Well last night saw our second bonfire night at this house. Last years was a small affair but good. This year we invited 32 people and some children. Everyone turned up. There was a mix of ex-pat's and Bulgarian's.
I explained why we celebrate November the 5th, the Brit's yawned, the Bulgarians listened interested.
We bought the fireworks, Kahl and Andy who also contributed fireworks and carried out the display and kept an eye on the fire.
Sally made hotdogs, Wendy made some curries, Pat supplied home made cakes, Bissi made a terditional Swiss plum dessert, Veselina made a roulade cake. So many nice cakes! Yummy...
Most of the others brought beer or spirits.
I would like to thank everyone involved for making it a great night.
It was a pity that my camera does not take good pictures in the dark, I would have liked to put some on here.
It appears that this could be a yearly event, so if you want to be here next year make a note in your diary now.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
New Family Member.
Well I have finally given in to pressure, we now have a new kitten in the house. Her name is Misty, please don't ask why, she is almost white with some ginger over her eyes and a ginger tail. She is 9 weeks old now and climbs up your back and will gladly sit on your shoulder as you walk around the house.
If you want a kitten or puppy here in Bulgaria you can stop along the road and if there is one running around you can take it home! In the towns, if a dog has a tag on it's ear it is registered as homeless, you can takle it to a vet to have it checked and the tag removed then take it.
We found a house in Resen that had 12 cats living there, we, Vessie and I asked the owner if we could take one and she was pleased to let us have Misty.
So long as you do not want a pure breed of dog or cat then there are so many to choose from. Some owners of properties even leave dogs with the house. If they are not required then we have to tell them to take them away.
If you want a kitten or puppy here in Bulgaria you can stop along the road and if there is one running around you can take it home! In the towns, if a dog has a tag on it's ear it is registered as homeless, you can takle it to a vet to have it checked and the tag removed then take it.
We found a house in Resen that had 12 cats living there, we, Vessie and I asked the owner if we could take one and she was pleased to let us have Misty.
So long as you do not want a pure breed of dog or cat then there are so many to choose from. Some owners of properties even leave dogs with the house. If they are not required then we have to tell them to take them away.
Friday, October 24, 2008
My car trip!
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.
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.
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!
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