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.....

Spring has sprung.

We have had what feeld like a long cold winter here this year. Althought he snow did not start until mid December, it was cold until the end of March, temperatures dropped to a minus 30 degrees at one point. That is the coldest we have had here yet!
However, it only takes a few weeks and the country comes alive, new fresh grass, the stork's returning to thier nest's, the sun comes out and the clear skies. People out and about in the villages and towns no longer rushing to get out of the cold.
The next big issue is to get the garden ready for the long hot summer that comes next, where will we put the swimming pool? Cut the grass, fix the fence, and a multitude of other jobs that require doing.
Yesterday I and Sally cleaned through a friends house ready for thier arrival today. Just finished, hot, sweaty and in need of a long cold drink, we left the property and was driving on the main road when, BANG! A stone was thrown up from a passing truck straight onto the bonnet and then the windscreen! A massive split, so today is a day for replacing the windscreen! Hope they appriciate the cleaning! lol
Time to go and get outside in the garden and sunshine............

Minus 30 degrees and snow!

This week has been the coldest week we have seen in our time here in Bulgaria, minus 30 degrees! Snow and ice, still we managed to get around.
I had my hair cut in Veliko Tarnovo and the next day Sally had her's done there too, so the roads are clear, you just need to drive with care.
Our friends in the next village had 8 inches of snow, we had 5 inches. But Kahl had more fun as he has a Range Rover and was driving across the fields, just because he can!
The fire was great heating the radiators around the house. However at night we drop down the window shutters, this helps keep out some of the cold as well.
Feb. is supposed to be better until around the 20th, then it's back to a very cold spell again.
Spring is not far away now though!

Minus 18 degress!

Sally and I are staying indoors right now, it is chilly outside, yesterday morning Sally was having her first "fag" of the day on the balcony, it was minus 18 degrees there. The snow is still very much on the ground, but we can still get about without any trouble.

A good thing here is that the main roads are cleared by the council, then the village roads are cleared by the local village workers, even the little tracks like the one next to our house is ploughed. It would never happen in the UK.

The house looks lovely in this weather, we have had all the windows replaced now, including the doors, the kamina keeps us warm and getting the wood from the barn keeps me active.

Geri loves the snow, we throw snowballs for her to chase or catch, so she is still getting her exercise.

Bulgaria certainly gets a varied weather pattern, we love it, we know it will be cold in the winter and hot in the summer.

Snow

We have snow! I measured the snow on top of the wooden stump outside our front door, it is 9 inches deep. It has been non stop for 36 hours now. I have no intention of going out anywhere unless I have to. However it is interesting that Bulgaria does not come to a grinding halt when the snow does come. Everyone carries on as usual, schools open and the shops are open, the main roads are cleared, even the smaller streets in villages are cleared. I am not going anywhere, as I don't need to.........execpt the local bar later!
Interesting how the expat's who have 4x4's for this weather stay at home as well though, maybe it's because they don't have the skill's in driving in thiese conditions.
The "kamina" (wood fire) is lovely and is heating the house great, just a bore having to hump the wood over from the barn evry morning, still Spring will be here soon...........more BBQ's and long hot sunny days.

Sally's Christmas

This year was supposed to be our first xmas without either of our kids with us. Or so Sally thought!
Shane is in the UK looking for work and visiting his girlfriend, Teri and her fiance Steve were going to Devon to visit Steve's aunty.
Veselina asked me to meet some relatives from Sofia airport on the 21st December..........
Now please click on the link to see what actually happened.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i15W9LQVYT4
May I also take this oppertunity to wish everyone a very Happy New Year.