Well in the last seven days I have slept in seven different beds! I flew back to the UK and spent the first night in my parents haouse, then moved to our house where our daughter Teri lives for a night. Then it was off to Williton, Somerset to meet up with Sheila. Sheila has bought a property in a small village near to Resen, on Monday we set off on the 1,866 mile drive across Europe in a Suzuki 4x4 and three dogs.
As I was packing the vehicle up ready to go, all Sheila was saying is "It's not all going to fit in". I managed to stay calm, even when the top box lid would not lock! Amazing really.
The drive was eventful and fun, but tiring as well. Driving that far you must be ready for the unexpected. We were lucky, our unexpected was a hotel in Serbia, called The National in Belgrade. The stay there will stay with us forever. I cannot explain here the events, but please when we meet, ask, it is so funny!
Sally and Shane stayed home to look after the dog, kitten and chickens, starting to sound like farmers now. Shane chopped the remainder of the firewood, Sally cooked and cleaned and saw friends. Kahl came around and pulled a chickens neck, so that's another meal in the freezer. Another one was done yesterday, so we can at least eat for two Sundays this winter!
Sally also did a bit of DIY, she painted the top of the "Kamina" white, smoke got to it last year. We were hoping to decorate the lounge this year, but we have not. However the dining room is almost finished, just a light to be fitted and a new carpet to lay.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Preparing For Winter
During the winter you can expect to burn between 10 and 15 cubic metres of fire wood! That's the figure we were told, however we used about 8 cubic metres last year. We also uaed caol to make the wood go further.
So this year I have already had 10 cubic metres delivered, cut, chopped and put int he barn for this year. The wood is going up in cost, so I decided to have an additional 10 cubic metres delivered last week. A local Bulgarian cut it up and another one came yesterday to chop it for us. All that remained was to wheel barrow it into the barn from outside of our gates.
I figured if I done ten barrow loads in the evenings and 10 in the mornings after about three days it would be done. After doing 9 barrow loads last night a lady neighbour came out with her barrow and was helping me, then she got faster, she was pushing the barrows upto the barn and I was just pushing it in and stacking the wood, but I could hardly keep up with her! Then I realised that another elderly lady neighbour had brought her barrow and was loading the wood for us.
I cannot believe how helpful the local people are here, they have nothing and want nothing for helping you. They just get on with it and then go home. We will be getting something for them, for their help.
Today is market day in Pavlikeni so Sally has to go!!!!! Guess who's driving!!!
So this year I have already had 10 cubic metres delivered, cut, chopped and put int he barn for this year. The wood is going up in cost, so I decided to have an additional 10 cubic metres delivered last week. A local Bulgarian cut it up and another one came yesterday to chop it for us. All that remained was to wheel barrow it into the barn from outside of our gates.
I figured if I done ten barrow loads in the evenings and 10 in the mornings after about three days it would be done. After doing 9 barrow loads last night a lady neighbour came out with her barrow and was helping me, then she got faster, she was pushing the barrows upto the barn and I was just pushing it in and stacking the wood, but I could hardly keep up with her! Then I realised that another elderly lady neighbour had brought her barrow and was loading the wood for us.
I cannot believe how helpful the local people are here, they have nothing and want nothing for helping you. They just get on with it and then go home. We will be getting something for them, for their help.
Today is market day in Pavlikeni so Sally has to go!!!!! Guess who's driving!!!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Roast Dinner
Our Sunday roast was lovely, fresh roast chicken from our own stock! This is the first one we have eaten. Kahl came around and did the dirty deed, took it home and returned it oven ready.
Vesalina and Sheila came for dinner, (we have not told them yet, that they ate "Big John").
The taste was great, nice to know that we are getting some return from the chickens as the hens have not yet started to lay eggs. Should be laying soon though.
The weather is starting to get chilly. The Kamina and heating system have now been checked ready for heating the house for the winter. We have around 14 cubic metres of wood in the barn for burning this year and another 10 cubic metres that is in the process of being cut up ready for next years fire wood. All that remains is to top up our stock of coal, but this can be bought weekly from the coal man.
Bring on the winter!!
Vesalina and Sheila came for dinner, (we have not told them yet, that they ate "Big John").
The taste was great, nice to know that we are getting some return from the chickens as the hens have not yet started to lay eggs. Should be laying soon though.
The weather is starting to get chilly. The Kamina and heating system have now been checked ready for heating the house for the winter. We have around 14 cubic metres of wood in the barn for burning this year and another 10 cubic metres that is in the process of being cut up ready for next years fire wood. All that remains is to top up our stock of coal, but this can be bought weekly from the coal man.
Bring on the winter!!
Friday, September 26, 2008
New Clients, New Friends
Well this week saw more clients, (Peter and Barbara,) arriving to look for a property to start a new life here in Bulgaria. Sally was once again an estate agents widow. Good job she knows what to expect now!
Anyway, I don't think anyone knows how much there is to do when you come to buy a property here, searching, viewing, banking, solicitors, offering, contracts, heating, works, renovation estimates etc. etc. etc.
We managed to find a property which is currently under renovation so they were able to choose some extra's or colours of their own. In fact they even decided to leave a wall in place that the developer was just about to demolish!
I know they have a good property here, and hopfully they will be over here soon on a pernament basis.
I like to think that I have done a good job and that they are happy with what I do, like all my clients I think we will become good friends, as far as I am concerned they are no longer classed as clients but friends.
Anyway, I don't think anyone knows how much there is to do when you come to buy a property here, searching, viewing, banking, solicitors, offering, contracts, heating, works, renovation estimates etc. etc. etc.
We managed to find a property which is currently under renovation so they were able to choose some extra's or colours of their own. In fact they even decided to leave a wall in place that the developer was just about to demolish!
I know they have a good property here, and hopfully they will be over here soon on a pernament basis.
I like to think that I have done a good job and that they are happy with what I do, like all my clients I think we will become good friends, as far as I am concerned they are no longer classed as clients but friends.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Rain!
Well today we have rain, it's the first since we can remember! No one is complaining as we do need it, it saves watering the gardens.
A few days breather for me now, then more clients looking to relocate are coming over and I will be busy until the end of November. Then it could be time to hibernate for the winter!
A few days breather for me now, then more clients looking to relocate are coming over and I will be busy until the end of November. Then it could be time to hibernate for the winter!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Orphanage
Many of you already know that Sally and a few dedicated knitter's in the UK, make clothes and blankets for a local orphange in Debelets just south of Veliko Tarnovo. Yesterday we visited the orphanage with Sally's mum to see what kind of things they are in need of most.
The first thing that we noticed was how basic, but clean the whole place was, the children look happy and contented. They are in different areas depending on age, so there are cot rooms, then for the older ones bedrooms, connected to bathrooms and playrooms. There are several staff around to take care of the children.
We asked about their needs, they really need baby suits with feet in, I call them "grow bags", various sizes from new born up. Sheets for the cots and beds, 1 metre x 1.2 metres in size, they should be sewn up along the sides and one end, so they slip over the small matress. Pampers nappies, not sure how we can help there, to have them sent from the UK would cost too much, any ideas would be grateful.
So we are now asking anyone who has old small childrens clothes (up to four years old) to post them to us, we will then take them to the orphanage. Anyone who wants to come over to visit, we can take there to show you around too.
It's so sad to see the children there, playing, asking for hugs from visitors, then crying as you leave. We can make a small difference to their lives, so please help if you can.
I wanted to take some pictures, but it is not allowed, sorry.
The first thing that we noticed was how basic, but clean the whole place was, the children look happy and contented. They are in different areas depending on age, so there are cot rooms, then for the older ones bedrooms, connected to bathrooms and playrooms. There are several staff around to take care of the children.
We asked about their needs, they really need baby suits with feet in, I call them "grow bags", various sizes from new born up. Sheets for the cots and beds, 1 metre x 1.2 metres in size, they should be sewn up along the sides and one end, so they slip over the small matress. Pampers nappies, not sure how we can help there, to have them sent from the UK would cost too much, any ideas would be grateful.
So we are now asking anyone who has old small childrens clothes (up to four years old) to post them to us, we will then take them to the orphanage. Anyone who wants to come over to visit, we can take there to show you around too.
It's so sad to see the children there, playing, asking for hugs from visitors, then crying as you leave. We can make a small difference to their lives, so please help if you can.
I wanted to take some pictures, but it is not allowed, sorry.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
UK Living
Well, we have been in the UK for three weeks during August. Just before we left I ordered 8 beers and a coke in our local bar, it cost 10 Lev (£4),during our stay we went out for dinner at a public house, I ordered a coke and an orange juice...£3.60. I almost asked the barman to check that I was not paying for the whole bar's drink's, but then remembering where I was, rip off Britain!
The weather was mild, but with plenty of the wet stuff. Family and friends made the trip worth it, but it does remind you why your living in Bulgaria. Long hot summers and cold short winters, real seasons.
Sally broke a tooth, so a dentist was needed, an appointment was made and her tooth mended, just £165, they say it could have been worse!
Arriving back home was lovely, 9pm we pulled up at our house and the neighbours were out sitting on their benches chatting, they all came over to welcome us back. They watered our garden and fed the chickens, it was nice to be home.
There is a word of warning though to anyone intending to come over to live here, it's nice to go back, but it tug's the heart strings when you leave family again!
Now it's time to ensure the wood is cut up ready for the winter and order the coal in, the grass needs cutting and the dining room requires decorating, it's nice to be home!
The weather was mild, but with plenty of the wet stuff. Family and friends made the trip worth it, but it does remind you why your living in Bulgaria. Long hot summers and cold short winters, real seasons.
Sally broke a tooth, so a dentist was needed, an appointment was made and her tooth mended, just £165, they say it could have been worse!
Arriving back home was lovely, 9pm we pulled up at our house and the neighbours were out sitting on their benches chatting, they all came over to welcome us back. They watered our garden and fed the chickens, it was nice to be home.
There is a word of warning though to anyone intending to come over to live here, it's nice to go back, but it tug's the heart strings when you leave family again!
Now it's time to ensure the wood is cut up ready for the winter and order the coal in, the grass needs cutting and the dining room requires decorating, it's nice to be home!
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