From Bradford To Bulgaria the journey begins.
Well were off said our goodbyes for a while,kids looking on with obvious in-trepidation no words just silent fears and the knowledge that our sense of direction is not should i say our best asset but with our trusty satnav [ a brill invention ] its go go go ! 12.30am October 6th 2007 and the tunnel awaits.
Well its been a good journey got lost a couple of times but hey even satnav's make mistakes and there were road works,boarding the tunnel a real weird experience Bonn voyage England!hello France.
4.30 Oct 6th,have stopped to rest outside Metz there are rest stops all along the route with loo's petrol,and shops the roads in France are toll
maybe that's why the facilities are good and no rubbish at all shows that frogs aren't all bad anyway this stop is hidden in fur tree's really beautiful!put the kettle on which we just found after almost emptying the van first tea of the day yum yum!well whacked see you tomorrow.
2.30 our time Oct 6th,up again had good nights sleep tea cheese and ham sarnies for brekie.
On the road France more hilly lots of trees and more farming the weather has got cooler the nearer we get to Germany still lovely during the day,scenic views of hills and valleys,small villages,churches very pretty.
Crossing the German boarder no stopping haven't shown passport once yet more tree's there must be the leaders in the tree stakes.
Have stopped for lunch tea in a picnic area [with loo,s]may i add all along the rouge clean and tidy although the men here seem to pee on a tree or there cars ah well can't have everything,Germans drive like loonies very pushy.
The roads we are travelling connects the European countries from Calais,the France roads cost us around 30.00euros not cheap,petrol[diesel] 1.37e.
Jazz sat on my knee prole wondering were the hell he is nothing new there then so far so good night night.
9.30 am Oct 7
Straight through Austrian boarder no paper work good this still on euros this country is fantastic beautiful beyond words but I'll try any way hills and mountains bathed in sunshine with little chalets and churches so clean they all look freshly painted facilities are yet again good oh not forgetting the mountains like great giants looming down as we travel the road and the tree lined lakes just unbelievable! there i managed.
Arrived at the Hungarian boarder we sit in the van deciding how many euros to change into lieu's slight disagreement maths not a strong point with me and this totally baffled me mind you not as much as we baffled the guy in the office as well as money we had to get a vignette? there form of road tax 4 days the lowest and a year the longest 6 euros .
Hungry the country very much like Bulgaria miles of flatland then into forest areas this is were western Europe and eastern meet and the difference is easy to see the houses are very much more like Bulgarian with rendered walls and red tiled roofs.this is a very popular lorry route and they ain't half big and guess what "Tesco World" well that's life.
Into Romanian same day making good time so far unfortunately that's about to change the roads or we should say tracks are horrendous must be the poorest EEC country and is going to take years to sort out you have to see it very slow progress not really impressed have pulled over for food and rest doesn't feel particular safe but that could be our western way suspicious.
6.30 Oct 8
Have slept OK no loo's that's a pain in more ways then one never mind off we go again heading for the ferry? didn't no there was a river to cross we are now travelling along the river side and i must say its the best bit of Romania though David would disagree and Jazz by now doesn't give a fig ! at the dock we get into line and wait until the block with the tickets gets to us no rush, nice man and speaks a little English got ticket 6 euro then have a ferry tax to pay 50 euros bit steep but no argument if you don't speak the lingo.
Half hour and we are in Bulgaria! yes we've done it !!!!! mind you we've to travel another 300 miles yet have decided to pull over for the night and have yet more soup and bread i might loose weight yet.With full tums we settle down the nights are very very dark over here and quite eerie.
3am October 9
Flashing lights and sirens nearly give us a heart attack! what a picture two fifty somethings trying to fight there way out of sleeping bags in the pitch black with 2 feet head space not a pretty sight David in full panic mode as was I climbing over the drivers seat and out the door to face the local Bulgarian Constable,bobbies, boys in blue ah po'litsia that it,wanting us to drive 4 kilometers to a safer parking area how nice even if we both in total shock,needless to say we didn't stop again decided to stay on the road.
We are travelling towards Sofia and have to cross the mountains to Stara Zagora.
Oct 10
The climb begins and what a climb miles up and down the other side quite terrifying and amazing! about quarter way then sudden stop? this road is at pres the major route there is another road but this has been closed for 2 years don't no why at pres there is a rather large cue of mainly lorries with agitated Bulgarian men strutting up to the blockage we turn the engine off and breath a shy of relief a rest. A gentleman came over to talk he spoke good English and we had along chinwag waiting for the police to remove the lorry which had overturned an hour later were off again climbing up up the road is very steep and narrow no wonder it is impassable in winter an experience we will not be doing again for a long time.etc
Oct 11
On our way again soon be there now we've lost track of time and are absolutely worn out parking outside the office David goes for the keys hurrah!!!!!!! check time 5.20 pm calling at supermarket then home!
Right get in the door find the kettle and unpack the van get to bed .
9.30 Oct 12
Woken up to a lovely day having plenty cups of tea,before surveying the domain don't no when we'll get going still jet-lagged if you can be driving wont do much today waved to neighbours spending day exploring.
4.00 Oct 12
Met Laina and Lubo (the hunter) they brought us some honey fresh from the hive very nice.he was in his time a Bulgarian champ at hunting on ski's (i think) no our cup of tea but there nice people.
Oct 13 sometime in morning
Driving to Yambol for a few things roads bit of a nightmare think its going to take a bit of time to recover cant really believe we've driven 2000 miles across 6 countries and got lost before we left England!
Oct some time.
Our next door neighbour Damita has arrived to do some winter tiding he and his wife who we haven't yet met stay in Yambol through winter and spend there summers here in Turnava He was an officer in the military until January when he is retired his wife works in the bank. David asks him about our boiler old knackered thing 3 hours later he had it working speaks a little English too lovely man.(we are neighbours so we help each other i help you you help me).
Oct some time
Every morning sees the daily routine first the sound of the bell as the lead goat wanders along followed bye a heard of 20ish and a old shepherd chatting away to them an oldish lady with 2 goats then someone else with some more,them the cows arrive herded by Valu (driver)to us because we mime driving the van and point to the cows da da da!we have great laughs with him who also is one of village security quite a giggle really.
Today after the usual visits Baba Dinka called round (grandma Dinka) with some goats milk (an acquired taste) after the usual understandable chat about the fig tree i think, David put his hand into the tree and produced an orange the old lass nearly had a fit she found it very amusing it was one of those moments unforgettable.
28th Oct
Today was a come down to earth day we set off to yambol and in Chargan village next to Turnava a large pig was in the process of becoming Sunday lunch etc etc this you have to except as part of village life animals are for food most i must say look pretty well kept.As we turned the corner on our return home a goat was in the same unfortunate predicament no I'm afraid i couldn't keep a goat take it out to grass talk to it pet it then eat it! not me not me at all.(but you never no given the circumstances}
4th Nov 2007
Its a very special day our 35th Wedding Anniversary!not that we remembered until late morning as we were waiting for our long awaited windows tomorrow,the next day, day after that,finally there here yippee!!!! oh 2 windows 1 door bugger. things are slightly lopsided here, anyway Ivan starts to unload out of a LADA!glass frames and himself with Davids help, the guy must be 60 or so so with amusement I watch as the Master of the aluminium window and new assistant set to work, not what David or I had in mind funny old world this Bulgaria!
(happy anniversary)
15th Nov 2007.
A few events since my last entry Toni our interpreter from the company we bought the house from took us to register with the police which you must do within the first month what a going on you need a bank account to get bank ref for the police passports driving licence's then you find they shut for lunch god it took all afternoon still no more windows or wood for winter nothing arrives on time.We've met some new neighbours Mick Irish sounds Canadian and Sonia who is Bulgarian seem nice have offered to take us round yambol and help with the language they are having a house renovated and have a apartment in yambol were not 100% sure about them what a suspicious lot we Brits are but better to be say than sorry we shall see.
The strangest and most annoying thing this month so far is the van which up to now had been totally trouble free anyway last week the oil light started to stay on when the van was turned off, and then when the ignition was off and the keys out it started up and because it was in gear set off up the garden luck had it David was still in and managed to stall it very strange the battery was flat by now but for safety we took it off and rang the RAC they sent a tow truck and off David and driver to the garage where they put a new battery on charged 160Lev and said it was OK.A smiling David returned and parked up no prob later we decided to put the van up the drive and yes you've guest it wouldn't turnoff so he took it round the block hoping it might help,well faithful dog and me waited ,and waited ,then round the corner came a mad man totally breathe less shouting for the fire extinguisher off he went me following after locking dog in.As i arrived watched by a crowd of curious neighbours Mike and Sonia pulled up we found David looking in the engine poor van she smelt very hot and unwell starter motor shot.After a tow home Sonia said she'd ring the garage and David rang the RAC in a more than harassed mood.So now we are van less and awaiting a hire car RAC took the van away again don't no how long for.
On a lighter note i went round to baba Dinka and she showed me the art of bottling pears off our tree these pears are really hard and a bit like a cooking apple to taste we cut them up put them in jars with sugar and water that was that had a good conversation what about I've no idea who cares.
19th Nov
hooray!!!!!!the van is returned today and the corsa goes back we haven't really used it because the rain has fallen for 4 days and its stuck in a swamp which was the drive outside the garden what was a dip in the land has become a gushing stream and the village has water rushing through in all directions!! the hire company struggled to retrieve there car in the peeing rain and them offered to take us to town to pick our trusty steed up rather nice considering we got in their brand new cream interiered B M Dub in muddy shoes and soaking clothes (no prob)luv these people!
on arriving home our Bulgarian friend had us put the van on the Russians drive next door great considering there was no way she was going in the swamp.Mick and Sonia called on there way home to see if we were OK and did we want a sheep for the freezer (dead of course sorry Em).All this rain has done little for the house the room window is piddling in rain at a rather unhealthy pace and the door isn't fairing any better (Ivan the destroyer is in for destruction)but the petchka and room stove are keeping us nice and warm the fridge freezer is full and even in the rain the misty mountains are something else.
22ND Nov.
At last Ivan the destroyer and his little secret (sledge hammer)is back to put the upstairs windows in we voice our complaints and he says no problem i fix (we see) he delivered them last night so were up 8 am to take the old windows out hopefully to put the sledge hammer out of action doing well three frames out the rest loose 12.30 no Ivan so we have lunch after we place the new frames in looking good only one prob the opening handles aren't opposite each other ones a good 2" above the other we are not happy, no Ivan old windows out and in pieces new windows no good can't do any more so we lock upstairs and find something else to do.......
Ah the new toy i forgot David has a chainsaw a fearsome thing needed to cut our supply of logs lack of communication lead us to think someone was going to chop them up so we waited and waited of course the weather was crap and 20 Lev the lot about £8 would i no way.so we arrive with this thing and so do's the bloke to do the logs really nice lad shows him how to us the saw safely and both get on with the task in hand David do's the labouring occasionally using the said weapon we chat when there done and he asks if we have children he now wants to marry Paula not a bad days work.
Baba Dinka callers David to cut a pile of logs for her organ(fire)as usual she's dead suited and we come home with a jam-jar of wine (wish i could get the taste for it)
Think were getting known people wave at us as we pass mind we do have a strange habit of picking them up at the village bus stop if there going our way.
Well this Nov seems full of strange happenings today Friday Laina called with some pears clever me had picked her some fruit from the tree in our garden don't know what they are called they look like a large rose hip or crab apple and there rip from now to Christmas they go brown inside and look like an apple when its bruised soft and we would chuck it there loved here i think they taste like dates not bad anyhow Laina asked were the TV was (only got our old portable and it only has a picture no sound here so its on the wardrobe in the room with the bed as were living down stairs at pres and don't have time to watch anyway)in a strange sign language she got the message well almost after doing somersaults with the Aerial and trying to persuade the wood cutter to clime on the bed to mend it (thank goodness he was in work gear or no drought he would have)she gave up and trotted off with her bag of fruit .the wood cutter had called to finish some logs and get paid but after hearing about the TV prob insisted that David go home with him so he could show him the aerial needed so off they went well i waited and waited and waited finally the hero returned worse for were due to a very potent drink called racki mum had made him tea dad gave him racki followed with tomato juice sounds yuk! David said it was really nice he had a ball on Tuesday there going for sky TV cost 100 Lev setup 12 Lev month that's like £35+£5 per month.Mind you we only wanted sound.
Today Saturday 24th (i think)
Ivan finally came back to finish after leaving us windowless because clever us never thought when taking them out that he would miss 2 days off he went to start David and i watching on none too happy.Now for our next trick last night the bloody van got stuck in the mud hole we call a drive so we decided to leave it until we could see the best way to get it out,we put stones and sand under the wheels Ivan and assistant saw us and promptly downed tools to help by towing us out with the trusty Lada (great machine) but didn't happen then Damita next door turned up all smart in black jacket and trousers did he care no got stuck right in so there we all were 5 trying in vain to unstuck the unstickable! van going deeper and deeper in the mud lada no good ah we need tractor so of Ivan's assistant went to find and sure enough he returned with a tractor plough and 2 more unknowing assistants everyone got busy tying rope and off we went but no go the rope snapped never mind Damita went for a steel rope but meanwhile David had looked under the van which had sunk and got wedged on a tree stump after some discussion the jack was called for and the van was up stones were wedged under and the tractor was off again she was out you had to see this to believe it fantastic what can you say i must admit i was a little choked to say the least after shaking hand and many thank-you's all went back to there business,how do you give a stuffing to a window fitter(not)who has towed your van or tryed to and dug the wheels out etc well simple you can't.
December 17th.
I'm a bit late with this entry we're always so busy and time goes so fast, it is may I say bloody cold -7ish started snowing on Friday night Saturday morn midnightish I had off course to go out and take photo's which you can see on our website set up by Emma our youngest and may I say thanks its real good fun! anyway got about 6" of snow and we haven't ventured out in the van since just been to our local shop were we practiced our "Bulgaski" with some success they understood.The cold has stopped us in the garden and the sand's frozen anyway which is a first for use so we've carried on tiling oh what fun (not).
Nearly forgot a few days before the snow stopped play we went to Yambol for some tile cement and things while paying at the building yard we tryed asking if they sold tile cutters a customer stepped in to help they didn't but he new a shop that did off he went David in tow leaving me and dog in the van.the chapi took David down the road into his bar showed him around then took him via back door into a shop introduced him to the manager and then proceeded to show the tile cutters.David in the rush hadn't got anymore money from me and was as you say court short but in true Bulgarian style the chap (name we forgot) lent him 20 Lev cant believe these people we have decided to visit his bar for a meal when the snow lets us out.
Yes its here again cant believe its a year since last Christmas,and the anniversary of my old dads death god bless much loved and missed.
December 25th.
Well its been a very quiet Christmas not really like Christmas at all, which is ok cos it takes my mind of home and kids a little (who am i kidding ) anyway we had a nice dinner talked to Paula and Emma and yes you've guest it carried on tiling.
Hooray! today Sunday the 30th we have completed the kitchen floor and the Petchka's area and also the hall oh clever us!!! about 24square meters in all only 20 sq meters of room to go HELP of course we have still a kitchen to fit and the walls to do.
No more to report at pres so Happy New Year to all our family and friends .
January 1st.
What a good night we had last night,thanks to Sonia and Mike our friends they took us to the Riverside Hotel in Yambol which is owned by one of there friends Petra we had a meal of salad, followed by pork and veg and then cheese cake this was served from 8 pm and by 2 hadn't had sweet takes a long time to eat here .The dancing was fun and the drink flowed very freely too freely I'm very fragile today.
January 2nd.
Well its happened again the snow I mean about 2 ft in parts of the garden which may I say is pretty much of a disaster if your a little dog wanting a wee one look out and with no hesitation Jazz retreated back to bed amazing how long he can hold his er water in a difficult situation (I'll chuck him out later,with his coat on of course) Looking at the situation it is quite obvious we ain't going any were for a while and joy of joys the leci keeps going on and off what fun .David has make a snowman on the window sill it looks like an alien and he's stuck silver foil on it for eyes which is all very well except when I peep out of the curtains the bloody thing nearly gives me a heart attack .
January 8th.
Another day stuck in ,the snow is not moving very fast even though the sun throes it through the day the minus temp freezes it again and our poor old van comes to a swift halt give or take a slide or 2 3 4 on anything with any hint of water in it .Our friends Sonia and Mike come to the rescue again bringing us supplies from Yambol but it is getting a bit of a drag.Have put some more tiles down and been out chopping wood ,David has however hurt himself feeding a cat out of the window he leaned out and slipped on the tv wire knocking his ribs and rendering himself unworkable for a while and is in quite a lot of pain at the mo poor love. Never the less when Valou needed to get the car out at the Russians we both went and helped him (Tarnava people help each other) we're dead selfless aren't we.
Did I mention a Russian couple own next door? they only come in the summer hum is this a case of mad dogs and English men Valou looks after the house for them, and the car and sky tv etc etc etc we look forward to meeting them.
This week being a little board we have been doing some photo taking of the wild life ,well some birds anyway woodpecker sparrows blue tits and cats that spend more time sat in our makeshift bird table eating anything we put in it rather then mousing ,this place is vast with forests and fields all around us the budding David Bailey's heaven (not) we haven't seen hide or hare!!! of anything else no deer,or wild Boer, this leads us to the conclusion that the Bulgarian Hunter Gatherers namely our friend Lubo and co have scared them into a game of hide and stay hidden, ah well the old cat and dog will have to do tried the mice to fast!
January 14th.
This week we've had groceries delivered again and then went with Sonia and Mike to Yambol for some dreaded tile cement and a look
round a nice few hours,the roads were awful with thick ice and snow piled high glad we haven't tried to go out in the van we would have gone sledging again in a lot bigger way!
We saw the most fantastic thing on the way an Eagle just after it had caught its prey yuk!you may say but what a wonder to see in the wild snowy countryside seemed to fit perfectly that was the second amazing thing, yesterday I saw an eagle swoop down just outside the garden these unexpected treats make up for some of the boredom we are felling at pres.
After finishing the wall tiles in the kitchen alcove were the "petchker"(oven)goes we proceeded to put it back in its place,look the chimney off and knowing how sooty this task can be put news papers over the floor careful,careful,easy,oh great not too much muck. David took part of the thing out to clean it, the other piece yep you've guest it fell off the chair soot sort of fluttered all over some how total missing the news papers ah well that's sods law.
January 28th.
What an event full month this is turning out to be,yesterday was the first time we have been out under our own steam since the 14th and boy was it good!!!!!went into Yambol for materials and food I'm not keen on cities but what a relief thought we'd die of boredom running out of stuff meant just sitting around eating and watching that oh so lovely white stuff!any longer and I'd have had difficulty squashing through the door sad very sad so hurray for dryer weather the sun is shining and i bow to him above.We have also met some new people who have bought land at the top of the village nice guy for a southerner he's going to build houses expects around 50,000 each nice anyway offered us help re register the van (just joking bout southerners).One of our neighbours Nicoli whom I went mushrooming with when we first came over has unfortunately had a heart attack and is in hospital yes your right there's a tale attached Nicoli has a dog Major a large Rottweiler cross thing who's been bobbing down to us for the odd snack much to his Majesty's (Jasper) disgust anyway we made him a house out of a cardboard box so he had shelter (Bulgarian dogs live outside)and trotted off to the supermarket for some big dog food Jazz eats lamb etc you see! I must just say a friend of Nicoli's was seeing to his animals you no us suckers!!! so anyway he hung around eating using his den and lapping it up,then went home and hadn't returned must have got board or Nicoli may be back or Jazz the guard dog sent him packing
February 2nd
At about 2ish down the lane came a gang of colorfully dressed village folk some in animal outfits with rows of cow bells on and painted faces,this was the old pagan ritual of Kukerrov Den performed early spring to chase away evil winter spirits and ensure a good harvest They stopped at the gate and a guy waved a tree branch and seemed to be giving us a blessing well i hope that's what it was and off they went we took photo's it was really good fun.
February 4th
Today with great reluctance we take our Jaz for his rabbis booster I say this because although it will be a relief to have him up to date with his jabs its going to hurt us deeply he of course wont feel a thing (well he didn't last time) we will, god were daft.We park the van in the place we know best which just happens to be across town from the vets so the poor dog is more or less dragged along partly cos he's constantly trying to pee on every post but also cos were scared he will do something worse in front of Bulgarian builders such an uncouth lot! hurray we arrive after waiting our turn we enter the surgery,the vet a very nice man sets about explaining in sign broken Bulgarian English and mobile phone with interpreter on the end (heaven sent the mobile)well to cut the story shorter we went for rabbis and left with rabbis,parvo,canine flue,distemper,and two others,plus wormers,and flea treatment 50 Lev a bargain and Jazz never felt a thing.
February 5th.
What a busy week and its only Tuesday,up at 7 am (haven't seen that time in a will) breki and away to Yambol by 8.30 am to re register the van law now here lasts for 5 years.First you get insurance 180 Lev,then to the reg place in one office for the forms 7.60 Lev,then line up to take the van for its mot,vim and chassis number found for registration back lights indicators,and brakes checked for mot,no headlight,tyre,seat belt,etc,etc,etc,this is great out to another office 57 Lev for the test and 4 Lev for the plates.back to first office pick up new plates we had to take the old plates off and they put the new on back to the office hand in the old plates to be cut up BINGO! 3 hours finished its worth mentioning that last year it took 2 days and more so improving all the time, home James (David)in time for a cuper lunch and a dog in mourning chop wood and carry on improvements.
February 13th.
Today we have been to get more wood met Sonia and Mike in town and set off to wood yard what a giggle,although it was absolutely freezing Sonia explained how we ordered and after some deliberation on the cubic meters required we ordered three pallets 1 cb meter on each.then each plt was weighed a pickup was rung for and the lads proceeded to put 3 plts on a flat back van smaller than ours and yes they did it just so comical wouldn't couldn't happen in England.
February 15th.
Yes I know I'm behind with the diary but the days they do fly,anyway Valou our trusty Shepherd,security,and master of all, rotivated the garden for us,we had it ploughed before Christmas as I have written needed fine chopping for our veggie patch (should be a giggle for onlookers) quite an amusing sight this slightly built man trying to control an elderly looking machine which many times wanted to give up and die fighting his way across an acre of rough terrain I being a helpful sort made a drink an answer to all tea! David watched on in ore almost finished Valou stopped and with a single word crava (cow)downed tools and went herding returning to finish 15 Min's later.
This Feb has been colder than January the village gone into hibernation and so have we pottering around the house painting this and that looking for any sign of life outside and them one morning an elderly gent could be seen with a wheel barrow climbing up and down the embankment gathering twiggy things sort of gaw,s with really spiky thorns well why ? until we learn the lingo we may never no,for goats or the fire we thought anyway back to the tail the man only had 1 arm how dose a guy with 1 arm steer a wheelbarrow? all to much for David it was bitter cold so armed (excuse that) with the word ponosh (help) off he went got the van out next I saw was a prickly barrow lift into the van and the man heading for the van door and away they went.On his return we laughed, the poor sole was bemused think he thought David was pinching the barrow anyway man and load got home the easy way for a change (if I can help somebody as the song goes).
End of Feb-ish
Damita's has given us some Cherin bop to plant (black beans) so we are of course eager to get started.
March 1st
On this day everyone wears a wrist band or puts red and white twinned on there trees a celebration of good health
March 5th
Grandma and Grandpa Dinka need our help baba Dinka was shouting Maggie David over the fence and when the old lass calls you have to go so we went knowing there was a bit of tree trimming to do David took the chainsaw when we arrived she was waiting waving her hands which looked rather sooty we set off into the house where we found Grandpa on top of the petchka,(oven)trying to replace the chimney at 80+ this i have to say was a unnerving sight so we began to try to fit the thing back which even for us was a struggle.
Outside again to the tree which turned out to be a rather large pear tree and with his walking stick Grandpa Dinka proceeded to point to the branches he wanted down these were rather large branches.So here we were gran,me stood back David cutting Grandpa moving the branches when whoops the old lad was on his back rolling in the soil like may i say a weeble the old lass started giggling and so did he and David and me,we pulled him up dusted him off finished the job said our goodbye's and set off home with a jam-jar of vino and 6 eggs great!!!!!
March 10th.
Today we have to go into Yambol for some wood ,cement etc so we called at the building firm that our next door neighbour Damita has started work at after finishing in the army.15 mins turns into 2 hours here when shopping and this day was no different except funnier.Damita greeted us with usual enthusiasm and proceeded to explain there different products,two other men presumably the lakies followed we found the wood and an enthusiastic assistant started to pull planks and in Bulgarian told us which were the best to take (Damita's interpreted)then he lead us all over the yard showing us which we needed it was comical what a sales man and what a fun 2 hours.Returned with a pair of gloves 2 bottles of wood stuff and a bag of free wood cuttings for the fire as well as the stuff we went for.
Nearly forgot this morning Valou brought us a litre of fresh natural crava (cow) milk nothing added nothing taken away lovely.
April.
Sorry but I've been a bit slack and missed some entries so today the 23rd I will try to give you March and April's "happenings Well were to start, we have planted our veggies kar'tof, grah, morkof, zele,do'mat, krastavitsa,and they are doing great all through.
The house is coming on fine we have put the ceilings in upstairs quite a feet for 2 especially lifting 6x4 plaster boards so were quite proud of that.
We have gained a new member of the family Winston Woosie the softest dog ever(next to our Marley)a tail to be told,driving to Yambol we passed him what a poor wretch but we were tough and didn't stop on our return there he was well you've guessed it we turned round back to Yambol for some dog food he demolished 3 tins and some bic's after taking an hour coaxing him with no luck we put Jazz's lead on him and dragged him into the van well a more terrified and broken animal i haven't seen but no a grawl or snap.Now he's a different dog mind we look a bit odd talking to him out of our English Bulgarian phrase book he is still very nervous especially of men ah well he's lovely like a bid teddy bear.Tomorrow we go to the vet to arrange a new pet passport it will be interesting to see how much it will cost.
Today David and Valoe went to Yambol to take our water pump to be serviced everyone here uses a well in the garden its free tap water has to be paid for and in a garden of an acre that's a lot of water.
Oct some time
Every morning sees the daily routine first the sound of the bell as the lead goat wanders along followed bye a heard of 20ish and a old shepherd chatting away to them an oldish lady with 2 goats then someone else with some more,them the cows arrive herded by Valu (driver)to us because we mime driving the van and point to the cows da da da!we have great laughs with him who also is one of village security quite a giggle really.
Today after the usual visits Baba Dinka called round (grandma Dinka) with some goats milk (an acquired taste) after the usual understandable chat about the fig tree i think, David put his hand into the tree and produced an orange the old lass nearly had a fit she found it very amusing it was one of those moments unforgettable.
28th Oct
Today was a come down to earth day we set off to yambol and in Chargan village next to Turnava a large pig was in the process of becoming Sunday lunch etc etc this you have to except as part of village life animals are for food most i must say look pretty well kept.As we turned the corner on our return home a goat was in the same unfortunate predicament no I'm afraid i couldn't keep a goat take it out to grass talk to it pet it then eat it! not me not me at all.(but you never no given the circumstances}
4th Nov 2007
Its a very special day our 35th Wedding Anniversary!not that we remembered until late morning as we were waiting for our long awaited windows tomorrow,the next day, day after that,finally there here yippee!!!! oh 2 windows 1 door bugger. things are slightly lopsided here, anyway Ivan starts to unload out of a LADA!glass frames and himself with Davids help, the guy must be 60 or so so with amusement I watch as the Master of the aluminium window and new assistant set to work, not what David or I had in mind funny old world this Bulgaria!
(happy anniversary)
15th Nov 2007.
A few events since my last entry Toni our interpreter from the company we bought the house from took us to register with the police which you must do within the first month what a going on you need a bank account to get bank ref for the police passports driving licence's then you find they shut for lunch god it took all afternoon still no more windows or wood for winter nothing arrives on time.We've met some new neighbours Mick Irish sounds Canadian and Sonia who is Bulgarian seem nice have offered to take us round yambol and help with the language they are having a house renovated and have a apartment in yambol were not 100% sure about them what a suspicious lot we Brits are but better to be say than sorry we shall see.
The strangest and most annoying thing this month so far is the van which up to now had been totally trouble free anyway last week the oil light started to stay on when the van was turned off, and then when the ignition was off and the keys out it started up and because it was in gear set off up the garden luck had it David was still in and managed to stall it very strange the battery was flat by now but for safety we took it off and rang the RAC they sent a tow truck and off David and driver to the garage where they put a new battery on charged 160Lev and said it was OK.A smiling David returned and parked up no prob later we decided to put the van up the drive and yes you've guest it wouldn't turnoff so he took it round the block hoping it might help,well faithful dog and me waited ,and waited ,then round the corner came a mad man totally breathe less shouting for the fire extinguisher off he went me following after locking dog in.As i arrived watched by a crowd of curious neighbours Mike and Sonia pulled up we found David looking in the engine poor van she smelt very hot and unwell starter motor shot.After a tow home Sonia said she'd ring the garage and David rang the RAC in a more than harassed mood.So now we are van less and awaiting a hire car RAC took the van away again don't no how long for.
On a lighter note i went round to baba Dinka and she showed me the art of bottling pears off our tree these pears are really hard and a bit like a cooking apple to taste we cut them up put them in jars with sugar and water that was that had a good conversation what about I've no idea who cares.
19th Nov
hooray!!!!!!the van is returned today and the corsa goes back we haven't really used it because the rain has fallen for 4 days and its stuck in a swamp which was the drive outside the garden what was a dip in the land has become a gushing stream and the village has water rushing through in all directions!! the hire company struggled to retrieve there car in the peeing rain and them offered to take us to town to pick our trusty steed up rather nice considering we got in their brand new cream interiered B M Dub in muddy shoes and soaking clothes (no prob)luv these people!
on arriving home our Bulgarian friend had us put the van on the Russians drive next door great considering there was no way she was going in the swamp.Mick and Sonia called on there way home to see if we were OK and did we want a sheep for the freezer (dead of course sorry Em).All this rain has done little for the house the room window is piddling in rain at a rather unhealthy pace and the door isn't fairing any better (Ivan the destroyer is in for destruction)but the petchka and room stove are keeping us nice and warm the fridge freezer is full and even in the rain the misty mountains are something else.
22ND Nov.
At last Ivan the destroyer and his little secret (sledge hammer)is back to put the upstairs windows in we voice our complaints and he says no problem i fix (we see) he delivered them last night so were up 8 am to take the old windows out hopefully to put the sledge hammer out of action doing well three frames out the rest loose 12.30 no Ivan so we have lunch after we place the new frames in looking good only one prob the opening handles aren't opposite each other ones a good 2" above the other we are not happy, no Ivan old windows out and in pieces new windows no good can't do any more so we lock upstairs and find something else to do.......
Ah the new toy i forgot David has a chainsaw a fearsome thing needed to cut our supply of logs lack of communication lead us to think someone was going to chop them up so we waited and waited of course the weather was crap and 20 Lev the lot about £8 would i no way.so we arrive with this thing and so do's the bloke to do the logs really nice lad shows him how to us the saw safely and both get on with the task in hand David do's the labouring occasionally using the said weapon we chat when there done and he asks if we have children he now wants to marry Paula not a bad days work.
Baba Dinka callers David to cut a pile of logs for her organ(fire)as usual she's dead suited and we come home with a jam-jar of wine (wish i could get the taste for it)
Think were getting known people wave at us as we pass mind we do have a strange habit of picking them up at the village bus stop if there going our way.
Well this Nov seems full of strange happenings today Friday Laina called with some pears clever me had picked her some fruit from the tree in our garden don't know what they are called they look like a large rose hip or crab apple and there rip from now to Christmas they go brown inside and look like an apple when its bruised soft and we would chuck it there loved here i think they taste like dates not bad anyhow Laina asked were the TV was (only got our old portable and it only has a picture no sound here so its on the wardrobe in the room with the bed as were living down stairs at pres and don't have time to watch anyway)in a strange sign language she got the message well almost after doing somersaults with the Aerial and trying to persuade the wood cutter to clime on the bed to mend it (thank goodness he was in work gear or no drought he would have)she gave up and trotted off with her bag of fruit .the wood cutter had called to finish some logs and get paid but after hearing about the TV prob insisted that David go home with him so he could show him the aerial needed so off they went well i waited and waited and waited finally the hero returned worse for were due to a very potent drink called racki mum had made him tea dad gave him racki followed with tomato juice sounds yuk! David said it was really nice he had a ball on Tuesday there going for sky TV cost 100 Lev setup 12 Lev month that's like £35+£5 per month.Mind you we only wanted sound.
Today Saturday 24th (i think)
Ivan finally came back to finish after leaving us windowless because clever us never thought when taking them out that he would miss 2 days off he went to start David and i watching on none too happy.Now for our next trick last night the bloody van got stuck in the mud hole we call a drive so we decided to leave it until we could see the best way to get it out,we put stones and sand under the wheels Ivan and assistant saw us and promptly downed tools to help by towing us out with the trusty Lada (great machine) but didn't happen then Damita next door turned up all smart in black jacket and trousers did he care no got stuck right in so there we all were 5 trying in vain to unstuck the unstickable! van going deeper and deeper in the mud lada no good ah we need tractor so of Ivan's assistant went to find and sure enough he returned with a tractor plough and 2 more unknowing assistants everyone got busy tying rope and off we went but no go the rope snapped never mind Damita went for a steel rope but meanwhile David had looked under the van which had sunk and got wedged on a tree stump after some discussion the jack was called for and the van was up stones were wedged under and the tractor was off again she was out you had to see this to believe it fantastic what can you say i must admit i was a little choked to say the least after shaking hand and many thank-you's all went back to there business,how do you give a stuffing to a window fitter(not)who has towed your van or tryed to and dug the wheels out etc well simple you can't.
December 17th.
I'm a bit late with this entry we're always so busy and time goes so fast, it is may I say bloody cold -7ish started snowing on Friday night Saturday morn midnightish I had off course to go out and take photo's which you can see on our website set up by Emma our youngest and may I say thanks its real good fun! anyway got about 6" of snow and we haven't ventured out in the van since just been to our local shop were we practiced our "Bulgaski" with some success they understood.The cold has stopped us in the garden and the sand's frozen anyway which is a first for use so we've carried on tiling oh what fun (not).
Nearly forgot a few days before the snow stopped play we went to Yambol for some tile cement and things while paying at the building yard we tryed asking if they sold tile cutters a customer stepped in to help they didn't but he new a shop that did off he went David in tow leaving me and dog in the van.the chapi took David down the road into his bar showed him around then took him via back door into a shop introduced him to the manager and then proceeded to show the tile cutters.David in the rush hadn't got anymore money from me and was as you say court short but in true Bulgarian style the chap (name we forgot) lent him 20 Lev cant believe these people we have decided to visit his bar for a meal when the snow lets us out.
Yes its here again cant believe its a year since last Christmas,and the anniversary of my old dads death god bless much loved and missed.
December 25th.
Well its been a very quiet Christmas not really like Christmas at all, which is ok cos it takes my mind of home and kids a little (who am i kidding ) anyway we had a nice dinner talked to Paula and Emma and yes you've guest it carried on tiling.
Hooray! today Sunday the 30th we have completed the kitchen floor and the Petchka's area and also the hall oh clever us!!! about 24square meters in all only 20 sq meters of room to go HELP of course we have still a kitchen to fit and the walls to do.
No more to report at pres so Happy New Year to all our family and friends .
January 1st.
What a good night we had last night,thanks to Sonia and Mike our friends they took us to the Riverside Hotel in Yambol which is owned by one of there friends Petra we had a meal of salad, followed by pork and veg and then cheese cake this was served from 8 pm and by 2 hadn't had sweet takes a long time to eat here .The dancing was fun and the drink flowed very freely too freely I'm very fragile today.
January 2nd.
Well its happened again the snow I mean about 2 ft in parts of the garden which may I say is pretty much of a disaster if your a little dog wanting a wee one look out and with no hesitation Jazz retreated back to bed amazing how long he can hold his er water in a difficult situation (I'll chuck him out later,with his coat on of course) Looking at the situation it is quite obvious we ain't going any were for a while and joy of joys the leci keeps going on and off what fun .David has make a snowman on the window sill it looks like an alien and he's stuck silver foil on it for eyes which is all very well except when I peep out of the curtains the bloody thing nearly gives me a heart attack .
January 8th.
Another day stuck in ,the snow is not moving very fast even though the sun throes it through the day the minus temp freezes it again and our poor old van comes to a swift halt give or take a slide or 2 3 4 on anything with any hint of water in it .Our friends Sonia and Mike come to the rescue again bringing us supplies from Yambol but it is getting a bit of a drag.Have put some more tiles down and been out chopping wood ,David has however hurt himself feeding a cat out of the window he leaned out and slipped on the tv wire knocking his ribs and rendering himself unworkable for a while and is in quite a lot of pain at the mo poor love. Never the less when Valou needed to get the car out at the Russians we both went and helped him (Tarnava people help each other) we're dead selfless aren't we.
Did I mention a Russian couple own next door? they only come in the summer hum is this a case of mad dogs and English men Valou looks after the house for them, and the car and sky tv etc etc etc we look forward to meeting them.
This week being a little board we have been doing some photo taking of the wild life ,well some birds anyway woodpecker sparrows blue tits and cats that spend more time sat in our makeshift bird table eating anything we put in it rather then mousing ,this place is vast with forests and fields all around us the budding David Bailey's heaven (not) we haven't seen hide or hare!!! of anything else no deer,or wild Boer, this leads us to the conclusion that the Bulgarian Hunter Gatherers namely our friend Lubo and co have scared them into a game of hide and stay hidden, ah well the old cat and dog will have to do tried the mice to fast!
January 14th.
This week we've had groceries delivered again and then went with Sonia and Mike to Yambol for some dreaded tile cement and a look
round a nice few hours,the roads were awful with thick ice and snow piled high glad we haven't tried to go out in the van we would have gone sledging again in a lot bigger way!
We saw the most fantastic thing on the way an Eagle just after it had caught its prey yuk!you may say but what a wonder to see in the wild snowy countryside seemed to fit perfectly that was the second amazing thing, yesterday I saw an eagle swoop down just outside the garden these unexpected treats make up for some of the boredom we are felling at pres.
After finishing the wall tiles in the kitchen alcove were the "petchker"(oven)goes we proceeded to put it back in its place,look the chimney off and knowing how sooty this task can be put news papers over the floor careful,careful,easy,oh great not too much muck. David took part of the thing out to clean it, the other piece yep you've guest it fell off the chair soot sort of fluttered all over some how total missing the news papers ah well that's sods law.
January 28th.
What an event full month this is turning out to be,yesterday was the first time we have been out under our own steam since the 14th and boy was it good!!!!!went into Yambol for materials and food I'm not keen on cities but what a relief thought we'd die of boredom running out of stuff meant just sitting around eating and watching that oh so lovely white stuff!any longer and I'd have had difficulty squashing through the door sad very sad so hurray for dryer weather the sun is shining and i bow to him above.We have also met some new people who have bought land at the top of the village nice guy for a southerner he's going to build houses expects around 50,000 each nice anyway offered us help re register the van (just joking bout southerners).One of our neighbours Nicoli whom I went mushrooming with when we first came over has unfortunately had a heart attack and is in hospital yes your right there's a tale attached Nicoli has a dog Major a large Rottweiler cross thing who's been bobbing down to us for the odd snack much to his Majesty's (Jasper) disgust anyway we made him a house out of a cardboard box so he had shelter (Bulgarian dogs live outside)and trotted off to the supermarket for some big dog food Jazz eats lamb etc you see! I must just say a friend of Nicoli's was seeing to his animals you no us suckers!!! so anyway he hung around eating using his den and lapping it up,then went home and hadn't returned must have got board or Nicoli may be back or Jazz the guard dog sent him packing
February 2nd
At about 2ish down the lane came a gang of colorfully dressed village folk some in animal outfits with rows of cow bells on and painted faces,this was the old pagan ritual of Kukerrov Den performed early spring to chase away evil winter spirits and ensure a good harvest They stopped at the gate and a guy waved a tree branch and seemed to be giving us a blessing well i hope that's what it was and off they went we took photo's it was really good fun.
February 4th
Today with great reluctance we take our Jaz for his rabbis booster I say this because although it will be a relief to have him up to date with his jabs its going to hurt us deeply he of course wont feel a thing (well he didn't last time) we will, god were daft.We park the van in the place we know best which just happens to be across town from the vets so the poor dog is more or less dragged along partly cos he's constantly trying to pee on every post but also cos were scared he will do something worse in front of Bulgarian builders such an uncouth lot! hurray we arrive after waiting our turn we enter the surgery,the vet a very nice man sets about explaining in sign broken Bulgarian English and mobile phone with interpreter on the end (heaven sent the mobile)well to cut the story shorter we went for rabbis and left with rabbis,parvo,canine flue,distemper,and two others,plus wormers,and flea treatment 50 Lev a bargain and Jazz never felt a thing.
February 5th.
What a busy week and its only Tuesday,up at 7 am (haven't seen that time in a will) breki and away to Yambol by 8.30 am to re register the van law now here lasts for 5 years.First you get insurance 180 Lev,then to the reg place in one office for the forms 7.60 Lev,then line up to take the van for its mot,vim and chassis number found for registration back lights indicators,and brakes checked for mot,no headlight,tyre,seat belt,etc,etc,etc,this is great out to another office 57 Lev for the test and 4 Lev for the plates.back to first office pick up new plates we had to take the old plates off and they put the new on back to the office hand in the old plates to be cut up BINGO! 3 hours finished its worth mentioning that last year it took 2 days and more so improving all the time, home James (David)in time for a cuper lunch and a dog in mourning chop wood and carry on improvements.
February 13th.
Today we have been to get more wood met Sonia and Mike in town and set off to wood yard what a giggle,although it was absolutely freezing Sonia explained how we ordered and after some deliberation on the cubic meters required we ordered three pallets 1 cb meter on each.then each plt was weighed a pickup was rung for and the lads proceeded to put 3 plts on a flat back van smaller than ours and yes they did it just so comical wouldn't couldn't happen in England.
February 15th.
Yes I know I'm behind with the diary but the days they do fly,anyway Valou our trusty Shepherd,security,and master of all, rotivated the garden for us,we had it ploughed before Christmas as I have written needed fine chopping for our veggie patch (should be a giggle for onlookers) quite an amusing sight this slightly built man trying to control an elderly looking machine which many times wanted to give up and die fighting his way across an acre of rough terrain I being a helpful sort made a drink an answer to all tea! David watched on in ore almost finished Valou stopped and with a single word crava (cow)downed tools and went herding returning to finish 15 Min's later.
This Feb has been colder than January the village gone into hibernation and so have we pottering around the house painting this and that looking for any sign of life outside and them one morning an elderly gent could be seen with a wheel barrow climbing up and down the embankment gathering twiggy things sort of gaw,s with really spiky thorns well why ? until we learn the lingo we may never no,for goats or the fire we thought anyway back to the tail the man only had 1 arm how dose a guy with 1 arm steer a wheelbarrow? all to much for David it was bitter cold so armed (excuse that) with the word ponosh (help) off he went got the van out next I saw was a prickly barrow lift into the van and the man heading for the van door and away they went.On his return we laughed, the poor sole was bemused think he thought David was pinching the barrow anyway man and load got home the easy way for a change (if I can help somebody as the song goes).
End of Feb-ish
Damita's has given us some Cherin bop to plant (black beans) so we are of course eager to get started.
March 1st
On this day everyone wears a wrist band or puts red and white twinned on there trees a celebration of good health
March 5th
Grandma and Grandpa Dinka need our help baba Dinka was shouting Maggie David over the fence and when the old lass calls you have to go so we went knowing there was a bit of tree trimming to do David took the chainsaw when we arrived she was waiting waving her hands which looked rather sooty we set off into the house where we found Grandpa on top of the petchka,(oven)trying to replace the chimney at 80+ this i have to say was a unnerving sight so we began to try to fit the thing back which even for us was a struggle.
Outside again to the tree which turned out to be a rather large pear tree and with his walking stick Grandpa Dinka proceeded to point to the branches he wanted down these were rather large branches.So here we were gran,me stood back David cutting Grandpa moving the branches when whoops the old lad was on his back rolling in the soil like may i say a weeble the old lass started giggling and so did he and David and me,we pulled him up dusted him off finished the job said our goodbye's and set off home with a jam-jar of vino and 6 eggs great!!!!!
March 10th.
Today we have to go into Yambol for some wood ,cement etc so we called at the building firm that our next door neighbour Damita has started work at after finishing in the army.15 mins turns into 2 hours here when shopping and this day was no different except funnier.Damita greeted us with usual enthusiasm and proceeded to explain there different products,two other men presumably the lakies followed we found the wood and an enthusiastic assistant started to pull planks and in Bulgarian told us which were the best to take (Damita's interpreted)then he lead us all over the yard showing us which we needed it was comical what a sales man and what a fun 2 hours.Returned with a pair of gloves 2 bottles of wood stuff and a bag of free wood cuttings for the fire as well as the stuff we went for.
Nearly forgot this morning Valou brought us a litre of fresh natural crava (cow) milk nothing added nothing taken away lovely.
April.
Sorry but I've been a bit slack and missed some entries so today the 23rd I will try to give you March and April's "happenings Well were to start, we have planted our veggies kar'tof, grah, morkof, zele,do'mat, krastavitsa,and they are doing great all through.
The house is coming on fine we have put the ceilings in upstairs quite a feet for 2 especially lifting 6x4 plaster boards so were quite proud of that.
We have gained a new member of the family Winston Woosie the softest dog ever(next to our Marley)a tail to be told,driving to Yambol we passed him what a poor wretch but we were tough and didn't stop on our return there he was well you've guessed it we turned round back to Yambol for some dog food he demolished 3 tins and some bic's after taking an hour coaxing him with no luck we put Jazz's lead on him and dragged him into the van well a more terrified and broken animal i haven't seen but no a grawl or snap.Now he's a different dog mind we look a bit odd talking to him out of our English Bulgarian phrase book he is still very nervous especially of men ah well he's lovely like a bid teddy bear.Tomorrow we go to the vet to arrange a new pet passport it will be interesting to see how much it will cost.
Today David and Valoe went to Yambol to take our water pump to be serviced everyone here uses a well in the garden its free tap water has to be paid for and in a garden of an acre that's a lot of water.
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