Letter from Espargal: 25 October 2014

INSIDE THE AYASOFYA MUSEUM IN ISTANBUL. THE STEPS WERE COVERED WITH FINE COIR MATTING THAT THE CATS LOVED.

This week's blog is an exercise in putting up some of the cruise pictures that didn't make it last week - with snippets of news to accompany them.

GAZING DOWN ON THE TAXIS WAITING FOR BUSINESS IN NESSEBAR AFTER OUR TOUR OF THE HISTORIC PENINSULA TOWN IN BULGARIA.

WED 15. Home from our cruise. Ian and Anne met us at Loule station. The dogs went bonkers with joy at our return. It was good to get away and good to get back.

JONES AT HER MOST QUIZZICAL IN NESSEBAR'S SMALL, DRAB DOCKYARD, WITH A FLOATING DOCK BEHIND HER.

THUR 16. Anneke, one of our Dutch neighbours, came around to say hello. The dogs rushed to the gate to meet her and one of them nipped her behind. The episode was more concerning than serious. I hope it was just an excess of excitement. We don't want any biting dogs.

Ian and Anne headed north to the Alentejo, where they plan to spend several days. They deserve a break. They've done us proud.

SEABIRDS IN NESSEBAR ILLUSTRATE THE REAL PURPOSE OF HEROIC STATUES

FRI 17. We went to look at two apartments that estate agents were waiting to show us on behalf of Natasha.

For some time we've been trying to find something that suits both her taste and her budget. These two didn't do the trick.

IT WAS ON THE 11TH DECK CIRCUIT THAT JONES WOULD PUT IN HER LAPS EACH DAY. STAIRS AT THE BOW AND STERN LED UP TO A 12TH DECK FOR THOSE WHO WANTED ADDITIONAL EXERCISE

SAT 18. Back to Loule to inspect yet another apartment.

This one we liked but it was priced well above our limit. We put in an offer anyhow.

TURKISH JEWELLERY SHOPS HAD SHELVES FULL OF THESE BRACELETS. WE CONSIDERED BRINGING BACK ONE OR TWO UNTIL WE LEARNED THAT THEY WERE MADE OF SOLID 22 CARAT GOLD.

SUN 19. We caught up with the local expats at our customary Sunday Hamburgo brunch. Anneke said her bottom was feeling better.

BARBARA LIKED TO WATCH THE SUN RISE AND SET

MON 20. This day marks 35 years of marriage, exactly half of our lives. It didn't go well. Jones caught her thumb in the car door as she closed it behind her. It was very painful. We hunted in vain for some ice to wrap it in. The nail has gone black.

Monday also brought a May lunch and my first English class of the new academic year.

Anne and Ian returned, ahead of an early departure in the morning. We dined out.

THIS TIME THE SUN RISES OVER TRABZON IN TURKEY. THE WEATHER WAS IDEAL. THERE WAS HARDLY A DROP OF RAIN THROUGH-OUT THE CRUISE

TUES 21: We are into a heat wave. Temps are forecast close to C30* all week.

The apartment owner has come back with a counter-proposal. We raised our offer in return.

I spent the afternoon spraying thorny weeds in the park.

IT'S THE BIRD THAT MAKES THE PICTURE OF THE DOCKS AT CONSTANTA

WED 22. We agreed a compromise figure with the owner of the apartment. The estate agency has sent the papers to our lawyer. If she's happy, we shall probably finalise the purchase early next month.

I spent several hours ploughing the fields, including the field that we bought last month. It gives us the entire lower block of land adjacent to ours. A neighbour tells us that the plot will one day be very valuable - even if we're not around to appreciate it.

TV channels are full of the drama being played out in and around the Canadian parliament.

We're lucky to have a dearth of screwballs here in Portugal.

AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE LAWS OF PERSPECTIVE. TWO CELEBRITY SHIPS, THE CONSTELLATION AND THE REFLECTION, SIDE BY SIDE IN KUSADASI

THUR 23: We went shopping while Natasha cleaned the ground floor of the house, as usual.

It's hot. We walked latish and then sat on the front patio, drinks in hand, to listen to the birds, insects and dogs. I reflected to Jones that this was as good a place as any to live.

THE CAT HOUSE AT THE GATE TO THE TOPKAPI PALACE MUSEUMS IN ISTANBUL

FRI 24: I finished ploughing the minor fields.

Everywhere the fine green carpet that sprang up after the rains early in October, has now wilted in the heat.

AND A CLOSE-UP OF THE KITTEN THAT YOU CAN SEE BOTTOM RIGHT ABOVE. I BOUGHT A NEW CAMERA AHEAD OF OUR TRIP AS OUR OLD ONE WAS DRIVING US TO DISTRACTION WITH ITS FOCUS MECHANISM. THE NEW ONE, A NIKON COOLPIX, SERVED US WELL.

TWO WOMEN FROM THE SHIP, SITTING IN THE SQUARE IN CONSTANTA. WE OCCASIONALLY SAW THEM TOGETHER IN OUR FAVOURITE LOUNGE ON THE SHIP - ALTHOUGH WE SELDOM SAW THE SAME PASSENGER TWICE. WE LIKED IT THAT WAY.

SAT 25: Slavic is coming to work. There's lots to be done. There always is.

DIOGENES, OUTSIDE THE MUSEUM IN SINOP, TURKEY, WOULD HAVE HAD SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THE SCENE AROUND HIM

That's enough blogging for one week.

THE 10TH DECK BAR WHERE I WOULD GENERALLY ORDER A CAMPARI AND SODA. THE HAT CAME OFF ONLY AT MEALS AND AT NIGHT.

BY SPECIAL JONES REQUEST - A BLOOD MOON RISES OVER TRABZON. MY WIFE TAKES A KEEN INTEREST IN THE SKIES. SHE NOW GETS DAILY FEEDS FROM "EARTHSKY.ORG", RECOMMENDED BY ANN BENSON.