Sunday, September 16, 2012

Everyday life in Tirana consists of finding groceries in the market and this is what you discover when you explore around ....


 This Graffiti adorns one of the entrances to the market , I don't know what to make of this; do I like it ? well it certainly has taken a lot of work , at least I can appreciate that aspect ...


 Sights and sounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 Accommodation in the city - is a choice between high rises like the above or the old fashioned villa below, hidden behind old doors and looking extremely other worldly and abandoned/beautiful.

 Two shops here - the fishmongers and the cheeseshop .......the guys also wanting to be in the picture !!!!

 The graveyard of beautiful old nikons etc  ; I should open a sanctuary and rescue them, putting them into good homes ......

 This is a school desk , I came across it on the pavement /outside a shop on the street ...

 This is the teacher or someone's sweetheart; a lot of learning has gone on in this establishment , hope they find it useful for their future !!!

 Jesus can't see: for he dropped his glasses  ...and the sun is so bright !!!!
 Bicycles for sale , in the street parallel to us - a whole street of activity with repairs going on in full view- lovely to be a part of the buzz .


 David thought it would be cool to show me working,
 notice how big the desk is ! and that is obviously going to cause you to be so impressed with my work ethic ....  notice also though how pretty is the table adornment ?  reds and creams ..giving rise to concentration and increased focus for the task at hand ...

 While David was away in England I decided to take a trip out t o Krujie to do a little browsing .
 Here are my companions are they not fragrant ? in this courtyard is a lovely secluded cafe' and pizza parlour - so we will return, but this day I just took these lovely shots; of the girls and these exquisite fragile blooms ............



 This is a selection of views from my kitchen window ; I love September - not least for the interesting skies and clouds created , when the sun goes down.





I wanted to cheer myself up , so I wrote a blog - post having had my bicycle stolen ; it does not have a specific theme ,but I needed to have some diversion /looking away from me and not being bitter ......
thank you to all you lovelies who read this/ you sent some lovely thoughts my way and now I don't feel so numb.
Looking forward to going to the airport and picking up my daughter , she comes for a holiday and I want to show her all the Albania I know...........








Sunday, September 2, 2012

A fading Summer's Glory..

  The days are moving nicely from stifling heat into Indian Summer September ...... beautiful !!!!.
This selection is a montage of all that we have done in August , and I think it is a fitting bountiful harvest ..
Going up the mountains in a cable car was a brave thing to do; but well worth it  and the picture is my panic pose ...
 The view from the top is spectacular and worth doing again when the haze has retreated .

A house becomes a home when there is a 'house warming' and so we dutifully obliged- inviting the Neighbours with whom we have made connection.




 I am  enjoying being here so far ; and look forward to the Autumn getting to know everyone.
 To round off August we took a trip to our home across the border with Friends
 Here they are on top of the world !

 The view on a clear day is stunning
 Here is a Glorious / Glittery Albanian wedding in full swing , It is the second one we were privileged to attend, and everyone is one the dance floor ...

 The Bride ( I'm glad to say) was so into the party and not afraid to 'strut her stuff'
 It was a fantastic party atmosphere
 This couple loved being together and watching them was a joy
Our table with special friends .
This is the last of this Summer's wine
2012 was a good vintage ; September is wonderfully upon us ; I shall relish this Autumn and share it with you ....