January 2011

The year has gotten off to a flying start, we have had snow of course, but not too much around a couple of inches, it is nice as it is soft and not the wet stuff like the UK has, so you can walk around and not get wet at all. The only issue is that it is hard to make snowballs!
As Sally says my mind starts to work overtime in the Spring, well it looks like Spring has come early this year. I have ideas pouring out of my head right now, so beware.......
I am still hearing so much doom and gloom coming from the UK, I am so glad we are living here in Bulgaria, we were in the local bar Saturday evening chatting about inflation. After giving it some thought one of the few things that have gone up since we have been here (4 years) is fuel, it was 1.77 Lev (63p at that time)a litre, it is now more like 2.50 Lev (£1.13), but bread at 40p a loaf and beer at 45p a pint have not moved. Our electric bill actually went down last year, we paid a total of 965 Lev (£438) this includes our hot water, cooker, TV and of course computor and lights etc etc. How does that compare to the UK?
The temperature is chilly the lowest we had was minus 20 degrees, but coupled with bright sun and not much snow on the ground, in all it has been a good January.
Sally has been Spring cleaning the cupboards and making a lot of new recipes, this is a good time to do this as come the Summer months we will be outside more than indoors.
For the longer evenings we have got out a few jigsaws to do, the dinning room table is just right for this and it can be left for a few days at a time, we just pop in and out to do a bit at a time.
We have lost one chicken this week, I she was a bit slow and not moving about so much lately, so I am not really surprised, but the others are fine. We have 10 hens and a cockeral left and are getting between 5 and 6 eggs a day, nothing like your own fresh eggs of a morning.

Autumn

The leaves have been falling off of the walnut tree now for three weeks, it is so nice to have such a large tree to sit under during the very hot summer days here, to have the fresh walnuts dropping into your hand. But soooo frustrating that so many leaves can come from one tree!
I have been out with my Worx blower/sucker for more than 2 hours at a time, then turn around to see just as many leaves fallen behind me.
The days are getting chillier, last week it was 25 degrees during the day and zero at night. Sally has the potted flowers indoors now for the winter. The days are struggling to get over zero now and the nights are maybe minus 10!
Locals tell me we are in for a hard winter, January, February and March are going to be the worst, so anyone living here be prepared. Anyone coming over during these months, bring warm clothing.
Our Vectra has been serviced, gas tested, and is ready for her trip to the UK in December, just got to sort out the insurance this week, I don't like to leave things until the last moment.
The chickens are now enjoying the freedom of our field, I open the run gate when Geri has been exercised by Sally, this gives them fresh ground to root around on.
More friends coming this week bringing "Red cross parcels" for us, all gratfully recieved, thanks guys!
Lots of viris's going around now, Sally has a bad cold, and a very stiff sore shoulder, so we off to the doctors this afternoon. Doctors here cost approx. 20 Lev (£9) per appointment, then of course you pay for the medicine, still cheaper than in the UK.
Anyone wanting advice on getting a car converted to gas please feel free to email me, I am glad I have had mine done, gas is half the price of Petrol.

Autumn

Well last week we had a few cold days, it stayed at zero degrees all day, so the kamina (fire) went on. Coats and hats were out and we were thinking we are in for a long winter. The leaves off of the walnut tree on the driveway are falling and need me to be motivated to get out there with the WORX leaf sucker.
The weather has brightened up a bit so the kamins is just on for a few hours during the evenings to take the chill off.
Yesterday was 22 degrees, sunny and a great day to get out in the garden and cut back the huge yellow flowers that grow around the garden but get blown down by the wind! Bushes were also trimmed back and "Tommi" the grass cutter was in use, hopfully for the last time this year. The battery is off and stored away and she is tucked up in the barn.
Today is just 12 degrees! Driving along the road you can see the Autumn colours on the trees, leaves falling and drizzling. Now I think we are really starting to see the effects of the weather.
Soon it will be time to put away the T-shirts and shorts and get out the long trousers and jumpers.
My advice, anyone coming over to Bulgaria in the next few weeks make sure you pack a good jumper and a coat! Or do as the Bulgarians do, lots of layers of thin clothes.

Orphanage

We are still collecting clothes for a local orphange in Debelets, the ages range from 0-4 years. If anyone has any clothing no longer required in good condition and can get it here to me, I will see the orphange gets it.
Shoes, slippers, coats, trousers, dresses, knit wear anything like this is good for them. They could also use bed sheets, small suitable for cots and small beds.
I am planning to visit there in October, the next visit will be in the new year so you have time to collect stuff if you would like to help us and them.
Thank you to all the people who send us stuff out on a regular basis, and for thos who spend time knitting jumpers and the like for them.

Christmas Trip

So the cat is out of the bag!
I have been planning a quick visit to the Uk in December, last year you may know that I arranged for our daughter and her fiance to come over for xmas, will that went down so well. Sally had no idea it was happening until I arrived back from the airport with them! Check out the video on youtube,com.
This year was harder to sort, I have had the car converted to gas and we are planning to drive back in July for Teri and Steve's wedding. So the best idea is to have a test run, I organised that Sally and I would meet Vessie in Veliko Tarnovo for a cold drink and cake in Nedelya, it's our favorite cafe.
When I told them we were going and that Teri and my parents already knew they got a bit exited of course and started talking about shopping, singing around the xmas tree in our village and having my parents make a full xmas dinner. Looks like this year Christmas is going to come early.
The ferry is booked, there is a list of places and people to visit and of course the shopping lists have started! We are also hoping to see a pantomine.
Keep checking here for our progress.

Autumn?

Well yesterday was a lovely day around 25 degrees and bright with lots of sun, however we met a local guy in the market who informed us that this was to be the last warm day and the cooler weather is set to return. Woke up today and guess what? It is still sunny and warm.......still in shorts and t-shirt!
The leaves are beginning to fall though, time to empty the swimming pool and start thinking about tidying up the garden for the winter months. Sally will start to trim her plants and arrange places indoors for them for the winter. It is still nice to be able to sit outside in the evenings and chat with friends, BBQ's are still happening and people are happy, apart from the Bulgarians who seem to think 25 degrees is cold!
We have 5 new chickens to help boost the egg count, so there are now 15 hens and a lovely cockeral, Misty is starting to spend more time indoors, a sure sign the weather is changing, Geri has more energy (unfortunatly) so needs more exercise around the field.
I love the summer, but it is nice to have the winter to look forward to as well, but as good Brit's we moan about the weather any time of the year! Still at least we don't have the rain like back in the UK!

New Toy!

Here it is folks my new (to me) toy!

She looks great and is a real time saver, our plot is 3000sq metres and a lot of it is a field. Usuing a typical lawnmower it would take me approx. 4 hours just to cut the grass (read "weeds") now it is less than half that.

OK, it is not new, but she still has her heart and motivation, everyone who has sat on her and had a ride loves it, it has 7 speeds and can cut grass etc up to about a foot high.

I had been looking for some time for something like this, but the cost put me off, also having to get it here form the UK was an issue. Luckily having a good friend who was returning from the UK in a van helped a lot. Thanks mate.

Now cutting the grass is no longer a chore more of a pleasure, but please don't tell Sally that.....