8 April

Yesterday being saturday decided to have a look in the market and see if they had any chickens for sale other than the little ones. As we wanted some shopping decided to go in early and do that and have a look for the chickens and then if they had some go home and collect Gosho. Well of course they had some all different sizes so decided it was best to collect Gosho and come back with him. Which we did, however, on the way into town at a well known speed trap Colin forgot all about it and pretended to be Lewis Hamilton and yes the police were there with their  camera up and working and we got stopped for doing 63km in a 50km zone, 20 leva fine not too band and we can pay it via the bank. They did not even look at his licence, so no points.  Got to the market and looked at the chickens, the large ones looked very scruffy and a women told us they were no good, so went and had a look at the others and ended up buy 3 that are about 3 months old and 5 that are a month or so older. We were only going to have 3 but guess we got carried away as usual. They travelled home ok and put them into their coop with food and water and left them to settle in. Jenco who knows all about animals said that next day we should let them out for about half and hour and stay with them and give them some more food. This morning followed his advice and they seem very happy. I bet out of the eight at least 2 will be cockrels. So far today have let them out three times, two of the cats have seen them and although I would not trust any of them so far they have decided that they are very strange type of bird. I am sure the larger ones are too big not sure about the little ones.

Today Mels friend Sean is cooking sunday lunch a real treat for me all I have to do is tell him where things are, roast loin of port with a mustard coating, roast potatoes, carrots, apple sauce and yorkshire puds. I bought a muffing tray in Lidls which is really hugh so should get nice large yorkshires.

Weather is nice and warm so have been putting my new plants out to harden off, forgot them last night and the wind got up  but they seem ok so have now found a home for them in the new walled garden beds that Gosho is building for me, Nice sun but still that wind is around. Hey – we have a mole, keep finding mounds of earth, no problem yet as only digging where the weeds are. But it seems to be heading in the direction of the veg garden.

The storks are back so far not seen any in the old nests which they are supposed to reuse each year but nice to see them spring is here and summer is on the way.

I am a bit confused because this is easter weekend but I think the Bulgarians celebrate it next weekend, this is probably why when I tried to explain to gosho that friday was a religious holiday he gave me a blank look. To be honest I get a lot of blank looks from gosho but this is me not him.

4 April

Went to Burgas on Monday to collect Mels friend Sean from the airport so took full advantage and went to the big shops. One of the main reasons was to investigate pool liners and pond equipment to see if our ideas for the water feature were possible. The first shop Mr Bricolage did not have anything at all which was a disappointment as we had been told that they stocked everything necessary, so went on to BauMax and yes they did have the stuff a bit confused as they had a ticket on it giving a price for 1 meter and then said that it would make 6sq meters think it is a bit like buying a meter of carpet and the width makes up the difference. At first I thought it was expensive then realised that the price was not in £’s but in Leva’s, maybe not so bad then but have now decided on a slighly different design still running it through our minds and will have to remeasure to make sure we know what is what, managed to get the original size and quatities of slabs for the patio wrong so could be wrong with the pond liner. It is very difficult not speaking the language, I know our fault entirely.

After the shopping headed out to the airport, arrived with about 15 minutes to spare but the plane was early and had just landed, they still take a time to get through customs and strangely there were a lot of people waiting for its arrival and several of them were carrying bunches of flowers, why??? I know they were all waiting for this plane because it was the only one due in, the next one was an internal flight due in about 2 hours. Sean arrived with hugs and kisses and we set off for home about an hour and half away, sun was setting so it meant the vast majority of the drive would be in dusk and darkness, a bit tricky because the main road is a bit like a country lane through forests and no real towns just little villages, actually surprisingly enough the road  skirts round the villages and in the dark we could see that with the street lights they are quite big. Got home safely even though nearly got a donkey and cart which had no lights on it at all.

My nursery man – Craig – phoned me on Monday to say that he had packed up my order and the courier had just collected it and it should be with us on tuesday. So come tuesday and we had a phone call from the courier service from a lady who spoke pretty good english, we gave her instructions regarding where Melnitsa is and said if the courier phoned when he arrived in the village we would meet him and collect the parcel. This was the morning, in the aternoon we had two text messages which said it would be delivered that afternoon. My nursery man sent an email saying that the order had gone from the tracking system and he assumed it had been delivered. I emailed him back and said no not had it. Well to cut a long story short they tried to say it would be delivered Thursday, Craig said not good enough so it is supposed to arrive today and before I sign it off I have to check every plant and make sure it is ok if not I have to complain. What fun that is going to be as I have ordered rather a lot of plants.

Mels and Sean spent yesterday meeting the locals, mainly in the bar, they seem to have had fun, and arrived home in the early hours of this morning, not our idea of fun, we get up early and go to bed earlyish. The dogs love having visitors who make a fuss of them. However, this morning Socks and Rover had a fight with the arch enemies, Petters dogs, no real harm done they have been winding each other up for days, perhaps it has cleared the airc.

29 Match

The veg garden has been weeded just leaves our garden and the fruit garden which is the worst of the lot. Been meaning to buy a strimmer but then remembered that P had brought one over but it doesn’t work. Electric part ok but fuel does not seem to be getting to the works so apparently the guy to see is the welder and fortunately he is here for the next couple of days so hopefully it will work before poor Gosho has to do it all by hand.

Today I want an outside tap fitted so that we can water the garden without having to go all the way up to the old house to turn on the stand pipe. Just tried to explain to Gosho what I want and not sure if he understands but we shall get there.

Simon has arrived this morning with the news that the people who own next door to us the other side want to sell for 12,000 levas which is a lot better than the 20,000 they were originally asking for but Simon good chap that he is is sticking out for 8,000 it would then give us a lovely aspect and large garden.

Why is nothing ever easy, Gosho understood about the tap but the manhole sort of area where it has to be fixed is into the ground about 1 metre deep and I want the tap above ground so connecting pipe needed which means Colin and Gosho have to go into Elhovo to buy what ever is needed. If we went and not Gosho we would probably get the wrong size. Still it will be good at the end of the day.

One thing I have never mentioned is that when in Torba we used to get dreadful thunderstorms that would go on all day and the lightening would light up the sky at night as if it was a power station. So far we have not had anything like that here which to my way of thinking is very good.

My wild hops are growing like mad and one or two of the new fruit trees is budding, I just cannot wait to get some my  flower plants to et some colour.

A friend of ours Frankie had a stroke the other day and is in hopsital, it has left him paralysed and he cannot speak, hopefully with help he may regain some of his facalities. Mels and some other friends are on their way to visit him, Mels wanted to take him a present  but what could she get that would be suitable. Fortunately his daughter is married to our Bulgarian electrician and lives in Elhovo so I expect he will have to live with her for the time being.

Later on

The tap is up and running BUT I have bought a hosepipe that sprays all along the pipe – ideal to turn on and water the veg BUT at this moment in time not enough pressure so another problem to solve. Get used to this.

25 March

This month is flying bye perhaps the fact that it has warmed up has helped. I poodle round the garden most days and am happy to see that the sliver are in blossom (small plums that are used to make rakia) they also make very nice jam and crumble, and this morning the peach tree has started to bloom. I hunt round all my bare rooted trees and bushes and one or two are showing good signs.

This morning a small bird flew into our living room window, not the first one. Colin went and picked it up and put it onto the bird table and pleased to say that after a few moments it flew off. So one the cats did not get.

I did not say the other day when we came back from taking Greg to Edirne I was looking at my new wall and turned round to go up the patio to see the end bit but I forgot that there was a step so went flying. It sure as hell hurt my knee and I could not get up. It took two hunky men to get me to my feet and then into my chair. By hunky I might be stretching the imagination a bit Colin and Gosho but to me they were very hunky. I was given the day off work and a large whisky so spent the afternoon asleep on the couch. All I can say is that my bones must be made of steel I really thought I had cracked my knee. Next day a bit shakey but up and about as usual.

Had to go to Yambol because the f/f was repaired and ready for inspection they wanted us to see it working before we had it back. So called into the shop and were told we had to go to the service place which meant going back to an area we had been shopping earlier. We were also told that there was nothing wrong with the f/f we had not turned the switch on which was a load of rubbish  and we told them so, I might be stupid with things like that but Colin certainly isn’t. Found the service place and were shown it was working and then we had to rush home because they were going to deliver between 2 and 5 that afternoon. First though we had to call into the Disco bar as there was a birthday party in progress and P was coming over for it. But could only spend an hour because of the f/f. Next time there is a party I must take some photo’s it is really nicely done. The tables have a selection of drinks, beer, cola, wine, etc etc. I do not like beer so Colin bought me a whisky and then Doreena whoses birthday it was saw and bought me one so I had two. Not too good at midday still managed one and bottled the other and brought it home. Then a mad rush to get the shopping put away and the loan f/f emptied and cleaned out before ours was returned. So glad that we went for the American style, the loan one would have been the sort that we would have had otherwise and it was so small.

Welcome back our F/f.

Finally finished making the covers for the dining room chairs, very hard work as no seamstress but they look pretty good and certainly a lot better than the scratched ones the kittens left us with.

Today being sunday it is roast pork with the trimmings and F1 on the telly – just like being in the UK (nearly).

 

22 March

Yesterday went into Elhovo to pay the council tax. Had only the vaguest idea where to go and no idea how much, so did a wander round, gave up and phoned Paul who came to our rescue and took us to the right office. In the UK you would never have entered the building, talk about back street tattyness but still went up the inevitable stairs and went to the clerk at the end of the room gave her our company papers and she gave us a piece of paper and then we went to the cash desk (very like Turkey) who then demanded just over 50 levas. Not bad for two houses. Whilst at the cash desk Paul asked if we wanted to pay for the car council tax, so to save having to come back all we needed was Colin’s ID card as the car is in his name and we paid 134 Leva this tax is something to do with the size of the engine and age of the car and not a road tax as we know it.

Slavi has finally been and completed the plumbing in the guest bathroom. Now Gosho has to do some cementing and tiling which when finished means that we are up and running. Whilst Slavi was here Simon had words with him about putting a couple of radiators in the loft conversion. Unfortunately although we were initially told by our ex ‘expert’ builder that this was ok apparently because of the height of the tank it is a no no still not to worry there will be other forms of heating available also the rooms are going to be well insulated.

Was dreading our electric bill this month because had used the washing machine and dryer rather a lot but surprise surprise only about 20 levas over the usual amount so can live with that. The last lot of washing was put outside to dry and because the weather is now so much better only took half a day to dry.

I am busy trying to cover the dining room chairs which the kittens had ruined scratching, the material I chose has a difficult pattern, so far only completed two of the six to do but think I have now worked it out so hopefully the remaing four will be a doddle. Mind you not certain that the kittens will stop scratching them.

Simon has taken down the two defunct chimneys that we have so today and tomorrow Gosho is up on the roof placing tiles, whilst up there he will be repairing one or two spots that need it. Rather him than me up there.

Dogs all have new collars, which have special metal disks attached to them to tell the world that they have had their rabies and other innoculations. Their old collars were a disgrace all torn and shabby, now they have brnd new leather ones and very smart they are too. They seem to understand that they are looking smarter but it is a pity that they do not behave better, still up on the garage roof creating merry hell whenever anything goes past mainly the continuous battle with the farmers dog who seems to enjoy standing just below them giving encouraging woofs. Pathetic.

18 March

Today it is one  year since we came to Bulgaria to look for property and tomorrow one year since we saw our house. Time goes quickly and it is unbelievable the amount of work we have had done and just wish we had some before and after pictures I really would have liked to be able to show you the garden as it was but still projects in progress photos with this episode.

Yesterday we had a text early in the morning saying that Greg was giving us a surprise visit and would we meet him at the Yambol bus station at 3.00pm. Apparently he had caught a bus from Istanbul and was coming down as a mothers day surprise.

So after lunch made our way to Yambol and went to the bus station which was a lot smaller than I expected. No sign of Greg so when it got to 3.30pm went to an office that might or might not have been enquiries. Said English, they said no so gave the bus company name and said Istanbul and they said no. There was a sort of mall with lots of bus company offices none with the name we wanted and then our phone went. It was Greg. The bus had dropped him off outside a garage about 10 km from Yambol and said that was the stop for Yambol. Greg’s phone was not working so he borrowed one of the garage mechanics phone to phone us. The truth of the matter was that the bus company did not go into Yambol but took the main road just past the garage to head off towards Burgas. To buy a return ticket he was told to go to Yambol and buy it there but where would they pick him up god only knows. So come monday means a trip for us to Edirne so that he can get home. Still what a surprise and even better he is taking us all out to dinner to our favourite restaurant the Oasis.

I am happy to say that the weather has improved vastly and it is about 18c still a cold wind though but the odd flower is beginning to bloom even some of the bulbs I planted half heartedly in the flower bed are up and shining.

Another good thing about the weather is that the birds have mainly reverted to finding food for themselves which I believe is a good thing as what they eat on our bird tabe is not always good when they have babies so the sooner they become less dependent on us the better. The other good thing is that someone else can have a chance of buying peanuts from the supermarket

Went to the market again yesterday and bought some more lettuce plants and also got some tomato plants which are now planted out with half plastic water bottles protecting them from anything nasty. Still no chickens only very young ones which our cats would love, and too difficult to rear being a novice.

 

Gosho working hard on my walled gardens

 

My newly planted tomatoes and lettuc

 

Garlic if you can see it

 

Broad beans

 

The ruined house where Gosho is getting the rocks for my walled garden. Hoping to leave the main walls to make a proper walled garden. the barn in the background is also ours.

 

Mels favourite cow call Spotty Cow. I do not think she is too well the farmer has been dosing her, perhaps she is about to give birth who knows.

14 March

We are having the loft conversion done now, taking shape and will give us one very large room the length of the house which will easily be converted if wanted into 2 extra bedrooms. we have fantastic views from our bedroom but one floor higher and it will be out of this world. We shall be using it as a room for games, music and hopefully put in a bar.

We also have got Gosho to make a start on the other house, firstly the ceilings have been taken down to expose the roof which does need a lot of repair but this is something that is going to take years because money just does not stretch that far. It is a lovely house and would make a great holiday home for hikers, fishermen, even mountain bikers and anyone who loves countryside activities. This is where I have planted all my fruit trees. In the past the owners have loved the place, loads of snowdrops and now I have big clumps of daffs coming up. The chickens, ducks and geese will live there and there is a waterpipe laid which will be great to give them a pond to swim on. Weather is improving had to do some garden watering this morning. Bought some lettuce plants which Gosho planted but they did need watering, we also have garlic, onions and broadbeans growing. Needless to say the forecast now says rain tonight and tomorrow, our fault for watering.I think that most vegitable stuff will be bought as plants but you have to be careful as some of the market sellers do ask high prices.

The vet came on monday and removed the stiches from Spotty and Baby Spice the last two female kittens, all the kittens also had to have a booster for all the germs and viruses and Stripey(the one that nearly died of one of these bugs) had to have the first vaccine injections. The dogs had to have their yearly rabies etc vaccines. They were all very well behaved except for Spotty who fights against anything like medicine etc. With so much to be done it was so much easier than trying to take them to the vets in Yambol. They are also going to come to give the older cats their second injection. This is great saves all the distress of putting them into the baskets and driving them there and the vet only charges 30leva for the visit which to be honest is about what it would cost us in petrol.

Mels has got herself a new friend in a village just the other side of Elhovo, it is nice that she has someone her own age that is English and enjoys the same thing as her. She is off for a night out on friday at a club, I bet she has a mega hangover saturday. I hate hangovers I just die for the whole day but the kids of today seem to not bother and just go for it.

10 March

Here are the photo of the tractor and could not resist the dogs. They are standing on the garage roof which has some outside stairs up to it. A couple of nights ago they managed to open the Boot lobby door and got up there and started barking. Not a good idea in the middle of the night especially as it was outside our bedroom door.

 

Circa 1900

 

Tractor and trailer to empty the barn of loose hay it took about 8 loads.

 

 

Socks and Rover on the garage roof from where they

see everything that is going on

 

Mels and I have just been to the hairdressers. Me cut restyle, bleach and colour 30 levas £12.83 Mels cut highlight, bleach and colour 50 levas £21.39 cannot complain about that. Both of us look really good just need our prince to come and whisk us away.

 

7 March

Getting older is a pain one of which is loosing teeth. Just before we left Turkey I had to have two teeth out, went to our usual dentist there who was very good but this time I do not think he gave the injection time to work and he hurt me so I have been very wary about going to a new dentist in a new country so I put it off and took the pills until it got ridiculous and I had to admit defeat. Asked around and got the name of a recommended English speaking dentist in Yambol. Phoned him and made an appointment which was for 8am this morning. Got there and found his surgery which the building is shared with a doctor who also speaks English and spent the time of day with us and chatted a bit so we think that we will use him as well. So my time came and I was called in and sat in the chair, as expected the tooth had to go so he realised that I was very nervous and explained every thing as he went along. When it came to the injection he used something that looked like a pen with a very small needle at the end of it. He explained the first injection would be a little painful but after that I would not feel anything and he was right, he injected all round the tooth one or two spots almost hurt but generally speaking it was fantastic. Next the actual extraction. Painless and easy so my confidence has been built up. After effects well very little do feel a bit sore this evening but nothing much.

If you look at some of the photos of the garden you will see the old ruined house, it was getting a bit dangerous so we decided to have the roof that was hanging down removed and all the mud type bricks taken down. We have left the sound walls to use as a walled garden. Some of the wood used to hold up the roof and ceiling must be at least 100 years old if not more and is very big heavy stuff but wonderful so that is being kept for something in the garden but not sure what yet. We are planning a mega water feature and pond so thinking about it. Gosho has been fantastic, up on the top and demolishing tons and tons of stuff now it comes to removing it. He has a friend who has a tractor and trailer and for the princely sum of 40 levas a day has been helping Gosho remove it, two days so far but at least another day. I must make comment about the tractor and if he does come tomorrow will try to take a photo. I think it is circa 1900 but it goes and pulls all the tons of rubble with ease.

The diet is still going well and have lost a few pounds, using the Wii programme but a bit confusing because I cannot remeber what weight I started at, I am also doing it the old fashioned way with the bathroom scales.

Guess that will do for today need my whisky to ease the tooth loss.

1 March

Today is Baba Marta day the bulgarians consider 1 March as the first day of spring and have a fanciful story why it is such, everyone gives red and white tokens ie a bracelet or something to friend and family who are supposed to wear them until the first stork is seen. It is a long story which I do not propose repeating here but those of you interested will be able to find it on the internet.

Gosho is not working today so yesterday we gaive him a token from each of us, he seemed pleasantly amused, I think the more tokens you get the higher your rating in the village is so he has been started with three.

Yesterday he cleaned out the old house next door to us which we bought sometime ago and is the home of  his two work shops and the soon to be chickens and my fruit garden. As we have decided to have the loft conversion done all the things stored in the loft have to have a new home and the house is where they are going. At some stage we shall have to decide if we are going to start the repairs to the house or just let it go to a ruin. It does look a lot better now that it has been cleaned out and emptied. Found a couple of boxes of photo slides which are Russian and I would think were give aways as they seem to be pictures of works of art.

Decided today to start the diet. Somehow Bulgarian first day of spring seems a good omen Set up the Wii for weight etc told it we were wearing thick heavy clothes – well it is true. We have a programme on the computer that  gives us calorie counts automatically for each food/drink and adds them up. Well two pieces of toast with marmalade and my fruit juice drink and todays alcohol allowance is going to cost me 500 calories a third of the daily intake and it is homemade pizza for lunch, a bit of thought and I will manage it.

Have taken a few more photos so thought you might like to see them.

Our morning walk in the snow

BillyDen gets so cold

Rover and Socks thinking about misbehavng as usual

You aint gonna take my photo

 

Now you know why we love having Mels here

 

 

Not snow taken on our flight to Bodrum above the clouds

 

So Yogi loves Peaches

 

Rover Lord of all he surveys

 

Hope you like these just part of our daily life.

Its snowing now so much for a Bulgarian spring just don’t believe them but the diet is still on. (I hope, watch this space)