it seemed that she could have opened a florist shop, old pupils were there as well as retired members of staff, from the lady who looks after the gardens, the men who keep the school warm to the top man from the village ,,all were there to show how much she mattered  to everyone. The Pagast was represented by the 'mayor' of Vecumnieki  , the whole proceedings were rounded up when the men brought a chair into the center of the room and sat Dagmara down, they then lifted her high into the air, up and down, up and down as the children shouted, one, two, three,four---------until they reached the right number for her age.  No way, not in a million years could I ever see any of the teachers I had at school being treated in such a special way. And where were our cameras!!!!! at home.
We have had to send our passports away as they run out this month, downloading the forms was easy, filling them in OK , new photos we could get , no problem, with all the necessary bits and pieces assembled  everything was posted to Dusseldorf, yep! that's right,, they are then sent to the UK for renewal and sent directly back to us here in Latvia, why we can't send them straight to the UK I don't know. Daft isn't it? still I guess it gives someone a job. All was well until I had an email  from the passport people telling us that the pictures were the wrong size, would we please send correct ones ASAP.
There are only two places we could get them done, one we had already used, so after the birthday celebrations at the school we headed off for Bauska ,it was a beautiful sunny day but a tad cold, parked in Rimi car park ,did a bit of shopping, and then back in the car to go to the photographer, that's as far as we got ,I turned the ignition key and    wrrrrrrr!!!! wrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!! looking at one another we said 'we ain't going nowhere'

The offending vehicle!!!!!!!

The key to overcoming minor irritations such as this it to prioritise, prioritise, prioritise and my first thought was lets have a cup of tea, but no we had far more important things to do. The photographer's shop/studio was only a few minutes walk down the road,  lets get the main reason for coming  out of the way,we had no problems with that and when we came out, I remembered an Auto parts shop just a few metres along from where we were. I'll go in and ask if they can recommend a mechanic who would look at our problem, fix it and send us on our way. I felt a little like the crew of the Star ship Enterprise, boldly going where no {English man} had been before,making contact was easy, understanding each other was quite another matter, But with a mime demonstration, followed by Wrrrrrrrr wrrrrrrrr , a hand drawn across the throat I got my message over.
There were three men in the shop, all suggesting things I needed, and one went as far as to say 'sorry I do not speak English'!!!!!!. However !!, after some debate it was decided,  one of them  would drive up and take me with him.to look at the  car,
Where you may ask was Valerie while all this was happening, well she was pacing up and down the pavement outside.As we came out of the shop I beckoned her over and told her the plan she replied !.' If you think I'm getting in that car you've got another think coming, I'd sooner walk!!!!!!' which she did , we left in a cloud of dust, and got to  the car in under 2 minutes.,,,,,I just kept my eyes closed as we came to a roundabout!!.
With signs to lift the bonnet and turn the starter, my now new found friend,  pushed wires, prodded connections and shrugged his shoulders,  then reached into his boot for a towing rope.At this point Valerie appeared in the distance,  by the time she was with us, we were about to go back to where she had walked from, so saying soothing things like,, it will be fine don't worry we've all the afternoon to get it fixed etc etc, I left her heading for the cafe and a cup of tea, as she flatly refused to go in the car especially being TOWED !!!!,,, I would join her as soon as I could  , the mechanic said he would phone a friend who would then phone me when the car was fixed, I was back with Valerie ten minutes later, where she was enjoying a cuppa and a free cake, great !! I thought I'll have some of that, only to find it was just the ladies who were entitled to free cake, it was International Women's Day, on leaving the shopping centre she was stopped by a well dressed young man who gave her a single tulip to commemorate the day. { When will it be the men's turn? }

Part of Bauska's main square

On leaving the car I had been told 1hour, maybe 2 hours, have a sandwich and your car will be fixed. Those of you who know Bauska will know just how hard it is to fill 2 hours there. We posted the photo's to Dusseldorf, checked the time of the next bus to Stelpe {just in case} wandered round the shops.{No word of the car!} Back to the cafe for more tea, no cake this time and  try and sort  our plan of action , A decision had to be made as the only bus would be leaving soon,  if we missed that we would be stuck!!!{ Still no word  of the car!!} So we decided to walk back to the car, see if it was ready. If not,,get our shopping [which was in the car] , and catch the bus home, I could then come back the next day, sorted.!!! Back at the car which had not moved an inch. I prepared for the worst and as we were taking the shopping out,our friend the mechanic appeared , phone to his ear ,he was actually making the call we had been waiting for,,,,,, and then apologising that he had  taken soooo long,,,,  'The car it is OK, you can go now, sorry, so sorry'. Rubbing my fingers together in the international language I asked 'Cik maksa' {how much} the bill was 39 lats which included the tow, labour and the parts used. What was the problem? a sensor in the inlet manifold, simple when you know. Cars like computers are wonderful when they work.

FUN AND NOT SO FUNNY GAMES IN THE SNOW.

"An hour with your grandchildren can make you feel young again. Anything longer than that, and you start to age quickly." Author: Gene Perret

Standing at the top of Stelpe slopes

How true this is, we have just had the most enjoyable time with a family visit. Our son daughter-in-law and two granddaughters were over for part of the half term holidays,  first to visit Nanny and Grandad and secondly to play in the snow, {I am not really sure if that was the correct order of things}

Katie about to make her first run

Olivia deciding whether to give it a go{she did}

Those of you who have been following this blog will no doubt recall my lament about not having a great deal of the white stuff, however nature performed and just before there arrival we had a fresh covering of snow, not much but enough to allow some sledging and general messing about.

 

The highlight of there stay was Wednesday evening, both Katie and Olivia have just had birthdays so we thought it would be nice if we had a party,we invited the children who come once a month for a film evening, we could watch a film have pizza, popcorn and cake and introduce them to our family. At 6 o'clock eight teenagers arrived, some with gifts for the birthday girls and the evening got under way. To start with it was pretty typical of youngsters there was one group one end of the room and another  at the other end with not a lot of communication between the two.I decided that to move things along I would show the film I had chosen for the evening, 'Yogi Bear' well I thought it would be fine, funny, no bad language, sex or violence, a family film. Wrong!!! not a good choice apparently. Next time they can chose their own . 90 minutes later Valerie and Shelly produced the food and it quickly disappeared, my how teenagers can eat, but at least round the table everyone began to chat. Normally after having something to eat and drink I would take everyone home, but then someone asked ' can we stay a bit longer'? do you have any games we can play? Now thanks to some very good friends we just happen to have dominoes,triominoes, Phase 10 and UNO so out came the cards and everyone settled down for a game of UNO,

Coke popcorn, crisps and UNO a winning combination

At 9.30pm some of the younger ones asked if I could take them home as they had homework to complete for the next day,  the plan was to drop four off and then return and repeat the journey with the older group. Shelly joined me and we set off dropping Karina home in the village, then Zane who is the farthest away,  next came Cynthia and Rita, down a track about 2 kilometres off the  road, all went well until we started up the small track to their home, which was about 500 metres off the main track, three quarters of the way up, the girls said this will be far enough just stop and let us out, there is a space to turn , simple enough. Second time this evening I was wrong, as I backed round to do a' perfik' three point turn, there was a bit of a bump as the car settled into a  frozen tractor track that had been made when the ground was softer, my back wheels settled into it perfectly and I was good and stuck again!!!!!! it was shades of getting stuck in the forest, only this time it was 10 o'clock at night pitch dark and freezing cold and well over ankle deep in snow. The girls ran off, returning with a snow shovel and an extra pair of hands to help push when ready. The snow shovel was great at moving the snow, but when it came to using it on  soil that is frozen rock solid, it's a bit like a 'tom tit on a pump handle'. I tried jacking the car up and puting some old carpet under the wheels, pushing shoving and generally muttering under my breath but would it  move?  not an inch.!!! One of the girls went off home and came back  with an  axe!!!!! and with this most essential of all winter tools, I hacked, chopped and generally battered a track forwards from the trapped wheels, and with everyone pushing we returned to the track and safety. The only thing left to do now was return home. While Shelly and I had been out, the others had  had a great time comparing music on phones and ipods and looking at family photos with Mark and the rest of the family.

Comparing play lists

 The remaining teenagers ,who thought it great fun that I had been caught out yet again , needed to be taken home as by this time it was gone 11pm so this  time with Mark, Katie and Olivia all suitably dressed plus a shovel, torch and mobile phone{just in case ha ha} we delivered them all home safe and sound. On the way back we stopped to do a little stargazing. 

With no light polution the night sky is a wonder to see the constelations, planets and stars are so clear it is as if you could reach out and touch them, { David the psalmist had it right when he said 'when I consider the heavens------ what is man that thou art mindful of him? Psm 8 v3-4}

{Note to self------ add an axe to the car tool kit}

But to start at the beginning of the week,first we had to take the little class of children at school and this week we decided that we would do a smiley maze and then play a couple of games,so armed with our school bag off we went, The temperature was around the -26c mark, upon arriving we were told that there was no class to take, as it was so cold.Quite understandable, well I ask you would you send your 6 year old child or grandchild to school in say minus 27c .So checking on if  we would be needed for Wednesdays lesson we were told yes, some of the children  would be there, our 7--8 year old's,we arrived with extra help in the form of Katie and Olivia  with our lesson all prepared and ready to go, we found most of our class children in the hall practising their dancing,Hi Valerie Hi Roger they chorus. Leaving them to finish we head for the classroom and wait and wait and wait only to find that the children are off to Valle for a competition or something similar,so there will be no class today!!!!!!!! so we all went back home, better luck next week.

 

 

Going down is great but it's the getting back up!!!

Even the big kids have a go

 

I can now announce that the Yucky!!!! season is upon us, something happens at this time of the year that just make you want to go Yuck. Let me explain. The snow has now lost it's once so sparkly brilliant white colour and has taken on a much more off white look { I just googled white as a colour and what a can of worms  my thinking is, if you can get it in a can it's a colour} Throughout the winter the ground has frozen to quite a depth, now as the days become warmer, the snow melts but the water has nowhere to go,  so it lays on top becoming very slippery, the dirt roads are wonderful,  puts a whole new slant on the Paul Simon  song 'slip sliding away' anyway back to topic Yuk so with the excess amount of water on the surface the ground begins to thaw slowly and the once hard as iron soil becomes very sticky and gets everywhere to coin an old phrase it sticks like!!!!!!! It won't last very long though as Spring is just around the corner .

'BUT BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE'

Judging from comments, pictures and news from England it would seen as though there is a little snow on the ground at the moment and temperatures are somewhere in the -degrees C.

The view from our boilerroom window and yes it is double glazed

  
This morning our thermometer read -32c so the UK is positively tropical.
These low temperatures do tend to bring a different attitude to life. For a start getting up now falls into a pattern, first prepare the mind, then out from under the warm duvet and into the dressing gown, next check outside,{only looking out of the window ha ha} we can tell how cold it is now by counting how many chimneys have smoke coming out of them some in the far distance { the most we have seen is 18, that's a sign it's really cold}

Just some of the chimneys we see from our window

then downstairs, fill the kettle and  put it on, then through the dining room and down into the basement to check the boiler,fill it with wood, open the flue and set the water pump to go,back to the kitchen where the kettle has boiled, make coffee and return to bed, This routine I now have off to a fine art and it takes 6 minutes from start to finish.{ Oh and!! somewhere in there is visit to the bathroom and cleaning my teeth} Oh it's so much more fun than setting a timer to come on half an hour before you wake up.
This last Tuesday  we had notice that there was a parcel to be collected from the Post Office, The weather was beautiful a positively balmy -20c just right for a stroll in the sunshine, so suitably dressed {2 pairs of socks, pants,long johns,trousers, thermal vest, thick warm shirt,and pullover and long scarf all under a windproof,waterproof jacket a beanie hat and to top it off a fur lined hat with ear muffs, My Hands? in a pair of hand made Latvian mittens} looking some what like a Michelin man I set of to collect said parcel.A great walk, a round trip of about 45 minuits  I had a stretch of main road to walk only about 100yds, it seemed that three cars had chosen the same time as I had to travel this particular piece of road and as they passed me they were followed by a great cloud of powdery snow. By the time I reached the Post Office the cold was just beginning to penetrate my nether regions, so it was just as well I could warm myself in the post office before my return home. Of course I couldn't just slip in collect the parcel not a chance, and as I entered I was viewed with some amusement by those already there, one elderly lady made a comment about my trousers being perhaps a  little lightweight, so pulling a trouser leg up just a little I flashed  my long johns she laughed and I got her ok as to wearing the right clothes for the weather. With my parcel safely in a bag my return home was much easier as the wind was at my back
Starting the car also takes some time when the diesel starts to get thicker, as the temperature drops the oil in the sump becomes more like treacle,  the battery just doesn't like the cold. So now the battery lives in the boiler room {the warmest room in the house} while 45minuites before we plan to go out a small fan heater is placed under the bonnet set at maximum to warm the fuel pump and fuel lines, then the battery reinstalled some quickstart sprayed into the engine, a quick prayer and hopefully success.

The lady's have a go.

The best part of the week must be the pensioners club, which met this week at the Stelpe Kitchen { Friends on face book will  have seen the results of this now famous kitchen} the reason of the visit was to have a workshop on English style pastry, please note the modern terminology for what was just a great get together to chat, laugh, drink tea and coffee and enjoy each others company. One lady introduced us to a new cake which she had made for the last meeting. Valerie demonstrated making pastry and introduced everyone to Quiche.It seems pie's and pastry dishes are not done here, so they were very interested in how everything went together, pastry here is quite different, and when our marble rolling pin appeared everyone was facinated by it and it had to be passed round.There was then an oppertunity for anyone who wished to have a go, the results were then put together with food that had been brought and we then shared a meal together.

.We're always more comfortable round a table

Suggesting that we all move into the sittingroom where we would be more comfortable Valerie was firmly told no we are fine here round the diningroom table, and that is where we stayed, drinking more tea and coffee, as for the quiche's, they were eaten before Valerie and I got a chance to try them.
As they were leaving one lady asked,how is your Latvian going? so then there was a discussion in the hallway, and I think they were suitably impressed with the amount of phrases we now know, our pronunciation made them chuckle, but little by little we move forward, and hey! Rome wasn't built in a day was it?
Each time we meet with these lovely folk we feel more and more a part of the community,  it was such a joy this week to see them come and feel at home, altho with thirteen in the kitchen it did at times seem just a tad crowded. Our next meeting is on the 7th of March can't wait!!!! Next time we are back in the village room.


We have had a light dusting of snow over the last two nights, but the temperature this morning is just -11c so it would seem that we are enjoying some of the UKs tropical weather, standing in the sunshine whilst getting logs for the boiler it was really warm and as I said to someone yesterday Spring is just around the corner and the days get longer.
Next week we are looking forwward to a visit from Mark, Shelly, Katie and Olivia  we are keeping our fingers crossed that this weather continues so they can enjoy the winter climate.

RIPPLES IN A POND.

So here we are, already a week into 2012 and soon we shall be saying where did it go?
What does a new year mean to you? to me it's the time to be thankful for blessings past, and the opportunity to look forward to all that lays ahead. New years resolutions for me are not worth making,  I know I will never keep them, good intentions they may be,  Oh I have many aspirations, but they are best kept to myself and then only I will know if they come to fruition or last any time.
I was looking for a wise and sagely quotation, with which to impress,  there are many to choose from but I like this one from Michael J Fox [He of back to the future fame] it is,

"I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business." So I will try harder to be better but leave the finished work to God.

.

So, New Years eve found us deep in Stelpe forest,{didn't get bogged down in mud this time}  with our friends Egils, Sandra and family for what is becoming a tradition for us. Armed with real old fashioned christmas tree candles, sparklers,hot mulled wine and nibbles, we find a suitable Christmas tree, light and decorate it ,then spend a time thinking of loved ones far and near, sing some songs and enjoy a really special time. The forest is so quiet, not a sound.This year the stars were just like diamonds shining in the tops of the trees. Then it was back to Upes Iela to get warm and share just being together, something which sadly does not happen as often as we all would like.

On the stroke of midnight we were all outside to watch the neighbours fireworks, [bit like England] we did invest all of 1.50lat in two hot air paper lanterns which we set off but all to soon they were out of sight and it was back in the warm,for hot drinks and we were into 2012. 

    It seemed a little strange as here we were in the New Year and family and friends were in the old year waiting for the year we already had, with only two hours difference between Latvia and the UK, I still get confused this is not a difficult believe me, heaven help me if we lived farther east than we do.

    I have been asked to give an update on the snow conditions here and up to mid-day today the 7th the situation could be summed up in the technical term used by weathermen 'We ain't got none' but then it all changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye well if I am truthful about an hour and a half and it was white all round. This winter has been a case of!!!

Now you see it!!

Now you don't

   Oops !!!!! Oh no sorry it's gone again

I am told by my Granddaughters that we have just 36 days to get some. {snow that is.} Bit of a tall order but I will see what I can do. {grandads can do the impossible}                                                                This week has been very quiet with not much happening school/village wise, so I got round to making a bannister  for the basement stairs{it's only taken me 14 months } and we painted a couple of walls,went into Bauska to do a bit of shopping,Oh yes I did wash the car!!and the next day it snowed, so perhaps I had better wash it a few more times before the girls come in half term                                      It's Sunday morning now, last one free before Sunday club starts again. Whats that I hear? the door bell, we made sure all the children understood the club starts when they go back to school, can't be visitors!!! Nope it's Victoria and her sister Melanie, just like two bad pennies sure to turn up when you least expect them. We cant turn them away,  they have walked from there home in the cold. So don't go away, as Arni say' I'LL BE BACK!!

Two hours later, having shared our breakfast with them, played games {they like UNO} and made cake's with them I have just returned from taking them home

 Hands washed, apron's on and recipe book at hand, we are probably breaking a dozen or more Health and hygiene rules, plus a load of health and safety edicts. But hey do we care? not a bit we are having fun!!!!

 The cook book is one that Valerie was given as a wedding present and it is still going strong

The finished result

Over the last three and a half years we have learned to expect the unexpected,and take what today offers, good or bad.

 A sad note though this week was learning of the death of the father of one of our Sunday club girls.Making us realise just how uncertain life can be,

 When we left England in 2008 we had no idea what our lives would be like here in Latvia.

We had no mortgage, credit card bills and were debit free,all we had was ours, and yet we realised we didn't own a thing, but just were caretakers of what God had given us to share with those less fortunate than ourselves, so how can we turn away those who ask for help?

And when I took the girls home I remembered something I learned when in primary school in the village I grew up in. I just learned it parrot fashion and I guess it didn't mean anything at that time, It was a prayer written by  St Ignatious of Loyola.

Teach us, good Lord,
to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labour and not to ask for any reward,
save that of knowing that we do your will.

 Though now it has a whole new meaning.                                                                         I leave you with this thought.    One of Valeries favourite illustrations is of a stone being thrown into a very still mirror like pond,then watching the ripples travel out to the furthest bank, likening it to our lives making ripples where we are, though not knowing who we touch or how it effects them. You know you don't have to be a huge rock, you can be just a pebble the size of a pea to make an impression on the surface life. and don't forget think what you are throwing before you let it go!!!

.

TI'S THE SEASON TO BE MERRY

.Angels from the realms of glory

Hi everyone.. greetings.
   This year we spent Christmas we spent with two very dear friends, and yes we enjoyed a full traditional Christmas lunch, they enjoyed themselves so much they want to spend New years eve and day with us, {must be gluttons for punishment} but now I am getting ahead of myself.
On Monday we decided to go to Riga to find a shop that we had been recomended by a friend where we might find some pepermint essence and red food colouring,{needed for pink coconut ice} no problem finding the shop it as it was on our side of the city,it was an Aladin's cave of all things cooking and catering. From spices to foil dishes, dessicated coconut to coffee machine's, a cash and carry open to the public,did they have the one thing we most wanted ! not a drop!!, peppermint essance is just something Latvians don't do. But all the same a very useful place to go
Tuesday 20th we joined with 30 or so folk for a trip to the theatre in Riga  to see a Christmas show, the theme was a christmas visit to all of the EU countries with a song or carol from each one, and it was very entertaining and the dozen or so performers did Great Britian proud with a rendition of 'Deck the hall with boughs of holly, fa la la la,la la la la, and others. The theatre holds about 1500 people and would you believe it the man in front of Valerie and me was an English man

Ten or so days ago when I wrote my last offering I said we would be off to the forest to collect our Christmas tree, so last Wednesday  we set off with the dog to the forest, and it was a little like choosing wallpaper, the conversation went a little like this 'here's a nice one'    'perhaps over here there's a better one'  ' that ones a bit lop sided' ' how about this one?' 'no maybe if we go on a bit there may be a better one' If anyone was watching  it was just like choosing anything where there is a large choice In the end I did the only thing a wise man would do in any situation like this. 'Valerie I said you choose and I will cut it down' so that's what we did,so armed with what we thought was the right shape, size and overall correctness we headed back to the car. ' While we are out lets drive on a bit and give the dog a nice run' I said and we duly headed deeper into the forest, now the road we were on was a little used onewhich is usually no problem but all was well. The loggers had been about and there was only one place where the Mazda slipped a bit so all was well. Lilya loved the run through the woods and then we headed back to the car and home. 'Lilya's had a good run, be nice to get back in the warm and have a cup of tea and a slice of cake,' was the comment I made as we set off, my line of travel was just a tad off, as we reached the dodgy bit of road and as we got to the middle of this patch, the wheels started to spin and we ground to a halt while the wheels continued to spin, Ground to a halt is the correct term in our situation as the car settled down comfortably on its belly, AND WE WERE GOING NO FURTHER!!!!!!
     The words of Corporal Jones from Dads Army came to mind 'Don't panic Capt Mannering'  No worries Valerie all we need is something to give us a bit of grip and we be through it and away for that cuppa, not a dogs chance!! all I could find was some Scots fir branches which still had a few needles on them, would they help! not a bit!! they just went in the front and were spit out the back, I just couldn't find anything that would work and in a forest the size of a small county in England, how frustrating is that!!!!! whats plan B? I know phone a friend first one didn't answer, second one said it's not possible, I'm in Riga and there wasn't a third we could try. { I don't mean we only have two friends, we have many, but not close enough to help out in this situation} so we did the Latvian thing, we gave the problem some thought.
 Whilst this process was going on a young man in a 4X4 came along, 'Is there a problem here ?' he asked I felt like saying no not at all I always park my car up to it's axles in mud in the middle of the road!!!!!!! but he was so nice I didn't have the heart too.{and they just don't understand our English humour} Anyway the next question was more practical ' do you have a rope?  and maybe I can pull you out Great, two broken ropes later I had moved some 12----15 inches  but had gained an audience as a man in a white van had arrived on the scene, with hands on hips he and my would be rescuer discussed the situation as if I didn't exist.{ part of their conversation probably went something like ' see this stupid English man can't drive for toffee,should get himself a four wheel drive, what is he thinking about coming down here in a thing like that.!!!} { donations for a new 4x4 will be most welcome} But now my best buddy turned to me and said 5 minutes and he {the white van man will be back} and sure enough a Latvian 5mins {read 15} he returned with a stronger rope and another man,'well if all else fails perhaps they can push me out' By now I was just an observer watching the experts. First thing was to put the new improved stronger rope round my tow hitch, then around the bar in the 4X4 which the older man did, or thought he had, as when the towing vehicle moved off he found he wasn't connected at all!!. After a few comments by the two other Latvians all was joined correctly and the problem was sorted. 'and we were free. can I give you something for your trouble?, a drink?' I asked only to be told  'This is not necessary, it's what we do.and as the all drove off leaving Valerie and myself still in the middle of the forest but mobile once again. We decided to return via another direction which was about 15k further but much safer all round. And if you think I'm going to put a picture of me stuck in the mud well you've got a another think coming!!
Whilst all this was happening I was reminded of Jesus parable of 'The good Samaritan' So who is my neighbour?? in my case on that day it was three complete strangers who I probably will never see again. And next time I see someone who needs help I hope I might be a neighbour to them. Somewhere in there is a lesson for us all.
By the way the cup of tea and slice of cake we planned tasted all the better after our adventure in the forest, even if it was an hour and a half late.
A stand was made for the tree which Valerie decorated and it looked very festive along with tinsel, Christmas cards, baubles bells and other decorations our sitting room looked very cosy.

.Not sure if attractive is quite the right word.

The Friday before Christmas was the school party/ concert,{ yes the children and teachers were there right up to the 23rd} with the children putting on a show of singing,dancing poetry and a short play followed by none other than Father Christmas complete with his very attractive fairy helper

             

.A happy sing along

.Everyone loves Santa

.I think someone has eaten to much dinner             

 Everyone has to greet Santa with some small song, poem or performance we were joined by the children we teach in a wonderful rendition of 'Head and shoulders knees and toes' Santa loved it and we were duly rewarded with two bags of mini Dime bars,


Then all to soon the party was over and one last day of school before holiday time, yes children and teachers had to be in school right up to Christmas eve. and the teachers were back on the 26th getting ready for the new year.
Talking of which is as I type this only 4 hours away, and we will see the New year in with our friends Sandra and Egil deep in the forest, but that's a story for the first blog of 2012.

It just remains for me to wish you all where ever you are a peaceful and God Blessed New Year.

WILL IT OR WON'T IT ? {that is th question}

Just a reminder of what snow is like.

Yesterday we were told it might snow for Christmas, but then who knows about these things? this is a typical Latvian comment, the other very popular saying is-- and this is accompanied by the shrug of the shoulders ' I don't know' try getting a straight answer from the kids, and you are rewarded with 'maybe' it gets a little frustrating when all you want is a straight answer to a straight question eg Would you like a cup of tea,, a sweet,, a cold drink,,a biscuit or a million other things. Reminds me of customers from Melksham they couldn't make up their minds either but that's another story. But back to the subject of snow, you know that white stuff we were moaning about eight months ago. Apart from some cold and frosty mornings we so far have been very lucky { some friends to the east have had a light sprinkling}we've not seen any snow so far {sod's law will determine tomorrow when we wake up the place will be covered in it}

Just a card roll and a bit of crepe paper simple!!

       Well anyway theres not a lot we can do about the weather,so, swiftly moving on. this week we were in full production mode making the sweeties for the pensioners party,and as with most things we seem to do theres always something extra so it was mince pies for everyone and a candle for the table, each holding a mandarin orange.
One of the nicest things about life here is the fact that however small a thing might be people do not look down there noses but are happy with the simplest of things. At this time of the year one can get so caught up with the commercial side of things that we loose sight of the simpler things that bring so much enjoyment. Yes here in Latvia we see the start of the season turning into a knees up for the shop keepers, but it doesn't start until halfway through November unlike the UK when Christmas things start to appear in what? August!!! Even today I read on Facebook someone has seen 'mini eggs' on sale still the great god Tesco or ASDA must be fed otherwise their wrath will fall and food supplies will cease. Heaven forbid!!!!

Our table.

Better get of my soap box now, and back to the party. It is so nice to join with our pensioner friends and we know that a seat will be saved for us should we be a little late.We seem to have fallen in with our own special group and always share the same table. A table I hasten to add that is always laden with home made apple cake, pies and savouries,which this year included mince pies and quiche,and as always the odd bottle of home made moonshine,'hic'and this years sample was a very fine brew { not that I'm an expert in any way shape or form, I just tried it 'for medicinal purposes only you understand} the first impression was 'by golly this would make a very fine paint stripper' but it did warm the cockles of your heart. With a warm glow all around, or perhaps just in my head, we settled down for the entertainment. To start there was a dance performed by the small children from school. They were a joy to watch and the expressions on each face made it all the more enjoyable.

The girls were able to show off their pinafores a new addition to their outfit, these were paid for out of a gift given by the choir 'Con Brio' and I am sure you will agree they look very pretty in them. The afternoon continued with musical items poetry and even a 'belly dancer' life is full of surprises. I'm told she was very good but again what do I know about these things??? Valerie said my eyes were popping out like organ stops, but you can't believe everything she says can you? After the subdued lighting was removed the, adult dancers had there opportunity to show off a couple of new dances

This was followed by what could only be called a Latvian version of a pantomime, most enjoyable to watch but difficult to explain, it involved an old couple who it seemed adopted a porcipine{or hedgehog }who played with the pigs,but was just waiting for the beautiful princess to find him and restore him to the handsom prince he once was. Well I think that was the gist of it there was a king and two sisters? and a court jester in there somewhere. The porcupine/hedgehog was played by the school's principal, oh what a gem she is!!!!!,she also played the part of santa's fairy helper, and really kept him in his place,, especially when the belly dancer was performing!!!!.

Just you behave yourself or I'll tell your wife!!!!!

    But like all good things it had to come to an end, we finished with Santa giving small gifts to each pensioner {remember the box's from last week, containing coconut ice and peppermint creams} and a time of comunity singing accompanied by a young man playing a piano accordian, and the we drifted of into the sunset in a warm rosy glow, {in our dreams} it was cold ,wet and dreary, but with a snifter of home made brew we were at least warm inside 'hic hic' I think it could be summed up by saying, 'A good time was had by all'
 Whats on the agenda for this week, well !!!!!!   we have a leak in the front of the house and which was  down the sitting room wall, so that MUST,  be fixed,also logs to bring over from the barn or we will go cold, and bits still to do in the garden, we have another film night for the teenagers {with pizza}and this week we will go and choose our christmas tree from the forest. oh !! so many to choose from,,,,,,,,every home in Stelpe is allowed a tree  from the Stelpe forest..
Will it snow???,,,,,, 'I don't know,  mmmmmm,,,,,,maybe' !!!!!we shall just have to wait and see won't we?


.

LIFE CAN BE VERY SWEET

First things first. How many nuts does a mouse store for winter??? I'm sure that you all want to know who won the competition !!!! No???-------- Because of the lack of entry's the competition was declared null and void. Sorry to disappoint you all, but for the two of you who did respond the answer is 548, yep I counted every one that little cache held that many hazelnuts.
                                                                                                                    
Tis finished !!!  the showers done ,,,looks good and  thanks to our local motor mechanic  [ he really is]   who made our custom built shower curtain rail,,now all tried and tested   and I can report ,it all works very well,    ,we are now thinking of selling tickets and having conducted tours,      Our friend Barbara sent us some bluebell bulbs{12 for which we are very grateful } the other day and we are carefully planing where to put them,, would they be good in the orchard ? or better under the Hazel nut trees ?and then again maybe under the apple trees in the front lawn decisions decisions, oh dear, my head  hurts better have a lie down.

Say it with flowers

There are not many things {apart from family} we miss about England but a good tasty Cheddar cheese and bluebell woods would probably come pretty near the top of the list if we had to make one. Another thing in Barbara's parcel was indeed a block of welsh cheddar, and !!! Oh  boy !!!   did it taste good,!!!!     Under the cheese and bluebells was a copy of the Daily Mail, , another thing we don't really miss  ,, all the depressing news in it,,,

Made it to the frontpage of the local paper

If you remember in last weeks blog I mentioned ' The official envelope' well as mentioned we were invited to the Independence Day celebration and it went like this----
We arrived at about ten to seven thinking we would be OK for a seat only to find the hall packed solid with more people arriving by the Minute, it seemed all the seats were taken so it was standing room only, great ,!! but these concerts only last about two hours so we should be fine. The frustrating bit was that as more folk came in it seemed they wanted to get a better view and just stood in front of us,being reserved English gentle folk ,of course ,,,,we did the right thing and took a step backwards only to allow more people to push in front.We were just resigning ourselves to hearing and not seeing it all,,, when the principal of Stelpe school came pushing through the crowd ,,,,grabbed Valerie's hand and said you come with me. No! no! no!, we are OK here,,,,  but she insisted we follow her. Now have you ever had that feeling that everybody is watching you ,,well we did at that moment, she took us right up to near the front of the hall and in her best principals voice said 'you sit here'  {and don't move}

Our award which now sits proudly in our sitting room

yes teacher Dagmara. and so we sat, had a smashing view of the entertainment which started with a choir of youngsters who's age must have ranged from 7 to 16 they sang a couple of songs and then the leader of Vecumnieku novada {district} with his second in command ,presented certificates,and bouquets to various members of the community ,, this was followed by Vecumnieki choir 'Via Stella' who sung a cappella. This was then followed by more awards, the two choirs then joined and sang again, and then left the hall. By this time the temperature in the hall had risen to just a bit above comfortable,, then came a  third set of awards, we now found out why we had been taken from the back of the hall ,to sit near the front, our names were read out,and we had also been given a certificate and a beautiful bouqet,  in the Latvian colours     and  friends from the village came forward and added  more gifts of flowers to our arms which were already filled ,,,,,, it was a most moving experience as there must have been 300 people present. To have been chosen by people in the village, and shown the appreciation of the whole area, is quite a humbling thing. The wording on the certificate goes something like this,----
 Honorary certificate, for patronage and selfless involvement of public life by promoting rural life in the Stelpe parish.

home made gift box's

peppermint creams and coconut ice

The time for Christmas celebrations is almost upon us once again and our calendar is getting quite full, we kick off with the pensioners party on the 3rd and we are preparing small gifts for everyone this year the Stelpe Kitchen is making peppermint creams dipped in dark chocolate and vanilla and chocolate coconut ice tastefully presented in gift box's and all home made. We did make fudge but it was so good we ate it all.

English Liquorice allsorts made in Holland!!!!

One great find we made this week when shopping in Bauska, we now have a shop that sells everything from Q tips to W D 40, bicycle's to toilet rolls, yes and now liquorice allsorts, {made in the Netherlands} Is nothing made in England anymore??????

Not quite Basset's but very acceptable,,, Sunday Club,, well,!!  it  should  at 10.30  but it seem that however hard we try to impress this on the children's minds we make no impression at all, last week at 9.15 there was a knock on the door and when opened  a little girl of seven called Viktoria greeted me with a very wide smile and 'good morning Roger Sunday club'?? perhaps next time she will get the time right.  we have no club this week, due to our second 'Kids church' on friday, 
So we see our days are made up of precious moments which make life sweet , maybe they contain a lot of sugar or maybe they are just as this weeks blog show being appreciated for just doing what we consider ordinary day to day things. Life here in Stelpe continues to be good.