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.

November 5th.

Another year goes by, Guy Fawkes night has been celibrated. We invited a good mix of ex-pat's and Bulgarian's to help with the festivities.
All went with a bang!
The fireworks were supplied by us and a few friends, food was also supplied by us and friends, curry from Wendy, Chocolate cake from Vessie, Soup from Jill, Cake from Meggie, egg plant from Milka, drinks from almost everyone, including Rakia!
35 people came and watched, ate and drank. The weather stayed dry, calm, just right for the firework's.
On dates like this we hope that everyone get's to try new foods that they may not have had before, it's there all you have to do is try!
Thank you all for helping the evening go well.