23 February

on Monday we went to Yambol for Greg and Mels to buy some goodies to take with them to Turkey, took advantage and stocked up with one or two things. I really do not know how they are going to transport everything, the curtain and things I gave them have filled a bulging case that had to have the extention undone, Mels case even though she has left one or two things here was bursting at the seams and the goodies filled one of those haversack type things. Home for a quiet afternoon and evening, last minute packing, washing etc. Tomorrow it is back to Turkey for us and them.

Coach leaves Edirne at 10 am so decided to leave at 8am. Very foggy so went the main road all the way, got to customs nice and early and Mels got her Visa for Turkey really easy. Sailed through customs no stopping us which was unusual and so on to the Bus station at Edirne. Got there with a good half an hour to spare but the coach was in so they took their cases and said goodbye. Mels was in tears but she will enjoy herself when she has settled. Had several text messages from them whilst on the bus and later heard that they had arrived ok and were home.

We drove straight home and had a quiet day just recuperating from the weekend.

So Wednesday, we have to take Stripey to the vets to have her stitches removed also for Baby Spice and Spotty to be spayed. I hate these sort of things because no food from midnight means none of the cats get anything and boy do they get verbal, Colin came up with the idea to put Spotty and Baby Spice into the cat baskets then feed the others and then pick up the food and let the cats our of the basket. Worked a treat but when it came time to go spotty had gone missing. Eventually she turned up and off we went very foggy again. Got there for 9 am and went off to do one or two bits of shopping also went to Go Go net and paid for a years internet up front. got 12 months fro the price of 10 plus the guy upped our input from 4 megabytes to 8 megsbytes.

Waiting for phone call from vets to say we could pick up the cats so went for a coffee at Kaufland the big supermarket, really nice coffee and the cakes to die for I just had to have a slice of the chocolate, walnut, sticky toffee cake. Needless to say it was rich.

Eventually went to collect the cats, arranged for the vets to come to us on 12 March as we need 3 dogs to be vaccinated for Rabies etc, Stitches out from the 2 kittens and booster vaccinations for the  kittens. As there was so much to do did not feel guilty asking them to come to us. Our older cats will need a booster and have asked them to come out to us for that, Frodo was so very upset going in the car that I do not intend to put him through that again also Twinkle was very sick.

Socks has spent two days sulking because she misses Mels but she is over it now. All cats with operations are fine and little Stripey gets better every day.

Today Colin took Gosho into Elhovo to get some wood and things for him to make the hen house. he has more or less finished, it needs a lock and he wants to put a window in and he has not done any perches so will have to sort that out. He is coming tomorrow to prepare the bed for the Asparagus plants that I have ordered, the weather is so good at the moment that he can do things in the garden

19 February

So back to Turkey early Friday morning to collect our son Greg who had trvelled overnight from Ankara. Snowed again but not too much left at just after 7am no problem at customs needless to say the turkish bus company arrived an hour eaqrly so Greg had to wait for us. Lovely to see him, back home where Mels his daughter was waiting, large cooked breakfast and lots of news to catch up on.

That evening Greg and Mels went to the local bar and had a good time in fact a very good time.

Yesterday we went out for a family dinner.We had been recommended to this restaurant in Elhovo and it was very good. I am going to give you a list of what we had so that you can appreciate the cost.

2 Beers, 1 G & T 2 Vodka Cokes.

1 Foie gras

1 Prawn cocktail

1 chicken seseme

1 Bulgarian chicken sausage type every one agreed I had the best starter.

A bottle of Bulgarian champagne not bad

4 fillet steaks with mushroom sauce, veg and saute and chip potatoes

2 puds, one of iceream cake and one eclair with chocolate sauce really delicious.

a bottle of red wine.

2 irish coffees

2 expresso coffees with Baileys.

Total cost £66 We shall definitely go back. Value for money. How much would that have been in the UK. Have spent over £100 for two in Turkey and it was no better.

We all enjoyed it and it really has made it a good family weekend.

Our sick cat Stripey is making good progress a little bit

better each day, unfortunately there is no sign of the one that left home. I have to give Stripey medicine each day which I hate doing but it does seem to be helping her and only 2 more days to go.

Weather is improving bit by bit, a little sleet yesterday but beautiful sun today and later in the week it is going to reach 15c, ok so it is only for one day before it goes down again but light at the end of the tunnel. Daffs are showing their heads and various little buds are appearing, what I think is an original cherry tree seems to be smothered in buds

Gosho now only works when we have something for him to do which is about once a week. He was here on Friday and we have decided now is the time for him to build our chicken house. One of the store rooms in the old house  will be ideal it needs the door to be mended and boxes and perches installed and hopefully because Gosho’s family keep chickens I hope he knows what is wanted because I only have a vague idea. Hopefully he will make it habital next week and then once the weather is a bit more settled I will get half a dozen ready to lay (I think that is what I want).

Spent most of the morning finding curtains and bedding for Greg and Mels to take back to Gregs new flat. Fortunately I bought most of the curtains from Torba and found that some of them just did not suit here, I also have some spare duvet covers, pillow cases etc so routed them out and I can at last close my ottoman lid.

I shall really miss Mels.

16 February

Have done the Turkish trip.

Drove up to Istanbul in the pouring rain a horrible journey, hit Istanbul at rush hour so crawled the last couple of kilometres and would never have found the hotel without the sat nav. Hotel clean and adequate but not licenced so no drink with dinner which was pretty ugh but very tired so went to bed early, was going to go out and find a bar and got as far as the front door but it was raining so hard gave it up as not in least interested in getting wet. Istanbul although temperature wise warmer than here  but because of the damp it was freezing. Had some good news, little Stripey was making progress so hope for her but it appears that Tiger was off colour.

Next day got up at 5 after a restless night and set off for the airport. No breakfast and no coffee making facilities. Some how we lost the signs for the airport but followed the sat nav instructions and somehow ended up at the Univerity so headed back to the hotel and followed the signs and arrived at the airport and parking no problem. Although we had booked in on line went to the desk and received boarding cards for both ways. We know how expensive eating at airports is but was desperate for a snack and coffee so gave in and bought some.

Took off on time, had a good flight and arrived on time but no car hire waiting for us so had to book with another company. I have since found out that the original car hire people called Atlas had failed to send us on time all the forms but they blamed us, said that their agent was waiting for us outside the International Terminal why the Internation Terminal when there was no flights due is beyond me so watch this space as I am having a battle with them.

Drove into Bodrum through rain and sunshine did all our business, got my hearing aid repaired, bought some pills and went to the vets to restock my animal medical kit. then as a special treat for me went to the Chinese in the Oasis for lunch. It was awful and so very expensive. Went to look round the shops and really had a shock everything was so expensive food had gone up  an awful lot. Drinks up by at least 10tl per bottle and I have to say really did not miss Turkey at all. My boots had rubbed my toe so bought a pair of flip flops which although cold were a relief.

Whilst in the Tax office Colin saw our old next door neighbour who told us that the people who bought our house we still not living in it and were still having building done so we had to go and have a look. Saw the dog that we used to feed but could not take with us to Bulgaria and was very pleased to see that she was fine. The front door had been move, my mimosa tree was chopped down and all the sheds we had were moved and a patio laid, wrong position in my mind as it does not get much sun if any. The second bed balcony had been enclosed to give more room to the bedroom shame really as a nice balcony and the warmest spot in the house. Could not see anything else that had been done but no doubt it was inside. Went for a ride round Toba which was very quiet and everything closed and looked dark and dank.

What to do as we still had a few hours before our flight so drove back towards the airport in the hope of finding a cafe/bar and get a coffee but not a thing open so decided to take the car back and wait at the airport. Good job too as the heavens opened when we were at the airport and absolutely flooded the runways and even leaked into the lounge. Had 3 or 4 power cuts and when the bar opened had a couple of drinks expensive but who cared.

Gave Mels a ring and checked on the animals, apparently Tiger had been ok but Mels was worried about him and had asked the vet to come out but she eventually said she could not as the car had broken down. Anyway Tiger got worse and Mels did her best to look after him but sadly he went out and we have never seen him again so reckon that he has died somewhere. Cannot find him anywhere.

Flight back early taking off and landing, very empty flew through a blizzard very weird sensation. Back to hotel and so to bed really tired.

Next morning set off at 5.30 in a blizzard which got worse and worse, have never driven through such awful weather I take my hat off to Colin he drove magnificently. At about three quarters of the way home the weather improved and got home about 9.00am. Had a rest and then drove over to Yambol to collect Stripey from the vets, she still looks an absolute fright but brought her home where she stands a good chance with her own food and playmates. We are hoping she will pull through.

Had a message from our son who is coming to see us for a long weekend so come friday it is back to Edirne in Turkey to collect him from the bus station.

Our five older cats had to go to the vets today for the vaccination but I was so sore from all the travelling that Mels kindly did the trip for me with Colin.

All I can say about Turkey is that we have done the right thing moving here, things after 8 months away have shown us that we do not like it there any more, expensive and not very friendly and still ready to rip you off given half a chance.

11 February

I have not felt much like doing the blog for the last few days, last thursday we realised that Stripey one of the kittens was not at all well, she was the one that was spayed last week. Worried she might have contracted an infection I telephoned the vet and he said we had better take her in. Well with all the snow and drifts this was not going to be an easy task, just opening the garage door was a problem in itself but got there and set off. Yambol is some 50 km’s away but once out of Melnitsa it is main road all the way. Our  4×4 did us proud out of Melnitsa and onto the main road but surprise surprise the main road was really dicey some parts were just thick ice, however, made it but the really bad news is that Stripey has contracted feline aids, and has a less than 50% chance of survival and the extra bad news is that all the other cats might have it but if they are ok in 2 days then the other kittens must go for vaccinations the older cats need it but can wait as they are more able to combat it. So came home very worried and upset. The other kittens cannot move without us watching them.

Today is Satkurday and the other kittens have been taken and had their first vaccinations and have to go back in a month for the booster. Tried to book in the other two females in for spaying but have got to leave it for over a week as the vets have cancelled all operations due to the fact that they have two cats in with aids and it is so very infectious. As for Stripey, she is still very ill with very little chance, she will not feed herself so they are feeding her with a syringe which she objects to but she is keeping some of it down and she was passing blood but that has stopped so it is fingers crossed – tomorrow is an important day.

As for other things, snow still here but glimmers of it getting a bit warmer. Wind has died down so the drifting has stopped so all in all looking very hopeful for our trip to Bodrum.

Tomorrow we are going to the next village to have a drink with P our friend who has moved there. It will make a nice change.

 

8 February

Did a shopping trip to Elhovo yesterday – what a good job we did. We had had a light smattering of snow but there was a high wind and drifts were all over the road. But what a good job we did it yesterday. It snowed all the rest of the day and the whole night and the wind played havoc with it and this morning we woke to large drifts all around the house. Still waiting for slavi to come and fix all the problems but how could we expect him in weather like this he has to travel from Yambol. Looking at the forecast not even certain now if we shall be able do the Bodrum trip but who knows things can change so rapidly.

The cats do not seem to mind being up to their chins in snow as long as they can chase the birds, the sensible one sit in the warm kitchen and use their imagination;

 

Taken from the kitchen door kept the cats amused for hours.

 

 

This is what we found this morning when we opened the Boot Lobby door

 

This drift must have been at least 3 feet deep

 

Our log shed - hope the roof stays up

 

Our drive and entrance to the front door

 

I feel really sorry for the farmers and their live stock it is a very hard time for them. We see Peta carting loads of hay backwards and forwards from one stock pile to another and then bringing the cows in Carrying buckets of water and I just cannot see an end to this lot. This snow is different to the last lot it is powdery whereas the first lot was hard icy and compact.

Today it has been snow all day with some  sunshine but it even snows with the sunshine.

Today I had a go at making jam doughnuts. Not too bad a little heavy but probably due to the fact that I took the recipe off the internet and it was one to use in the bread machine which was fine except it must  have been american ( so different to us) because I was told to use the sweet setting which on my machine bakes it with no chance of removing the dough to shape it . Still  heard the machine start up again after the first rising so whipped it out and went on from there.

So here we are stuck in with nothing but fire, telly, food and booze, hard life.

 

 

 

5 February

Wonderful the snow has gone, ok more forecast for later in the week but perhaps it might not arrive who knows, who cares, big clean up Colin has spent the whole morning washing down the patio. Gosho is here following Slavi’s instructions after the big sorting out of the water yesterday. Gosho dug a very deep long trench from the back wall of the kitchen to the old water metre pit, Slavi arrived and fitted the necessay water pipes under the sink and whilst at it changed over the hot and cold inlets as idiot had got cold as hot and hot as cold. then a brand new pipe had to be laid from the kitchen to the ex metre pit and connected. Slavi, one of his opo’s and Gosho did this and finished at about 18.30. Slavi gave Gosho strick instructions on what to do regarding insulation, and bricking up  etc and we could have water tomorrow (which is now today). Do you know we would  have been fine with all the insulation we had done if the idiot had done things correctly in the first place.

Enough about water. It is just over 2 weeks since Rover had his operationg and believe you me he is a different dog and much happier so I think all in all it was done for the best. Kittens seem ok after their operations and the two that could not be  done are perking up so hopefully in a couple of weeks get them done and hopefully that will be the vets done for a bit. Although there is a vet in the next village who does not have facilities to do operations but can do all the usual vaccinations. Trouble is  we have been waiting for him for about 4 weeks and still no nearer getting the dogs vaccinated.

The washing machine is going full pelt and the dryer is following close behind. How it mounts up after just a few days. Even though we have reduced rates at night I just cannot have so much washing hanging around.

Now for some photo’s.

snowdrops from my garden

Goodbye Mr Snowman

the cart with snowdrops and other bulbs coming through

mud mud glorious mud

 

Magnolia but it does have buds so exciting only gardeners will understand

 

Snowdrops in the garden of the old house next door obviously a well loved garden

 

It was once upon a time a live gooseberry bush

 

hyjunnyy

our fireplace finally finished but it has really kept us warm during the cold spell

 

so there we have it up to date with all the ups and downs but we are still here and loving it and I have to say seeing the english motorways on TV this morning and how badly the snow had effected them, well they cope with things better here.

Just could not resist adding this on. Slavi our central heating/plumber arrived and has checked through things and it appears that our wonderful ex builder used an old metal pipe for the inlet which of course has frozen and will burst, plus he has used wrong fittings. Yet more expense due to an incompetent idiot. Hopefully tomorrow we shall have water.

3 February

Is this cold spell ever going to ease. Minus, minus, minus been as low as -17 and high as -1 if anything gets thawed the continual snow stocks it up again. Novelty worn off now, white christmas, snowmen. I willingly give to you, note I said give not sell. Joking aside this is an aspect of Bulgaria that although we had been warned about it getting cold, so what we thought we have a nice warm fire and plenty of food, just forgot about little things like pipes getting frozen. What we have been doing is fill up our tanks with water via the hosepipe from the stand pipe in the garden. Ok a bit of a hassle but it works, that is until the standpipe freezes. We have some water bottles that hold 11 litres so started to fill up the tank with those. Put in 3 to last us over night, plenty we thought – no way lucky if it will flush the loos.

This morning we had a little bird looking very sorry for itself on our kitchen sink, grabbed it put it in a box with water and food and brought it into the warm. About an hour latter I heard it fluttering so put the box on the step, uncovered it and away it went so hopefully a bit of tlc has worked. I have not been giving the birds water because it has frozen up so quickly that not worth it. I know they say that the energy taken by birds to use snow is a lot but I have concentrated on food which gives them energy

Yesterday was our 32nd wedding aniversary so what exciting thing did we do -nothing – just another day. Did try out our new fondue set with a soup and various bits and pieces in it, pretty good it was too,next time will try it with oil. Do not fancy cheese seems to be a bit boring that.

Yesterday Colin had to take Gosho into Elhovo to ge to the water board with a faulty metre from his house, somehow this little trip turned into taking Gosho’s sister and her child to the hospital and then back again but with a detour to pay for someone elses TV rental. He was a bit fed up with having to go back to the hospital and wait for them but buses are so infrequent that it was necessay and Colin is so good natured he just didn’t mind. Gosho had to borrow 60 leva not sure if it was for the waterboard, hospital or TV rental.

Today Gosho arrived and got some water working via the hosepipe up into our tanks and filled up 7 11litre bottles as backup. It would seem that the inlet pipe has not been lagged and as it is in the wall this is going to present a problem but we shall overcome it. As we say the first year is a learning curve, harder than we imagined but but just look on it as another adventure in life.

1 February

Last night about 7 pm I decided that the heat had reached a good level for me  (like 100c) to go and have a shower and hair wash. Since we had the pump and water tanks fitted it has been fantastic having a shower – within seconds the shower is red hot and consequently the cubical becomes really great. So there is me with a head full of shampoo and the shower starts to splutter and then go cold and then hot, just about get my hair rinsed and turn the shower off. Told Colin and he had a look at the tanks, pump working like mad but not water, we had a freeze up. Not much we could do last night so managed.

Today Gosho was due but we had to leave the house before he arrived to take the kittens to the vets. After a really frozen night was not looking forward to the journey. As the kittens were due for anesthics they could not eat from midnight so nor could any of our cats. What a nightmare this morning I even had Billyden attack me wanting food. Still got the kittens all boxed up and on our way at about 8am. Left instructions for Mels to tell Gosho to find out if it was us or the village that was frozen up. Many phone calls later gosho gets Mitko the water man to come and have a look and it turns out we have water to our property but then it stops at the inlet pipe. Which has come into the house somewhere, unlagged and frozen up. So is it the demon builder who has causaed this or not – who knows. Fortunately Colin and Gosho worked out that if they connected the hosepipe to the standpipe they could run it up to the tanks and fill them so we had water. Will have to wait for the thaw or plumber to sort out the frozen pipe.

Now for the kittens. Baby spice has been ill with diarrhea for some time and also unbeknown to us so has Spot so the vets would not operate , it appears that it is some sort of virus that domestic cats have passed to them via ferral cats when the deomesticated cats reach maturity. They both got an injection and course of tablets and then they can have the spaying operation. Tiger and Yogi were both neutered and Strippy was spayed. the three operated on all were given back to us with those  awful collars. They have been taken off with the hope that they will behave.

Took advantage of being in Yambol to sort out our health forms which we give a copy to the local doctor and then we should receive Bulgarina helath care. Met Tim our interpreter who took us to a way out of the town electrical garage who we needed to fix the car clicker because it would not lock. % minutes and 5 leva and all was sorted. Back to the supermarket to do the big shop and one or two bits and pieces and then back to pick up the kittens and back home.

The main roads are clear but the village is a bit of faith hope and charity situation and the final off road up to our house is a complete sheet of ice. But I have to say that our 4 wheel drive Nissan Xtrail did not slide at all. I think a good buy.

30 January

Yesterday I went in to one of the Bulgarian forums which I find very useful, people are so helpful, I think there is always someone who will answer your question. To my surprise there was a thread on Melsgotnits. Ok I thought someone having a go at some of my comments but NO a very kind person had put some very complimentary comments on and I have to say I was chuffed it made my day.

Forums are so very useful, I wanted some rhubarb  crowns and asked on the forum about where could I get them. Within an hour I had a guy come through to me and he is supplying me with rhubarb crowns and blueberry bushes come spring but even better he has started a nursery on line and so far I have spent over 100 leva’s just waiting for the weather to improve and become planting time. Nurseries are the one thing that I have difficulty with in Bulgaria, yes they do have them in the big towns and DIY stores carry a good selection but they are all a good distance away so it does need a special trip.

Very pleased with the result of Rovers neutering he is beginning to settle and no more fights and although he was alwarys a loving dog he has now become almost Colin.s shadow. The kittens are off to the vets for their operation on wednesday weather permitting.

I know it is a bit small just a few of the birds we feed

 

one day those kittens are going to go too far up the branch

 

Pleased to say that at 13.00 a small thaw has set in but not enough to get rid of the ice but a start expected to be – 16 tonight. when I got up this morning the fire was still red so gave it a bit of a boost and we were off again. Althought the heat does not go upstairs so you would notice it is not too cold. Do not want a warm bedroom anyway.

You know I do not know what I would do without the internet. Our main meat is pork and I like a good stew but have never considered having a pork stew but went on the internet and found other like thinking people who had tried a stew and said it was fantastic so that in next on the agenda. I like to keep the menu changed regularly having a top quality chef for a son makes me keep on my toes. I do get a bit cheesed off when I give him what I think is an inovation and he says ‘ yes mother we have been doing that for years’ Still it is all good fun and makes life a bit more enjoyable.

 

one day those kittens are going to go too far up the branch