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.