Hello everyone ; everyone who reads my ramblings ...
I have been in England for the last month because...I was babysitting for my daughter who took a nice trip to Germany to see friends and my eldest was awaiting her second child's entrance into this world .
The month was long for reasons that will become apparent ...
Upon my return I want to chronicle the highlights and experiences I went thru ; journalling for my benefit as well as sharing joy and lessons learned .

It is so lovely yet exhausting to be sole carer , not the physical tiredness , this is inevitable - but the responsibility of all round caring for little ones . What I want to focus in on here is the amazing job today's mum's do in giving their offspring  such rich life experiences and emotional stability on a daily basis .
My initial week was spent going to the park / science museum / and Art gallery in Walsall .
Apart from the visits to these facilities , sharing with other children , learning how daily life unfolds , and learning patience were the major lessons the girls were exposed to .
Wow ; what amazing arenas for learning we encountered ...
a) waiting for the swing as exuberant older children would not relinquish !!!!
b) Wonderful play areas , showing how health centres work / cafes' operate and the science of music can be discovered .

c) engaging with ME (mina) who sought to flow in with Anouk. I needed to understand how she communicates at this stage of her life (18mths)  this was patience on her behalf as if you had not guessed !!!!

I am very glad that my girls have decided to be "stay at home mums'  - not least because they will get to see all the stages blossoming and unfolding beautifully before their eyes and this is such a treasure .
The girls also experienced other young children abseiling for charity  / being exposed to Art on their level and general amazing creative projects helping the community .

I just love watching children engaged in imaginative play

....Fanfare upon completion !!!!!

I have included this image because I like it !!!!!  the colours look good enough to eat ....

This blog will highlight the first part of my England trip and bring you on board with my eventful month.

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...........

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 ....