tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27069985776530716002024-02-06T19:12:41.398-08:00From Windermere to Hotnitsa - The Adventure Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-54232148536186014612019-01-17T06:31:00.000-08:002019-01-17T07:41:52.560-08:002018 Update, Life in BulgariaHello! I've finally got a little time to myself to accumulate my pictures and write a visible story about 2018. This serves as a good diary for me, so when I say to myself, "where does all the time go", well read on.<br />
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I started the year off on my previous post so this story starts from the beginning of March. And it always kicks off with the giving and receiving of the Martinetsa's. However in February, a few of us ladies in the village decided to start a crafting group. We met in February to try and make some Martinetsa's....<br />
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...and as the custom goes, these should not be taken off until the first storks arrive. Then you can hang them on your fruit trees to ensure the best harvest.</div>
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Spring arrives and our ladies circle called Sedjanka Priyatelstvo or in English, Hotnitsa Circle of Friends were in full swing. Basically its like a knit and natter group. Our next meeting was on March 5th and we all had a little go at crochet. </div>
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On Thursday 8th March, it was International Ladies Day which is celebrated here with a gathering of the ladies of the village who bring food and basically we all get plastered. Great fun and dancing by ex-pats and Bulgarians alike.</div>
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These ladies know how to deal with a sausage!</div>
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And these was a nod to the Greeks with a little plate smashing - very satisfying</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy_YjIgG5C2zgqVOdnEWJdvwCKif7L6oTVCuBFaacilzMQEDHtIq20mOvhI7KBaXNTjFc8m1dmE8TsCn7KuOg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>This is what happens when the men join in.<br />
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Because we had a Ladies day, the men folk of the ex-pat community decided we should have a Men's evening on Friday the 9th whereby the women should cook for their men and a huge picnic took place in the bar. Gosh nothing is sacred!</div>
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On 5th April we held another meeting of the Circle or Friends and we painted eggs for Easter.</div>
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Late April, our meeting was to try a bit of hand weaving. Forgot to take pictures.</div>
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By now, the garden was starting to take shape ready for the new growing season. I hand dug both sides of the poly tunnel area....</div>
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...and some of the first things to be planted were potatoes and onions.<br />
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I think I am planting a Squeak there!</div>
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Then after careful planning and sticking to my crop rotation, frames started to go up for tomatoes and cucumbers.<br />
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In May, we opened a community shop called Bits & Bobs.<br />
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This was for the Hotnitsa community to either donate unwanted goods or sell their own pre-loved goods. The room was free of charge and we were able to borrow or steal some stands and rails.<br />
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Some of the goods on sale, Creams and potions from the Little Green Cream Co. made by a semi resident, Mushrooms in all shapes and forms (dried, pastes etc.) from another and produce (chutneys and jams) and homemade dog biscuits from me.<br />
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Junk and collectibles</div>
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Books, CDs etc.</div>
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Pre-loved clothes, almost modelled by the voluptuous Maria</div>
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ST GEORGES DAY CELEBRATIONS</div>
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If you saw last year's blog, you will remember Ivan's St Georges Day Celebrations. The theme seems to be eat drink, be merry and lets shoot the cannon. Not dis-similar this year but the weather was on our side, even if the cannon wasn't. - A Few pictures:</div>
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A few of the crew</div>
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The passion mobile</div>
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Ivan getting the goat!</div>
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The kid goat was supplied by my Brother-in-Law. A necessary cull and very tasty.</div>
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Yes he is drilling up the shaft (for want of a better word)</div>
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Now he seems to be kissing it.</div>
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I'd lost the plot by this point!</div>
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All in all, we had a lovely day, the sun was out, food was good and we were not too rowdy.</div>
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Our Circle of friends meetings continued and at the beginning of May we made some toadstools using the technique shown to us by a Craft Teacher who will be moving to the village soon, Coral. </div>
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On 8th May, we went out into Veliko Tarnovo for the evening to celebrate Barbara's birthday. We had been recommended to try a Chinese restaurant but I think it was the regular chef's night off, or at least whoever was cooking was trying to promote oil! No matter we still enjoyed ourselves and after some very exuberant ordering by Warren, we all left with large dodgy doggy bags.</div>
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A few days later on 12th we were invited to a 60th birthday party. Jimmy was recovering from a broken leg but he still managed to do a little catering looking very at home by the BBQ</div>
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Some of the guests. Jill and Jimmy live in a different village to ours so its quite difficult when you don't know people but we all seemed to have a good time and I finished off the evening in Jimmy's Bar, beating people at pool and sharing my misspent youth.</div>
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At the end of the month The circle painted stones for the garden.</div>
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My friend Barbara's son and daughter in law came over for a visit, together with the three children and Fiona's mum. I invited them all over for afternoon tea. I used some of my strawberry bounty on the cake. Yum Yum!</div>
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Whilst they were visiting, we made full use of Adam to help with the first try out of our jointly owned still (Graham and Stewart). These were some pears that had started fermenting again since they were put into the barrel last year, they were finally ready.</div>
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This was definitely a learning curve for the boys. The coil was to be kept cold while the distilling procedure took place. </div>
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Although we did get a good harvest from it, it was a very cumbersome way of going about things so we had a word with a man who had a word with another man and basically he redesigned the system. Now the coil sits inside a barrel and there is constant cold water being flushed through. We had to lend the still to the chap who knew the chap, so he could test it out on his own Rakia.</div>
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Things were starting to take shape in the garden.</div>
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...and to test my crocheting skills, I decided to trial the growing of tomatoes up strings instead of frames. I just crocheted a loop stitch of garden twine, held down at the base. Worked quite well.<br />
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June heralded a trip out to Arbanasi, a village not far from Veliko Tarnovo to watch a dance/singing festival. the weather was great, the dancers were brilliant, men and women, girls and boys.</div>
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So we finally decided to take the bull by the horns and try and learn some Bulgarian. Our friend Stewart had agreed to help us as he has enough to both understand and also get his point across. I started with the basics.<br />
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A fridge door full of numbers</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnzbTbeGyM_WLcx09veatA8qgjiF3YEp-gOPt4ZgWciHVIrJoAGjjtM8ET5Oi074pnevy7AFZaNSaDbfMixZ73jcj8C3VaopCFd_2hORcwr4vT5SnFXwnzsojwCWJv96YYrLHhsy34iVR/s1600/IMG_20180629_163905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnzbTbeGyM_WLcx09veatA8qgjiF3YEp-gOPt4ZgWciHVIrJoAGjjtM8ET5Oi074pnevy7AFZaNSaDbfMixZ73jcj8C3VaopCFd_2hORcwr4vT5SnFXwnzsojwCWJv96YYrLHhsy34iVR/s320/IMG_20180629_163905.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
...and a beam with the alphabet and days of the week (sorry for the poor quality pictures)<br />
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The shop was going from strength to strength, particularly on car boot days. This happens once a month in our village in the summer and people (especially ex-pats) come from all around to trawl through the 30 or so stalls. Thankfully a lot of people drift up to the bar and as we are stationed just next door, we get some business.<br />
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We made dragonflies at the craft meeting this month<br />
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...and another event I organised was a pub quiz. Good fun but I was a little horse after shouting above the TV. Another Bulgarian tradition - keep the TV on at all costs.<br />
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My bungled together prizes, a bottle of Graham's Pear Rakia, a pot of pickle and a cash prize for the winner.<br />
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Towards the end of June we decided, with a little help from our friends, to collect some of the traditional small plums that were used to make the proper Rakia. All good fun but a lot of hard work and the plums were collected.<br />
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And then Graham cracked on with the scientific bit. testing the specific gravity after the sugar had gone in and the plums had fermented a bit.<br />
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Mmm, a bit to go then?</div>
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My back border was starting to show some colour, whilst the produce was starting to ripen.<br />
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This scary creature was found in amongst my tomatoes and while I'm not usually wimpish about these things, I did look it up on Google and they can give a nasty bite so he/she was removed to the hen area. Not to scale, it was slightly bigger than it looks here.<br />
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With all the bounty I was getting,I started to make all my pickles and preserves. There is only so much we can eat so the rest went down to the shop for sale.</div>
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We marked the coming of July with a BBQ for our friends, Warren and Sylvi and Barbara and Stewart.</div>
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....typical, I think the ladies were washing up!</div>
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At this point in the year when we are experiencing our most warmest temperatures, the chicken house needs a full clean and special treatment for mites. They are particular to all the nooks and crannies within the wood and can be really bad for the hens. Luckily we have the pool up by now and as soon as the task of scrubbing everywhere down and spreading the treatment, its straight into the pool or a shower, damned itchy little so and so's. This year in particular, it hit us hard, together with Colorado beetle on the potatoes (picked off by hand every morning) and shield bugs on the tomatoes. As I don't use any chemicals, you'd see me stooped over my produce day and night to try and keep them at bay.</div>
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The next lot of culling I'm afraid were two of my chickens. They were two old ones that were given to my by my sister and after monitoring, proved not to be laying. We tried to offer them to a local sanctuary but we were told that if they didn't lay, they didn't want them! EH! Isn't that the purpose of a sanctuary? Anyway Graham did the dispatching and I couldn't bring myself to sort them out for the dog so they went to bin heaven. However as seen above, we were given a dispatched drake by Stewart and Barbara and as I wasn't so attached, I had a go at plucking.</div>
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Not a bad job if I do say so myself and the little furry bits where all singed off with a blow torch. Rather than gut it I decided to take the breast and legs off the carcase and keep all the insides intact because it was very fresh.</div>
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Et Voila! We had confit duck legs and I still have the breasts in the freezer. The are a bit smaller than the normal ones you buy so I have decided that I will make some duck spring rolls. Mmmm.</div>
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Meanwhile, things were going mad in the garden</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Since losing two of my non-laying hens, it was time to purchase some more and the best place we know to buy them is at market day (Friday) in a town not far from us. I bought two, a lovely grey one and a really pretty pale orange one. Now when you try and settle new hens into an old flock it can be a bit noisy and for me, anxious. The newbies flitted around all afternoon and just before we went out for the evening, (local bar for a catch up with the ex-pats on a Friday), we tried everything to get the new chickens into the hen house. In the end we had to leave hoping that there was enough undergrowth in the chicken area for them to hide if any predators were around. When we got back from the bar a couple of hours later, we couldn't find either chicken so we just hoped they had found a nice quiet corner. Next morning and I found the grey chicken but no sign of the orange one. She was found later that evening by chance, in some undergrowth, her head had been completely taken and there was no blood whatsoever. Apparently this is the work of a Pole Cat. I was very sad at what I had put them through but I suppose its nature and to this day the little grey who is not so little is my best layer.</span></div>
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This month at the crafting meeting we made dream catchers (not very well in my case)!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsybFtg4xMybxKQXA2ubHFbUwq4Ki1L5UG5U5Y0-laaAKUZ8Oez65dPi5CdM1lTXIE6yKHueuNDvOzgoO1yB6vy8np7bf4GEORTiKCyOgY6Rlmhco8fnWUJ02Hee55vhyphenhyphenfFVj6aKX4Jh5/s1600/DREAMCATCHER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsybFtg4xMybxKQXA2ubHFbUwq4Ki1L5UG5U5Y0-laaAKUZ8Oez65dPi5CdM1lTXIE6yKHueuNDvOzgoO1yB6vy8np7bf4GEORTiKCyOgY6Rlmhco8fnWUJ02Hee55vhyphenhyphenfFVj6aKX4Jh5/s640/DREAMCATCHER.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In August, we decided to ditch the crafting and ask one of the ladies (Postmistress and Chief Bar Maid) to teach us the traditional Bulgarian dancing. Quite why we decided this in the middle of hot August, I'll never know but although we did get a bit hot under the collar, we couldn't stop giggling.</div>
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DISTILLING TIME</div>
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So the excitement was building. would the still work as well as it had at Ivan's house?<br />
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First to seal the lid with flour and water paste. At this point the liquid is about 48% proof so distilled water is added at a later stage to bring the reading to about 43%</div>
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......cheers, all that remains is the mulberry bark to be added for the distinctive colour and then its rested for a few weeks before decanting.<br />
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Just some of the bounty!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiQxsIH-YWebM4e9Ov_88lvTgg8p64WLfGBlr7v_GM5tuyYOGn6pgho9tQ7Lx5UF3D7PEG-qKjykdhWUve5d4GWNLaOA0l4-Geq17BofhaS_j580mJwEDPheNLCmYR50L4cqsqu3WfZi2/s1600/P1080105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiQxsIH-YWebM4e9Ov_88lvTgg8p64WLfGBlr7v_GM5tuyYOGn6pgho9tQ7Lx5UF3D7PEG-qKjykdhWUve5d4GWNLaOA0l4-Geq17BofhaS_j580mJwEDPheNLCmYR50L4cqsqu3WfZi2/s320/P1080105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Half way through the month, Barbara and Stewart had to go back to UK so we agreed to (no, I insisted) that we would keep an eye on their produce too and I spent some time mashing down tomatoes and roasting off peppers for them to fill their freezer. There were some perks though as I hadn't grown any peppers this year, I had some to put in my freezer too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdbdJvIuIe6U2U0ybeQzzj8Qz0fEqc8uyGQ7n1jZFhRhOSaV7SAJXIoW0GVoL_JoFmq7EIpBzKw8_fACZJI0IVlpLrn4OxXltr561cVRJhSdTwFtf3gXdOqL4Kb8yv5MKjdObSpOg9D70/s1600/IMG_20180819_164437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdbdJvIuIe6U2U0ybeQzzj8Qz0fEqc8uyGQ7n1jZFhRhOSaV7SAJXIoW0GVoL_JoFmq7EIpBzKw8_fACZJI0IVlpLrn4OxXltr561cVRJhSdTwFtf3gXdOqL4Kb8yv5MKjdObSpOg9D70/s640/IMG_20180819_164437.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just a small sample.</div>
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The shop was still doing well and we were raising quite a lot of money for charity with the items that were being donated to us. This money was to be used to help our community and lots of ideas were forming in our heads. Later I show some results. I was having a glut of marrows so I made dog biscuits with them (recipe can be supplied), of course Bracken was the lucky one to do all the sampling and testing. I managed to sell quite a lot so well chuffed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMU1kFcgk4iuKiVgR23VbuDX9rEGzkuhAEcRFy6dr15U8Xsht0Yari-kbkLkN7JDK3a_ASEX8yeZd-h4NY-Bp8b1eqoAq5xLpq0gDAxp6iSqcf9T1lodfwBDz9iXoMlwpBw2sY-7028UJ5/s1600/P1070945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMU1kFcgk4iuKiVgR23VbuDX9rEGzkuhAEcRFy6dr15U8Xsht0Yari-kbkLkN7JDK3a_ASEX8yeZd-h4NY-Bp8b1eqoAq5xLpq0gDAxp6iSqcf9T1lodfwBDz9iXoMlwpBw2sY-7028UJ5/s320/P1070945.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A nice pair of marrows!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOguJnUaBStvUbS7GB3qF5JWjD8wdKaL-bJdum-I2LWCdX5Fwv9_pxa3MDwY013pWJhIkhDqxkW9a0o88OKrOxjAxoIQIIdCOwYcXPdqYT1DdoQTH7bpyzR9TgkryJvXhPC2ntmsVmVJy/s1600/IMG_20180811_163404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOguJnUaBStvUbS7GB3qF5JWjD8wdKaL-bJdum-I2LWCdX5Fwv9_pxa3MDwY013pWJhIkhDqxkW9a0o88OKrOxjAxoIQIIdCOwYcXPdqYT1DdoQTH7bpyzR9TgkryJvXhPC2ntmsVmVJy/s320/IMG_20180811_163404.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'll take 5 Leva of anyone's money</div>
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I had a little trip to a doctors in August, whilst dealing with the cleansing of my hen house and other chores of that nature, I stepped on a rusty old nail.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5G5S9wSZwjUTz2bc7TFIn5C4XtDhK5zgcPb7b7Gm1ipPGFjGHxzytjvY1GlC56WyQ0q6TaaCRGA1oEknIkmUwfj3Tyhet7NxNlQkXz97NlIrJy4wjzbnJnigZheqX7AiHT9r371SlJjcH/s1600/IMG_20180808_085621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1600" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5G5S9wSZwjUTz2bc7TFIn5C4XtDhK5zgcPb7b7Gm1ipPGFjGHxzytjvY1GlC56WyQ0q6TaaCRGA1oEknIkmUwfj3Tyhet7NxNlQkXz97NlIrJy4wjzbnJnigZheqX7AiHT9r371SlJjcH/s320/IMG_20180808_085621.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had to pull it out of my foot before I could walk on it but there was absolutely no blood. I think the rust must have filled in the puncture wound. I tried to work out when I last had a tetanus injection and supposed it was about 18 years ago so off we went into VT to a doctor who had been recommended and 30 Leva later (about £15) it was all sorted.</div>
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September was quite a quiet month as the summer mellows out. I started digging over my plot in an effort to prepare for next season and attempted to clear all the weeds that had accumulated over the year. It was a job that took me about 4 weeks on and off and as such there are no weeds coming through but I'm sure come the Spring it will be another storey. </div>
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This month we made mobiles under the tuition of our semi resident crafter Coral. I really enjoyed making something simple out of very little. Here are some examples:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5Sy0XoW6Z1yZBcQxpHlfa-5mQ9U1Rr3TGji1vpiCy1XRq7bBgiZi7_1xzqCOBi8nbM9X5CuNxHoSv-sUsz-GxYNzsCTk9durCj2wbP5fjVLFCzns9okS43n2bRCT7O_nQCBSz5eUy0_w/s1600/Mobile+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5Sy0XoW6Z1yZBcQxpHlfa-5mQ9U1Rr3TGji1vpiCy1XRq7bBgiZi7_1xzqCOBi8nbM9X5CuNxHoSv-sUsz-GxYNzsCTk9durCj2wbP5fjVLFCzns9okS43n2bRCT7O_nQCBSz5eUy0_w/s320/Mobile+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTQY64VaK__ht1GiJeFUKvLY0RO_cXI3C1IgVn1E8kkBWLInH8FCg6EaytB2hjH4Sfz6gaKKmVllCz_kZpOjkTlN8EkzOtXauYP_j0OMdx4wkyRqGOVr0vS9U4bAb6MxNLNZBa_YRcopI/s1600/Mobile+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1063" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTQY64VaK__ht1GiJeFUKvLY0RO_cXI3C1IgVn1E8kkBWLInH8FCg6EaytB2hjH4Sfz6gaKKmVllCz_kZpOjkTlN8EkzOtXauYP_j0OMdx4wkyRqGOVr0vS9U4bAb6MxNLNZBa_YRcopI/s320/Mobile+2.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
....and here is my effort<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2g7NEXeokjfUVqV4xsidjTsSU3ePDZcvP1Fwnhbh32kWTJCElxV3Eh09NjhrBS3RRGTRZHOoIVOhZ90ArRjpQnnp8lnbDAA04I4dM1W83OvLtsQ3dkMiDvReDui1ciF0GGxnpGu39hhU/s1600/P1080102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2g7NEXeokjfUVqV4xsidjTsSU3ePDZcvP1Fwnhbh32kWTJCElxV3Eh09NjhrBS3RRGTRZHOoIVOhZ90ArRjpQnnp8lnbDAA04I4dM1W83OvLtsQ3dkMiDvReDui1ciF0GGxnpGu39hhU/s640/P1080102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In September there was a singing/dancing competition in our village. Our villages joined up with two other local villages and we went down to our theatre (didn't know it existed) which is in the Chitalitse (town hall) together with a museum. I put this picture up to show you that the crime rate here is so low that the two bobbies on the beat even found time to come and watch. See bottom right of the photo. Not sure who won but it was a very colourful event....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtn2Jfxn5vFz2ENjLZ8Z771-vII_d0zaIlPlQquv3anOLYG16BayfAxEFIap7i5v5eb1YP0QZ0Qm5MOYf5u3bcwv4800eSSYs0ckspOJLtT3xbDtGLWWSJ41tg3ZGqJxr0DJe4PTaPnjlb/s1600/DSC02820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtn2Jfxn5vFz2ENjLZ8Z771-vII_d0zaIlPlQquv3anOLYG16BayfAxEFIap7i5v5eb1YP0QZ0Qm5MOYf5u3bcwv4800eSSYs0ckspOJLtT3xbDtGLWWSJ41tg3ZGqJxr0DJe4PTaPnjlb/s640/DSC02820.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
....and Natasha the organiser was very proud to show off her new grandchild.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKy9Zc7nHM8LDg0g6wdbL_sfomHWgZjf_YRoD0SXIqMb_hpyg1b-lyOjnfUeSeis1owBS6pZ_JCkmzKVctFqLrFSAnVfo5q5SgdIA51HPAsyPgwHusTTwf6rM-U8O2QC0RjrfehnPFf-aX/s1600/DSC02829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKy9Zc7nHM8LDg0g6wdbL_sfomHWgZjf_YRoD0SXIqMb_hpyg1b-lyOjnfUeSeis1owBS6pZ_JCkmzKVctFqLrFSAnVfo5q5SgdIA51HPAsyPgwHusTTwf6rM-U8O2QC0RjrfehnPFf-aX/s320/DSC02829.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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At the beginning of October, our group of natty knitters (or Circle of Friends) and us girls who man the shop, decided to have an end of season meal out. Two cars full of young ladies, off we went to a nearby village to descend upon their Lodge facilities.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmz1G2RtpUm4Ftczy2RZPlxao_rRp2oRBB72DU_q2oCiv2s3xRCn9M3hwBUG7j7hsiqpgSXg__6sK1ZrF9Vf3xhNZWUBfc56jLAMOeuT0GcZvpCSZYNDrK4Gfrm2-tRwFvA7gn8kAyJb21/s1600/P1070963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmz1G2RtpUm4Ftczy2RZPlxao_rRp2oRBB72DU_q2oCiv2s3xRCn9M3hwBUG7j7hsiqpgSXg__6sK1ZrF9Vf3xhNZWUBfc56jLAMOeuT0GcZvpCSZYNDrK4Gfrm2-tRwFvA7gn8kAyJb21/s640/P1070963.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Good fun and a fitting end to the Bits and Bobs season.</div>
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Graham had a day out with the boys. As well as a trip to an outdoor activity and camping warehouse, they planned a trip to a motor museum at Varna. After they had been shopping, the boys went to a shopping mall to find somewhere to have lunch. They came across these massage chairs and couldn't resist</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6HZx-Kbv5fDZJy1OHCSTxVZ4CIWajMazYCCH2zjtG6DejrbS5T7GxRWIe3BSDtdQ9Tw4YwJ1zO68ssvtDok1irW1VIOFi061edoafxVLqNlSNKIjCbCMX2W1JeJO6ecvIPS6wpcSzBMu/s1600/DSC02847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6HZx-Kbv5fDZJy1OHCSTxVZ4CIWajMazYCCH2zjtG6DejrbS5T7GxRWIe3BSDtdQ9Tw4YwJ1zO68ssvtDok1irW1VIOFi061edoafxVLqNlSNKIjCbCMX2W1JeJO6ecvIPS6wpcSzBMu/s320/DSC02847.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkW84N5xISc2pSg5e0XPw1SsQHxtNz4XsPXEAZW_7fgzsVm4HgIZzVJIRrWuezqnPe-JC5cytKqLdJ8KFnCPJ6BAOdRjysFX6wvuXC9n8fwJAQAWuJsdue_u6m13pOWmk2gg_9D6iNOEO/s1600/DSC02849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkW84N5xISc2pSg5e0XPw1SsQHxtNz4XsPXEAZW_7fgzsVm4HgIZzVJIRrWuezqnPe-JC5cytKqLdJ8KFnCPJ6BAOdRjysFX6wvuXC9n8fwJAQAWuJsdue_u6m13pOWmk2gg_9D6iNOEO/s640/DSC02849.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not sure what Stewart was thinking there but I'm sure Warren was enjoying it.</div>
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A selection of the beautifully restored engines:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrS-Kp-kvlK0-ipcxifU-b3qgcGQJa2obCsbu0sLX7nKCPix8FwncDFJo8nzyAg-eisW_9h-_fIKXQkYcRIZkbpFB8-UrE7Kuh-AQhy61hBSPfFmK5UmzoU-GGeZCETpQqiqooizteygWy/s1600/DSC02852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrS-Kp-kvlK0-ipcxifU-b3qgcGQJa2obCsbu0sLX7nKCPix8FwncDFJo8nzyAg-eisW_9h-_fIKXQkYcRIZkbpFB8-UrE7Kuh-AQhy61hBSPfFmK5UmzoU-GGeZCETpQqiqooizteygWy/s320/DSC02852.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RNnQIAEiZoky3OVqi5QsZtTGxmXq38p5oTzFQ3kuTbRpron3621RRk4FPThsP7qf3h4k5hM754yWFqx3CgcuLdQVm-stB7vUgJhoUsLNxM71Hl3QzpAgiYya45NfgaDF-QfbU1AUbihN/s1600/DSC02872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RNnQIAEiZoky3OVqi5QsZtTGxmXq38p5oTzFQ3kuTbRpron3621RRk4FPThsP7qf3h4k5hM754yWFqx3CgcuLdQVm-stB7vUgJhoUsLNxM71Hl3QzpAgiYya45NfgaDF-QfbU1AUbihN/s320/DSC02872.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39lR33j-b1lh0yfy6129Hh0zFRqLdJPnEI5dsdyWIAgFjccTdYkrXkcoaSVZA0NRD5TQNMXMtakWxWmYTh3mau85GrA07BlLrgEdDfhULJ4GfkFBXZBGZBdMMn1Mzj0Y5H1B3Wr_ZTZNZ/s1600/DSC02879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39lR33j-b1lh0yfy6129Hh0zFRqLdJPnEI5dsdyWIAgFjccTdYkrXkcoaSVZA0NRD5TQNMXMtakWxWmYTh3mau85GrA07BlLrgEdDfhULJ4GfkFBXZBGZBdMMn1Mzj0Y5H1B3Wr_ZTZNZ/s640/DSC02879.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4bmL4VsvK_iI1-fNqZPKlpgZ_rmp-ujgMlg-_ak06Xigl0F3UmmhZNmaY97o7nDZg9YwJDXnm0FILY-2rx6dz8VZuSyhLmhQdx7fFAuQAxH0MQ70Ae_5rEjZt2MPY5tVUcCbhQ9VMROk/s1600/DSC02882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4bmL4VsvK_iI1-fNqZPKlpgZ_rmp-ujgMlg-_ak06Xigl0F3UmmhZNmaY97o7nDZg9YwJDXnm0FILY-2rx6dz8VZuSyhLmhQdx7fFAuQAxH0MQ70Ae_5rEjZt2MPY5tVUcCbhQ9VMROk/s320/DSC02882.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxZtNfPwXfTxoApFioz9fcLGXaXEkHpFpW6znpGv_eIyUquwsaQqyIWEypSIpm1whT4xx3CPzk04X4V3jJgX6t5QmXVi-qiUaMMS0nNI_dNPcibIjVdm-xVerHyntec3vNMTHAVomm3Pp/s1600/DSC02886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxZtNfPwXfTxoApFioz9fcLGXaXEkHpFpW6znpGv_eIyUquwsaQqyIWEypSIpm1whT4xx3CPzk04X4V3jJgX6t5QmXVi-qiUaMMS0nNI_dNPcibIjVdm-xVerHyntec3vNMTHAVomm3Pp/s320/DSC02886.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the last times that we sat by the shop waiting for customers was about the middle of October so Maria and I decided to make some lanterns for the bar</div>
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Chuffed with our efforts, we proudly presented them and issued them with some spare candles. The following Friday when we went down to the bar, they were gone. They hadn't even managed to make it until Halloween. With our limited Bulgarian, there was no way we were going to get into a conversation about that.<br />
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November and Barbara was back from her travels. The three of us decided to take the bikes out for a spin. Over to Resen about 12 km with an added incentive for lunch, and then back again. Pleasant day out but very saddle sore for those of us that don't do it very often.<br />
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Other jobs started taking place around the homestead. We decided we would cover over our summer kitchen for the winter. There is a story here: We were directed to a place that sold heavy duty plastic, down a dirt track, over a bridge and on the right. All we found was a small house with some outbuildings. Knocked on the door and although it didn't look like it, this was the place. We ordered what we needed and was told to come back the following week. We duly returned but were told that the machine was broken and could we come back the next week. We arrived the next week and the lady who took our order was not there but her daughter was instructed to give us the polythene but we were not to give her any money. The following week we went back again and the lady refused to take any money from us as she had messed us about, she said. The Bulgarians are incredibly generous but we insisted she took something for her trouble.</div>
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Another job that we hoped would save us trekking down to the barn in the snow was to make a wood store outside the front door. Proved to be a eureka moment from Graham.</div>
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about 10 barrow fulls later</div>
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We were ready for the worst weather now.</div>
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For some time now we had been thinking about how we could spend some of the charity money raised to benefit the community. Whilst we were discussing things, we had our final little crafty meet up at Maria's house to attempt to make Christmas bauble wreaths. A few of us decided to provide some nibbles and drinks and needless to say we had a giggle.</div>
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A few pictures of Maria's eclectic but cosy home</div>
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I got fed up with my baubles because they kept falling off so after I got home, I got the glue out so this pathetic attempt actually looked more like Barbara's, the one hanging on the door, by the time I had finished.</div>
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And so it was decided, we would buy the Pensioners Club in the village, a 32 inch TV and have it mounted on a bracket so it could be seen all around the room. The pensioners of the village sometimes only see other people when they come out for either their pensions or come up to the club, so we spoke to Maria (the lady who runs the club) and she thought it an excellent idea. At our meeting with her we asked her why they hadn't decorated the room ready for Christmas but she indicated there was no money for decorations. So Renee to the rescue! Jack and Renee are two of the ex-pat characters that have lived in the village for years and Renee has been kind enough to donate a lot of stuff to the shop that she had been storing from when she and her son used to have a stand at the car boot sales. Renee says "I'm too long in the tooth for that now Helen, so I am". She is originally from Northern Ireland and had an amazing accent. So it just happens that Renee had a lot of Christmas decorations going spare so up we trooped to the pensioners club to decorate.</div>
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See Renee on the right of this picture</div>
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How chuffed was Maria, and after she offered us the room for any function we wanted, we decided that a pensioners party might be a nice gesture. Posters were made and put up around the village, Sausage Rolls, Mince Pies all being baked, cup cakes too. So up we trooped with our goodies and a big pan for the mulled wine we were offering and set our stall up for 10am. The posters said from 11 but of course everybody was there by 10 - It was free after all. I was actually amazed at how much the pensioners bought themselves. All manner of breads, and cakes, so a good time was had by all.</div>
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One of the tables enjoying their festivities. Was too busy to take many other pictures, just the volunteers:<br />
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This is Maria who runs the pensioners club with one of the creations donated by a villager.<br />
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Renee and Sarah with a scary elf in the middle</div>
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Our own Mrs Christmas - our Maria</div>
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and two of Santa's helpers with their Christmas jumpers on. A suitably blurred picture!</div>
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The Mayor got wind of what we had been up to and he arrived with his entourage to give a speech and present us ladies with a bag each which contained two "English" novels which of course we all pooled and picked out the ones we wanted. It was the thought that counts.</div>
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HOTNITSA CHRISTMAS PARTY</div>
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As usual, we had a village Christmas party with dancing, singing, raffle, food and much merriment. Very similar to previous years so not many pictures this time, just a few from our table.</div>
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The "Top" table</div>
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An idea of how the room was filling up</div>
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The kebabs were a little tricky to negotiate</div>
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Radko, our neighbour playing the clown<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWeo5XHke9yFcpJVVmxrAHi9fg5-r0ceXpvynOYv9-EdK3CeS5aWhDdbhBHLB1hPpXW6aly4_PPfbsFg6x2qMXGSJ1m4q5fsLWYTv8cEuXcI4E5eaRXk7lerzfRVlcc01nNsHxF3Qvr-K/s1600/IMG_20181209_134406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWeo5XHke9yFcpJVVmxrAHi9fg5-r0ceXpvynOYv9-EdK3CeS5aWhDdbhBHLB1hPpXW6aly4_PPfbsFg6x2qMXGSJ1m4q5fsLWYTv8cEuXcI4E5eaRXk7lerzfRVlcc01nNsHxF3Qvr-K/s320/IMG_20181209_134406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and a little more subtlety, my tree.</div>
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The next day, we had been invited around to Radko and Pepa's house for a meal. They had their son Tisho and his girlfriend Svetla visiting so we didn't have to communicate through Google translate. We had a lovely evening and as usual Pepa's catering did not disappoint.</div>
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We enjoyed a quiet Christmas after all this merriment and were invited for Christmas day to Stewart and Barbara's house, where, for the first time in a long while we actually had turkey. It was lovely and probably the tenderest turkey I have ever eaten. Forgot to take photos. They had worked very hard on the meal to which Renee and Jack were invited. Jack is a bit deaf so didn't want to spoil things so he stayed at home. Barbara plated up a special plate for him and when Renee got home apparently he was just about to make a sandwich so he got more than he bargained for. </div>
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Over the Christmas weeks we also had quite a lot of prodding/poking/scans and x rays for Bracken. Poor lad, for his age we thought he was in good health but after keeping us up all night coughing, we took him to the vet who couldn't feel anything in his throat. Antibiotics and Anti inflammatory injections at first but when we went back for a check up he hadn't responded to the drugs. More investigation with an x ray was needed but he had so much fluid in his body that they couldn't see the organs. Next it was blood tests and a scan which finally concluded that he has congenital heart disease. His treatment has now been corrected and is now being maintained with the use of drugs. Bless him, he has to have 10 tablets a day, one of which is incredibly expensive in Bulgaria but we have found a source in Spain.</div>
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A picture for cuteness</div>
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NEW YEARS EVE</div>
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We had been invited to our friends Chris and Karen together with lots of our other mutual friends. You've heard of bring a bottle party (but that goes without saying these days) well this was a bring a dish party.</div>
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Sheriffe the dog expecting snacks</div>
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Nobody picked up the guitars....</div>
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.....but somebody picked up the cat.</div>
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So that concludes my review of 2018. One day I will look back and say "What a year" but for now the first hurdle we have had to endure in the new year has been that we both have bad colds. My first since moving to Bulgaria.</div>
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SOME RANDOM PHOTOS!</div>
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The sunflower, seen all over Bulgaria</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OwdfDBM4Ea9Z18USCZfzcW3UlpVWEy4ZcYPXUv_m6G77-JX0TH3xRUrU8dqehNL524CQQkxJeU9G5K3XiBb3dHvOFNwtNnoubJ0p-496Do2EHHyets-0JYtHJvYoOiKF9XEJ3UmRR2VA/s1600/P1070817+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="1600" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OwdfDBM4Ea9Z18USCZfzcW3UlpVWEy4ZcYPXUv_m6G77-JX0TH3xRUrU8dqehNL524CQQkxJeU9G5K3XiBb3dHvOFNwtNnoubJ0p-496Do2EHHyets-0JYtHJvYoOiKF9XEJ3UmRR2VA/s320/P1070817+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The ginger cat, seen all over Bulgaria - well mine seen sleeping in the most awkward places<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MIzBVtZoDfIqDL6Uk1PQjCGYsoUZIWAS7JUdxKL8vQUdwKFir-v8OpsD00BDxjvtmmFxePNHCuyEZpsAeuFsoJT9i0CiA4oM0JDEFbNMf6RkvDKrXz5Gt8q858uRy6yM2wLD2_8q_kKi/s1600/P1070981+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1175" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MIzBVtZoDfIqDL6Uk1PQjCGYsoUZIWAS7JUdxKL8vQUdwKFir-v8OpsD00BDxjvtmmFxePNHCuyEZpsAeuFsoJT9i0CiA4oM0JDEFbNMf6RkvDKrXz5Gt8q858uRy6yM2wLD2_8q_kKi/s320/P1070981+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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... and when she is on the prowl, she still seeks awkward places</div>
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SOME SUMMER SHOTS OF THE ESTATE!</div>
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Leisure Area</div>
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Produce and another leisure area - the summer kitchen</div>
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The hard work area for Graham, keeping lawn and trees under control</div>
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'''and pretty as a picture, the bale house/workshop</div>
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SOME WINTER SHOTS OF THE VILLAGE</div>
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Up at the corner of the village lives the Joiner Jordan. His son keeps bees and I thought it was a lovely shot.</div>
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Some icicles</div>
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Trail of the cat on a cold tin roof</div>
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So I'll hang up my boots until the next time (well sandals actually).</div>
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Happy New Year from Helen, Graham, Bracken and Squeak xx</div>
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Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-40213770645921560172018-03-02T05:46:00.000-08:002018-03-02T05:46:14.845-08:00Winter Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here we are again, as promised albeit a little later than hoped, the next thrilling episode, all about the Bulgarian way of life and how we are adapting to it. I must admit the pace is somewhat slower than I have grown up with but somehow the days get filled with all sorts of little gems that I would have never encountered being stuck behind a computer as I was for a lot of the time in the UK.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Nowadays, we are more likely to be stuck behind one of these..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In September, we were lucky enough to go on what may well be our last holiday until those lovely people in the Contributions Agency decide to give us our pensions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We headed off in Kevin the Camper for a trip through Bulgaria to Macedonia and Algeria with a brief stop into Greece en route. Nothing surprises me anymore with these Balkan people and their charm. One of the first towns we went through heading west we came across this sight..</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A nice wave and a smile (priceless) while he walks his only cow over to a bit of green ground for grazing. The cows here are kept for calving, milking and eating so they always look well fed and looked after, unlike milkers back in the UK which to be honest, can be fairly scrawny.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So on we plodded in Kevin to our first stop which was in the Balkan hills of Bansko at a site called Camping Predel. The campsite was basically in a field with a sort of reception and a bar which I'm sure would have been busy in the summer but as we were the only people on site, we were offered a Rakia on arrival. Graham reciprocated with a sample of his homemade Rakia (which I must admit was much nicer). All around the site were little shacks, barely big enough to swing a cat (sorry Squeaky!) and badly in need of some TLC...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There was even a lovely pony that kept kicking his water bucket over and so kept me busy refilling it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We were parked up next to a little children's play area but as there was nobody on site, we knew it would be quite. The apparatus in the play area would have a H&S officer into a spin. Don't think I would have let my children play there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The following day we moved on and were getting increasingly hotter. Bracken was finding it a bit too warm so we had to pour water onto a towel to soak it and cover him over with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We could see the hills in the distance and knew that behind them was Greece. We decided to cross the Border into Greece before motoring on to Macedonia. A little hiccup here crossing the border as we needed 6 Euro's to enter Greece onto the Toll road (forgot to bring our Euro's). GJ managed to exchange 20 Lev for 10 Euro's with a very kind Bulgarian who was in another queue. As we got closer to the mountains...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can be sure of Shell!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We stopped in a shaded lay-by in Greece for lunch and attempted to cool Bracken down but we needed to get some cash, so after consulting the oracle that is the Sat Nav, we found a bank on our route and while I was waiting in a precarious parking area for Graham to come back with some readies, I met some of the locals...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> ...they seemed friendly enough but they were getting themselves all hot and bothered, whilst I was still trying to get Bracken cooled down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In Greece, the farming appears to be all set out in sections. I think maybe, as sometimes they do in Bulgaria, the farmers form a co-operative and one field is owned by several people and each plant their preferred crop in their section. Perhaps we could learn by them and relieve the waiting lists for allotments in the UK.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After clearing the Borders both out of Bulgaria, into Greece, out of Greece and into Macedonia - with no mans land in between each country, we reached our second destination, Rock Land Camp. Eventually we met the owner in the local village and she asked a little boy on a moped to direct us to the campsite. Again because of the time of year, there was only one other couple in a tent who had come for the rock climbing - suprisingly! The little shack on the right of the picture was a sort of communal dining area, there was also a shower block and kitchen for cooking, all in a field and that was it. The field was at the back of some houses and there was a gentleman who grazed his goat in the field and he came over to us with a large bunch of grapes from his garden. The other side of the field was another house where the occupant sat in the shade all day roasting her peppers.</span><br />
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I<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">n the early evening, she came over to have a word, with a large plate of peppers and what I thought was some sort of quince. Wasn't sure what to do with that so I kept it for the chickens on my return. I know it looks like an apple but it definitely wasn't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Incidentally, the chickens and Squeak were being looked after by our neighbours Warren and Sylvi. I left the chickens several treats (cucumbers, sweetcorn, cabbage) as well as regular bird feed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Whilst in Macedonia, we decided that we didn't particularly want to cross the border into Albania because neither Albania or Macedonia recognise the EU dog passport scheme. As it was we had smuggled (or not declared) Bracken into Macedonia and we felt confident that if found out, they would let him back into Bulgaria because Bulgaria does recognise the scheme. When I say smuggled, I got out of the camper and went to the window of the customs man, gave him all the documents he needed but still held onto Bracken's passport. GJ remained in the cab trying to keep Bracken quiet whilst he tried to growl and bark at anyone who came near Kevin. We made it but we did feel a little like smugglers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On the road again and after missing out the Albanian stop off, we had a fair bit of motoring to get to Lake Ohrid, which incidentally, has it's bottom half in Albania and the top in Macedonia, so because we had to miss out on Albania meant we had a longer journey to get to Camping Rino where we decided to stay for 3 nights instead of the original 2. See the yellow marker, top left and the yellow border line through the lake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A selection of pictures on our journey west to Ohrid</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The grape harvest</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This was the slowest part of our journey, even slower than the horse and cart. A learner driver heading towards the town of Ohrid. We even pulled over for the traffic because we were getting tooted at, they couldn't see the little car beyond the Camper.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The story here is that this part of the world has a large Muslim community and as we have never lived near a Muslim area before, we didn't know that the call to prayer happens so many times a day. I had pointed out to GJ that the mosques had loud speakers on their spires but wasn't sure why. 5 am the next morning, we found out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Camping Rino entrance, right on the edge of the lake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">...as you can see from where we parked Kevin up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The on-site restaurant</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">View from Kevin's lounge at dusk...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">...and the view from the restaurant at dusk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bracken thoroughly enjoyed swimming in the lake and was very welcome in the heat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After 3 days of recharging our batteries, which is necessary after driving a camper van through windy roads, over mountain passes, through busy towns and villages, we headed east again. This picture is just to prove that I did some of the driving. We were heading to another Lake called Batak back in Bulgaria. We had been here in the spring for a couple of days but unfortunately it rained all the time we were there so we hoped we were more fortunate this time. Some random pictures from Ohrid to Batak...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Finally we reached Batak</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The weather was beautiful this time and Bracken got to get some swimming in. The lake itself is quite desolate when you compare it to Windermere, where this journey started, but for all that, it has a sense of serenity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The restaurant a little way along the beach was actually the best food we had had which was fitting, as it was our last night. GJ scrutinising the vast menu. As the restaurant was so quiet, we were even able to choose our own music from Youtube. So GJ put on Bat out of Hell by Meatloaf. The waiter was most amused.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The last leg of our journey back to Hotnitsa from Batak.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some street traders selling mostly honey.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">OCTOBER</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On 1st of October, it was a nice still day so we decided to take the bikes out. We had been loaned these bikes from our friends Stewart and Barbara but we had invested in new saddles because we needed a bit more comfort. We set off for Resen with a view to calling at a local bar for lunch. Problem we had when we were 3/4 of the way there (after about 7 km) my saddle decided to slip and every time we stopped to put it right, a few 100 yards and it slipped again. We limped into Resen and the first thing we had to do was buy a spanner (not that GJ hasn't got a garage full of them)...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Spanner purchased, and repair done. It was great fun though!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The rest of October was taken up with tidying up the garden and grounds and the building of the carport ready for winter</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Putting the tiles on top</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The only picture we have taken of it finished was recently in the snow. Primarily it is to keep the car in the shade over the summer because the sun is so intense, that it may deteriorate the car more and she is an old girl now and she also likes to keep dry.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">NOVEMBER</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As we had a lot of branches that had been cut down and were unsuitable for indoor fire making </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and we had a lot of burnable rubbish too, we decided to have a bonfire party but without fireworks. A friend, Shirl, made us a Guy Fawkes in the shape of Donald Trump....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bracken was not amused!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Donald</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> was erected and the bonfire built by some of the lads. In this picture Warren is just tucking one of Donald's hands into his flies! A nod to what most people call him - that's Donald not Warren.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Smile!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Let the party begin. I made a great big pot of Kavama and over 35 jacket potatoes and I still got a complaint that some people didn't get a potato. I must have miss-calculated but my friend Barbara made a vegetarian chili for the Veggie people, some puds were also made and donated and I think we managed to feed and entertain everyone. Only one casualty, Mary Lou broker her ankle but she didn't know it at the time - she should take more water with it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We decided to do some more decorating now that the weather had changed. We finally got the sitting area off the kitchen decorated in a nice pastel green and I made some curtains for the french window.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With half a tin left GJ thought we could take the green into the utility room as its only a small area. It didn't quite reach so we needed to get some more. The original is a Dulux mix that we got from Practika which has now closed down for refurbishment so we trundled off to the Dulux shop in VT who could only sell us 2.5 litres at a time. We only wanted 1 litre so asked about some other paint he had on his shelf. "Oh no" he said "that paint is too old so I cannot sell you that". - Only in Bulgaria!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">DECEMBER</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Christmas decoration time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our newly painted room just off the kitchen, duly decorated</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We had a day trip out with Stewart and Barbara, to Russe which is a large town that has the border crossing from Romania to Bulgaria. On the outskirts of the town there is a large warehouse store that sells all sorts including a Santa's grotto of decorations. If nothing else, its a day out just to see those and of course to have lunch somewhere. When we drew up at the car park and Stewart opened his car door, there was a tannoy expelling Christmas songs over the car park. His face was a picture and in the words of Victor Meldrew he said "For Goodness Sake". His enthusiasm for the trip was a little strained to say the least but Barbara was looking forward to it so he went along with it. I think secretly he enjoyed it more than he thought. We managed to get some lunch in a "Scottish" bar in Russe which had a piece of tartan hanging from a door but nothing else Scottish. Food was good though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is one of Elenor's turkeys trying to escape it's fate!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"The girls" and I visited the Christmas market at VT. Not quite to the standard of the German Christmas Markets but nice all the same.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">...and of course we had lunch at the Mall - Don't think either Max or Barbara will like that picture but I didn't take many more. Tanya on the left and opposite me was Shirl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sometimes, well mostly, when you order something say, chicken bites as pictured here, they come on their own with no vegetables, so I ordered a vegetable dish as well. Big mistake, lovely but the volume was almost as much as you would find on an American plate. Very nice though.</span><br />
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.<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">..And now to the Christmas Party in the village:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not many pictures because my camera stayed misty after the walk into the village, it was a bit chilly but I have put a couple of videos on, especially of this lady. During the raffle there are prizes of knickers, which has become a big feature of the Christmas Party. I will attempt to put on the video of her sporting her wear!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our Christmas dinner, Roast Pork with all the trimmings, and steaming hot!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">JANUARY</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">New years day started with an impromptu gathering of quite a lot of the Hotnitsa Ex-pats at the top bar in the village. It was a stunning day weather wise and we sat out most of the afternoon. We had intended not to drink very much but you know how it is!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We seemed to be head of the table for some reason!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Epiphany</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">January the 6th is Epiphany and the Bulgarian Orthodox religion celebrates when Jesus was baptised in the river Jordan. The Bulgarians celebrate this with the Priest telling the story and once blessed, a cross is hurled into the Hotnitsa fountains and the young men of the village are supposed to race to get the cross. The first one back gets a cash prize. This year, only one boy stepped up and to make it fair, the Mayor (in the blue puffer jacket) told his son to make it a competition and enter himself. He is on the left of this picture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Record numbers of people attended to see a race that was over in seconds and the 200 lv was split between the boys. Well done guys!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When the days have been cold this winter, we have been perfecting a style of curry cooking that gets us pretty close to the "British Indian Restaurant" style. We have followed a guy on Youtube called Al and we have produced what we think are some brilliant dishes. From bottom left, Chicken Jalfrezi, Tarka Dhal, Flat breads, Chicken Pathia and Bombay potatoes. Centre is Pilau Rice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Later on in the story, we tried these out on some friends and the evening was a success. Well we think so, we haven't seen Chris and Karen sinse then!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On January 21st it is what's know as Baba Danka Day. This is where the villagers enact a story of two young lovers getting married and having a baby, the Baba's are the village midwives who then move through the village to collect money for the couple to wish then happy ever after. The priest is on hand to bless the child. AKA. Our Ivan having a sly smoke - he just borrowed the costume!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Babas and the wedding couple ( in our village usually played by ex-pats, this year Steve and Sarah) leave the town hall with their banner with some cash already pinned to it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A fella plays the squeezbox!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...and off they go to parade around the village. By the way the fella clutching a "Baba" to his chest is Chris. We don't know why he is doing that but at least he is taking part!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Babas now come out of the Mayor's office where Steve had his baby, clutching said baby and an offering from the Mayor of roast chicken</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Congratulations to the bride and groom! Did I mention they had all had Rakia by this time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Onwards to the bottom bar (as we call it)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our neighbour Radko with the bride and groom</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Onwards to the top bar - more Rakia!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Following a walk back down to the centre, and some dancing in the square, the Baba's move on to the road and will stop any driver passing and extort money from them or they have to shame themselves and get out of the car and pull their trousers down. Don't think that is actually tradition but it must make some money.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some of the ladies of Hotnista have formed a group called Sedjanka Priyatelstvo or in English, Circle of Friends. Primarily it is so we can share common interests, crafts, traditions etc. We had our first meeting a couple of weeks ago and intend to meet at least twice a month. I took cake and flapjacks for us all to enjoy over coffee and as well as talk about the group and make plans, we tried making Martinetsas'. As in previous blogs, these are red and white bands given to friends on the 1st of March and they should be worn until you see the first Storks returning to the villages. Then they should be hung on a fruit tree to symbolise a good harvest. Just a few of our members.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some random pictures now.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our curry party with Chris, Karen, Sarah and Steve</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Feeding time in the snow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Where has Mum gone?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">More snow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He found his ball!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Squeak</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Forgot to mention that Squeak had her operation so no kittens, thank you! Before and after her hair grows back</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Guy up a tree - our neighbour Radko has had his great big fir trees cut down. Good for us, more sunshine!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Spring/Summer on the way, stay warm and well everyone</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Helen, GJ, Bracken and Squeak.</b></span>Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-15392034625996830072017-09-03T08:12:00.000-07:002017-09-04T01:17:18.758-07:00It took 9 months to write!Firstly, I would like to apologise to anyone who follows me (if there is anyone) for the lack of posting since last December. It's not that I have been doing nothing, quite the opposite, I don't seem to have the time to sit down and actually write it. I am going to post a potted history of the goings on over here in Hotnitsa around and about.<br />
<b><u>JANUARY</u></b><br />
The winter of 2016/2017 was completely different to the previous year. We were eating lunches outside last year most of the winter but this year we had snowfall from just before New Year until March. There were some lovely days in between but it enabled us to get cracking with some decoration in the house. Although GJ has tiled the kitchen, we have decided to leave the grouting until autumn when the weather changes again. You will see on various photos that it's looking quite good. We had had confirmation that some friends were coming over for a visit so it was all hands on deck to decorate upstairs and in particular the guest room.<br />
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Yes we did get the bed to look even with the pictures. The pictures where measured to get the correct distance from the ceiling which just goes to show that the floor is on a quite steep slope......., only in Bulgaria!<br />
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The stair hallway where I have displayed all the animal pictures that I have collected or have been handed down over the years. Some painted/drawn by Dad, some by my Brother in Law, some photos etc. and my Mums collection of elephant figurines.</div>
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A random selection of snowy pictures from Jan/Feb:</div>
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View of the garden from the front door</div>
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Bracken still looking for his balls (Not the ones he left back in UK)</div>
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Looking from the gate through to the barn with the Bale House on the left</div>
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Good reason for a 4 wheel drive</div>
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Just to prove that 'snow on the line' is not an excuse here in Bulgaria, we had to wait for the train.</div>
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On the road to Resen</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSd-z4vv60Arc3NNpDlsyVg1EYhBHhTBWONuCXPhDCpxw3UnDg7w5AC0OrzU4oRFj5jajy9n4n82zC773_1w1F4ihNwD3IMsZR7j6xCNYrSzkRB75VY3biEU6afhJtxoWsKxc1-vLOHRu/s1600/DSC01997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSd-z4vv60Arc3NNpDlsyVg1EYhBHhTBWONuCXPhDCpxw3UnDg7w5AC0OrzU4oRFj5jajy9n4n82zC773_1w1F4ihNwD3IMsZR7j6xCNYrSzkRB75VY3biEU6afhJtxoWsKxc1-vLOHRu/s320/DSC01997.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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....and finally, our lane after the snow plough had been through.</div>
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Our friend Barbara had gone over to the UK to visit family so we took it upon ourselves to feed her husband Stewart up, one Sunday and we all enjoyed a roast leg of Pork.</div>
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with all the trimmings</div>
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well we could ne let the wee boy starve! Actually this happened in May but I cannot be bothered to change it now - Have you seen how long this is!???</div>
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<b><u>FEBRUARY</u></b></div>
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On the 1st of February we had the Blessing of the vines day. This entailed a meeting at the village hall with some singing, music, a blessing from the village priest and free wine from the mayor. All at 10 o'clock in the morning. We were then treated to a lamb stew and we gathered inside to eat it and dance. There was a competition to see who had made the best wine last year and needless to say there was a lot flowing. </div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw2MxYiUe_VV6WCLwGoeEItohsUZ6O7udyUz9Ch7psEK70jeUbmFnNBolQBfGQdLRtORuAxfxI810JRZtpaOA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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The Priest doing his thing</div>
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ditto</div>
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The Mayor (in the Jeans and Puffa Jacket) saying cheers to us all</div>
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The band, - notice the curtains at the back lacking a female touch</div>
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Me, Barbara and Chris deep in conversation. Funnily enough all 3 of us born in 1961! Coincidence.</div>
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They must have been playing a Scottish song to get Stewart up there with his lovely wife Barbara</div>
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One of our neighbours, Vera with GJ</div>
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There was also a celebration of Baba Dankers day which is for the Grandmothers or Midwives of the village, we didn't go to this one but from all accounts those ladies of the older generation know a thing or two about letting their hair down.</div>
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We also did a bit of entertaining during February with dinner parties for Barbara and Stewart and also Max and Andy - who you will see pictures of later.</div>
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On 26th February, we went to Polski Senovets for my sister Sara's annual memorial. A quiet affair with a few drinks and a meal for some of the villagers who knew her and ourselves. It was hard to believe a whole year had passed.</div>
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<b><u>MARCH</u></b></div>
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This month begins with the giving and receiving of the Martinetsa bracelets or broaches. As I said last year, we are not supposed to take them off until we see the first stork arrive. As usual they get grubby with housework and end up not being very hygenic so GJ and I went out looking for storks..</div>
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In March, one of my original hens from David's flock took ill. She just sat around and wouldn't eat so we took her away from the others to try and nurse her back to health</div>
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Literally, chicken in a basket!</div>
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She survived with me feeding her water and cleaning her up, for five days before we thought it was cruel to let her carry on. She was an ex-battery hen who had enjoyed a fabulous last year with us and given us many eggs. GJ had eventually to do the right thing. I'm a bit worried now though, because he seemed to enjoy it! Moving on, Barbara and Stewart introduced me to a Market that sold produce including hens so I bought 3 lovely black ones that we called Tic, Tac and Toe. Not long after their arrival I had a sad day when my chickens were attacked by 3 dogs. I lost the cockerel: he couldn't run very fast because he was little and had fluffy feet. I also lost either Tic, Tac or Toe, not sure which because we didn't actually allocate their names. So off to market again to collect two youngsters who have now turned out to be the most prolific layers. Barbara and Stewart very generously gave me one of their cockerels:</div>
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These two ladies lay the most eggs. My flock is now 7 hens and 1 cockerel. He is the perfect gentleman, finds food for the ladies, calls them and stands back while they eat. but he does get his perks.</div>
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International Ladies Day cannot go unnoticed in this village. Another excuse for a knees up. There was one old bloke at the gathering and the band were blokes but apart from that us ladies had a good time.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dznGJ8udcjSOnjC3zFv_JbdhjmpqDf5aeu-tbWeUrYw4qJhgofD7zok-rCEhmQ4sb9t4cdt-nZ3oFG1PCjhkg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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These non posed for pictures are not always flattering. but you notice the cherry drink that was put on the table got left!</div>
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One night in March, one of my new chickens did not go into the hen house before I locked it for the night and I don't know whether it was shock at being left out or some kind of illness but it went blind. Well, I say it went blind, it wouldn't open its eyes. I took it out of the flock because I didn't know what was wrong, gave it the run of the garden which it seemed to enjoy and by the evening, it was OK again - very strange.</div>
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Poor little thing. </div>
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We installed an irrigation system in the poly tunnel. We were told of a plumbers supplier in VT so off we went with our photographs showing dimensions and came back with a whole heap of stuff</div>
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Some of the pipework....</div>
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....and the fitting...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2_aJd8z1ym4SXG-snP3dcP3Vwpwns2uilwFg8SaHXUu7kq8-0n01LfA9cAh3Ilvka4oB7__peE1ng4hibO53EoiEYS0vBFPEw5m380ffktLy_mhmaIkBgf9d8ixy2_dZ69r2qLr5dglO/s1600/P1060582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2_aJd8z1ym4SXG-snP3dcP3Vwpwns2uilwFg8SaHXUu7kq8-0n01LfA9cAh3Ilvka4oB7__peE1ng4hibO53EoiEYS0vBFPEw5m380ffktLy_mhmaIkBgf9d8ixy2_dZ69r2qLr5dglO/s320/P1060582.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...et voila</div>
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My birthday present from GJ was a home-made cold frame. Exactly the sort of birthday present I like.</div>
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Basic but very efficient.</div>
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This was also the month that I made an epic bike ride. It was agreed one drunken night that 3 of us girls would ride from Hotnisa to Resen, the next village which is about 10 kms away. Now if anybody reading this has read previous post when we rode bikes in France, you will know that it is not a regular pastime for me. Barbara and I were plodders but Tanya in her hi viz jacket was a marathon runner by comparison so we thought we would have to keep up the pace for her sake. Somehow we made it encouraged by lunchtime in a local cafe. </div>
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Just past the Resen train station - well its a level crossing really</div>
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Tanya insisted we had a Rakia with our coffee. Medicinal of course!</div>
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We had a girly day in VT for Max's birthday. Went for lunch at La Bianco. good grub and good company</div>
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Max, Tanya and Jules</div>
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Jules, Shirl, Me and Max....</div>
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...and the food, stuffed, thanks Max.</div>
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After lunch we went in search of a sewing shop that Max had been told about. OMG!, firstly you wouldn't have a clue from the outside of the building that anything was in there. I think it was once a doctors because there was a big red cross on the door. When we entered, it was like an Aladin's cave with rooms full of reams of material all different grades, types, colours and the final room we went in was the workshop which had everything from zips of all types, sizes and colours to pins and needles. Everything you would ever need in the sewing department. I bought two types of material and made two new dog beds for Bracken.</div>
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All in all, it was a busy March.</div>
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<b><u>APRIL</u></b></div>
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April was mostly spent in the garden:</div>
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Various stages of veggie growth.</div>
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A few of us ladies did get chance to go to Pavlekeni market in April. Lots of purchases made like hats, a top for me, plants, veggies and of course lunch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2ny15omc2rWCkGzJJRNW97JSRY9dVhKuDbDBmQQT2LBk6bYlG0NfZZwtt1-nT1sqo_RC3sv3STAHvQ5X0Bv5j39XP2k2c4MS1DmZVuVjnOK6HJFwMnTpkuYgap1_OcpFpFPq6evMXahj/s1600/P1060898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1600" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2ny15omc2rWCkGzJJRNW97JSRY9dVhKuDbDBmQQT2LBk6bYlG0NfZZwtt1-nT1sqo_RC3sv3STAHvQ5X0Bv5j39XP2k2c4MS1DmZVuVjnOK6HJFwMnTpkuYgap1_OcpFpFPq6evMXahj/s320/P1060898.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Max sporting her new hat</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxfaM2a0w5uD9Nl5-3Dw_1BkbubyYK27WhWih-zDCc49kRRXyN6dnI9wVJUZysSkxVJV2mw8z4Pf5K1jydLVGMYeMR85JN4wuMG_bypMnSOg3JaU2TbbMbQoeuB3ecafmMW9IxmaOzoH-/s1600/P1060899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxfaM2a0w5uD9Nl5-3Dw_1BkbubyYK27WhWih-zDCc49kRRXyN6dnI9wVJUZysSkxVJV2mw8z4Pf5K1jydLVGMYeMR85JN4wuMG_bypMnSOg3JaU2TbbMbQoeuB3ecafmMW9IxmaOzoH-/s320/P1060899.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and Barbara in hers.</div>
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On St George's day (23rd April) Ivan always holds a St George's party. The day was beutifuly sunny this year and we were able to sit outside under his new gazebo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJQCehTauqXS6MF3ku8LiAqAv24gXQBNsqnrWZdmYX4dZ6qiHZkF5fqr6Y_ZSl0sPwr_si3NPh9bchkeoY5VGldWicuayDKSwE93qkmV2I5-bbMi9QUqH504t_cMAor1-GzeuHJvy-fSP/s1600/P1060606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJQCehTauqXS6MF3ku8LiAqAv24gXQBNsqnrWZdmYX4dZ6qiHZkF5fqr6Y_ZSl0sPwr_si3NPh9bchkeoY5VGldWicuayDKSwE93qkmV2I5-bbMi9QUqH504t_cMAor1-GzeuHJvy-fSP/s320/P1060606.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A selection of invited guests</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00iMPUH45fb9CDUKv6e3qF5lsQFt5NWsfhchhHfJhU_ERpjWPZTlz4K7Bvt4Cv3xjHWU4hf7CBgPdR0olht10FJNgRAmOgWRlWILLPfUFwEl28FdrFNN6HeJox2Y11EyNLj8arBYYMFCD/s1600/P1060607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00iMPUH45fb9CDUKv6e3qF5lsQFt5NWsfhchhHfJhU_ERpjWPZTlz4K7Bvt4Cv3xjHWU4hf7CBgPdR0olht10FJNgRAmOgWRlWILLPfUFwEl28FdrFNN6HeJox2Y11EyNLj8arBYYMFCD/s320/P1060607.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ivan himself. Traditionally, Rakia is drunk with the first course of salad. Its amazing how Ivan manages to keep his salad in front of him all day</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgut_VqKXQ1witUemLjfYveac7_vxUmuGMvsMRCmRczVUXBJk7WJW2EIQ2QlWguVGJH6jh6ES5xuUG1cGSWmQiUlF-o9KN2NBd3xH7DOEvXgIBdYOyRyrAhl8k7tINZp2gde85RjkB5QdxB/s1600/P1060609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgut_VqKXQ1witUemLjfYveac7_vxUmuGMvsMRCmRczVUXBJk7WJW2EIQ2QlWguVGJH6jh6ES5xuUG1cGSWmQiUlF-o9KN2NBd3xH7DOEvXgIBdYOyRyrAhl8k7tINZp2gde85RjkB5QdxB/s320/P1060609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The new gazebo</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjFVtv63Rf2I-KXuVeSYECvc_nSmZZ7EPM_Ao6CmRkgGL1Idkn4ft0ejxcpQktt8nYH9eJXGLUVTylXnYjmazhOtaz7PJlugVcMnT1YY4pnICu5LO1AmZTwbNl7VEj3-s0_Ph7VVE4wNf/s1600/P1060618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjFVtv63Rf2I-KXuVeSYECvc_nSmZZ7EPM_Ao6CmRkgGL1Idkn4ft0ejxcpQktt8nYH9eJXGLUVTylXnYjmazhOtaz7PJlugVcMnT1YY4pnICu5LO1AmZTwbNl7VEj3-s0_Ph7VVE4wNf/s320/P1060618.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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......and not sure if it was lamb or goat but it was good.</div>
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Now boys will be boys and at this point I have added a video of Chris Fox and Warren Sharpe trying to hit a water tank with one of Ivan's home made cannons using some gun powder he just happened to have lying around.</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxgb8x49lxb5bx5l1dlAaF5fRtK3TQ7_hkwCPjOpMdOzHrEkamFLMBxrvfO_qp_Zlowv15Su4xEqLWEIBZG9w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<b><u>MAY</u></b></div>
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On the 6th of May we were invited to Ivan's house for another meal. Not sure what we were celebrating this time but I do remember sitting next to a Bulgarian gentleman who was constantly lighting up. No I'm not one to fuss but WHILE I'M EATING!</div>
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We had been meaning to invite our lovely neighbours Radko and Pepa over for a meal. They have been so generous feeding us traditional Bulgarian food (Pepa is a great cook and baker) so we </div>
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decided to feed them some more western style food. The table was set with my silver and crystal and we started the night with some sparkling wine. The starter was a selection of salads that I had mostly grown which we had with the Rakia that Radko had made the previous year. I had made Chicken breasts stuffed with peppers, mozerella and basil which I have cooked so many times before but I hadn't allowed for the Bulgarian custom of 'taking your time over the starter' and unfortunately the chicken was a bit dry. Hands up but they were so polite that they eat everything. We finished with Creme Brulee, which even though Radko is a builder by trade, they do not use blow torches when they do plumbing so it was a bit of a novelty for them to use my cooks blow torch to finish the dish off.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCyaEC9qBeMBgyLBY6wf4dtI62W4tq2u5BkVP5zK891ARmk1ZY4BYwplOZONRznVv1EvhDc_M96-CgjWNcMHYS1z9G0DYzO96cBUF12SyKLFtgFht4bSCp3bSLgrOYWUX-Fhfx5Zcpu3x/s1600/P1060647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1600" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCyaEC9qBeMBgyLBY6wf4dtI62W4tq2u5BkVP5zK891ARmk1ZY4BYwplOZONRznVv1EvhDc_M96-CgjWNcMHYS1z9G0DYzO96cBUF12SyKLFtgFht4bSCp3bSLgrOYWUX-Fhfx5Zcpu3x/s320/P1060647.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cheers!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHL_NCfAmO6scf6QfR8vR_4csO7m2dZVCQrJ2uslc8hDmHdoQ7TQ5Nxx4hJ-e8fKwt29GacQCNjxb-agEvLwvJptmAmX2djCTX60Vs1zfv-vFWnJQSQDHrcBRphv0wiYUrtF3rYW8QmAYb/s1600/P1060654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1600" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHL_NCfAmO6scf6QfR8vR_4csO7m2dZVCQrJ2uslc8hDmHdoQ7TQ5Nxx4hJ-e8fKwt29GacQCNjxb-agEvLwvJptmAmX2djCTX60Vs1zfv-vFWnJQSQDHrcBRphv0wiYUrtF3rYW8QmAYb/s320/P1060654.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pepa bemused</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9S5smxrCd9Z1HO1YMQNK4gXfexR2qjwIYZvNdkv4S0VW-DAAf7-gif_H4vb7wR-Ybj8QyQHDhLjODMxldYwIVwWyQOfUDMdaoNqwMh25HXVTRGCjrzQXiYpmaLZPKUfQzwaG3EwR9Px_/s1600/P1060658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9S5smxrCd9Z1HO1YMQNK4gXfexR2qjwIYZvNdkv4S0VW-DAAf7-gif_H4vb7wR-Ybj8QyQHDhLjODMxldYwIVwWyQOfUDMdaoNqwMh25HXVTRGCjrzQXiYpmaLZPKUfQzwaG3EwR9Px_/s320/P1060658.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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but Radko the Master.</div>
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In June we had our first little holiday in the camper van. We did a circle of Bulgaria reaching both mountains and the Black sea coast. First stop was a Lake called Batak</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKz69K8vtzF2PhlRJOXhaT_aXwiDfleC2y7XnOqc2YjwIkPT9bx0ANJwjz4YN89l5I1HHiSfI4Ca0pUeb1NH2m_54sTT0WrcFEHc70zbBoBk2O2u9BsADkA61nFxOV5WqvbLBDEC4Wcd1n/s1600/DSC02128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKz69K8vtzF2PhlRJOXhaT_aXwiDfleC2y7XnOqc2YjwIkPT9bx0ANJwjz4YN89l5I1HHiSfI4Ca0pUeb1NH2m_54sTT0WrcFEHc70zbBoBk2O2u9BsADkA61nFxOV5WqvbLBDEC4Wcd1n/s320/DSC02128.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The view from our pitch</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1yeTIDAt9zfXa_NCLunUsUrauJYJruSprSANNmxgzee6DdQimEbeprkccvodyWilhVRJbeBtSTMJdMKUibxz2YH-urKMONA76gvmNfT9EZOUKMNlmajr9jxDOQPyyx2mKiLGM8f1IDFy/s1600/DSC02129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1600" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1yeTIDAt9zfXa_NCLunUsUrauJYJruSprSANNmxgzee6DdQimEbeprkccvodyWilhVRJbeBtSTMJdMKUibxz2YH-urKMONA76gvmNfT9EZOUKMNlmajr9jxDOQPyyx2mKiLGM8f1IDFy/s320/DSC02129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes it drizzled a bit but we were in the mountains.</div>
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Next stop was nearer Plovdiv, the capital of Bulgaria. We didn't venture into Plovdiv because having accidentlly stayed in the centre of Budapest on our way over to Bulgaria, GJ seems reluctant to take the camper into a city again.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Gk0OPuYGjfdnC4oCU6Ceq9YIwYolxyzUq8S98XlVvvlKEzxSUaHM4Y_rxBGRUZea3R3wUqtJjwQ5LWDbZnvogKCRXHIomjKsnVltRx8Fk0149PTVCfzzIdKSvOJtQUoDTPpOqPLnejM9/s1600/IMG_20170524_172042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Gk0OPuYGjfdnC4oCU6Ceq9YIwYolxyzUq8S98XlVvvlKEzxSUaHM4Y_rxBGRUZea3R3wUqtJjwQ5LWDbZnvogKCRXHIomjKsnVltRx8Fk0149PTVCfzzIdKSvOJtQUoDTPpOqPLnejM9/s320/IMG_20170524_172042.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And relax!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNXH9Oa_a7G-hzLuf2W5C-N8m9GDAbPt89_zWfLJaPhUBYHmopkdUwTp3uGzu6A6OvjCyp5_e68Gs1h-x8XOIIvwfd3vD2aCrPOGnRqoFwYTshgNIlvtCdIghXn1hPbA8dj0NX2DTNeOt/s1600/DSC02134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="1600" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNXH9Oa_a7G-hzLuf2W5C-N8m9GDAbPt89_zWfLJaPhUBYHmopkdUwTp3uGzu6A6OvjCyp5_e68Gs1h-x8XOIIvwfd3vD2aCrPOGnRqoFwYTshgNIlvtCdIghXn1hPbA8dj0NX2DTNeOt/s320/DSC02134.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our billet for the night</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rEdbXZwdT7BjrmmzJWXPj3nN5AQGqGuRWPXIZmazEL8tWfURNYbwK7Art6KxB1T7rykuh9Dpx8Svvl0wKPNMqtbtllL1OKIcxr_RuAFtVbkiN00lc84evy5PFoBbQEUDfZhCyoCZY7mS/s1600/P1060739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rEdbXZwdT7BjrmmzJWXPj3nN5AQGqGuRWPXIZmazEL8tWfURNYbwK7Art6KxB1T7rykuh9Dpx8Svvl0wKPNMqtbtllL1OKIcxr_RuAFtVbkiN00lc84evy5PFoBbQEUDfZhCyoCZY7mS/s320/P1060739.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We were given instructions to the nearest restaurant that night but we got a bit lost and decided to follow our ears and head towards the music we could hear. We got to what was actually a house where clearly some sort of party was going on. We tried to slip away but got caught by the obviously inebriated owner of the house (left of photo) who insisted we come up to his terrace and have a drink with them. The music got louder and louder and other people started arriving so we managed to skulk away with a promise to return when we had eaten. As an example of the party, see the next video.</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz13Ueg04fBtn8oYpuHNBHOixt4ipku2djNZ0wkOCdj9KoFhs9YdBzbAa3lRtTyYAfMsfov_ScxYiO61SPemw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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We didn't actually find the restaurant but luckily, I had planned for such an event. The campsite was really just somebody's back garden but it had all the facilities you could need (apart from catering) and it was spotless. The neighbour's garden backed onto the campsite and I was admiring his chickens when he came out in his underpants and tried to sell me some eggs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbbmZqtrlsNt2LtkSMGHaJIKbRwpJPraPlhsUEz84jM09l4QBWMd4sF30S2exmYpbH6uLcYKieuw0bm1ZWlh_ty32lUzup_4dOWA09L0d75m-Gaf0hMRHBPzf8Lqzr-e4yVoXBOyp2-GL/s1600/IMG_20170524_173203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1600" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbbmZqtrlsNt2LtkSMGHaJIKbRwpJPraPlhsUEz84jM09l4QBWMd4sF30S2exmYpbH6uLcYKieuw0bm1ZWlh_ty32lUzup_4dOWA09L0d75m-Gaf0hMRHBPzf8Lqzr-e4yVoXBOyp2-GL/s320/IMG_20170524_173203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I quickly tried to explain that I had chickens of my own and kept my gaze fixed on the chickens before backing away!</div>
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The next day, we drove on to the Black Sea coast. The drive up to Sozopol reminded us of Spain some 30 years ago, awash with new buildings but thankfully not high rise. We stayed within a stones throw of the beach...... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTL6N8g1k-80VeVXe64MwtV-sbFjyqpWH6lsFJCn-RZXNHymIjOCwzzrE51d_SMesFS1MvVAWx_DsibpSJEyvyZpxuDyOEc_SYxXFj3HM49rsZH5N6TlvesI39A8eVta2t8m2w5dkjWH-k/s1600/IMG_20170525_174604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTL6N8g1k-80VeVXe64MwtV-sbFjyqpWH6lsFJCn-RZXNHymIjOCwzzrE51d_SMesFS1MvVAWx_DsibpSJEyvyZpxuDyOEc_SYxXFj3HM49rsZH5N6TlvesI39A8eVta2t8m2w5dkjWH-k/s320/IMG_20170525_174604.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...which also looked a bit like Spain but unfortunately, we were not able to let Bracken onto the beach to have a splash about in the Sea. It was officially just before the start of the season and people seemed to be setting up ready for the onslaught of customers including the restaurant that was literally within spitting distance of where we had parked up for the night.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKdN5ykmINUIeq2WWfFS7qnYExSfmuBGmuWK5T_7Tbj7a7gINfqk17xBaUZ4F_QfVO4ydj-zvZhkxW4tQtT73_TL_RiaCpDxY-jW0_V9QaDAcF5fvU4TIATtFL1nHcu_An4TLnZC-_7DN/s1600/P1060792+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKdN5ykmINUIeq2WWfFS7qnYExSfmuBGmuWK5T_7Tbj7a7gINfqk17xBaUZ4F_QfVO4ydj-zvZhkxW4tQtT73_TL_RiaCpDxY-jW0_V9QaDAcF5fvU4TIATtFL1nHcu_An4TLnZC-_7DN/s320/P1060792+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The view from our table once we had asked the waiter to take the brolly down.</div>
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It was so new, our first choice of food was not available. I was dying for some seafood because we don't get any inland so I ordered seafood linguini which was actually a few muscles and some 'seafood sticks'. Graham wanted a Pizza but they hadn't charged up the Pizza oven yet so he chose a pasta dish as well. Er hum. The starter however (which in Bulgaria comes with the main course) was Calamari which could so easily have gone wrong, but it was great.</div>
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While we were away, we were invited to an Ex-pats 60th birthday party. Forgot to take my camera so no pictures. Dougie's partner Shirl (who was on pictures earlier on) did us a spread and we consumed the usual beverages, well it would be rude not to. I was stuck for a present so took them a selection of what was growing in my garden at the time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbqE0-tC1QjpB2zLhezs_YhG1u0y-nHsbVp8w1r5hGi72kN0v_sOwFjujBbrxzkiMxZI7avAGnLI2zve6fP4R-ifFp_UMT1mKcJia7HoiMM35YRtgOxfXJCrGlWP-Wf07jmeLP0NdQX2E/s1600/IMG_20170527_154350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbqE0-tC1QjpB2zLhezs_YhG1u0y-nHsbVp8w1r5hGi72kN0v_sOwFjujBbrxzkiMxZI7avAGnLI2zve6fP4R-ifFp_UMT1mKcJia7HoiMM35YRtgOxfXJCrGlWP-Wf07jmeLP0NdQX2E/s320/IMG_20170527_154350.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><u>JUNE</u></b></div>
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June came and we were busy tidying things up at the homestead to welcome our first guests. Helen (who was a colleague of mine when I worked in the UK) was bringing her children and partner for a four night stay in Plovdiv and then two nights with us. It was great to see them and catch up on all the old office gossip. Scott and Roman had to sleep in the camper van because we only have the one guest bedroom but I'm sure they coped. A great time was had by all, splashing in the pool in the afternoon and a barbeque at night. The following day we planned to go into VT to show them the sights but alas we had a downpour of rain. We still went into VT but hopped from one umbrella to another.</div>
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Isla, Helen, Scott and Roman</div>
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Choosing lunch</div>
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I had a great idea that Roman and Isla could name my newest red chickens. I had taught them to feed sitting on my knee so they happily obliged for the children. They loved the chickens and named one Gabby and the other Rosie. Scott decided that the cockerel should be called Arnie after Arnold Shwartzanegger due to the size of his drumsticks. It was sad to see them go but I'm sure they had a good time.</div>
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<b><u>JULY</u></b></div>
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On 30th June, we had been to our local bar and when we returned there were two little kittens just inside our gate. Of course I was all for taking them in but GJ's sensible head said, no wait until the morning in case mother is around. Next morning I was all over the garden looking for them to no avail. So we decided to take Bracken out for his morning constitutional and we heard these little squeaking sounds. Turned around and there was this little bundle of ginger fur. There was no sign of the little black one we had seen the night before but I couldn't leave her out in the sun so decided to adopt her.</div>
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She weighed less than 500 grams and we estimated that she was at most 4 weeks old and should really still be with her mother. It's quite common here to drop kittens or puppies off in an English peoples garden. The Bulgarians know we are suckers but they cannot afford to pay for their animals to be spayed or neutered so it is a big problem. Squeak (so named because that's all she could do at the beginning and we didn't know if she was a male or female at the time) grew steadily but we were told by the vet that he couldn't vaccinate until she was over 1kg. By July 30th she had reached 1025 grams but suddenly became quite lethargic. We were just about to go out for the evening and she vomited up something that was moving - Worms. We took her sharpish to the vet who confirmed it and that she had lost a bit of weight. We gave her some worming cream that was squirted into her mouth so she couldn't spit it out and after 3 sessions of this, she was back to normal. Bless her.</div>
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Once she had got over 1kg again she went back to the vet for her vaccinations. He informed us that she would not need to be spayed until she has had her first season, which he assures us would be at 4 months but as we will be in the throws of winter then, it probably won't be til spring. I wish I had his confidence, she spends all her time outside in the summer kitchen and I know (CCTV) that she has other cats visiting already. Watch this space!</div>
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July is Rakia making time. GJ was taken out by Radko and his mate to find the best plums for this years brew. They hunted high and low until they came across the best ones. GJ has his uses, he brought along with him a big lopper so as to make it easy to shake the branches. Radko thought it was marvelous because his piece's of T&G was a little short.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovFti9QGpn86k7SVoGPUrydIxM_CwX7BasMVwqc_KPWiJNTDJaOnLxmuzo-NTrVHV8jeW3SOyJzGvYvAuldMVeWf1xEFlNR3paLKsW8YbjN2XVNPa4g4kPLt1xnriCBwpYcrB1tQ4f6o7/s1600/P1060934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="1600" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovFti9QGpn86k7SVoGPUrydIxM_CwX7BasMVwqc_KPWiJNTDJaOnLxmuzo-NTrVHV8jeW3SOyJzGvYvAuldMVeWf1xEFlNR3paLKsW8YbjN2XVNPa4g4kPLt1xnriCBwpYcrB1tQ4f6o7/s320/P1060934.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Radko mooving the cows along!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVi9ZbBz15GLbl0PkIISp5r88fpKHkpqMj72eZzSjiSq0Z8emrtvR7ius6sDF5a8kFAWZ1mdIobu1BI7TOcPMqAYEASr5nYyROmRizXjW6wyRW8p8mby06Ymu6WJa1a57fsgF4RNlJ5R6P/s1600/P1060927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1325" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVi9ZbBz15GLbl0PkIISp5r88fpKHkpqMj72eZzSjiSq0Z8emrtvR7ius6sDF5a8kFAWZ1mdIobu1BI7TOcPMqAYEASr5nYyROmRizXjW6wyRW8p8mby06Ymu6WJa1a57fsgF4RNlJ5R6P/s320/P1060927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally found what they were looking for and this was just a small amount</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBxkwr5O6ssG5kljn_4dX_QaEkXC8Qtsd5399utCxqkTizYxApVspyhLl31TuL7o02NQvt_Zdb9BGhWjaGmova-uGXC3HdBvXTJZKgUSm29BMW52-wSxwvaJyTUIPhawU-yPq3e4WS0L0/s1600/P1060937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1600" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBxkwr5O6ssG5kljn_4dX_QaEkXC8Qtsd5399utCxqkTizYxApVspyhLl31TuL7o02NQvt_Zdb9BGhWjaGmova-uGXC3HdBvXTJZKgUSm29BMW52-wSxwvaJyTUIPhawU-yPq3e4WS0L0/s320/P1060937.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Radko's mate picking some of the twigs and leaves out</div>
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Back home and Radko crushes the plums into a barrel </div>
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Sugar added and left like this for a week with one stir a day and then another week without stirring.</div>
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On the 30th, Radko had sorted an appointment for both his own and GJ's plums to go to the still. We knew it was going to be a long night so as Stewart was away, I went around to Barbara's house for some supper (very nice too) and a little vino, whilst GJ and Radko did their stuff. 10:45pm before he picked me up!</div>
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Off we go then</div>
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The still - note the TV on in the background. If ever there is a TV in Bulgaria, its always on.</div>
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We've done it.</div>
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The following evening, Radko came around to put some Mulberry bark into the container with the Rakia and at this point it was measured for the alcohol content. If I remember correctly it was about 55%. The Rakia was then left for another two weeks before another visit from Radko and his son to add the distilled water to bring it down to approximately 43%</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3sIqqVboDuaN5gEFPS8g5zfrL5CtN98D99mmKZobDlhVKhJwCK-Adlo0uJG9CCFAINhQRt9NgHN62gpX6pKlQfMupBnyImW3PL7btpRDsHK8jaE6EO3oUhQUkMWmlVhg2CzZn0dbY-1S/s1600/P1060997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1600" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3sIqqVboDuaN5gEFPS8g5zfrL5CtN98D99mmKZobDlhVKhJwCK-Adlo0uJG9CCFAINhQRt9NgHN62gpX6pKlQfMupBnyImW3PL7btpRDsHK8jaE6EO3oUhQUkMWmlVhg2CzZn0dbY-1S/s320/P1060997.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUG8UrYBMlpliGlJTMKBkRt3BKZp01n6L4ATRRZFHkUTdIqqTGlT3dDhQZyuzC0cUUR-eHO4k_69-xV1_-85ROVVTXAGRbpZM-9LtovQDTLN3z4MW4EHgnm_ZfGVvwLPbHhQhfC-s1bDT/s1600/P1070004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="1600" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUG8UrYBMlpliGlJTMKBkRt3BKZp01n6L4ATRRZFHkUTdIqqTGlT3dDhQZyuzC0cUUR-eHO4k_69-xV1_-85ROVVTXAGRbpZM-9LtovQDTLN3z4MW4EHgnm_ZfGVvwLPbHhQhfC-s1bDT/s320/P1070004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmifrmUXCJwq6PB3VttBEOIJoAY1QmpjhyphenhyphenY8HJfv-46ZWymvNpzEAetD86XGNPLB2jgYdBaFZkJHAJ-crUFAUQPDdBz10pRtN0UlGmcGY8Bgif_ch0UmDyOyY6JjiNwP57y3IoJpGyFCz/s1600/P1070006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1600" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmifrmUXCJwq6PB3VttBEOIJoAY1QmpjhyphenhyphenY8HJfv-46ZWymvNpzEAetD86XGNPLB2jgYdBaFZkJHAJ-crUFAUQPDdBz10pRtN0UlGmcGY8Bgif_ch0UmDyOyY6JjiNwP57y3IoJpGyFCz/s320/P1070006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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When Pippa arrives next month, we intend to try it out on her because we just know what a seasoned drinker of Rakia she is!</div>
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<u><b>AUGUST</b></u></div>
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Our second visitor of the year was an old friend called Pippa and her lovely daughter Zoe. They arrived for the last two nights of their epic Bulgarian 3 week holiday. This time the weather was better for us and we managed to do the sightseeing trip to VT with them. Finally we got to see Tsaravets, the old fortress that sits on the hill overlooking Veliko Tarnovo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4Hx9SYAPoBx1tDtcRwgXDvFIK925kJj4STbyUIqx_WnGfq-LYGzggBXgn7AVgPUX9-P2w6YMfnBVucdgJX_XchyphenhyphenuEvS7zffHQE1JgJPu5uLTAfD6_ZjKReecoNZwiyJqyiUbG_aXH1s6/s1600/P1060888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4Hx9SYAPoBx1tDtcRwgXDvFIK925kJj4STbyUIqx_WnGfq-LYGzggBXgn7AVgPUX9-P2w6YMfnBVucdgJX_XchyphenhyphenuEvS7zffHQE1JgJPu5uLTAfD6_ZjKReecoNZwiyJqyiUbG_aXH1s6/s320/P1060888.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio73XGO8Kz0fTU1veKQbC_BSJmCbKEbzx3aEITe0PA-WLlvWfhYtVP6pSl0HzgBt20cTQRXze5YzArFMsF5kh4b9HilDS1ALftfZ0iSbiLuSOu94fADfgF4Fz7kY1Gt1bRmLbVcEdDqRbY/s1600/P1070018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="1600" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio73XGO8Kz0fTU1veKQbC_BSJmCbKEbzx3aEITe0PA-WLlvWfhYtVP6pSl0HzgBt20cTQRXze5YzArFMsF5kh4b9HilDS1ALftfZ0iSbiLuSOu94fADfgF4Fz7kY1Gt1bRmLbVcEdDqRbY/s320/P1070018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-zKWZl26VAmRI70kPQXT2OPqsZkc_moZ8wNwZe1yqa87S_eAOU7z5mo_Tmk3LZkA3fY8lZmxN64C421AXj8uY_Vr6cpBR3xBQ7ESpBNVw0Kt1FW92hRERRI_MCUZw-MeQxRsonlCR-Y9/s1600/P1070029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1600" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-zKWZl26VAmRI70kPQXT2OPqsZkc_moZ8wNwZe1yqa87S_eAOU7z5mo_Tmk3LZkA3fY8lZmxN64C421AXj8uY_Vr6cpBR3xBQ7ESpBNVw0Kt1FW92hRERRI_MCUZw-MeQxRsonlCR-Y9/s320/P1070029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Guess who's got the camera</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKtY-NC-wCpKmM3lQR9cw8Lyw282Omk4jAW12vTtPBp4Coo5yfyvduD_RSNomdwPwQbtlJzQ33ertG4ugmbG5r_s7CV_iwObvl271hqEw5F2duXPWbYr6y1jJC1Tu_pZ_H5A80wrlmxWQ/s1600/P1070030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="1600" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKtY-NC-wCpKmM3lQR9cw8Lyw282Omk4jAW12vTtPBp4Coo5yfyvduD_RSNomdwPwQbtlJzQ33ertG4ugmbG5r_s7CV_iwObvl271hqEw5F2duXPWbYr6y1jJC1Tu_pZ_H5A80wrlmxWQ/s320/P1070030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My dainty figure is well hidden there by Zoe!</div>
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We talked and talked and drank a little til the early hours, it was great fun to catch up and hopefully one day we will go over to Pomporovo (Bulgarian Ski Resort) and visit when she is there managing her apartments. No that's not a hint Pippa, just an acknowledgement of your invitation! Oh and by the way, she loved the Rakia so much so that she took some away with her. Still GJ, only another 13 litres to go!</div>
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I was invited around to Barbara's house to help her with wood roasting her peppers in August. That was a very hot job on a very hot day</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiz9yjMAZO0FyVWX7IMfoGP7R5GVqLZrqQ1MfIUFUp2zFFgTNVuzvV-LfgPiKg-lf83x2fGTCn-0wN_XrCuuWCXX14BjWAakyW42YuL6xag1W1Jo-WyOKnfXTjW0JPNR0mEI4zXr02wXah/s1600/P1070040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiz9yjMAZO0FyVWX7IMfoGP7R5GVqLZrqQ1MfIUFUp2zFFgTNVuzvV-LfgPiKg-lf83x2fGTCn-0wN_XrCuuWCXX14BjWAakyW42YuL6xag1W1Jo-WyOKnfXTjW0JPNR0mEI4zXr02wXah/s320/P1070040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just a fraction of the amount we finally roasted</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzxLl8Ug-MwQUoSj-bZ5TtblZqPgJkePTqVtH9XpKeTHX4sTIpXrPldO3yJ3kEuyKWwmjWx1_pj5sQI1g9w797aluELZk9csOkWSRPEG548mcsOREzDq9zIn6SbL_77FbGbsqVkNp34kD/s1600/P1070042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzxLl8Ug-MwQUoSj-bZ5TtblZqPgJkePTqVtH9XpKeTHX4sTIpXrPldO3yJ3kEuyKWwmjWx1_pj5sQI1g9w797aluELZk9csOkWSRPEG548mcsOREzDq9zIn6SbL_77FbGbsqVkNp34kD/s320/P1070042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Barbara in charge of the prodder!</div>
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All in all, we got a good deal of packets made up for our freezers, what with those and the never ending courgettes and tomatoes, My freezers are full to bursting. Traditionally the Bulgarians bottle everything in either brine or vinegar because not everyone has a freezer but most houses have a cold room or cellar that you will find shelves stacked to the brim with bottled produce.</div>
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Our friend Stewart had his 60th birthday on the 28th. Barbara and I trekked through VT looking for some little suprise presents for him, such an arduous task that we had to take in lunch as well. Finally presents sorted it was invitations to his friends in Hotnitsa to join him for a drink at one of the bars in the village. a fun night was had by all and Stewart was given a cake to share out and a bottle of Rakia that GJ had produced, to toast him with. GJ made up a label for the bottle which congratulated Stewart on being 60 years young and he even cheekily put on a warning about too much alcohol consumption (as a joke). Stewart is very much a Scotsman and he would never over indulge in anything - other than cake maybe!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_h7qSueNajZxFTOUaq8gIo1Vi8yOrdxvvLqBsjBucQYWaa80WZlKGPQtsiPRUWu6nlMj78VcN0PNZ-jBvEjZDESXlg3cAo3Nbzp094x6xkUSLF5j9-b9XsG8FcxKkgAudCwfus8iSe0en/s1600/P1070086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_h7qSueNajZxFTOUaq8gIo1Vi8yOrdxvvLqBsjBucQYWaa80WZlKGPQtsiPRUWu6nlMj78VcN0PNZ-jBvEjZDESXlg3cAo3Nbzp094x6xkUSLF5j9-b9XsG8FcxKkgAudCwfus8iSe0en/s320/P1070086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcLoTAx4PqYukdNWWzoUPqF_MCKkVqjnlnX8CfTJ5D52528PG60r9cnJfO2m6JRyzNwErKU9K0PXM7Ko9VS6AsFWoGOXx8Xkxt4bu04g0TOxC0hyo3dizV2ctcYEGKfsxGhAK9-PCPQ33/s1600/P1070091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcLoTAx4PqYukdNWWzoUPqF_MCKkVqjnlnX8CfTJ5D52528PG60r9cnJfO2m6JRyzNwErKU9K0PXM7Ko9VS6AsFWoGOXx8Xkxt4bu04g0TOxC0hyo3dizV2ctcYEGKfsxGhAK9-PCPQ33/s320/P1070091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfExHI6ujZNmbSgw7m6APFFFbjBrUTHNb5Hyg-pcftkGVh-Vf6w1Yiz1diqrwwaFKRPiVyCZKWoIkZlP8wZ2ouXKIReSv5eBPRLNAKmidxGx3mUdrTJzyE6KoXMENvlyYVmy6v8-MRNXoH/s1600/P1070093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="748" data-original-width="1600" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfExHI6ujZNmbSgw7m6APFFFbjBrUTHNb5Hyg-pcftkGVh-Vf6w1Yiz1diqrwwaFKRPiVyCZKWoIkZlP8wZ2ouXKIReSv5eBPRLNAKmidxGx3mUdrTJzyE6KoXMENvlyYVmy6v8-MRNXoH/s320/P1070093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilPSxjZhIMUGGyzQmlFvzM8tdeEzEuSf9KOI4KRK52QobjuBEWpO5e02wg7l2MQtKs3G6mgeUKjukuMOIKN76-sKL2jiBr8tc4vGUf0XFbCnWxAUAdZm3lIkhyGFr3AwehTdddRgNgpbm/s1600/P1070098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1600" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilPSxjZhIMUGGyzQmlFvzM8tdeEzEuSf9KOI4KRK52QobjuBEWpO5e02wg7l2MQtKs3G6mgeUKjukuMOIKN76-sKL2jiBr8tc4vGUf0XFbCnWxAUAdZm3lIkhyGFr3AwehTdddRgNgpbm/s320/P1070098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think we were possibly singing to him at this point.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7XoCU28WS3cQPcb_03HuwpNEfGwklZCEb9j07Zs8HUd0kAF7hFH0PIpCNG0D5qXRkM4mbmpSWPdZQIRp_BAhnVphn8ZtIEa6SXuSVrcvHsnaw2dAVT1Na6iq5L2aaRmxFvYyLCisp9uH/s1600/P1070102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7XoCU28WS3cQPcb_03HuwpNEfGwklZCEb9j07Zs8HUd0kAF7hFH0PIpCNG0D5qXRkM4mbmpSWPdZQIRp_BAhnVphn8ZtIEa6SXuSVrcvHsnaw2dAVT1Na6iq5L2aaRmxFvYyLCisp9uH/s320/P1070102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A good night was had by all, thanks Stewart.</div>
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<b>And now for some random pictures:</b></div>
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<b>Animals:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKME81IsEKeth2tF5xm9VsmZCmahxNigew_UMEFTPRmD4fbDINm44s1RYhtnWCKwL6lm8NPS3wxhe4rODJbPOTo7M2cWxBGAtkGBx5wXMs6rMr6YvMedyyVDTltNuKZ8g-Sb6O1DicOdia/s1600/DSC00004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKME81IsEKeth2tF5xm9VsmZCmahxNigew_UMEFTPRmD4fbDINm44s1RYhtnWCKwL6lm8NPS3wxhe4rODJbPOTo7M2cWxBGAtkGBx5wXMs6rMr6YvMedyyVDTltNuKZ8g-Sb6O1DicOdia/s320/DSC00004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqYU_RlnCf_nuRncTa8YGMp6Hu7VrCAGvgklOKB2-Bz3wmd9Ma3dFglBvzYn4JUieFwKFWvEykYEcsqF4_dtNx3X881OHs914OIHOjC6KPyp81uCf2AhyphenhyphenH_MPrUF0uLyId8sqA0oTIPdP/s1600/DSC00034+Croped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="1600" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqYU_RlnCf_nuRncTa8YGMp6Hu7VrCAGvgklOKB2-Bz3wmd9Ma3dFglBvzYn4JUieFwKFWvEykYEcsqF4_dtNx3X881OHs914OIHOjC6KPyp81uCf2AhyphenhyphenH_MPrUF0uLyId8sqA0oTIPdP/s320/DSC00034+Croped.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>The growing up process</b></div>
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A way of using up courgette glut - dog biscuits</div>
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<b>We were shown a new place to swim - and retrieve</b></div>
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<b>Did I do good Dad!</b></div>
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<b>Food in house and out</b></div>
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Steak and Mushroom Pie celebrating my pastry making skills</div>
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You see GJ can cook too!</div>
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A double yoker from one of my girls</div>
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More pastry skills - think this was chicken and veg</div>
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Gaspacho soup made with the first of the tomatoes and cucumbers, oh and basil</div>
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Another way to use up courgettes - In a martini!</div>
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Sometimes, only a pink gin will do</div>
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Best french bread to date</div>
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I asked for two racks of ribs and got all this from them, think my butchery is coming on!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTJVxTU26IvkNg_Gdze48P1kF4P4FViLcbOAjd63mrS9FYUrY69vuyH3UVG2ZGTJsEvt8iIE9dosaI0W6YvRa0YLPkkFG5EI7PyJDMvcSJJ8i8PGGEGaKy6vlsTDHV57g6TLcGQemnLoC/s1600/P1060639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTJVxTU26IvkNg_Gdze48P1kF4P4FViLcbOAjd63mrS9FYUrY69vuyH3UVG2ZGTJsEvt8iIE9dosaI0W6YvRa0YLPkkFG5EI7PyJDMvcSJJ8i8PGGEGaKy6vlsTDHV57g6TLcGQemnLoC/s320/P1060639.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Face to face - Hens egg vs Duck egg!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvjht2TjTY6Li5ZrLb3kNBuPfBuddn3x7pHTND-CC4VcxX_poK9e2aZnuR0zu4sSAHZfk4USmG4Yz8kuCIlJ6GH1IiuNR27SC8OMqpWqlOBXG-o334TwFRjWFuntlRNA2QzjHrhuec5gZ/s1600/P1060641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="913" data-original-width="1600" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvjht2TjTY6Li5ZrLb3kNBuPfBuddn3x7pHTND-CC4VcxX_poK9e2aZnuR0zu4sSAHZfk4USmG4Yz8kuCIlJ6GH1IiuNR27SC8OMqpWqlOBXG-o334TwFRjWFuntlRNA2QzjHrhuec5gZ/s320/P1060641.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Duck egg was possibly a bit richer but you're hard pushed to beat my girls!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pItOXKPdEAt_M8YKMwTh1OLdrJuvVzwMK5acFzbTRctN0Nqc0pY9yLAJovFwW-lk1oKRTzSX8uCNVsuT_DV2crb0uwgqHVULI0zOlsO95AEc5nMn0u7VZYK5fbfiUJkTN2moGQxRDb0u/s1600/P1060883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1600" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pItOXKPdEAt_M8YKMwTh1OLdrJuvVzwMK5acFzbTRctN0Nqc0pY9yLAJovFwW-lk1oKRTzSX8uCNVsuT_DV2crb0uwgqHVULI0zOlsO95AEc5nMn0u7VZYK5fbfiUJkTN2moGQxRDb0u/s320/P1060883.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Barbara saying oh noooo, don't take that!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAUd5igwx7hh2xI7JWWwLsR6uWac2jLMWXNJcjeUGnykU6mB17UowJnLiiYP4gDyl0yBhpjovgDruWYQDXjXzF5-DDYpN2LGRFc-VntMbL_K9-wkzS6ZT9DQ5pLY4EadX4IgeHCsGXui4/s1600/P1060995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAUd5igwx7hh2xI7JWWwLsR6uWac2jLMWXNJcjeUGnykU6mB17UowJnLiiYP4gDyl0yBhpjovgDruWYQDXjXzF5-DDYpN2LGRFc-VntMbL_K9-wkzS6ZT9DQ5pLY4EadX4IgeHCsGXui4/s320/P1060995.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>And Maria certainly wasn't ready for this!</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Arbanasi day out</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38Olmb5VlmF2Ac3pXuabqC7E__VsWqWhzr_gNCyifIW-GQNcow4UZvYqKnkr51ovMU12dEHoRCJXyt8VvOpmjq40loZpQX6g8-guAyRXvPAY9_IHQQCqIlW3CihyHrVf5RfZjSnQvFn2M/s1600/DSC02151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38Olmb5VlmF2Ac3pXuabqC7E__VsWqWhzr_gNCyifIW-GQNcow4UZvYqKnkr51ovMU12dEHoRCJXyt8VvOpmjq40loZpQX6g8-guAyRXvPAY9_IHQQCqIlW3CihyHrVf5RfZjSnQvFn2M/s320/DSC02151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawUmYh1Ni01QegOX1AAGSF5HL8TjWrH0IGv99_P321VdghwAuldzclOgTorwcr4Lbio2A_S842Yf5IHEG5qe-T4BRXwWEqkBBhU53hrXRm7HoAsclYQR5crVi1yzGmgI-oo3giJIlfS74/s1600/DSC02156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawUmYh1Ni01QegOX1AAGSF5HL8TjWrH0IGv99_P321VdghwAuldzclOgTorwcr4Lbio2A_S842Yf5IHEG5qe-T4BRXwWEqkBBhU53hrXRm7HoAsclYQR5crVi1yzGmgI-oo3giJIlfS74/s320/DSC02156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircX7fuNanzZE-WT6zaJ0aBQzk0BOcveLBNgLJ2isywWZd1VDhM_iKJTD285uz6vxHKoBTEtELZrhdrAhAJY0Qwn6HZfE9rc_vXH9eT3tfXl_xz005eW0oOObRaeQ_rwNa0Slf_d0FDWxs/s1600/DSC02163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircX7fuNanzZE-WT6zaJ0aBQzk0BOcveLBNgLJ2isywWZd1VDhM_iKJTD285uz6vxHKoBTEtELZrhdrAhAJY0Qwn6HZfE9rc_vXH9eT3tfXl_xz005eW0oOObRaeQ_rwNa0Slf_d0FDWxs/s320/DSC02163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrixOiWVSUFCLt7GUthzh3p_YbPti6A9z3yUxOo0Mu3a32OkcIMGQ-_63CY20Lvx8Yrm7P62hs8y6JFS6fmY3W4xGIIklY-s4QS9cUmZl5WRUwBBsrLOJ0zre_i96wT9y8dVUXTWxNI4Dl/s1600/IMG_20170810_153300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrixOiWVSUFCLt7GUthzh3p_YbPti6A9z3yUxOo0Mu3a32OkcIMGQ-_63CY20Lvx8Yrm7P62hs8y6JFS6fmY3W4xGIIklY-s4QS9cUmZl5WRUwBBsrLOJ0zre_i96wT9y8dVUXTWxNI4Dl/s320/IMG_20170810_153300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These two hand painted gourds cost me 50 leva (£25) which gives me an idea.....</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Produce</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQIrpyEvXxlgFC620Qp3rwaHYtOSEc-rCIHfE-uuBJB-j2uaUGWminKjK45SaLTQaehpH-STOuSY5pRiyM195mhXduNGtB58OMgIkp2NTa0eZbRSa8jYiS6QvWDBXtQFNsRLfdc0Yg8tI/s1600/DSC00065+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQIrpyEvXxlgFC620Qp3rwaHYtOSEc-rCIHfE-uuBJB-j2uaUGWminKjK45SaLTQaehpH-STOuSY5pRiyM195mhXduNGtB58OMgIkp2NTa0eZbRSa8jYiS6QvWDBXtQFNsRLfdc0Yg8tI/s320/DSC00065+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The productive patch</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZxk8aA7sjrc_Hk9bORWN0k2pVdk4NwUWto68B1pGJLijHyQTs8jelfgSifAzKaAuX9GW3DY04DsuQ9WpK08igrvRO3UAJB2LlCC0wRI3XmyGpYLPXZhpYN6P_vma9a8N6MJAM7FqfOnJ/s1600/IMG_20170612_155404+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZxk8aA7sjrc_Hk9bORWN0k2pVdk4NwUWto68B1pGJLijHyQTs8jelfgSifAzKaAuX9GW3DY04DsuQ9WpK08igrvRO3UAJB2LlCC0wRI3XmyGpYLPXZhpYN6P_vma9a8N6MJAM7FqfOnJ/s320/IMG_20170612_155404+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Peas</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B7mpRdJlnRrCXD-TUO0N3L-riARRZDreHginjQ_Gx8De8khGHZmOfTNwjgR0S31S9CPuXfDemJsb38k5joY7tNicagzb7wsh507iCMJhAKK-dwC0zEXcfthJnGlINLA93vbWmFlwouCv/s1600/IMG_20170624_101517+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B7mpRdJlnRrCXD-TUO0N3L-riARRZDreHginjQ_Gx8De8khGHZmOfTNwjgR0S31S9CPuXfDemJsb38k5joY7tNicagzb7wsh507iCMJhAKK-dwC0zEXcfthJnGlINLA93vbWmFlwouCv/s320/IMG_20170624_101517+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some of mine, Barbara's and Warren's Jams</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv58AkgGuq8uQ0dWVApJV4Ie9NiDzZQ4u4VR3xkORwnMT6gW1odunZh6opN1_Jmawt3xNuvptazcGKjUsd_fe5L4kkY6cQ9jv_7LKf5sORjyg-bFin6VYQnw6oM1nWbSxOdcYTstZFn0lF/s1600/IMG_20170708_100953+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv58AkgGuq8uQ0dWVApJV4Ie9NiDzZQ4u4VR3xkORwnMT6gW1odunZh6opN1_Jmawt3xNuvptazcGKjUsd_fe5L4kkY6cQ9jv_7LKf5sORjyg-bFin6VYQnw6oM1nWbSxOdcYTstZFn0lF/s320/IMG_20170708_100953+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...and they just keep coming</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXVmBr5PbcVtKPWKfymPKUtXfDzHjfgzmF564ZzR-A4A_HUD2BftArx3ffEYFBENoDlU0MLR1QJbSRTDe9gRygVJiBkjwemSReU6xJNJvoCfyKc2BV9osoqGcEMPwkvL5Uwql8wE0ciEU/s1600/IMG_20170712_123547+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1600" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXVmBr5PbcVtKPWKfymPKUtXfDzHjfgzmF564ZzR-A4A_HUD2BftArx3ffEYFBENoDlU0MLR1QJbSRTDe9gRygVJiBkjwemSReU6xJNJvoCfyKc2BV9osoqGcEMPwkvL5Uwql8wE0ciEU/s320/IMG_20170712_123547+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...... and coming</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBmg3Nc2Soow1pRhtZnrhm_PrGHDqiQQ48x299t4XCujaB3WmpDawTRD1TEcBvARpOa_Rtmv1bNp5KgrQnwhUYScbd9wO7Tp0aLez4pI7usYlW30VV4hC9GlVLRGaGURklR6MGNS3b_NQ/s1600/IMG_20170716_144755+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1600" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBmg3Nc2Soow1pRhtZnrhm_PrGHDqiQQ48x299t4XCujaB3WmpDawTRD1TEcBvARpOa_Rtmv1bNp5KgrQnwhUYScbd9wO7Tp0aLez4pI7usYlW30VV4hC9GlVLRGaGURklR6MGNS3b_NQ/s320/IMG_20170716_144755+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
....and coming</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidE16M0Sy2RSOn2Zoz-As_gCa8H3UXj0_QL21QTEckgYiWlXFHwMPLLD8wtbLUoC9iqo_RKkx-C2zbrekxsjVglepvKbgTYw2QPLb2FDWpBGe2F9-w05bRLh-DhNLxf5-RiazNi2cTc40y/s1600/IMG_20170720_090827+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidE16M0Sy2RSOn2Zoz-As_gCa8H3UXj0_QL21QTEckgYiWlXFHwMPLLD8wtbLUoC9iqo_RKkx-C2zbrekxsjVglepvKbgTYw2QPLb2FDWpBGe2F9-w05bRLh-DhNLxf5-RiazNi2cTc40y/s320/IMG_20170720_090827+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
....and coming</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxB18tKthlLGx-0QzNMJl5-UYMX3il-sxBSXfGHhTp21kt6xzp-Eg9VrrC0i2wE9NCSq1TbHyaEvRI3ffi0I3YkC3-LV5o_X_wrri8YiGJPF8Ex4nyotiwOct7vvdiv4ZcFWD7kswXIpmN/s1600/IMG_20170720_181530+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxB18tKthlLGx-0QzNMJl5-UYMX3il-sxBSXfGHhTp21kt6xzp-Eg9VrrC0i2wE9NCSq1TbHyaEvRI3ffi0I3YkC3-LV5o_X_wrri8YiGJPF8Ex4nyotiwOct7vvdiv4ZcFWD7kswXIpmN/s320/IMG_20170720_181530+-+Copy.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Home made chilli tomato sauce</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi1_yoSgHivCko88LCZQ3zJq-TZ7zgyFNOIfngXCIDQusRvZd_0oGg76QklaJcdOdu1Z0586R8Syk27-L0eCAO-YCIk3TMX8QkPNPpVO6fjz7pLRg9YjK5PTRjxN4tu2zRSxwceHb07MB/s1600/IMG_20170729_131517+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1600" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi1_yoSgHivCko88LCZQ3zJq-TZ7zgyFNOIfngXCIDQusRvZd_0oGg76QklaJcdOdu1Z0586R8Syk27-L0eCAO-YCIk3TMX8QkPNPpVO6fjz7pLRg9YjK5PTRjxN4tu2zRSxwceHb07MB/s320/IMG_20170729_131517+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
... and coming</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc1JhSA1EbLgViLMkAc9gkRI4PcK1uUzDVaIMN1AOvc7JU6RbUBS2On5Pl7IrwH_-q3ZOCVVDyEydKaue4g3gidnORbR1sjAkFNdrKIbjLBs-L6mxQKFTkeUHSY24vQyyzpN7ZNcXVAyY/s1600/IMG_20170730_124026+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="1435" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc1JhSA1EbLgViLMkAc9gkRI4PcK1uUzDVaIMN1AOvc7JU6RbUBS2On5Pl7IrwH_-q3ZOCVVDyEydKaue4g3gidnORbR1sjAkFNdrKIbjLBs-L6mxQKFTkeUHSY24vQyyzpN7ZNcXVAyY/s320/IMG_20170730_124026+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pickled cucmbers</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjlkVENkVHsPS93XLAPZSg4MWYnivL2Of9zMJVnq5W4AwbjV8MUQccjtvPASezvu2iziew_Ge8d8rEd8AHcOAT7r3MMC-5evUf89Mdx59C-Xjvi8mERr24kbg15TsfLgb9lOzmsRwFccK/s1600/IMG_20170805_170805+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1600" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjlkVENkVHsPS93XLAPZSg4MWYnivL2Of9zMJVnq5W4AwbjV8MUQccjtvPASezvu2iziew_Ge8d8rEd8AHcOAT7r3MMC-5evUf89Mdx59C-Xjvi8mERr24kbg15TsfLgb9lOzmsRwFccK/s320/IMG_20170805_170805+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Courgette and Lemon cake</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZuAH8tCOfn2YDIxW4yK-klE_jmBUsJl9Yzxof6PkwYirzIf3t-7eoSNYh98p9J59_0N-g5J1MQAD9WvMpJOScbEXKHwYKv7j2O4Ipprh0QDz1CzvynFPwkLP_p10nN8H5_MVXk4s2Z_X/s1600/IMG_20170819_100208+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZuAH8tCOfn2YDIxW4yK-klE_jmBUsJl9Yzxof6PkwYirzIf3t-7eoSNYh98p9J59_0N-g5J1MQAD9WvMpJOScbEXKHwYKv7j2O4Ipprh0QDz1CzvynFPwkLP_p10nN8H5_MVXk4s2Z_X/s320/IMG_20170819_100208+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The seed packet said butternut squash</div>
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Beets for winter</div>
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Carrots for winter</div>
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You know those expensive hand painted gourds.........</div>
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Start of a wicker fence - new skills</div>
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Dried Lemon and Nastursium petals, both crushed and nice added to a dressing</div>
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Pickled spiced courgette</div>
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More Peas</div>
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<b>Other randoms:</b></div>
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Before Squeak arrived this was a nightly visitor to our summer kitchen</div>
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Sleepy little Bulgarian village.....</div>
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......with a motor dealer with expensive taste - you just never know whats round the corner</div>
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... to more practical horsepower</div>
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Again in the middle of nowhere, a breakers yard</div>
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The old part of VT</div>
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The river at Resen and Warren and Sylvi who showed us the route with Pudding and Cherry</div>
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<b>Well thank goodness that's over. I hope somebody reads it but if not, at least I can look back.</b></div>
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<b>Stay well</b></div>
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<b>H, GJ and Bracken and now Squeak but not the hens - they can't write yet!</b></div>
Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-26868002955503131722017-01-09T05:04:00.001-08:002017-01-09T05:20:38.295-08:00Christmas and New Year build up......I always think that the most exciting thing about Christmas is the build up. It is actually a couple of days of feasting and being lazy (for some members of the family) but the build up has all the fun. From Christmas parties to carols at church, silly songs on the radio heard only once a year thank goodness, to wrapping presents. From sorting out accommodation for the family who are coming to stay, to keeping the peace when the games come out. This, and a lot more, used to mean Christmas for me but now we seem to be a bit more humbled and our fairly quiet Christmas's are a joy and the village spirit serves to remind us about the real reason for Christmas.<br />
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That said, I do love a Christmas tree and as I did in England, always liked having a real Christmas tree. My thought was, that if they have already been cut, then it was my duty to get them into some water as soon as I could to increase their life - only the one I had selected of course. Trees are available here in buckets so they may be planted outside after the festive season but I thought about it, and actually this poor tree would be brought into a nice heated living room and then put outside in what is Bulgaria's coldest period. How do you think that would survive? So off to Praktica (like B&Q) for an artificial one...<br />
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I do like to see more sparkle than tree!</div>
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.....and here is another bit of sparkle on the fireplace.</div>
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As far as presents go, I decided that the only thing I would do this year was to make traditional Christmas cakes for our immediate neighbours and an extra one for the village Christmas Party. This was easier said than done for various reasons. 1) I am no good at baking or cake decoration. 2) Raisins are available but currents are not. 3) Impossible to find glace cherries. However, in October I managed to make 3 cakes that smelt good and even better when I steeped them in brandy. I kept feeding them every couple of weeks until finally it was time to ice them. I managed to get some marzipan from Lidl but I had to research the fondant icing. After lots of hard work and lots of swearing, I managed to cover the marzipan with a nice white frosting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rIyNVkNj6kXDJ7oUzKJAuRtYS_dw6Ety6OtdvishQ9tlbNUWheIWf3Bwo94iYQOyhTZYPKFzHJ-PyDYU_nfrPxgDJsMA8pEods9aGom5bHmVqWmW0-WfA2nceO9TyWFs9M0_nC5AVbBw/s1600/P1060256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rIyNVkNj6kXDJ7oUzKJAuRtYS_dw6Ety6OtdvishQ9tlbNUWheIWf3Bwo94iYQOyhTZYPKFzHJ-PyDYU_nfrPxgDJsMA8pEods9aGom5bHmVqWmW0-WfA2nceO9TyWFs9M0_nC5AVbBw/s200/P1060256.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDRQ_LglOaTRuTi_LVhUB3CTOwAKPhUMmDtYeoleOI57lsUwS2KQyAXCuGA-1bgr5Hs-PZZ7q9ef6QobOXb-OZUfm4AsJ5sSbpVcX2_ELX_YuFCWqslo32Cb0Kf1DGN8eiFjZ7tgDYroG/s1600/P1060269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDRQ_LglOaTRuTi_LVhUB3CTOwAKPhUMmDtYeoleOI57lsUwS2KQyAXCuGA-1bgr5Hs-PZZ7q9ef6QobOXb-OZUfm4AsJ5sSbpVcX2_ELX_YuFCWqslo32Cb0Kf1DGN8eiFjZ7tgDYroG/s200/P1060269.JPG" width="200" /></a>From Marzipan to Frosting......<br />
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Next problem - where can I get some colouring for decorating? All I could find were tubes of ready made coloured icing which I had to add to the white but I could get the deep colour I wanted.</div>
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We had been invited to Radko and Pepa's house for a meal so it was time to take their cake. Here is a picture of Radko photographing it for immediate posting to facebook.</div>
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Us with Pepa</div>
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Communication was made so much easier with the use of Google Translate. The meal was lovely as were the wine and rakia.</div>
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Cake No. 2 was for Elenor.....</div>
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.....and No.3 for the Christmas Party</div>
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Oh well, I will try anything once - or three times!</div>
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I have also been making pastry. One of our ex-pat friends gave us some home-made mincemeat and I had also made my own so I had to have a bake-off to compare the two.<br />
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Both were very nice. Mmmm....</div>
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Our latest project in the house was to repair and refit the fireplace in the kitchen. When we bought the house, there was and old petchka (oven/fire) in the fireplace and behind that were two bread ovens. Presumably one for the fire and the other one for cooking in. Anyway, as part of the renovation of the chimney, the back of the ovens actually collapsed so, as I had no intention of using them, we asked Chris (builder friend) to block them off and re-render the wall around where we would be putting our new fire box. After he had knocked off all the original plaster....</div>
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Excuse the naff photo</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggFjZXd2uRVpVZTSd1v_RBP_EPwMtSsg6dv0PXIB9SsPQJ396NIvOgPlUalEY_yaZrbbBU6cz_lFdVDDIx6UBfIMqHEqdRMg1KWpxO5SERFINr4ka8DWdMxLK10Udo-eevA7pa8Tv9nss/s1600/DSC01866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggFjZXd2uRVpVZTSd1v_RBP_EPwMtSsg6dv0PXIB9SsPQJ396NIvOgPlUalEY_yaZrbbBU6cz_lFdVDDIx6UBfIMqHEqdRMg1KWpxO5SERFINr4ka8DWdMxLK10Udo-eevA7pa8Tv9nss/s320/DSC01866.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Before its all painted up. I will take a picture again when finished.<br />
Very talented man is Chris, we are very pleased with it.<br />
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On December 6th the Bulgarians celebrate St Nicholas day. On this day they traditionally eat Carp (which is eaten a lot here, fished from the river Yantra) and we had been invited to Ivan's house to eat his Carp. I remember this time last year and we had been invited to Sara and David's neighbours for "fish and chips". Then we had fish and chips that had been prepared earlier in the day and so we had it cold. Carp in cold batter must be an acquired taste, one that we don't have. With this in mind, we made our excuses to Ivan but apparently he served it as a whole fish with a nice stuffing and it was warm. Oh well maybe next year. Incidentally, around about this date, I went into our village shop and next to the till was a bucket with a live Carp in it, flapping around. I felt a bit sorry for the poor dying creature and then GJ reminded me that when all those fish are caught from the sea, they don't put one of the sailors on dispatching duty. Never thought about that before - don't think I want to eat fish now! </div>
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Just before Christmas was the village party at the village hall. Its a shame that it wasn't attended by the Bulgarians as much as last year but the price had gone up to 10 leva per person (£5) so that probably didn't help. However the Brits were out in force and the Mayor came round the room to say cheers and Happy Christmas. We all had a go at the traditional Bulgarian dance (7 steps to the left and two to the right, whilst holding hands up and forming a circle) but when the beer goggles are on, </div>
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its hard to keep count....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Fp3U_cUVab5bv-WbxpmWP3A3n0c4x0m_9VSOqU5cDBesynDHFP6CjOf2uzJ1eyMB-sOEvnc41Lm6TLObeGEt-A5M-5OPx68Q1S0RhuT5NWLJzJXQhvqw2FLjX1EzV2nA_52a5bTztBb5/s1600/P1060302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Fp3U_cUVab5bv-WbxpmWP3A3n0c4x0m_9VSOqU5cDBesynDHFP6CjOf2uzJ1eyMB-sOEvnc41Lm6TLObeGEt-A5M-5OPx68Q1S0RhuT5NWLJzJXQhvqw2FLjX1EzV2nA_52a5bTztBb5/s320/P1060302.JPG" width="320" /></a>Brits and Bulgarians<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOYa1BeDfbkyPHWVwKKE31XdBjFkLvSSjb5kfftRgaGJYhIuZeMKH3bJyO361Mxz5ReC6qQ-86xV6Pybu5YEv7t47eaCkKQQKCmznMbOd8U85YIJ38s4BeaSEuXEXgPgpqxV53iIoKNOv/s1600/P1060278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOYa1BeDfbkyPHWVwKKE31XdBjFkLvSSjb5kfftRgaGJYhIuZeMKH3bJyO361Mxz5ReC6qQ-86xV6Pybu5YEv7t47eaCkKQQKCmznMbOd8U85YIJ38s4BeaSEuXEXgPgpqxV53iIoKNOv/s320/P1060278.JPG" width="320" /></a>It seems strange to dance with all the lights on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_rrax44GlEysPrl58Q9zc97yxB8MqjTnIdAQSZKmodXzpaUPQj0hiZejM1v-Y_f470ScNh4qr9R5VZsvOqr0RGrA9pmo5RZwNcHHU3VtoG5bGq38vXosOyfkQIb7Lwez_MiiRSTzQ_HO/s1600/P1060280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_rrax44GlEysPrl58Q9zc97yxB8MqjTnIdAQSZKmodXzpaUPQj0hiZejM1v-Y_f470ScNh4qr9R5VZsvOqr0RGrA9pmo5RZwNcHHU3VtoG5bGq38vXosOyfkQIb7Lwez_MiiRSTzQ_HO/s320/P1060280.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Down the far end of the Brits table.....<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUkEO1eY2R69uwBa4OpvQ3sY-J4podGCYo65E4NA2ZXXFYZrUXLW_Urubrmsy1NtAtbWNZRm27ILnvFhct7t6SWpoLBGZlrRpI_Fip_WZPnPYsDbfATeke6H-z8N7aeaESy0CgcB1KDGa/s1600/P1060306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUkEO1eY2R69uwBa4OpvQ3sY-J4podGCYo65E4NA2ZXXFYZrUXLW_Urubrmsy1NtAtbWNZRm27ILnvFhct7t6SWpoLBGZlrRpI_Fip_WZPnPYsDbfATeke6H-z8N7aeaESy0CgcB1KDGa/s320/P1060306.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
.....and up at our end. You will notice that the plate with the Christmas cake on is almost empty!<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">On Christmas eve we had some friends over in the afternoon for mince pies and mulled wine. Then Christmas morning started like this............</span><br />
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This was a very pleasant Bulgarian Sparkling Wine which cost us the equivalent of £1.70. Absolute bargain. This was accompanied by lightly scrambled eggs (from my girls) inside very light croissants.<br />
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And for the main event we had chosen to have goose. I was pleasantly surprised that it was neither dry nor fatty and it was extremely tasty, almost like a slightly richer duck.<br />
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All the usual trimmings, bread sauce, stuffing and chipolatas but the greens were from the garden. Very small sprouts cut in half and purple sprouting broccoli both sauteed in a little butter<br />
After a walk to settle the food, we came home to light the fire, made liquor coffees, and settle in for a good film. Bliss.</div>
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Between Christmas and New Year, we had our first fall of snow. We went up to the Hotnitsa waterfall to take some pictures. It was all we could do to keep Bracken out of the water. If he had any nuts, they would have dropped off, it was that cold.<br />
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Not quite frozen but not far off.</div>
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Evening view from our bedroom towards Elenor's house</div>
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Similar view but during daylight and taken from the ground</div>
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Deep enough for Bracken to loose his balls - bouncy ones that is!</div>
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Some funny woman walking her dog!</div>
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...and here she is walking her chickens!</div>
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Seriously though, when ever I go through the gate I feel like the Pied Piper of Hamlin, they chase after me expecting food - Labradors of the chicken world!</div>
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The chubby little cockeral is always at the back!</div>
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We decided to invite a few friends over for New Years Eve. Another fall of snow stopped one friend coming but we managed to bring in the new year with a bottle of bubbly or two, we played a few silly games and I had prepared some canapes. As usual, I forgot to take pictures until they had nearly all been scoffed....</div>
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...but you get the idea.</div>
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Bracken tried to join in with the games and when we took no notice of him, he decided to make his presence known....<br />
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...normally never allowed on the sofa.</div>
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This was a silly game that I had seen on facebook. Like pass the parcel, whilst one person tried to open a parcel with oven gloves on, the next person threw a dice until he threw a 6, then it was his/her turn to open the parcel with the gloves on. I tell you what, it brings out the competitiveness in people.<br />
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After New Year, we had some more snowfall and it is still coming. As soon as a path is cleared, its topped up again. Good job we don't have to go out - except for dog walking!<br />
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This is the main road into the village. This was taken last week but as of today, things are even whiter and you cannot actually see the road - and that's after the snow plough has been through.<br />
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Well that's it for now, a lot more has happened but if I forget to take photos, I forget to put it down in the blog. In some circumstances, it is not appropriate to take photos. as an example, we went to a funeral of a chap who lives just up the road from us. Amazing turnout for him because he was well known as the water meter reader man.<br />
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I have got GJ working on tiling the kitchen so I will update in the next edition.<br />
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Keep warm,<br />
H,GJ & Bracken<br />
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Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-24050856690016367752016-10-30T12:01:00.000-07:002016-10-30T12:01:25.184-07:00One year on since we arrivedYet again time has run away with me. Life just seems to be so busy that I not only forget to catch up with the blog but I also forget to take photos. I remember my sister Sarah took her camera everywhere with her just in case, but I keep leaving it behind. Still here goes.....<br />
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The last entry ended with our trip to the rock festival at Mindya - that long ago! Since then we have had Kevin registered and both he and the car now have their Bulgarian plates. What a palaver. We thought it was bad with the Range Rover but this time we decided to pay an insurance man to take it though the process for us. Well the English plates came off, went back on again, came off and went back on again. When the KAT office (registration office) people finally decided that it came under the category of "Special Purpose Vehicle" then we were granted some plates and all the taxes were paid.<br />
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We have been doing some restoration work on little things in and around the house. GJ has tackled the fire place giving it a respray. It came up very well.<br />
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Oh and who put that bottle there. It wasn't there for very long!</div>
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......and I have been restoring the gates that go into the barn area because we want to move the chickens into here for the winter. I will take another photo when GJ has hung them again.<br />
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This area was used as a dumping ground and we couldn't actually see the barn when looking over from the poly tunnel frame so finally we decided to tackle it. We hired a lady from the village to do some clearance work and we had several fires. She was amazing, they build them strong around here. So now with a lot of hard work and effort by us all, the area is cleared.<br />
Looking from the barn to the house......before work done<br />
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The barn just visible through the winter trees last year</div>
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.....but they've all gone now</div>
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This was how the chicken run looked before all the hard work.</div>
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....and how it looks now</div>
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Before Kevin's parking spot was established.....<br />
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and now he looks quite cosy.</div>
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and so do the chickens if a bit straggly from the molting.</div>
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We had another dinner party. Chris and Karen came whom I have mentioned before and two of their friends who have bought a house in the village and as yet have not sold up in England but are hoping to be here by spring next year. As usual, I didn't take any pictures of the actual party but I did take a picture of the table setting...<br />
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It was a good excuse to get out the crystal and family silver. I seem to have inherited it so I might as well use it. I was going to serve a vegetable terrine to start which consisted of carrot and cauliflower layers but unfortunately when I decanted it from the terrine mould, there was an overwhelming smell of cauliflower which I thought might be a bit off putting so I ditched it and served a Smoked Salmon Pate instead. When I say ditched - the Chickens loved it.<br />
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It looked good and tasted good but you are never sure with things like cauliflower. I followed the Pate with a Spanish Chicken dish with Savoury Rice, designed for minimum work on the night. However, when I tasted it, it was a little too spicy and I tried everything to cool it down - great for GJ and I but I had heard a conversation once about someone not liking things too spicy so I had to recreate the sauce and transfer the chicken into a milder version. The third thing to go wrong was my pudding. I had decided to follow a Mary Berry recipe for a lemon tart which used a sort of Shortbread pastry case and it turned out to be hard as nails so that was ditched for a Chocolate Roulard. I don't think I have ever had such a challenging dinner party in my life! Nobody knew anything about my capers and calamities but if they read this now, they will!</div>
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Karen bought two tubs of clotted cream with her to the party and as we only used one with the dinner party, I decided to make some scones to go with the other and I took them down to the bar on Friday night to let all the ex-pats have a little reminder of "old home". At least they worked OK first time!</div>
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I have been using up the last of my home grown tomatoes by making tomato sauce and chutneys. I have also put portion size packets in the freezer to last a while into the Autumn. </div>
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This first year in the garden has taught me a lot, not least how the weather affects everything and how well certain things grow. I have been planing what to plant where for next year and I am not going to do such a wide range of things but only plant things that we use a lot of. i.e Tomatoes (large ones for sauces and chutneys) Carrots, Beetroot, Courgettes, Sweetcorn and Onions. I still have Leeks, Brussel Sprouts and Swiss Chard in the garden so I still have something to harvest but things like Cabbages, Potatoes, Broccoli etc are very easy to come by here and don't seem worth the effort to grow. I have had very poor results with peas and beans this year but when I spoke to our friends, the nurserymen, they have assured me that the heat this year was exceptional and that they would have been better in the shade. As I still have seeds left, I will try again next year in the area which is inhabited by the chickens at the moment. They are fertilising the area nicely. <br />
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We have been to our local cash and carry again where we can get some nice meat products. As an example, we bought quite a few of these pork chops (made for Desperate Dan I think!) They were all extremely tender and now I'm itching to go back and refill the freezer.<br />
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I had some of the girls around for lunch one Saturday. Their partners were off on a long bike ride so I thought it might be nice to have some fun too. We chatted long into the afternoon and only opened two bottles so we were quite well behaved. Barbara (one of the girls) and I took ourselves off to Veliko Tanovo for a girly day out and lunch. We had a great time and it was a chance for me to get the layout of the shopping streets of the town. While we were there, there was a festival on and the streets of the old town were laden with market stalls<br />
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Here a lady was teaching children to make flat breads....<br />
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...... and I would have loved to have bought one of these ladies but I'm over the stuffed toy stage now! I did in fact go in search of chickens! Bulgarian windows are double windows with a void between each one so I have one window in my kitchen with ducks in it and another which I wanted to have chickens in (pottery ones of course). I have now filled both windows but I haven't photographed them yet so I will post the results on the next blog. Barbara and I went to lunch in restaurant that was on the edge of a rock face (a lot of VT is) and the view from the veranda was stunning...<br />
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Lunch as usual was quite slow - well there was a festival on. But we both ordered Pizzas so you would expect them to come at the same time - no mine was about 10 minutes before Barbara's. Still they were hot for once. It was a lovely day out.<br />
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The temperatures have started to drop a bit but we have still been able to sit out in the summer kitchen for a while at night. GJ has put up enough lights around the property to light up Blackpool but you never know what lurks out there....<br />
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As with the advent of Autumn, the pool has been taken down and put into storage......<br />
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..... and as with Autumn comes the fruit - Apples. Our lovely neighbour handed GJ a carrier bag full of apples so to thank him, I made an apple pie.</div>
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We took it round and Pepa his wife insisted we sat in the sunshine and had a portion with them. When we left, Radko handed GJ a crate of Apples. I'm still making things with them, one of which is an Apple, Ginger and Sultana chutney.<br />
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One of the bottles was duly swapped with a neighbour for green tomato chutney and recently I had made a batch of my Mum's Sweet Pepper and Tomato chutney (all from the garden). We went out last night to Warren and Sylvi's (swapping neighbour) for dinner and of course I took him a bottle of this too. I think it might be chili jam next!<br />
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Sometimes I do have my camera with me and would you believe that in October we have a type of Crocus growing on the grass verges - I couldn't believe my eyes.<br />
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And finally to the Christmas cakes. I have made 3, one each for my immediate neighbours and one to take to the Christmas party at the Town Hall. I have been told that you can get Marzipan a bit closer to Christmas but I'm sure Sarah told me you couldn't so I have a large stash of ground almonds just in case I have to make my own and finding Santa's, Reindeer or Christmas trees for the top is proving quite difficult. I did think about asking my friend Barbara if she could bring me some Marzipan back for the UK (as she is out there at the moment) but as GJ reminded me, it does look a bit like Semtex which can be used to make bombs! I thought I wouldn't get her into trouble just before Christmas!!</div>
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Look at the different sizes of eggs from my girls - some huge and some slightly smaller!<br />
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I've been feeding all three with liberal amounts of Brandy - Just like Momma used to make!</div>
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That's all for now - doesn't sound much but retirement is full on, but with it comes memory loss! Keep warm folks!</div>
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Helen, GJ and Bracken x</div>
Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-87341015952199885842016-08-29T06:59:00.000-07:002016-08-29T07:00:29.756-07:00Parties and Rock FestivalsWell I last left you I mentioned Ivan's birthday party which was actually held at our local bar and not his house this time. Now I took some photos of the group that gathered and of him cutting his cake but for some reason they have been wiped from my camera before saving on the computer - suffice to say when you let the menfolk fiddle with things something goes wrong. <br />
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We made a card for him using a few good pictures (the front was as above) we had of him and I was so looking forward to him opening it and the look on his face but the Bulgarian way is to open cards and presents privately. We did subsequently ask him about the card and his face lit up so that was enough for me. As far as a present is concerned we racked our brains and we spoke to Chris who he works for and he suggested a tool of some kind (because he does some building work). We actually came up with a multi-tool come penknife thing which we hoped he didn't already have. I had an image of him reaching into his back pocket and coming our with a penknife to open his present - ha ha.<br />
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The garden is blooming with produce. I had planned to use the large tomatoes that our neighbour gave us for skinning and chopping up to individual portions for the freezer but for some reason the actual plants they gave me have not produced as much fruit as the plants I grew from seed. I seem to have planted mainly small tomatoes which are better for salads. So we had been told that our local Frenchman and chili farmer had opened a shop in the village to sell his produce so I thought "support the locals" we would seek him out to get some more tomatoes. We had trouble finding it because he had the smallest notice on the door that he could find.....<br />
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His opening times are only a short window as well but we managed to get some tomatoes and he went to great lengths to tell me that they are all organic because apparently those people buy at market are not.<br />
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Just a few of the kilos that I bought from him</div>
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Spag Bol, Chili, Lasagna etc. here we come</div>
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Because I had a glut of the little yellows tomatoes, I decided to make some tomato ketchup</div>
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A big pan like that only made two bottles.....but it is very nice</div>
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We were walking Bracken down a lane one morning and on the verge I noticed what looked like courgette flowers. A couple of weeks later I cam across this in amongst the flowers...<br />
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Now I hope it didn't belong to anyone - it did look like somebody had just thrown out some seeds and they had germinated by mistake - anyway I did a runner with it and now it is chopped up and frozen ready to bring out in portions for making soup bases in winter. Don't like waste.</div>
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A couple of weeks ago we went to "The English Market" which isn't quite what you think. The is a big truck which a chap called "The Freezer Man" has converted to hold freezers and shelving and he ships over things that are not available here. GJ and I made an order for things like Weetabix, Peanut butter, Jacobs Cream Crackers, some sausages, some mince (English Style) and a joint of gammon. There was one other sweet stall there but that was it. However the setting is nice and it has a restaurant by the lake where we were able to get a sausage and bacon sandwich. Yum!</div>
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Some residents in the lake......</div>
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We have now sorted out our residency in Bulgaria and we have also registered the car - finally. What a pulava this was. Firstly we had to go to an Insurance office to buy some insurance and then next door to pay some Eco tax. Then we went over to the KAT office and waited in a queue from 9.30 til 12.00 (no appointments) and then at 12, the one lady that was doing all the registering and re-registering went for lunch for an hour and then after another hour we were eventually seen and documents processed. We then drove the car around the back for a technical test. After lots of scratching of heads, they decided not to do the tech test because the last one they did on a Range Rover, broke the transmission brake so now they are being sued. Not to bore you with this but apparently permanent four wheel drive cannot be stopped on a rolling road with the handbrake so we were ushered off to another shed where they put on the number plates...</div>
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...then back to the KAT office to fill in some more forms and hand in our British number plates. We then had to leave all our documents with another lady and told to return in two hours. After some refreshment across the road at a cafe, we returned and were given the equivalent of a laminated registration document. The next day we had to go to another garage to get a technical test done where they don't test the handbrake. No the fella said, you need to have a stamp on this document to say you have paid your Eco tax. So off we toddled to the Tax office who told us that the KAT records don't get to their office for at least 3 days. This meant waiting until the following week before we could get a copy of the receipt for tax paid, show it to the testing garage and they went ahead and did the test. It made me laugh though, they put a probe up the exhaust to test the emissions but didn't ask GJ to put his engine on before they took it out again and said that they were OK!</div>
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GJ has been doing some work on the walls in the living room. When we took the kitchen away (now installed outside in the summer kitchen) all the walls had been badly affected by water when the previous occupants had had a flood, so he stripped all the boards off and has now replaced them with new ones and they are ready to be plastered. We know an ex-pat who does plastering so very useful but she is busy for the next few weeks so I'll catch her in action before the next blog update.</div>
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We have decided to have some more wood delivered. Us westeners are so casual when it comes to heating the whole house in winter but the Bulgarians move everything to one room - Kitchen with bed, TV (if available), washing facilities in the kitchen sink (if available) and toilet usually down the garden. Luckily we have central heating which is run by the main fireplace and hence eats the wood. We had already had 8 cubes of large logs delivered, hired some bloke with a chain saw to cut them down then a local fella (who seems to live in the bar) to come and chop them down some more. By the time we had paid all these fellas and paid for the wood it worked out more expensive than just asking the mayors office to deliver some ready cut. So we thought another 5 cubes should do it and at 8 o'clock one Saturday morning they turned up at our new gates so GJ had to stumble down to the gate in his disheveled state to point the drivers to the back of the property and into the barn. Then they couldn't tip the load right into the barn because the tipper opened from the front up and the height of the barn door affected it. Next job that morning was to throw it all into the barn with a view to stacking on another day - phew! Even in the morning the heat can reach 30 degrees.</div>
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13 cubes all stacked now. See the glove photo-bombing!</div>
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One of the autumn jobs is to clear the other side of the barn so that we can put the chicken shed under the mezanine for some protection from the cold weather when it comes.</div>
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Big job this one!</div>
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Last week end we took Kevin the Camper out for a trip to the Mindya Rock Festival</div>
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We couldn't park in the little field that we were advised to park in so we just parked on the road under a tree and away from any entrances to properties. We got there on the Saturday at around 5 and by around 7 cars were parked all the way down the road where we had parked so we were not so conspicuous. After eating in the van (we were not sure of the catering facilities so we took our own) we wandered down to the town square from where the music was in full swing. A few pictures...</div>
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Even Bracken enjoyed it for a while - better drinking wine from a cordial bottle when in public!<br />
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Chris and Karen with their book stall - slowly got drawn out to the music</div>
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A great time was had by all. Great atmosphere, no drunks (apart from us) no bad behaviour, glass ashtrays on the tables at the bars - yes glass! The video is part of one of the English songs they sang, not the greatest singer of all time but the musicians were very good.</div>
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The bar across from where we were parked - I just love the way the Bulgarians build around things - notice the trees coming out of the roof</div>
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I spotted this field of wild lilac on the way back, the picture doesn't do it justice.</div>
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So that's it for now, I promise to take my camera out more often because there is always something unusual to see in this quaint country. Oh and next time I could have news on whether we manage to get Kevin registered (I suppose there will be scratching of heads again) and whether we manage to get signed up with a doctor. Cor blimey, it's all go.</div>
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H, GJ and Bracken</div>
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Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-50038143447122519962016-07-19T22:12:00.001-07:002016-07-20T01:38:03.146-07:00Time runs away with me.Hello again. Its a funny thing this retirement lark, don't seem to have time to sit down, let alone write my blog. I promised myself that I would sit down in the summer months (when the weather is too hot to do anything) and I would try to learn some Bulgarian. My Bulgarian is being picked up only slowly because as I mentioned in the previous post, the weeds have got the better of me so I have spent days, nay weeks pulling at the little buggers and those that I haven't yet got to, are now big.<br />
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Well we thought we would invest in a pool being confident that the weather would allow us to make use of it. In fact it has crept up to a high of 45º in direct sun and it's great to to have a quick dip now and again to cool down (in between doing job's of course). We tried to put down sheets of wooden fibre board but even with the help of sand, we could not get it level so we asked our neighbour and his building company to put a patio down and they made an excellent job of it.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkks0qgNkORvDjB1nd53T0gkfMzxm50vM_8T4OJKiymY1NOwtbCys3C5RJutdtPSKSDyqRe81XtjendXYczAigaffqjqh3p9FQoiwF49duHJNP2kAyyV25LTPPj43Wqc9h3GWxPdd4wZ-w/s1600/DSC01503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkks0qgNkORvDjB1nd53T0gkfMzxm50vM_8T4OJKiymY1NOwtbCys3C5RJutdtPSKSDyqRe81XtjendXYczAigaffqjqh3p9FQoiwF49duHJNP2kAyyV25LTPPj43Wqc9h3GWxPdd4wZ-w/s320/DSC01503.JPG" width="320" /></a>Radko's team on the job<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFpOSTRt47O7GjzozOvm_IBiQIN4MuDpp8OxbUzeZWWojm5hC2HG5rYwG06lSkypgfAi3oeZkn98bTSXHpAv6nRoe91VjXmauE-x9e8EzveWY_iNcERMbQoHxsCT1LXPqrJKdxqWV11Wz/s1600/P1050847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFpOSTRt47O7GjzozOvm_IBiQIN4MuDpp8OxbUzeZWWojm5hC2HG5rYwG06lSkypgfAi3oeZkn98bTSXHpAv6nRoe91VjXmauE-x9e8EzveWY_iNcERMbQoHxsCT1LXPqrJKdxqWV11Wz/s640/P1050847.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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See how I made the picture larger so the pool looks huge - well you can get 5 strokes across.</div>
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While we were filling the pool and Bracken could still touch the ground, he was quite happy to stay in once GJ had lifted him in......</div>
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....but once it was at the correct level and he couldn't touch the bottom, he got a bit panicky so we thought we had better get him a pool of his own that he could jump in and out of at random.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJGS9my7djertqqahxRJ1C3HZWtTos0DntuprU6JuWy74UMr-7Nc_fn2IJ5KuR4LLXqfhDaIVGh4mxnfCrVCll2u2k3uDgNf1XpAdS9EfcTgrIQrtxl6QyxerrOu7v2kVKPp7zUCCUiS0/s1600/P1050942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJGS9my7djertqqahxRJ1C3HZWtTos0DntuprU6JuWy74UMr-7Nc_fn2IJ5KuR4LLXqfhDaIVGh4mxnfCrVCll2u2k3uDgNf1XpAdS9EfcTgrIQrtxl6QyxerrOu7v2kVKPp7zUCCUiS0/s320/P1050942.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Complete with ducks</div>
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In order to keep his interest while we are still in our pool, we have devised a game for him. As he is a retriever, we put all his balls and floaty toys in the big pool and once by one, slowly chuck them into his and he insists on going in for each one individually. Oh well, its giving his some exercise because his walks in this heat have to be short ones.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmw1uNa51WO5YZZGMEajyxQHeTUwiWuc_7JnqWuBKPRe2tl1a7idJaYIA8spM1cqcyvRnZKY1G8x_fUvLAAINUIh52wPWaE6GPQehUJpS7zYJVGLSYEPTW0uOGh64HKFZ34InV_KT9RmK_/s1600/P1050963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmw1uNa51WO5YZZGMEajyxQHeTUwiWuc_7JnqWuBKPRe2tl1a7idJaYIA8spM1cqcyvRnZKY1G8x_fUvLAAINUIh52wPWaE6GPQehUJpS7zYJVGLSYEPTW0uOGh64HKFZ34InV_KT9RmK_/s200/P1050963.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CwdNiqEyDnuMBaCNpxMI3zwPDrur47i7XBw2cUAeHKfZmFa2FmZQN9o7zjkvbtM70v1bDbNilDRH9BxIwf_TEaEVluZ9561zC9PUvU41aINnHqK6d-s34FD9ToBGhmRMTSt6gOLFOZUr/s1600/P1050970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CwdNiqEyDnuMBaCNpxMI3zwPDrur47i7XBw2cUAeHKfZmFa2FmZQN9o7zjkvbtM70v1bDbNilDRH9BxIwf_TEaEVluZ9561zC9PUvU41aINnHqK6d-s34FD9ToBGhmRMTSt6gOLFOZUr/s200/P1050970.JPG" width="200" /></a>Are my toys in here?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxx_VZN0QAXfx723LP0mu_Bun8XG8l5WUliCm-cnSR_QUrLU7b34YomAHvBSIIg4SzrU00wWZ72fPU2QFDOMzVuLU-YQm_1Xg2mV2S7ZHrU8uCU8_pTYU1vc31_6u1RjE-qEJcKmSCTjkI/s1600/P1050965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxx_VZN0QAXfx723LP0mu_Bun8XG8l5WUliCm-cnSR_QUrLU7b34YomAHvBSIIg4SzrU00wWZ72fPU2QFDOMzVuLU-YQm_1Xg2mV2S7ZHrU8uCU8_pTYU1vc31_6u1RjE-qEJcKmSCTjkI/s640/P1050965.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The kitchen is finally fitted with the exception of the tiling and lighting. The fitters insisted that the extraction fan should be level with the units either side which made it impossible for me to avoid banging my head. GJ asked them to move it but they left it where it was quoting that it would be inefficient if it were any higher. We didn't make a fuss and GJ moved it himself. These pictures were taken before he put the housing around the top.</div>
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Just got some tiles and lighting to do and we are sorted - at least now I can use my new cooker.</div>
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Our friends who have the B & B over the road (called "Odyssey Gate" (see website) for all those masses who want to come and visit and need more than just our spare room), Warren and Sylvie brought this over for us!<br />
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How kind I thought - now what can I do with it? Well the first thing I thought was "I'll give them some back" in the form of Marrow and Ginger Chutney....<br />
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.... and Spiced and Brined Marrow because Sylvie said she made curries with them so this meant she could just add to onions and other spices of her choice. Don't tell them but the chickens had some as well and I have some in the freezer ready to add to soup in the winter time.<br />
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Talking of chickens, all four are doing well as is Dandy, the cockerel. I am still getting an average of 3 eggs a day which suits us very well. Unfortunately they are feeling the heat a bit at the moment and they only come out of the shade when they hear my footsteps (food). They have their wings slightly held up and their mouths open. I even leave an inner door open at night because I looked in on them one night as they were roosting and they were still panting. Bless them!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQ7fQiwHzdvFEzBPiHmrBzpYLdVaaT0fLMDzafRJAv2rkEq3rgvos-2k61U0DwKwieDzAZpjXlFz8VA1mm4acPstWJ_QJmsPwdYPUyB5d1SSL_Iqmw2xr_fJGCZLp2hR5DRxvhEHfiIa3/s1600/P1050904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQ7fQiwHzdvFEzBPiHmrBzpYLdVaaT0fLMDzafRJAv2rkEq3rgvos-2k61U0DwKwieDzAZpjXlFz8VA1mm4acPstWJ_QJmsPwdYPUyB5d1SSL_Iqmw2xr_fJGCZLp2hR5DRxvhEHfiIa3/s200/P1050904.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSrOMd5eRHRygY919Qi_QN18GxR74r5kmjksbo5FBFiyQpacn1XagELZqua-4x6c-avTr3j5rEWXcRryBnjyaQ4aDNchM9g1Fhp_sqEmZzu23U5tyDrLt16BPcNbIWewcR7dUge56Od8k/s1600/P1050903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSrOMd5eRHRygY919Qi_QN18GxR74r5kmjksbo5FBFiyQpacn1XagELZqua-4x6c-avTr3j5rEWXcRryBnjyaQ4aDNchM9g1Fhp_sqEmZzu23U5tyDrLt16BPcNbIWewcR7dUge56Od8k/s200/P1050903.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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They sit with me and chat when I'm weeding - the ex-battery hen being the most talkative (the small one in the centre of the picture)</div>
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Along with the weeds being a nightmare, the produce is very prolific now. Stats to date (just to remind me next year):</div>
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Tomatoes, Various, 28 plants 4.5 kilos (still an awful lot to come)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUh2q2f-eqlZ4GhVCEID7eh71aTSpfQiw242KxoQ43nnPFbXQp2WsWDX48P8IUa_gRUlYtBBMy2WR5yV6R8vy937PD3RsSnpsnVd6kFG-8fcTfxlUpbArx837Oa7V-hzS8Cl6vLzdZMDxd/s1600/P1050860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUh2q2f-eqlZ4GhVCEID7eh71aTSpfQiw242KxoQ43nnPFbXQp2WsWDX48P8IUa_gRUlYtBBMy2WR5yV6R8vy937PD3RsSnpsnVd6kFG-8fcTfxlUpbArx837Oa7V-hzS8Cl6vLzdZMDxd/s400/P1050860.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Courgettes 10 plants, 72 in total (still going strong)</div>
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Carrots, Various, 4 kilos A lot yet to harvest.</div>
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Cucumbers, 2 plants, 13 in total (weakening now)</div>
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Gazpacho soup made with all my own grown ingredients! Mmm.</div>
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Fennel 10 x pot sown and 10 direct sown, all taken only harvested 2 so far but rest are ready.</div>
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Swiss Chard, 3.5 Kilos harvested so far - cut and come again so still going strong.</div>
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Chillies, 6 plants from market, only harvested 2 so far and a few to come (disappointing).</div>
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Peppers 10 plants from market, harvested 3 so far quite a lot to come.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZToAmYF3maQpD9N8IYpOUSq80nbly9GPm8T3JX5CMkn2ISo0pqvJwHqM2l0QpiGN2IABrooXRRF2kNNvkGeZoeIcuiuaELcbxsJDakuvLcRR0gWgNzJRCzAsoMcDSUaF4f4hRV145xbJq/s1600/P1050863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZToAmYF3maQpD9N8IYpOUSq80nbly9GPm8T3JX5CMkn2ISo0pqvJwHqM2l0QpiGN2IABrooXRRF2kNNvkGeZoeIcuiuaELcbxsJDakuvLcRR0gWgNzJRCzAsoMcDSUaF4f4hRV145xbJq/s320/P1050863.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Shallots, bag of 60 sets, harvested 3 but all taken just waiting for size increase</div>
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Potatoes, Early's, dozen sets, 7.5 Kilos</div>
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Potatoes, Main crop, dozen sets, 500g so far but the growth died back so I had a look, Although there are a a lot of potatoes, they are only tiny so I will wait a bit - think it might be blight.</div>
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Legumes: Planted various Peas: Round, Mange Tout, Sugar Snap. Beans, Broad, Runner,French, but overall they were all a bit disappointing. The biggest harvest was broad beans.</div>
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Herbs: Basil, Parsley, Chives, Mint, Dill all doing well.</div>
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Beetroot still small</div>
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Cabbages, Broccoli, Sprouts, Leeks - all in but not ready yet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQSf4Tr1si96k0sjv0swibd_ywvpTbLSHjGUTr7hJTxnskz_Rix3qvmYrZUXH3ge46LW5PENCYqZaNfeyzQWTrb6IM62fxI1C8uB9luJyhMNjZ4Bele-xHN9HtYwKvjOiReixCl0OQ9n5/s1600/P1050891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQSf4Tr1si96k0sjv0swibd_ywvpTbLSHjGUTr7hJTxnskz_Rix3qvmYrZUXH3ge46LW5PENCYqZaNfeyzQWTrb6IM62fxI1C8uB9luJyhMNjZ4Bele-xHN9HtYwKvjOiReixCl0OQ9n5/s320/P1050891.JPG" width="320" /></a>These small plums grow everywhere in Bulgaria and the locals make Rakia from them. However I picked a load from our trees and made a Plum cordial. I now have pink and purple ones in the freezer ready for more batches. Because of the weather we don't drink coffee and tea during the day now. Its only cold drinks and sometimes (only sometimes) a cheeky bottle of wine at lunchtime. I inherited the plum/olive stone extraction thingy from my mum - comes in very handy.<br />
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I have also invested in a dehydrator. The first thing I tried out in it were mushrooms. My sister had given me some dried mushrooms that she had done and they were great and even though when I was in the UK, we had mushrooms every week is some shape or form, I still cannot get out of the habit of buying a punnet each week and they are big punnets here and I was wasting some. So I thought I would give it a go, but unfortunately the instruction manual doesn't give you a reference chart so I had to wing it on the timing.<br />
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I did them for eight hours at 70 degrees and the seemed OK but a week later they weren't as much dried but softened but preserved for a little longer for all that. Now I have started drying some as soon as I buy a punnet so I can prolong the life. Its all about preservation here.<br />
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I now have a bit of colour in the garden but don't ask me to name them all!</div>
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Canna </div>
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Nice</div>
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Possibly Campanular?</div>
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Daisy like things!</div>
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This was meant to be a picture of the deep red almost brown chocolate plant - bit blurred</div>
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I have got a nice crop also of Sunflowers but they are grown everywhere here. Last week when we went to our local town Veliko Tarnovo and en route took these lovely pictures of the fields</div>
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As far as the eye can see</div>
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We also came across a few other visitors to these parts although I don't think the tortoise has come far</div>
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Our adoptive home town of Veliko Tarnovo is beautiful and I thought I would do a little tourist advertising for you:<br />
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Even though we are getting familiar with VT, we still sometimes have to use the sat nav!<br />
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This cobbled street leads to....</div>
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...a medieval fortress called Tsaravets</div>
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and the whole town is surrounding a snaking river on the banks of which the buildings rest. Was that affective advertising? <br />
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Although we have been out for lunch in VT occasionally, We have only ventured into the town once at night for our wedding anniversary (27 years). I had seen a couple of Chinese restaurants and after quizzing our new ex-pat friends decided on which one we should go for. Taxi booked (Ruman - speaks English and can get anything done for you!!!) we arrived at about 7.30pm and the place was deserted. <br />
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We had just ordered drinks and the place came alive</div>
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Bulgarian waitress in Chinese costume</div>
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We had Salt and Pepper Calamari to start - Yum</div>
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A chicken dish with "noodles" (actually Tagliatelle) and a dish described as Crispy Duck, nice but no crisp at all. Fried rice as well - massive portions but a doggy bag was offered but turned down. We had eaten all the good bits!<br />
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Mmm, What are they having?</div>
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We (I mostly) had a bottle of wine and GJ had 4 beers and all that came to 42 leva which before Brexit was about £12 - I think something was missed off the bill!</div>
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As I write this, we went into town again yesterday and went to a restaurant with outside seating. Unfortunately on a table quite close to us a lady in here 60s I would say, had a bit of a funny turn. we think it was heat stroke but loads of people crowded around her making it worst probably, an ambulance was called, lots of shouting ensued and although she was being doused with cold water, she insisted on sitting in the sunshine to wait for the ambulance. Bless her I think she just wanted to get out of the restaurant. Meanwhile, her dinner companions continued to eat their meal, one did go in the ambulance with her but the others stayed for about 3/4 hour then paid the bill.Consequently our food was very much delayed because the chef came out while this was going on - I think to make sure his food wasn't the cause and he dithered a bit. We had only put two hours on the car park ticket so we kind of ate quite quickly (small pizza's, only about 12" in diameter!) and got back to the car with only a few minutes to spare. We didn't take any pictures because we we both in a bit of shock and everything was rushed in the end but the food was great, two pizzas, a coke and 1/2 bottle of wine - £8. Can't say fairer than that! </div>
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Last Saturday night we had our first party. I spent time planning the menu having to cater for a few Bulgarians, a Vegan and two Vegetarians. I made two vegetarian Quiches with my ladies eggs and home made pastry (turns out I'm not bad at pastry - no soggy bottoms here). Various salads two of which I knew the Bulgarians would like, a sausage plait - something my mum used to make, looks good and very tasty. I also had in my freezer, a leg of lamb that I had ordered from 'Terry the Meat' which was far too big for the two of us and I roasted it over 4 hours with some Moroccan spices and served it with Tazikki, jewelled Cous Cous and pitta bread. My other centre piece was another too big piece I had bought from Terry (all ordered you see and you don't really know what your getting). A piece of belly pork with the Ribs still in. Again slow roasted sitting on a bed of apple and onion the meat braising and the skin crackling. My Bulgarian friends went mad for it! Pulled pork with a choice of apple sauce and stuffing in a bun or barbecue sauce. Mmmm. </div>
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Unfortunately I forgot to take photos of the dining table because I was too busy being hostess but because I had relaxed after the main course I remembered to take pickies of the sweet table:</div>
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Two of my very generous friends bought dishes with them, the cheesecake at the front came from Karen Fox, while the bowl of water melon (just right for this weather) from Sylvie. My creations were a fruit flan and a lemon cheesecake. Now the trouble I had with that b****y cheesecake! Well here in Bulgaria, you can get cream cheese (Philadelphia was used because you don't know how theirs would perform) but the cream here all seems to be either single or whipping cream. OK you may think that whipping cream would do, but it doesn't hold up as stiffly when folded into the cheese and lemon mixture so in the end after 24 hours in the fridge I had to put it in the freezer for an hour or two. It didn't seem to matter because both cheesecakes were demolished and of course both had different textures, one chilled and one semi frozen. Anyway everyone gave me lovely compliments, the night went well with a few of my British friends being able to integrate with the Bulgarians who have as much English as I, Bulgarian. Oh and we had two Americans as well. Mary Lou was extremely helpful in the kitchen and she bought an American style potato salad. Many thanks to Barbara Fenton too for all her help. (I think she reads this!)</div>
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From the left - Suzie Keates, Ivan (whom you've seen before if you follow my blog), Radco and Pepe, my lovely neighbours and Karen Fox who speaks very good Bulgarian and did a lot of interpretation.</div>
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Various other friends</div>
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Let the dancing commence - Me and Radco</div>
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Even Elenor came across (on the right in pretty in Pink)</div>
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Warren, Karen and Radco tucking into the puds</div>
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Karen and James, and even Bracken joined in to say hello</div>
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We have been invited to a birthday doo at Ivan's house on Thursday. Looking forward to it but trying hard to think of a present - they like homemade things not bought things - what do you give a big burly Bulgarian who lives on his own (but been married several times) drinks much Rakia (but makes it himself) has a barn full of relics that he sells at the monthly car boot sale in the village and was a chef in the Bulgarian army?</div>
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More about that next time!</div>
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Keep cool folks</div>
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H, GJ & Bracken</div>
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Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-13992288772729846012016-06-07T09:11:00.002-07:002016-06-08T03:59:11.254-07:00Weeds, Weeds and more WeedsHello again. I cannot believe it is just over a month since I last posted to my blog. Apologies but life is so busy and the weather is great (too nice to sit inside at the computer) so I have been postponing this but at the same time feeling a little guilty.<br />
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At the bottom of this blog I will post two more videos taken on 31st May to show the difference between the video last month and how the garden has grown since. Its mad....<br />
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A lot has happened since I last wrote. The gates are all finished and we have since had our neighbours' "team" working on the drainage for our new kitchen, from the corner where the sink and dishwasher will be...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaMQgspYNbb084CqNpQK225OdvfJjTnIFweg2FHF8E6UtwnV6AJ11CVKCkDPFRIFdq_p9HkDRFI01ewmQ9oeJ_yQqOzhNlxCjh2uNYFSYFoUYw8ZLhgW1T3mFzlJ6o8-_4SQsuJnrt-V4/s1600/DSC01367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaMQgspYNbb084CqNpQK225OdvfJjTnIFweg2FHF8E6UtwnV6AJ11CVKCkDPFRIFdq_p9HkDRFI01ewmQ9oeJ_yQqOzhNlxCjh2uNYFSYFoUYw8ZLhgW1T3mFzlJ6o8-_4SQsuJnrt-V4/s320/DSC01367.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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to the nearest drain in the garden</div>
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All sorted now but we have had a set back with the installation of the kitchen. As the company we are using for the kitchen do not supply solid wood worktops, and that is what I wanted, we had to source them elsewhere. Ikea came up trumps but their website is rubbish. Little did we know that the two different sizes of worktop that we needed, and had picked from the selection shown, were actually different colours and finishes. They were both the same name but the two shorter lengths were not actually shown on the website with the same reference number so we assumed the different reference number was the same top but different length. They arrived promptly (on a Sunday) and we opened the largest one, liked what we saw and didn't think to open the other two. Whoops. Installation day and the fitters opened everything only to find the differences. We spent the rest of the day trying to explain the error to Ikea who don't actually do on-line sales of kitchen tops any more (probably had too many mistakes like this), and finally we had an agreement that they would supply two new tops and take the old ones back. Unfortunately we will have to pay another delivery charge but we did actually make the mistake so fair enough. At the moment we are still waiting for the new delivery and the kitchen will not progress until the get here. Humph!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBVAUFIKiIKeQevXsyanRYuq9fvWwtdHE3AfnbpWQKzgkq59TKXScnAm_k9KUswR7_EaWMOkraKiEgQzElKoe581bCczeNmTCA1yvRLPMrwijZfUD2j6DwoYdaE-_tGzTeJeQzpMQkzTQ/s1600/DSC01356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBVAUFIKiIKeQevXsyanRYuq9fvWwtdHE3AfnbpWQKzgkq59TKXScnAm_k9KUswR7_EaWMOkraKiEgQzElKoe581bCczeNmTCA1yvRLPMrwijZfUD2j6DwoYdaE-_tGzTeJeQzpMQkzTQ/s320/DSC01356.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had a damp corner in the soon to be kitchen and on investigation, it seems that some sort of critter has been storing walnuts between the hardboard and the mud bricks (no breeze blocks here). Brings new meaning to the word WALNUT!</div>
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GJ had to put in a new control panel for electrics in the kitchen because there was only light and plugs. Apparently its quite challenging this Bulgarian electric system but being the clever chap that he is, he made it look easy. See the smug look:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_D96YaGuUjttFOSVTIvKMO16fwFkcHRuKp3eOSbaEbFWlXNQb7u7UJSEb4O9sCScGaJE355WcpHFB4W2-2KTHeVLKfj1Q3VmtmKJJ9fzEByNfXwvxL1jRSdCMIAjZTcXLyBDiWglp36J/s1600/DSC01359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_D96YaGuUjttFOSVTIvKMO16fwFkcHRuKp3eOSbaEbFWlXNQb7u7UJSEb4O9sCScGaJE355WcpHFB4W2-2KTHeVLKfj1Q3VmtmKJJ9fzEByNfXwvxL1jRSdCMIAjZTcXLyBDiWglp36J/s320/DSC01359.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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From the old</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDupw3jwRpc1WaFxSQYF03BHKREnWzGTzipYkgD5y1JwWST-uqqNyAoBv1NnUGDtd9H1_3RoXuq1LLotWV7WItBIuEuv3sJ-_RqJWfqkuezL1MCUFdjIhyphenhyphenOPGQK1iGl9-sa0bcyJ2lAXOa/s1600/P1050814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDupw3jwRpc1WaFxSQYF03BHKREnWzGTzipYkgD5y1JwWST-uqqNyAoBv1NnUGDtd9H1_3RoXuq1LLotWV7WItBIuEuv3sJ-_RqJWfqkuezL1MCUFdjIhyphenhyphenOPGQK1iGl9-sa0bcyJ2lAXOa/s320/P1050814.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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To the new </div>
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To the smug</div>
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Painting was the next stage and I decided that all the walls would be a nice clinical white and colour brought in with the tiles. The floor is already tiled as are most of the floors in the lower part of the house and the bathroom upstairs. Doors and windows are my department.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO17lSJjArh1PeP8NtYP_sZPY4EvUiS0w-GSubgt3v1iKVAXYtlGLJxIjd2HaL98QZhTrgxjolCpYDV2bNI0K8oGSwBLPzcTb9Bem5zkspd_KH4ioqeRdFeZkQpM_a3DQwqyvnw531dJeW/s1600/P1050696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO17lSJjArh1PeP8NtYP_sZPY4EvUiS0w-GSubgt3v1iKVAXYtlGLJxIjd2HaL98QZhTrgxjolCpYDV2bNI0K8oGSwBLPzcTb9Bem5zkspd_KH4ioqeRdFeZkQpM_a3DQwqyvnw531dJeW/s320/P1050696.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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While GJ keeps himself busy in the garden as well - sitting down on the job!</div>
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A few pictures of the unfinished kitchen....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRdVCABpmF3gm-N8s2XZwqKUfTZepyeZalI2zJ4mH-pg6Op9T7UyD806prJiBfJ2nWtfGe8MTJsYIDXkmtjiVYFHVlQkpHFnqLuQzimIzSwEjKbM5j9lSX74Nae95RCRfms41vh9GFj68/s1600/P1050796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRdVCABpmF3gm-N8s2XZwqKUfTZepyeZalI2zJ4mH-pg6Op9T7UyD806prJiBfJ2nWtfGe8MTJsYIDXkmtjiVYFHVlQkpHFnqLuQzimIzSwEjKbM5j9lSX74Nae95RCRfms41vh9GFj68/s320/P1050796.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The wide space down the middle will be where we put the kitchen table</div>
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Sink area and larder storage on left</div>
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We were invited to a day time party for St George's day (they celebrate anything and everything here) at Ivan's house. Those of you who have read the rest of my blog with have seen me mention him quite a bit. He is such a big figure in the village and looks and sounds like somebody from times when the Russians ruled this part of the world. He made a Lamb stew that had simmered in his outside oven for quite a few hours. His neighbour for some reason got involved with the serving up, bless her but she wasn't invited to the party. A good time was had by all but I still find it hard to drink alcohol at lunchtime and you don't want to offend!! The stew was yummy.</div>
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Ivan and his neighbour </div>
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He cannot speak a word of English but we are sure he understands more than he makes out!<br />
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Apart from our Friday night meet ups in the local bar, we have been along to "The Pub" which is a bar in Polski Senovets. This is the village where my sister lived and "The Pub" is run by an English couple and they had a pub quiz that we were asked to attend. They were serving food which was typically British and so we enjoyed that along with the fact that we were on the winning team and came away with a nice bottle of wine. It would seem from my ramblings that most of our socialising is with Ex-pats but our every day life involves Bulgarian folk in one way or another and they are certainly very friendly. We seem to be recognised by most of the village now as "those weird English folk who walk their dog every morning". Some of the locals even know Bracken's name. </div>
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We have discovered a few suppliers. One called "Terry the Meat" who is butchering meat the way us Brits are used to it. The problem we have with the meat here is that the cuts are not what we are used to, the meat is sometimes hard to fathom (Pork, Veal or Goat) and all the minced products like sausages and burgers are made with mince that is quite "gloopy" and preserved with salt. So Terry is a welcome change and we have had lamb from him (very rare here), minced pork and beef and various joints. We have also had bacon and sausages from an English supplier via a friend of ours which although not quite what we were used to in UK (we prefer thick cut bacon) are excellent substitutes when there is little choice.</div>
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Another supplier whom we have used (and this will only appeal to the Brits reading this) is a company called "Curry Mania". This is run by a husband and wife team who seem to have the knack of producing excellent "take-away" curries.</div>
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Although they do sell onion bhaji's, your hard pushed to beat mine!</div>
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Next course was from Curry Mania, Chicken Sashlik, Bombay Potato and Tarka Dhal with lemon rice. Excellent. Although I do a good curry too, you cannot beat a take-away when it is as authentic as this.<br />
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We have invested in a pool for the garden. Its a fair size because Bracken loves the water and I didn't want him splashing about in a little one and ruining it.<br />
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We have however, had major set backs when trying to erect it. we thought for this first year, we would just put it up on some wooden panels and maybe next year have a patio built. Now trying to get 8 large panels to be even was proving nigh on impossible. Even though we had been given a supply of sand, every time we thought we were there, we'd put a little water in and hey presto! All down to one side again. We have now bitten the bullet and asked our builder neighbour to put a patio down for us that of course must be level. Due to thunderstorms and a bit of torrential rain, this has been a bit delayed but there is plenty of summer to come. One thing I will say about the weather in Bulgaria, we seem to have a cracking hot day followed by a thunderstorm in the evening. Fine by me because they don't last for long and the air seems to clear a bit ready for the next day of sunshine.<br />
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Is it me or can you see a face in this storm cloud?<br />
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If you saw my post on Face book, you will know that I had a tumble down our incredibly steep stairs - nothing to do with wine! This meant a trip to accident and emergency Bulgarian Style. I would have stuck it out but my ankle swelled up to nearly twice the size and I couldn't actually walk on it the following morning. The hospital trip was an experience. The emergency area was a bit basic and you are seen in the same room as everybody else without cubicles. When they came to put a catheter into an old fella in the bed next to my wheel chair, no modesty was in evidence and I was close enough to him to look like I was visiting him. Of course I looked away - he was an OLD fella but I felt all the pain he was going through. Then I was wheeled up to x-ray which I must say was very modern. After several pictures were taken, the nurses summoned me off the bed and asked me to take my top off. Ay up I thought, what's to do here? I obliged and was asked to lean against a plate with two circles on it where my best bits were to go. So here I am thinking that I had some sort of mammogram but it was actually a routine check for Bronchitis. I hadn't even been coughing. Anyway alls clear and I was sent home with a CD of my x-rays. All done in an hour or so - much more efficient than the UK NHS. </div>
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While I was nursing the leg, I spent about a week sitting on my little "trug" weeding a long strip of land that runs along the back of the poly tunnel. My intention was to plant lots of perennials along this strip to give a colourful background and to hide a dirty wall, so I went shopping! There are a couple of English lads that have a nursery in our village, both of whom Sara and Dave were very friendly with, so I went to see them. Went a bit mad spending more than GJ had in his pocket but when I got them home, the strip of land still looks a bit bare.</div>
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See part of the dirty wall in the background. I also bought some climbers (Honeysuckles) to ramble along the fence above the wall</div>
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I think there is a lot more to do here!</div>
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I have had a crash course on plastering! GJ thought that because the repair was in the outside kitchen, it wouldn't matter if I messed it up. I got the quantities for the mix of lime and cement from another builder friend of ours and I think I made a pretty good job of it. Trouble is GJ now thinks that I can make good the surround for the new front door we have had put in. When you buy a new door or window here, they come and take the old one out, fix the new one and then leave. Its up to you to sort out the surround and dispose of the old door.</div>
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Before plastering and after decoration</div>
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Our Bulgarian neighbour, Elenor gave me two big bunches of herbs the other day. Mint and Fennel, far too much for me to use in one go so I have finely chopped and added to an ice tray with a little water and now I can just get a cube out of the freezer when I need it.</div>
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When Elenor had seen my strawberries, she also gave me a bag full of hers but unfortunately we had just been to the market and obtained far too many strawberries because we couldn't ask for less than one kilo. With this in mind, I decided to make some strawberry conserve and I gave one to Elenor and one to our other neighbour (Radko's wife) Pepa.</div>
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Following on from the trip to the market, we also came away with a kilo of red peppers. I decided to char grill them and individually freeze them so that I can just take one out to add to a sauce.</div>
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In the garden we are starting to reap the rewards of all my hard work (yes mine - not GJs department). We have Mulberry trees all around the gardens which are so full of fruit that I had to pick, clean and freeze some of them for either jams or pies. We also have three types of young cherry trees and I couldn't resist doing the same to them. Unfortunately I have not come across the box which contains my cherry/olive stoning machine so I have had to freeze them with the pips intact. Other harvesting includes Swiss chard (de-stalked, blanched and frozen in balls like spinach), Broad Beans, Peas, Sugar Snap Peas, Mange Tout, Runner Beans and Courgettes. Small pickings to start with but I'm sure it will all go mad soon. </div>
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I have so many tomato plants at various stages of life so that I can spread the growing and fruiting season. Trouble is that the young plants seem to be producing as much fruit as the older ones so when I get my kitchen up and running, I will be bottling, freezing, making chutneys etc. It might sound sad but I used to dream about this when I sat at my desk and actually worked for a living!</div>
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We are getting to know all the local barks behind each of the doors on our morning walks with Bracken. He doesn't seem to mind being constantly shouted at but I guess he cannot understand the language. This little pooch must jump up onto some straw bales or something to hang out between the wall and the roof of his/her barn to bark at Bracken but the more we pass him/her, the less and less he/she seems to bark.</div>
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And this fella is nearly always at this spot just down the lane but usually he minds his manners!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GBIPMGtYCdTq8AOtiYGOf2ZNKW48itZdH6UTh8qPm7p2gxIHYadl6lv71wcA96r3vCzhGpGVh59K6vpRgdgNCAFjxXl13mwwrvYsIrOdxOGZXM6kuDo9DpjSPTJT5htVTG7RYLyY3m5D/s1600/P1050750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8GBIPMGtYCdTq8AOtiYGOf2ZNKW48itZdH6UTh8qPm7p2gxIHYadl6lv71wcA96r3vCzhGpGVh59K6vpRgdgNCAFjxXl13mwwrvYsIrOdxOGZXM6kuDo9DpjSPTJT5htVTG7RYLyY3m5D/s320/P1050750.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally, the garden has flourished over the last month as I'm afraid have the weeds. Its a constant battle but rewarding when you see a weed free bed even if it is only temporary. </div>
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A few random Pictures:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MK_pf9Hftv4-3Jn7dQhAbcZePYeUIJkb8fWHXd34EvyFeS7rII3fEjxHsiZh6fm036y9qfPR08NdWX46kC82nNPLGNjTYt9OV9Qa_TYzowAWj0Ib-DedYCNQNlgjTt0ov0lR4gdWnCrx/s1600/P1050795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1MK_pf9Hftv4-3Jn7dQhAbcZePYeUIJkb8fWHXd34EvyFeS7rII3fEjxHsiZh6fm036y9qfPR08NdWX46kC82nNPLGNjTYt9OV9Qa_TYzowAWj0Ib-DedYCNQNlgjTt0ov0lR4gdWnCrx/s320/P1050795.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My first picking</div>
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<br />Rosemary, Sage and Lavender given to me by Silvi and Warren (more neighbours). Drying in the outside kitchen<div style="text-align: center;">
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And when you've done all your jobs......Relax</div>
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I will try not to make the next one too long!</div>
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H, GJ and Bracken </div>
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Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-29255753039320351022016-04-30T05:01:00.000-07:002016-04-30T05:41:52.560-07:00Busy RetirementI haven't caught up with my blog in a long time because I seem to have been so busy. We have had some glorious weather so needless to say I have been getting the garden in order. (see the video at the end of this post).<br />
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Sad news from the hen house, one of the ex-battery chickens has dropped off her perch. We didn't know how old she was but she actually looked healthier than the other one. She sat on her own for a couple of days and wouldn't eat so I decided to put her in quarantine which seems to have paid off because the others all seem OK. Our neighbour came to see us with two small packages which she had written on and we subsequently translated, the contents of which were some sort of powder which we had to add to water and we had to make sure the remaining chickens drank both lots. Anyway it all seems OK and we still get about 3 eggs a day which is enough for us.<br />
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We have been doing a bit of socialising, we had afternoon tea (and Rakia) with our two friends, Stewart and Barbara. Barbara had made some lovely scones and the sun made it a lovely afternoon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7pdG8ql2u_219qdn8kwUVy0oaae4-5rOgZavf0xQO6kKCuPykPbAyPCowrLAQ38UGk84dWlwPm5a5t9PrZtEK-GjmlcwMsdp_g-W7Mko7lAi0NETYajnvIyIzAEcXcR04v01DC6I_DJ2/s1600/P1050583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7pdG8ql2u_219qdn8kwUVy0oaae4-5rOgZavf0xQO6kKCuPykPbAyPCowrLAQ38UGk84dWlwPm5a5t9PrZtEK-GjmlcwMsdp_g-W7Mko7lAi0NETYajnvIyIzAEcXcR04v01DC6I_DJ2/s320/P1050583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And one evening we were invited around to Warren and Sylvi's house for drinks and nibbles along with a few more ex-pats and a jolly good time had by all.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIl5GqjefI1kgnyLOtKFKT8QbUes7tKFZuaR2hXdlkRphQY4wKCxphAxwWUPq5cghVt20pFowQ6rYvyT6TPFUW586Dcc8YGaTiv5JMORw_f_0xJZk2Iv2cVbBbXDKla6auxCfOxOm1EvWU/s1600/P1050664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIl5GqjefI1kgnyLOtKFKT8QbUes7tKFZuaR2hXdlkRphQY4wKCxphAxwWUPq5cghVt20pFowQ6rYvyT6TPFUW586Dcc8YGaTiv5JMORw_f_0xJZk2Iv2cVbBbXDKla6auxCfOxOm1EvWU/s320/P1050664.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Karen having a giggle and Sylvi looks quite perplexed<br />
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Chris tucking into the nibbles</div>
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We have finally had the gate erected (see last blog for the start of the project). The big test came when we tried to get Kevin the Kontiki into the garden. We had asked Radko (our neighbour who manages a building company) to put down some stones so that if we didn't want to bring the car in at any particular time, we could park it on hard ground. Unfortunately, trying to get the camper over this ground without 4 wheel drive was difficult because it just dug itself in.</div>
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Radko arrived home from work as we were trying to get out of the stones and he offered to drive the camper whilst Graham towed it through with the Range Rover.</div>
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Graham just explaining the controls on a UK vehicle</div>
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As the Range Rover burnt rubber trying to move the camper, I noticed that the back wheels were not turning on the camper and Graham thought perhaps the brakes had seized. On further inspection it seems that Radko hadn't removed the hand brake................ well we did laugh.</div>
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Very happy with our beautiful gates and now Bracken has the full run of the garden again.</div>
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We have been having some trees cut down. This particular one was a rather large walnut tree that was actually growing into the back of the wood fired oven (just behind GJ on the picture below).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXpxxfG66oQiWFclkTM9EOcQGQYBsr7Mf8NBBduUkFO_K2YJfZDqIrSMFkUUy7iKdjhSdITN9tSCU_95zFgk5BExMvgXZonh91pw9qfeETDAhRC4rE6Wtc_rXyjmYKDglPRDBD9tQVwrJ/s1600/P1050670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXpxxfG66oQiWFclkTM9EOcQGQYBsr7Mf8NBBduUkFO_K2YJfZDqIrSMFkUUy7iKdjhSdITN9tSCU_95zFgk5BExMvgXZonh91pw9qfeETDAhRC4rE6Wtc_rXyjmYKDglPRDBD9tQVwrJ/s320/P1050670.JPG" width="320" /></a>Chris, Ivan and GJ<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRS4z5PxBKC0_petgrrjJm54mF3nnzrugOmoRurH3DaxnMKWTeRCiUC-Rd120Ikits2xkNIeDzuhcpb_QEcfNSlBdR2Y9ogg-JA0glVJtR_Q3owgcBvRzurGDop-S5ziWwh7-WQhM4cMyA/s1600/P1050672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRS4z5PxBKC0_petgrrjJm54mF3nnzrugOmoRurH3DaxnMKWTeRCiUC-Rd120Ikits2xkNIeDzuhcpb_QEcfNSlBdR2Y9ogg-JA0glVJtR_Q3owgcBvRzurGDop-S5ziWwh7-WQhM4cMyA/s320/P1050672.JPG" width="320" /></a>I go them to fell a few more.<br />
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Chris and Ivan also arranged for us to have a delivery of wood. This meant us agreeing with our other neighbour to clear the area behind the barn so that the wood truck could get in. They were very obliging and even said we should go over for a meal with them sometime. No dates and times mentioned.<br />
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Waiting outside the barn for the wagon (nice picture of the fence)</div>
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The wagon was able to back into the barn thankfully because otherwise we would have had to carry it all in.</div>
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Looks like a lot of work to do before winter...</div>
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Other news, we have ordered our kitchen from a supplier in VT. They came and measured up and after a decision was made on what I wanted where and what colour and design I wanted, they are now building it and it should be in within the next four weeks. We have a little time to bring in water to the room and a drain, (Radko again) and GJ has to do his thing with all the electrics. We are due to have a few days of rain next week so we will make the most of that and do some decorating in the room and the sitting area adjacent to the kitchen area. The company that is supplying the kitchen do not supply solid wood worktops so we have had to source them from somewhere else. The easiest place was Ikea. We checked on their website and after a conversation with somebody who spoke English, the worktops were delivered a few days later. <br />
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We have also purchased some nice garden furniture and a plunge pool. This is apparently a necessity for summer. When pottering around the garden in these and higher temperatures, you definitely need somewhere to chill so we have decided to place it beside the straw bale house and close to the well for access to the water. Both Bracken and GJ are missing being by water.<br />
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Some more random pictures:<br />
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The lilac bushes that follow the path down to the new gates</div>
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The rapeseed is maturing well. It appears to be grown in abundance here but would you believe it, we cannot get rapeseed oil. It all seems to go abroad.</div>
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My first harvest......</div>
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The tulips and daffodils were taken over by white iris</div>
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The blossom on this tree is actually staggering in 'real life'. Not good with trees so I will have to wait and see how it develops </div>
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Even though the above photos have been taken over the last month, the change in the poly tunnel garden is amazing. I have included a short video which will help me to remember what was where this year so I can rotate my crops next year. Today being the last day of April (Happy birthday Anna), I thought it significant to show me how things should be developing by now, for next year.<br />
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<object class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="UPLOADING" height="266" id="BLOG_video-UPLOADING-0" width="320"></object><object id="BLOG_video-UPLOADING-1" class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="UPLOADING" width="320" height="266" ></object><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwvv7hAygdj7t5U3afpchIOzoT3nF2mTGTJH1EkIMzIGqnv9LC-Mw49m5xCQL7HErjP9Pn4j2F6kM3BhaRW_g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwykVhRlTIojG9r--GxNI4_RWyaqJv71lDiG6jGxtWv6OYn2U1IoBaFHM2RK5yITSyQ2Cu6WvecwQ5uQwR_pg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Til the next time................</div>
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H, GJ and Bracken x</div>
<br />Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-34775436705500050942016-04-07T05:33:00.000-07:002016-04-10T00:38:57.125-07:00Spring is definately hereI am finding it increasingly difficult to find time for my blog as there seems to be so much to do. Because we were not used to this glorious weather in the UK, we still think that when it is sunny, we must be out in it and doing something in the garden. In actual fact the summers in Bulgaria are long and so in time, I will learn that you don't have to grab every minute of sunshine but chill in the middle of the day when the sun is at it's hottest. Because our lounge come kitchen (as it is at the moment) was originally the cellar, it stays very cool during the hot days so I will attempt to set aside time during the hottest part of the day to catch up with things like my blog and cook our evening meal etc. Its teaching an old dog new tricks!<br />
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The chickens have settled in well. The head of the bunch is a young cockerel called Dandy. I haven't named any of them but they were Sara's chickens and she had, so his name I remember.<br />
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The plastic cup was designed to attract his attention!</div>
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The next in the pecking order would appear to be Cagney who Sara talked about in her early blogs. see <b>www.debrazzerman.blogspot.co.uk </b> She is a very broody bird so if I ever wanted more, I'm sure she would oblige.<br />
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Then comes my favourite because she has beautiful markings and appears to be a good layer - No 3</div>
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Then lower down in the pecking order are the two ex-battery hens that clearly love their free range life</div>
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And finally, the little runt who gets all the other birds (except Dandy) pecking at her, poor thing</div>
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On my first full week of having them, they gave me 17 eggs, so not bad!</div>
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Our first three eggs.</div>
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Most Friday nights, quite a few of the ex-pats in the village meet up for a chin wag in the local bar. Now compare a bar here with a pub in the UK - well there is no ambient lighting and no typical pub memorabilia. There is an outside area with an old coca cola sun umbrella attached to a little table and a bench style table that is frequented by the locals especially during the day. Inside, the bar is down at the far end but if you can see what you want in the fridges, you just help yourself and grab a glass if you want one and pay the lady, who does everything, when you see her. The toilet facilities are a little whiffy but seem clean enough but my trick is to make sure I have been before I leave home. There is always a meal on offer cooked by Ivan - a huge man who when he speaks, the earth moves. He features in my Christmas blog wearing knickers but that's another story. He was a chef in the Bulgarian army apparently and seems to cook OK but a bit "stick to the ribs" fayre. Most things include potato even Moussaka but the meat they use here is highly salted and a bit chewy by UK standards so mostly we eat before we go out. The long term ex-pats have shown him how to double fry chips though and to be fair they are very good.</div>
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One Friday at the end of February, there was a box of letters on one of the tables and it seems the Postmistress decided that because most of us went to the bar on Fridays, we could pick up our rates bills! No where else in the world. We found one for GJ but, as we are all assessed separately, we couldn't find mine. So the box went all the way down the tables with my glasses, and after a while everyone decided that mine was not there. One of our friends, Sue took us along to the Mayor's office to pay our bills and sure enough there was one for me. It cost us pennies compared to the UK but the biggest cost is for your vehicles and because ours are not registered yet, the bill was low. Our next step is to sort the vehicles out.</div>
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Before we can sort out the car registrations, we need to obtain our citizenship. For this we needed to open Bulgarian bank accounts. GJ picked the bank that aspired to have the best reputation for Internet banking so off we trotted with our passports and house documents (presumably to prove we live here) and thankfully there was one chap who spoke English that sorted us out. We were asked to come back in a fortnight to collect our Debit Cards but when we did, they had moved - nice of them to tell us! Eventually we found their new swanky open plan offices - seems to be a lot of trust here or no bank crimes because they actually dealt with all the cash on the table in front of you without screens - one woman was just counting wad after wad!</div>
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That done and our next step is to hire a translator who will take us through the proceedure of becoming a Bulgarian citizen and from then on we can register the vehicles. We have heard horror stories about this and we have been warned that there will be a lot of head scratching over the camper van. When you consider many Bulgarian homes don't even have an inside toilet, how will they be able to assess a vehicle that has it's own bathroom? Watch this space.</div>
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We had a bit of dull weather a few weeks ago so we cracked on with our bedroom. Its vertually finished and we have moved in. It feels very Scandinavian although there is only one picture from Ikea. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHIc4rIrUU3OSQVZ1TPJAJL3_DS_7B2I78_b9Y_GI3vZrY3d8iVFG5HiRf4Nv5ly0RBg_lOb_H80lSLOCr0TPqCjPgfYgFQ0J4yt9-pXTD8gbjqG4CSY5oiub5bIQFnZZ5V8QUEjgvX_i/s1600/P1050610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHIc4rIrUU3OSQVZ1TPJAJL3_DS_7B2I78_b9Y_GI3vZrY3d8iVFG5HiRf4Nv5ly0RBg_lOb_H80lSLOCr0TPqCjPgfYgFQ0J4yt9-pXTD8gbjqG4CSY5oiub5bIQFnZZ5V8QUEjgvX_i/s320/P1050610.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lots of wood</div>
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The Ikea picture</div>
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View of part of the garden from one window</div>
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We went to our first car boot sale a couple of weeks ago on the outskirts of our local town Veliko Tarnovo (VT for short). It was such a shame that the days leading up to Sunday were great but on the day it rained so there wern't too many sellers by the time we arrived.</div>
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Dave uncovers his stall so I could take a picture.</div>
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Sara and Dave were regular stall holders at the car boot sales, Sara would sell Jams, Chutneys, Cakes, homemade cards etc and Dave would exhibit his paintings. To keep up with tradition, Dave made quite a lot more cards (I had one for my brother) and he has been making Raspberry & Apple jam with some raspberries that he found in the freezer and Brown Sauce which was Sara's intention - pretty good it is too. He also made tea light holders with spare jars and acrylic paints. I had two of those for our outside kitchen. Apart from my purchases he said he had had a good day as you can see from the near empty table. We also bought a nice honeysuckle plant for Sue so that she could fill the hole we left when we had some strawberry plants from her. Everyone helps each other out here, almost like it used to be in the UK. The next car boot sale is this Sunday in our village and is apparently very well attended.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8L3FWP1y9AfdWFyP8E35m-xrhjtkTZcGtBlytEQVrJPHYAKSSXYJJ8pjTimtmNeSb4WjYvecmAF_kwmKQ79MDwQAsBcn_B6tShZJPuS6VVfqjlOAvNWfQrlynBIyepcYOhOKavnYeci56/s1600/P1050546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8L3FWP1y9AfdWFyP8E35m-xrhjtkTZcGtBlytEQVrJPHYAKSSXYJJ8pjTimtmNeSb4WjYvecmAF_kwmKQ79MDwQAsBcn_B6tShZJPuS6VVfqjlOAvNWfQrlynBIyepcYOhOKavnYeci56/s320/P1050546.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="text-align: center;">One of our neighbours with their book stall</span></div>
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Work has started on our gates. Technically this is our back entrance. Our front entrance is supposed to be through our barn but we have another neighbour who has his poly tunnels either side of our shared drive and now thinks he owns the strip of road and the turning circle in front of the barn gates as well. He parks an old van out there and there are some rolls of chain link, a big water butt and goodness know what else. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhim1iNOJFheUpHit7kpiEGI0PlqflVx39kb8al0txJKIOdDTRnEvH7rkjOqiCx0r8iWegXlcrG05uLMK5zcLavI4WKj7N49-f1Rbnze-SCFvDjQOi_bCGpaUnJPdjMdTut9cvLtekjzfWN/s1600/P1050499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhim1iNOJFheUpHit7kpiEGI0PlqflVx39kb8al0txJKIOdDTRnEvH7rkjOqiCx0r8iWegXlcrG05uLMK5zcLavI4WKj7N49-f1Rbnze-SCFvDjQOi_bCGpaUnJPdjMdTut9cvLtekjzfWN/s400/P1050499.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
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Our <u>shared</u> drive apparently, with our barn at the end!</div>
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We have explained that we will need to get some wood delivered soon and he has said he will let us through (good of him) so we decided that we don't need that entrance other than for the wood delivery so we would get our lovely neighbour Radko and his building firm to extend our gates so that we can drive the vehicles into the property.</div>
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This is how the back entrance looked...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54xl7zBNho77RIwvzO0P4neLxZtwE50yya7vXWoPRPAqvAhPqyP30jEs6L_gaT3ipMzJGmBcRvd5EaaONlxReyO3-z_EQVnNrhWmiT94leyeyPgn6byQQwewd5Ce1uIW3r3HRyyj8nEWJ/s1600/DSC00999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54xl7zBNho77RIwvzO0P4neLxZtwE50yya7vXWoPRPAqvAhPqyP30jEs6L_gaT3ipMzJGmBcRvd5EaaONlxReyO3-z_EQVnNrhWmiT94leyeyPgn6byQQwewd5Ce1uIW3r3HRyyj8nEWJ/s320/DSC00999.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is how we want it to look.....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ssf9g8Ll_43R5a-FdOT4lz4SG2ScKRLNnpA2wUsoUpassBykuDW1q3Egq8NRCB15WumtcdfQC51yID82oidHAkEFFXyjebq7ttyOi73FeOSpb7oudEELFRtvxYK-E3D0ee0w7frSpqOv/s1600/Hotnitsa+Entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ssf9g8Ll_43R5a-FdOT4lz4SG2ScKRLNnpA2wUsoUpassBykuDW1q3Egq8NRCB15WumtcdfQC51yID82oidHAkEFFXyjebq7ttyOi73FeOSpb7oudEELFRtvxYK-E3D0ee0w7frSpqOv/s400/Hotnitsa+Entrance.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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This is the working in progress......<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlec4KTr3oX3EqI3-CsHEd4m-I0fO0lc9DOuwJkqRoqrDuqxEh9-FhlD2kbw7LGWw4jNVk_g73dw22zrV0e9sYITTgIlcrJVscNMoXAvRgKLmCe2rFFILCqm1AMLqM4hXbT8Tam4WOEldC/s1600/P1050598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlec4KTr3oX3EqI3-CsHEd4m-I0fO0lc9DOuwJkqRoqrDuqxEh9-FhlD2kbw7LGWw4jNVk_g73dw22zrV0e9sYITTgIlcrJVscNMoXAvRgKLmCe2rFFILCqm1AMLqM4hXbT8Tam4WOEldC/s320/P1050598.JPG" width="320" /></a>Ready for the concrete edges<br />
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Bringing the "big guns" out<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNSNq7W6G2RAioq8R2jUTsIFdniSUrMt0YpaIKs-R2ZeoXczUwLmDu0Av5KgsVS0bjijVYQ2BNMka46MLwWilKEvdCZty198dI_L3bWOJhhO_AgDlc0H0NiAxvWA20sk8uGzMf9Nhx2ra/s1600/P1050594%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="598" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNSNq7W6G2RAioq8R2jUTsIFdniSUrMt0YpaIKs-R2ZeoXczUwLmDu0Av5KgsVS0bjijVYQ2BNMka46MLwWilKEvdCZty198dI_L3bWOJhhO_AgDlc0H0NiAxvWA20sk8uGzMf9Nhx2ra/s640/P1050594%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mind the camper?</div>
As you can see, Radko was having work done on his entrance at the same time - most economical.<br />
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And I will show you the results next time.<br />
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The garden is going mad now, the blossom has given way to unfurling leaves, daffodils have made way for tulips and the sowings I have made are galloping along.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vqtI3XM9sxS-Rq41CgVC5zlWFgOyyl-rqib4lzPnMAa0X5Sg673FKyiVAneRvzzaZ-LIbM5dJDR5IYFeNgNzfCKYMvz2SQn_gC0nRADL20hOoHYgLSzIIytoJYljsMOmFjsVcpBQ1rrW/s1600/P1050567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vqtI3XM9sxS-Rq41CgVC5zlWFgOyyl-rqib4lzPnMAa0X5Sg673FKyiVAneRvzzaZ-LIbM5dJDR5IYFeNgNzfCKYMvz2SQn_gC0nRADL20hOoHYgLSzIIytoJYljsMOmFjsVcpBQ1rrW/s200/P1050567.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIPYJzwWWjADGTSZzSfIlmB2FD6Oj1gtjsPCBPHsURcCnaLH3cidPNmDR5iSSMsykKX4BaSsAGyCitzILzRED40zzQjWaHjUPhZE2eBIv6_Jn3-KDIqlGstVqNzGR2i-RDL3cbLWaewSU/s1600/P1050569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIPYJzwWWjADGTSZzSfIlmB2FD6Oj1gtjsPCBPHsURcCnaLH3cidPNmDR5iSSMsykKX4BaSsAGyCitzILzRED40zzQjWaHjUPhZE2eBIv6_Jn3-KDIqlGstVqNzGR2i-RDL3cbLWaewSU/s200/P1050569.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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See the rapeseed in the distance, almost ready for harvest.</div>
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I have planted onions from sets purchased down at Trambesh market, Early Potatoes from David and Graham our local nurserymen, and from seed directly sown - Radishes (various) Beetroot (various) Asparagus (friend gave me some seed) Cabbages, Broccoli (various), Sprouts, Carrots, Swiss Chard, Spinach and Kale. From seedlings, Tomatoes (various) first sowing and Peppers - first sowing, Plenty more to go in yet!</div>
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On a final note, Tuesday was the 40th day after Sara passed away and in Bulgaria this is a significant time celebrated with an event to mark her passing on to the heavens. There was a ceremony at the grave side with the priest and 40 or so friends assembled. Dave recited one of his lovely poems and we all lit candles while their neighbour placed offerings of food and wine and then planted some flowering plants on the grave. When the ceremony had finished, we all went to one of the village bars where Dave had organised for us all to have a meal and we were sent home with a bag full of foody goodies as is tradition. We, as family, traditionally put a poster on our gate (when we get one) for 6 months, to celebrate her life. Like me, Sara didn't like having her photo taken - the camera <u>always</u> lies, but Dave managed to find this one from their wedding. Here is the poster</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeT7wmFJlr9T2TNqwLxnQiXvrE-QVCRaCe_FkHPWMtKWxHvlQozb3NgHsM9RrekBbZ-ZXLqILojZWPcQAcxiMPMGaSH_ipC5yGsj2cv55BnDQbRwmhSiLOyHFuodimHYDzt8sEvjy9gxWa/s1600/Sara+40th006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kasperskylab_antibanner="on" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeT7wmFJlr9T2TNqwLxnQiXvrE-QVCRaCe_FkHPWMtKWxHvlQozb3NgHsM9RrekBbZ-ZXLqILojZWPcQAcxiMPMGaSH_ipC5yGsj2cv55BnDQbRwmhSiLOyHFuodimHYDzt8sEvjy9gxWa/s400/Sara+40th006.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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Anyway I must stop rambling and get out into the sunshine (oops! sorry for those of you in Blighty!)</div>
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H, GJ and Bracken (he was 9 years old yesterday!) </div>
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Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-37022109994484534882016-03-22T09:43:00.000-07:002016-03-22T09:45:34.802-07:00The birds are arriving................At the end of the last post, I showed a picture of my hands with the Martenitsas (red and white bracelets) on. The custom is that they should only be taken off when you see the first stork arrive and then you should hang them on a tree. I was lucky enough to receive 6 Martenitsas and felt quite blessed until I began to realise that they were actually <span style="background-color: white;">a bit irritating especially when washing up and having a </span>bath with them on. We had heard that the storks were arriving but we had yet to see one. The weather had been a bit mixed so we were doing a lot of decoration within the house (bracelets getting grubby again) but then we had a few days of lovely sunshine and we were working outside in the garden. (weeding making the bracelets even grubbier), until today! Working away in the garden with our heads down, we had a phone call....... one of our neighbours saying "look up" and there they were. No pictures I'm afraid, they were just to high but they definitely looked like storks. So now one of our apple trees is heavy with Martenitsars.<br />
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GJ did a hatchet job when he cut this one back so I thought it could do with some adornment.</div>
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I had a birthday last week and I had a lovely birthday present...<br />
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This is what it should look like when erected....</div>
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We have agreed to re-home some of Sara's chickens so that Dave can concentrate on the rarer breeds whose eggs and chicks command a higher price. The shed was delivered last weekend and GJ and Dave have spent the last two days erecting it and creating a chicken run.</div>
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I will introduce you to the chucks on the next blog</div>
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I have started planting a few things in the garden. I have decided to grow climbers (Peas, Beans, Broad Beans etc. along the outside of the poly tunnel frame and they can afford the rest of the plants a little shade throughout the summer. We went to Trambesh Market last Wednesday and picked up a kilo of onion sets so I have put them in - 160 in total. Back breaking work but worth it. I have also sown 4 different types of radish and five different types of beetroot. All seem to have taken as they are pushing their heads through already, Other direct sowing that I have attempted is Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale and some Carrots. I have had to cover things over for a few nights but they still seem to be OK. </div>
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See the home-made trellis - very Bulgeski.</div>
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I have also started to leave my seedlings out side over night and luckily 95% seem alright with that.</div>
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Mostly herbs but the white seed trays are seedlings of winter veg - Broccoli, Cabbages and Leeks.</div>
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Tomatoes, Peppers, Chilies and my first time of trying, some flower seedlings.</div>
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I thought I would do some companion planting with a lot of Marigolds which are supposed to keep the nasty bugs away and encourage the good ones. I have also grown some Nasturtiums, Stocks and Geraniums. Possibly for window boxes.</div>
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I have just seen something on face book that is perfect for growing flowers that you can spread all over your garden and move for mowing: Rip up lots of paper into small pieces and soak in water for 15 minutes. Put the drained, soaked paper into food processor with a dash of the water. Whizz up and press half the paper maché into cake moulds. Put ,mixed flower seeds on top of the mixture and add another layer of the paper. Dry overnight and then take out of the moulds. Place on you lawn at random intervals and the seeds should germinate and you should have a little block of flowers which can be moved if necessary. Brilliant, I will be trying this if I can convince Bracken that they are not for him. Kids would love to do this!</div>
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We have started doing decoration when the weather is not as sunny or bright as it could be. We don't seem to get much rain at this time of year although I believe June and July have a lot of thunder storms. The first room (box room) as I probably mentioned before, has become a dressing room but as we have now started the master bedroom, is now another junk room.</div>
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When it's cleared, just the curtains to put up and it will be finished</div>
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Well what else do you do with a bookcase?</div>
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We had some fun trying to get a nice colour to paint for the main bedroom. I had ordered some new curtains from the UK because here they seem to be just flimsy things. The colour is described as biscuit so I wanted a creamy light brown (lighter than the curtains). We got the lightest we could find and after using two 2lt pots and mixing it with one and a half 5lt pots we finally had the right colour. So plenty of filling and two coats of white before the colour and then two coats of colour, we are now ready to sand down the floors (all wooden). Gosh I hate decorating!</div>
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Our lovely neighbour Elinor has had babies - well not her. Her two sheep (there were 3) have had two lambs - cute!</div>
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And she had her rotivating done this week and the rotirvator was brought to her house using real horse power....</div>
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This picture shows our type of horse power against hers. </div>
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I took a few pictures that show part of the winter sitting room now that we have our own furniture in it. The beam in the centre actually holds up the whole house - a well seasoned piece of timber.<br />
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....and just look at the size of my temporary kitchen on the left of this picture - makes life a bit tricky but at least I know it is only temporary.<br />
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A few random pictures......<br />
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on a walk once day I cam across some wild hellebores in the middle of nowhere!<br />
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and this unusual buterfly</div>
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while this fella was found in the garden</div>
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and my first legumes to make an apperance</div>
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The chooks have arrived so now I must be into animal husbandry!!!</div>
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til the next time...</div>
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H, GJ and Bracken</div>
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Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-25517959057137074672016-03-03T08:53:00.000-08:002016-03-03T08:58:03.502-08:00A sad start to Spring but looking forward........As all the followers of my sister's blog will know it has been taken over by her husband after the very sudden sad loss of the lovely lady herself. I will not dwell on my loss because I hope that the few people who do read my blog will know that I try to keep things up-beat and Dave, my sister's husband is saying all the sad things that we are thinking.<br />
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Dave's blog address is <a href="http://www.debrazzaman.blogspot.co.uk/">www.debrazzaman.blogspot.co.uk</a><br />
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Well apart from the afore mentioned sadness, there is still a lot to be celebrated here in Bulgaria, not least the start of Spring. Yes it starts at least one month before the UK and when it starts it starts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQ3TeRg7S-YEiDwaGZMP165-1oJa42ftIdo2J6lDQKJMrW55kdl-ugqJtxmECLvoG8AQrRo3LHb3JU4fD2Bu__T9gokgrCMvZBt5EZk1gJ6FFhZdomffIhXZsv1UnRPSzn3emFDuW_Slv/s1600/IMG_20160301_101608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQ3TeRg7S-YEiDwaGZMP165-1oJa42ftIdo2J6lDQKJMrW55kdl-ugqJtxmECLvoG8AQrRo3LHb3JU4fD2Bu__T9gokgrCMvZBt5EZk1gJ6FFhZdomffIhXZsv1UnRPSzn3emFDuW_Slv/s320/IMG_20160301_101608.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I believe this is a wild plum tree. They are everywhere and the blossom is magnificent. We had a bit of damp weather the week before last and we decided to try and do some decorating. Because I have unpacked alot of clothes, it was decided that the first room to do was the box bedroom which I want to change into a dressing room. This room had been painted bright blue! Several coats of paint later I now have a brilliant white dressing room but it's not quite finished because the weather changed again for the better and we had to use our time outside.<br />
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I will show you the room when it is finished!</div>
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Outside again and we have been continuing with the tidying and preparation of my growing beds. Because we now have all GJ's tools and garden equipment we worked in earnest. GJ decided that he needed to get his work space in order before we carried on with things and so we bought two free standing shelving units to go into the straw bale house. Sounded easy, these slot together units but not if they are made in Bulgaria!</div>
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When we finally did get everything together and the straw bale house a bit more organised we were ready to roll.</div>
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I decided that the first few things that needed planting were Beans (various), Peas (various), Onions, Potatoes, Garlic and Sunflowers. These have mostly been direct sown but I have started some off in pots first so I can see what fairs best at this time of year. I built trellises for the climbing beans and peas with bits of wood from the stocks collected so far.<span id="goog_1679411496"></span><span id="goog_1679411497"></span> </div>
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The sunflowers have been planted at the bottom of the growing tunnel because from there to the back wall of our neighbour's house will be where we will keep the chickens when we are ready for them and I thought 1) they would make a curtain and shade things planted down there a little and 2) I'm sure the chickens would love a peck at a sunflower head now and again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aCEJRR_-RNDW54VYpYN5L1FoJOl2bt_RP0LUA7sqaWNsczYd1vwvcFssU9u1x8eR-NxvamA6QPdmxAaR8V9IzxbcmzuE1F6HUNURoz3zI_VPzCDeHZVHit4omtfvldQFKqhyXU7HxiQJ/s1600/P1050437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aCEJRR_-RNDW54VYpYN5L1FoJOl2bt_RP0LUA7sqaWNsczYd1vwvcFssU9u1x8eR-NxvamA6QPdmxAaR8V9IzxbcmzuE1F6HUNURoz3zI_VPzCDeHZVHit4omtfvldQFKqhyXU7HxiQJ/s400/P1050437.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Whilst we have been working in the garden we are constantly accompanied by a flight of sparrows. They chirp so loud, its like being in an Avery.</div>
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We also come across some unusual guests......</div>
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As I watch the forecast in Windermere as well as here, I cannot help but feel sorry for their weather and hope that some of ours gets sent over to them. Maybe then they too can enjoy lunches in the garden!</div>
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But not wishing to gloat and on a serious note, the 1st of March is a very significant date in the Bulgarian calendar. It is the festival of Baba Marta meaning Grandma Spring and with this all your friends and family are given red and white armbands or lapel pins. Your are to wear these until either you see your first stork or the first blossom of a fruit tree when these, the Martenitsa's are hung on that tree. Here are my gifts:</div>
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The parsley was given to us by Elenor, our neighbour from opposite. She clearly had nothing to give when we took some daffodils and a martenitsa over to her, but give she must and the parsley was added to that nights' dinner. I love the humble simplicity.<br />
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I hope that anybody reading enjoys the above even though there has been so much sorrow. Sara's very Bulgarian funeral was very touching and she is buried in a cemetery in her newly native village. This brings great comfort to Dave who is determined to keep things going as Sara would have liked.<br />
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Til the next time...<br />
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H,, GJ and Bracken xx<br />
<br />Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-5422067689290692632016-02-19T03:31:00.001-08:002016-02-19T03:31:36.673-08:00It's here................Well finally our belongings have made it to Hotnitsa. My Sister and Brother-in-law arrived to give us a hand, nice and early but the stuff arrived quite late so there was a lot of waiting around. Then it was action stations!<br />
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As things we're so hectic this is the only glimpse of the truck we could take - lovely picture of my lilac trees though - will post a picture when they are in full bloom.</div>
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The Range Rover arrived in the articulated truck to Bulgaria but was driven from the home of the chap who organised the move so that he could use a smaller vehicle - I was wondering how an articulated truck could get down our lane?</div>
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Our first glimpse of GJs beloved car</div>
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Simon, the removal chap, walked up the drive and took a sharp intake of breath. It's a long drive he said. I don't know why I felt so sorry for the two chaps he had working for him because GJ, Dave (the brother in law) and I all worked just as hard as they did and my sister Sara was ensconced in the straw bale house organising the drop down of boxes.</div>
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About 2% of the total haul</div>
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And the room that will eventually be my kitchen was also filled</div>
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As predicted, Elenor our neighbour came out for a look. She spotted my new cooker and asked if it was a washing machine. Simon explained that it was a cooker and her eyes widened. Bulgarian cookers are usually part of the fire, like a rustic version of an Aga. She walked away muttering something about bread making and I hope she is not expecting nice loaves to pass her way - people who know me, know that I can cook quite well but not bake!</div>
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As the week progressed, the weather picked up again and the temperature gauge was showing close to 30°c in full sun so although we should be emptying boxes, more work was done in the garden.</div>
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All the way along this fence there were suckers from a tree called "tree of heaven" so called because they reach for the stars. GJ got useful with his chain saw.</div>
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But Bracken still thinks its time to play...</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyEmL02MkLXGISTscAzlOHa3oJMx_ya9dzKs2m-pnBXRWrk0l9dw3Oo4aUFZdIEuvgJOiPo-eFa1rriKh5rKw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
It's amazing how a green plastic bucket can keep him amused for ages. However, we have now experienced our first rain in Bulgaria. We went down to the local bar on Friday night where we get to talk to some ex-pats. We stayed slightly longer than we normally do (Bulgarian beer flowing) and when we left to walk home, the heavens were opening. Although we only live a 5 minute walk away, we got absolutely soaked as we hadn't prepared and taken an umbrella. Oh well, there are no kebab shops on the way back to shelter in (very British joke).<br />
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It now seems that Spring is in the air....<br />
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Our first crocus</div>
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and daffodils....</div>
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everywhere.</div>
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Last Sunday, even though it was Valentine's day, in Bulgaria, it was the day of the vine. This is traditionally the day when the vines are annointed with some wine to encourage a good harvest for the forthcoming year.</div>
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Our neighbours, Radco, Pepa and their son, blessing the vines. See Radco wearing a vine hat.</div>
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If this year's yield is as good as last, then it should be good wine. Certainly, last year's wine was good when we tasted it, or is it just that Radco is a good wine maker? </div>
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On Wednesday we went shopping. When we had the snow, it became apparent that I needed a much larger freezer and whilst we were in the "Technopolis" shop, we thought we had better look at an Air Conditioning unit for our bedroom (advised that it is necessary here). On Thursday both were delivered and on Friday (today) the Air Conditioning is being fitted. Some things happen quickly here and the fitters arrived at 8:30 and all finished by 11:30................happy days. </div>
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Now that's what I call efficiency.</div>
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Our neighbour from opposite, Elenor, caught GJ when he was outside and handed him some more eggs (the second lot we have had from her) and some snowdrops. In the UK, traditionally we don't pick snowdrops but Sara tells me that they are supposed to symbolise spring and it is tradition to give them to people. They are also connected with the March festival of Martenitsa, whereby, on 1st of March, Bulgarians give one another (and the ex-pats) red and white strings to wear on their wrists or a red and white talisman to clip to their jackets. On the last day of March or when you see your first stork, this is then hung from a tree.</div>
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We have been looking into chicken coops. This is what I would really like but watch this space as in the Spring GJ will be attempting to make me one like this.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">(<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: inherit; font-weight: lighter; line-height: 72px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">Може би)</span></span></div>
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Maybe he is just thinking about it here...</div>
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Some random pictures:<br />
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Bracken has been so busy!<br />
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Spring and all the buds are showing now on the fruit trees</div>
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This is a green woodpecker - couldn't get close enough and this is taken through a window - very interested in the garden and it was joined by 2 lesser spotted woodpeckers.</div>
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and now we finally have a bench outside the gate - another important Bulgarian tradition.</div>
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Til the next time....</div>
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H, GJ and Bracken </div>
Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-72730287555563068132016-02-09T22:26:00.001-08:002016-02-09T22:26:58.078-08:00Weird WeatherAs you will know if you have read the start of the blog, that we hale from the beautiful Lake District in the UK. One of the reasons that it is so beautiful there, is that there is a lot of lush greenery around and this is attributed to the moist weather that prevails in those parts - I say moist but I mean damp, damn right wet and very soggy. The climate here in Bulgaria is somewhat different. We have had a lot of cold nights (-20°) quite a lot of snow but we have also had a lot of sunshine. So much so that we have been working outside in our t-shirts to a barmy +20°. Just when you think spring is around the corner, we have another dump of snow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qtKexOFN8NbdlPKVCjMuG6apket3zp56bazQTynYDyGDsvQuZE7tSJxGCyroeV8WxjenWe9SEncyBFhGmoltHfw9rccvDRiREI-bGeAQnM7bWk3INSDDU50CJ5lkC6tfePl8rMPQijC8/s1600/P1050180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qtKexOFN8NbdlPKVCjMuG6apket3zp56bazQTynYDyGDsvQuZE7tSJxGCyroeV8WxjenWe9SEncyBFhGmoltHfw9rccvDRiREI-bGeAQnM7bWk3INSDDU50CJ5lkC6tfePl8rMPQijC8/s320/P1050180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We are a bit frustrated because this sort of weather might have kept us indoors enough to do some decorating but as all our decorating stuff is en route to us as I write, and we cannot easily go out in Kevin the Camper Van to the local hardware shops, we have to think of other ways to amuse ourselves.<br />
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We decided to make a saw buck so that we could saw up some of the big branches that we had been chopping down before the snow. We ferreted around the barn and came up with some slightly bent pieces of wood that appeared to have been left over from some barrel making. In true Bulgeski style we produced this....... It's very solid and works very efficiently. We are thinking of patenting it.<br />
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We can now start filling the barn with kindling and logs for next year</div>
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The logs on the right are the rest of this years dry lot and we are now grading the new stuff (stacked in the centre and left) as "if I can cut it with secateurs, it gets shredded, if I can cut it with loppers, it becomes kindling and any that needs a chain saw is considered proper logs" Following on from this, we had a trip out with Dave to find a shredder. We have so much to shred/chop that we decided we couldn't do without one. Eventually we found what we were looking for:</div>
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to cope with all this!</div>
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and this</div>
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The shredding is now forming a decent compost heap and we are assured by our local nurserymen www.facebook.com/MorgansPlants that after a year of festering it should be great as mulch for my plants not to mention interesting scratchings for the chickens when I get them.</div>
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Talking of plants, I have been seriously thinking about my garden produce. I have used a UK company to order seed from, they are heritage seeds which I thought would be quite ironical to use in a different country so watch this space to see how they grow...</div>
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You can see that I have done charts and things for planting instructions - things you do when you don;t want to venture out in the snow. But all of a sudden, we are back to 20°c and t-shirt sun again. I think these seedlings are going to have to be hardy little buggers.</div>
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Just a few early seeds planted so far. The water bottles (which you can only just make out with the blue tops) fit 6 plastic cups in each and act as a propagator. In these I have sown my tomatoes and peppers and the seedlings are coming up already. My next job will be to prepare the ground but we have to be sure that all the frosts have gone. Everything tends to grow at least a month sooner over here, We have had snow drops and daffodils coming up for some time</div>
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And Bracken doesn't know if he is coming or going - he starts to gain his summer coat then all of a sudden its back to a thick coat again - which means of course we have tumbleweed in the form of dog hair everywhere.....</div>
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One minute there's snow...</div>
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Then it's too hot to play....</div>
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Then it's playtime again......</div>
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Suns out so can only do snoozing now.....</div>
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Today is Wednesday and we have (in theory) all our worldly goods arriving. We have shifted all the stuff out of the house that we don't want (car booties here we come) sent it all over to the straw bale house temporarily which will eventually make way for GJs workshop, and I sit here in the early hours typing this whilst the rest of the house is asleep - far too excited. I'm down to my last tea bag and I know I have stashed some but in which box? Only 154 boxes to open!!</div>
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I'll keep you posted......</div>
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Helen, GJ and Brackken</div>
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Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-64918570802383101402016-01-25T03:17:00.000-08:002016-01-25T03:17:07.816-08:00A trip back to UKSince my last installment, we have made a trip back to the UK to organize our worldly belongings for transport to Hotnitsa. We have been storing our belongings in two containers in Flookburgh in Cumbria and we have been adding to it by way of ordering a few bits and peices that we cannot get in Bulgaria. Namely a cooker - yes you can get them but they don't do range type cookers which is what I'm used to. A bed - yes they also do those but not in king size, again which is what I'm used to besides all my bedding is king size so any excuse! And curtains - well you should see the ones they sell here!<br />
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The day before departure, we had to take Bracken to my sisters house for his holidays. Not sure it was a holiday for either Sara, Dave or the other animals! We booked our taxi to the airport which was with a young lad called Georgi who was very friendly and kept us entertained en route, not least with his Bulgarian driving!</div>
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This is our plane</div>
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We arrived safely but I thought I had been married to a spy. The machine that reads the micro chipped passport decided it didn't like GJ so he was ushered to a human who let him through. He had me worried for a bit. We were met at the airport by our good friend Paul with whom he and his wife Anne, we were spending the night. He cooked a nice steak and ale pie - well he did the base and Anne did the rest... </div>
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And poor Anne had had a hard day at work.</div>
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When we arrived at P & As we went to look at the car that had been parked in the field on Paul's property. GJ re-connected the battery and tried to start it up with finger crossed. With a few coughs and splutters, like a trooper it finally fired into life. Safely brought around to the driveway, we spent the night boring Paul and Anne with our photos of Bulgaria and our new abode.</div>
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Next morning we headed up the motorway to Preston where GJ had ordered lots of DIY stuff from Tool Station. We also called in to a chemist to find some anti indigestion stuff for Sara's neighbour. She gets heartburn and can only take certain medicine with those she is already taking. I'm not surprised because she eats a lot of pickles (see our dinner party with them on previous blog).</div>
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Further up the motorway and a quick trip to our old doctors, we then booked into The Newby Bridge Hotel which is not far from the containers. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">En Suite</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bed</td></tr>
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The hotel had just been updated and everything smelt nice and new but they still have a few hurdles to overcome. One of which is the bar menu and they had no real ale which GJ was looking forward to. Only four things to chose from so I had a burger......</div>
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And GJ had Gammon & Egg</div>
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I don't know why establishments think that deep fried roast potatoes are better than chips. <b>Make them skinnier and give us less!</b></div>
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The next night we decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and eat in the restaurant. Bad move. Because by this time it had started snowing (they don't know the meaning of the word) the restaurant was busy because other guests had decided not to venture out and they had minimal staff working - in fact one person waiting on and the Receptionist had to come and help out. 30 minutes before we even got a drink.</div>
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I had grilled mackerel to start with sea bass for mains (very similar really) and GJ had ham hock terrine and a steak for main. All were not particularly memorable and no photos taken. Again a poor choice on the menu. Oh well that's the Lake District winter for you.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our hotel window - only a touch of snow compared with Bulgaria</td></tr>
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We spent Saturday, Sunday and Monday checking boxes, labeling and writing an inventory for our goods and chattels and on Sunday night decided to go for our last UK curry. We were partial to a restaurant called "India" in Kendal when we lived in Cumbria but found out that it had been severely flooded when Kendal was hit by storm Desmond over Christmas. Very sad driving through Kendal and seeing all the empty houses and furniture in skips. In the event of "India" closure, we decided to go to our second choice of Indian restaurant in Bowness called "Mela Spice". On a cold Sunday night in January, we were the only customers to start with and so got very good attention albeit in a very cold restaurant.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">King Prawn Lemon Sath for me</td></tr>
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Chicken Jalfreze, Mushroom Barjee and Tarka Dhal</div>
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We were joined by another couple, not quite an atmosphere but an enjoyable meal all the same. On Monday we decided to have a treat for lunch (as if we hadn't had enough treats) and just to make my Sister jealous, had fish and chips from, in my opinion one of the best chippies in the North West, Flounders in Flookburgh..............</div>
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Yum Yum - I think they twice fry their chips because they are always crispy just how I like them.</div>
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Tuesday arrived and we met the truck that was to take our stuff down to Newark....</div>
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....... where it would be loaded onto an artic ready for the trip though Europe to Hotnitsa. We drove the Range Rover back to Paul and Anne's house where a driver took it further down to meet with the artic in Newark. Skinny little Polish guy called Victor whom we were assured could get out of the open front window when the car was parked in the artic. Bet that was fun!</div>
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That night we treated P & A to a Chinese takeaway (doing a lot of lasts on this trip)....</div>
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Very nice it was too.</div>
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After spending the day looking around the local shops and doing a bit of shopping, I decided to make a meal for the family. A Jamie Oliver recipe that I still keep going back to which involves good quality sausages (without skins and turned into mince) made into a ragout and tossed into spaghetti. Served with garlic bread for mopping up the sauce. I completely forgot to take a photo.but there was non left. Paul took us to the airport the next morning at 5 am - don't see that time very much!</div>
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Back in Bulgaria and there had been significant snowfall but as ever, it does not stop movement like it does in the UK however there were a few hairy moments on the way back with Georgi and Dave and Sara managed to drive to our house with Bracken (I bet they were chuffed to get rid of him)!! I think he was pleased to see us or was it just frolicking in the snow?</div>
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Freezing temperatures means that 6 days later and it still isn't melting but we have no broken/iced up pipes and the central heating still works so we have been very lucky.</div>
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After raiding the fridge for left over veg, I managed to knock up a Cauliflower, Broccoli and Potato soup just what you need in this weather...........</div>
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Keep warm folks!</div>
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Helen, Graham and Bracken.</div>
Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-61052361447599625782016-01-07T05:33:00.000-08:002016-01-07T06:29:23.629-08:00Happy New Year from Hotnitsa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The last time I updated my blog was on Christmas Eve so I thought I had better catch up.<br />
We spent Christmas day in Polski Senovets with my sister Sara and BIL Dave. When we arrived there was a familiar smell of roasting meat coming from the kitchen and Sara had been working hard on producing some canapes for starters. There were blinis with various salmon/fishy toppings, cocktail sticks with steak strips and a horseradish dipping sauce, devils on horseback and homegrown beetroot and homemade haloumi cheese sticks. All very moreish.<br />
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We had roast pork which Sara had sourced with crackling. Lush!</div>
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In Bulgaria it is hard to find pork with crackling fat because usually the fat is rendered down to make lard. Sara was given a bottle of it by her neighbours but as she is vegetarian she has passed it on to me - I hope it lasts a long time because I will only use it for roasters on special occasions. The sprouts by the way were home grown by Sara, home made bread provided bread sauce and stuffing balls, home grown red cabbage and potatoes for the roasters and mash - only a small meal then! Dave made crackers in the true Good Life fashion.</div>
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I do love to see people opening presents no matter how small!</div>
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Yeah! there was a whole box of digestive biscuits in there - his favourites!</div>
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We were still having good weather between Christmas and New Year so we cracked on with some gardening. The poly tunnel is all cleared now so it was time for some rotavating.</div>
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Some smashing soil, not like in the UK where every time I put a spade into my back garden, I hit a rock.</div>
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On boxing day we were invited to meet Radco and Pepa's son and daughter, both of whom speak English </div>
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By this time Radco had met Bracken and he had obviously gone home and told the rest of the household that he was "friendly" so their daughter asked if she could come across and meet him. I didn't realise the whole family was going to troop over, still Bracken took it all in his stride and offered each of them his favourite ball.</div>
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Yet more work in the garden stripping down all those branches into kindling and logs and this is before we started polarding the mulberries</div>
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One down, only another 10 or so to do</div>
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And yes in the first picture, I even have washing on the line, the heat of the midday sun did most of the drying. We still managed to eat our lunches outside:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_eG5YXekNM87zRthjvIE7sKBaf_1a3mNG15_mPooqJKXo4jhzXdIpsW6DvHpZCOCBLAAu3z6Kg858Z2kOBuohe_WzGEXZCQekRpeInSfBqSS9HoXkHSyOZWOk7DwCKipTAjk2MInxtL3/s1600/DSC00857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_eG5YXekNM87zRthjvIE7sKBaf_1a3mNG15_mPooqJKXo4jhzXdIpsW6DvHpZCOCBLAAu3z6Kg858Z2kOBuohe_WzGEXZCQekRpeInSfBqSS9HoXkHSyOZWOk7DwCKipTAjk2MInxtL3/s200/DSC00857.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3KlQeHhSJyfeyZXbxDaKd0PphQVOYgQtMiktgqz3IP-yBeqPLJK9AaNGF_gktRZsrqHl_aI0NsGn-TW7IQIuhbRPLRINkY0hegJ4oi1aq2LSQN8ef7Ghc85F_t-2viiqbs0fvFS9TWCD/s1600/P1050079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3KlQeHhSJyfeyZXbxDaKd0PphQVOYgQtMiktgqz3IP-yBeqPLJK9AaNGF_gktRZsrqHl_aI0NsGn-TW7IQIuhbRPLRINkY0hegJ4oi1aq2LSQN8ef7Ghc85F_t-2viiqbs0fvFS9TWCD/s200/P1050079.JPG" width="200" /></a> Left: Meatball soup for GJ and Sara's homemade ricotta with garlic & herbs and wood fired peppers.</div>
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Right: Spanish Omlette</div>
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On New Year's Eve, Sara and Dave came to Hotnitsa for lunch. I did a whole leg of lamb with boulingere potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and veg.</div>
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Excuse the measuring jug but most of my kitchen stuff is in a lock-up in Flookburgh! - we even had to have square Yorkshires.</div>
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We had been invited out to an ex-pats house for a 'Fondue Night' but declined because I was too tired (and too stuffed) after the lunch but we did stay up until after midnight when all around us were fireworks going off - Bracken went galloping around the garden getting very excited but I think that's the gun dog in him. Strangely enough, we didn't hear another dog bark which considering they all live outside and all start at the slightest sound, I would have thought we would have a chorus.</div>
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And then it got frosty....</div>
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...and then the snow came...</div>
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Poor Kevin</div>
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And now for some random pictures...</div>
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just thought this looked nice</div>
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Sara's Christmas pressie - a new rug which Bracken is generously leaving hair all over</div>
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Lovely grass outside the front door - very statuesque</div>
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Look what we found when we opened a manhole cover! There is two in there (sorry Helen Whitehead)!</div>
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Thanks a lot to all those who take the time to read the blog, it makes it worthwhile writing it and of course it will be a good reference guide for us when the garden starts growing and I can log where and what is growing.</div>
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Happy New Year to everyone/anyone</div>
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Helen, Graham and of course Bracken.</div>
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Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-6074990524369689612015-12-24T07:45:00.000-08:002015-12-24T07:45:52.221-08:00Christmas 2015 - Our first in Hotnitsa, Bulgaria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Christmas is upon us now and the festivities are hotting up. We gave our first dinner party for two ex-pat friends, Warren & Sylvie by way of a thank you for giving us information about doctors, dentists etc and also they showed us some good dog walking territory. They asked us to go for a walk with them and their two dogs. I think they would like to socialise their dogs a bit more because in Bulgaria a dog is kept as an alarm and not a pet. The meeting was unsuccessful for their dogs because they were both gnashing and snarling at Bracken and so could not be let off the leads to meet him. Bracken was completely indifferent towards them - aloof is the word!<br />
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Walking between homesteads towards the field walk - I suppose you call this a street!</div>
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This is one of the fields we walk around - could be the edge of the world</div>
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Frosty December morning</div>
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The field on the right had just been ploughed</div>
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I didn't take any pictures of the dinner party because we don't know Warren and Sylvie very well and I didn't want to put them off. However I served a main course of chicken breast stuffed with my sisters wood roasted peppers, mozzarella and basil then wrapped in panchetta (but I couldn't get panchetta so I had to use parma ham). I accompanied this with boulingere potatoes and a crisp salad on the side. Nothing was left and I do like a good eater. For desert, I asked my sister Sara to show me how to make Creme Caramel (don't do puds) which I now know must be the easiest pudding in the world. Next came the cheese board with a French, an Italian, a Bulgarian and a home made cheese on it (the home made being from Sara and her goats - bit like Boursin) All was washed down with some nice red and crisp white wine and a good night was had by all.</div>
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If you want to know more about Sara's adventures with the good life, see: www.debrazzaman.blogspot.co.uk</div>
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The following night we had been invited next door to have "Rakia". This always means that you are invited for a meal which starts with Rakia. Every Bulgarian household makes their own version of this drink with whatever fruit they have in abundance. Radco made this batch with white grapes and he informed us it was 43% proof. It certainly packed a punch but was very like a nice whiskey. Pepa made us a lovely meal which started as all meals do in Bulgaria with a salad. Unlike Sara's neighbour's who serve pickled vegetables to start, Pepa served a coleslaw made from carrot and beetroot. Much nicer if you are not so keen on vinegar. For the main course we had chicken coated in herbs and served with potatoes roasted with dill. If that wasn't enough, we then had a piece of traditional Bulgarian Christmas cake. Apart from the Rakia, Radco served us some of his home made red wine which he has promised to show GJ how to make next year.</div>
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Radco, Pepa's Mum, Me and Pepa</div>
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We have been doing a bit of work on the garden getting my seed beds sorted which will actually be within the poly tunnel frame. Sara's husband Dave has been helping GJ to clear it all up. The previous owners grew fruit trees which have subsequently been planted in the garden but they were grown in pots in the tunnel and they had put down a plastic membrane and then used a lot of roof tiles (left over from when the second barn was demolished to make way for the straw bale house) to cover the whole of the tunnel. These all had to be dug up and stacked and look what we found under one of them</div>
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We didn't mean to wake him but we picked him up carefully and put him in the sunshine and he was soon scuttling away to find another resting place.</div>
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GJ tidying up the wrecked area of poly tunnel</div>
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Dave doing the heavy work. That night........no rocking required here</div>
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.......or here. Note my new rug bought from Bulgaria Buy and Swap - Just like Windermere seek and sell.</div>
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Last Monday was the "kill the pig day" for a family down the road. The crowds gathered (5 adults & 2 kids) and the pig bought it! By the time GJ got down with his camera, they were cleaning the pig ready for the butchery. He didn't think it appropriate to take photos but for all of you who may now be squirming, this is how the Bulgarians live. They grow and rear what they want to eat. No waste.</div>
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On a lighter note, last night was the village Christmas party. A great time was had by all and here are some pictures (and later a video).</div>
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Warren and Sylvie in the front, Tanya, the Mayors secretary taking photo's whilst the Mayor himself is helped into some rather large knickers that he won in the raffle - Superman style.</div>
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GJ sitting next to Annie May, a very nice American lady</div>
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Chris and Karen from up the road</div>
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Ivan who works for Chris - also won a pair of pants - big character this fella!</div>
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The dancing starts - from the back left Keith (partner to Tanya), the lady with grey hair is another immediate neighbour, next is Annie May and then Warren doing his thing whilst Chris and Sylvie have a giggle about something </div>
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Then the entertainment started with 2 locals dressed up doing a jig around the dance floor wearing funny costumes.... yes that was a bloke</div>
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And the lady next to the hat stand (left) is another neighbour called Evanka whose turkeys were using our garden. Funny, they seem to have disappeared now!<br />
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These were the raffle prizes that I won, the little square is a 2016 calendar - quite humbling really.<br />
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Just to finish as I write this on Christmas Eve, what could be better for lunch than a fish finger buttie</div>
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Hoped this video works?</div>
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Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-63108827591058283642015-12-08T08:00:00.001-08:002015-12-08T08:00:45.888-08:00So much to do - a busy retirement!Apologies to my two registered followers and to anyone else who will stumble upon it, but I have been so busy that to sit down and actually start to type and download pictures seems impossible. Anyway here is an update. Having moved into the house now - thankfully it is furnished because our stuff is still in the UK - we have decided that whilst the weather is un-seasonally brilliant we would concentrate on the garden and get the poly tunnel sorted out for Spring. Heartfelt apologies for those whom are suffering in Cumbria.<br />
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Yes it's under there somewhere</div>
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Clearing it slowly</div>
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We're getting there</div>
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Clearing the debris</div>
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The other priority we have is to, in the short term, increase the height of our wall onto the road...</div>
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(Don't know whether you can make out the wall but it has collapsed in various places)</div>
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.....because as the house hadn't been lived in for two years it would appear that we have lots of visitors on a daily basis:</div>
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Baba Turkey's 3 sheep (we call her that because she has turkeys too and Baba means Grandma in Bulgarian). We think she is actually called Elenor</div>
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And these turkeys belong to another lady called Evanka</div>
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and we are not sure who owns this tailless cat! Apologies for the photos because they were taken through a window.</div>
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A funny thing happened the other day, Baba Turkey took her sheep just up the road and she decided to lay down on the grass verge whilst watching them - seems weird for an old lady to do that on a bright but chilly morning.</div>
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We have got to grips with the central heating, There is a pump that needs putting on before you light the fire which has a back up battery sitting in my lounge because apparently we have power cuts when the weather is bad. If you didn't have back up and the fire was doing this, then whole thing would explode! But actually it is very efficient and we sit in our lounge very cozy on the clear frosty nights.</div>
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I took a picture of the first meal I cooked in my new house. As you will all know, Lasagne is made with beef mince which when we went shopping, I thought I had ordered because it was the darkest mince there. Turns out it was Pork and quite highly salted but I put plenty of bechamel sauce with it so it was OK </div>
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For those of you at Impact - note the book on the table. well it does for shopping lists and things!</div>
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and we did our first entertaining - Sister and BIL but that's me</div>
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We have also done some socializing. We were called on by some neighbors who run a guest house and they suggested that we call in at the local bar on Friday night to meet some of the ex-pats. Unfortunately, because of all the work I had been doing in the garden, my sciatic nerve from my back down to my toes decided to let itself be known. I had 3 days laid up with it until I decided to take it by the horns and try some more exercise. It worked, after a few days I was up and about again and doing a bit more in the garden. We did find out where the doctors surgery was but as they don't have appointment systems and we went of the one day of the year when they are giving children their vaccines, it was a waste of time as it was children first and they just kept coming into the surgery. Luckily I sorted myself out. The following Friday we did however go along to the bar and had a couple of beers each - you help yourself from the fridge and pay at the bar. 2,90 lv per round approx £1.04 for two litre bottles. They do sell the infamous rakia but they also sell a selection of bottled beers (Becks, Stella etc) and a very nice Bulgarian beer. We met quite a few people and a good night was had by all. The following morning we had been invited to our immediate neighbors Radco and Pepe. A panic phone call to my sister the day before and she came to the rescue with a lemon drizzle cake (always nice to take a cake apparently).</div>
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Yum!</div>
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However, Radco and Pepe are the same age as us and are a little more modern as far as Bulgarians go so would you believe she likes to bake a cake as well</div>
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It was almost a madeira cake with chocolate swirled into it but there was also some fruit in it - very nice.</div>
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We managed to communicate quite well over coffee with the use of phrase books and the limited Bulgarian that we already have and the limited English that they have. We took a piece of paper with us that we had translated into Bulgarian, explaining who we were, where we were from etc, etc. I think they appreciated it. Turns out Radco is a builder and so may be very useful.</div>
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A few more pictures from around the village:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8DR02_W1mWcqnkLW9VHdnF7KveT3VN6DiGKBbEjZFeXYUY4Ngbz2EqM0sv-yMAN8j4-L0WW7_GiOP9zqFdypsHzuDOWxoNpCFTnwDL2PHV65s4QOJ6SKRq-c-SBtIBA14fiX3zLNqzT4/s1600/P1040967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8DR02_W1mWcqnkLW9VHdnF7KveT3VN6DiGKBbEjZFeXYUY4Ngbz2EqM0sv-yMAN8j4-L0WW7_GiOP9zqFdypsHzuDOWxoNpCFTnwDL2PHV65s4QOJ6SKRq-c-SBtIBA14fiX3zLNqzT4/s320/P1040967.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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On one side of the road a wall is built like this with bricks but I can't see any mortar</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF4prgIr5AuHfJ4Z_Iw9pDNisIROMODeLbcNiS8uzHk8ProRlSynWqLDxfyXwjVYZ7-VBsqbBL3wNhNGOlpk2O9Wq_8wjvdWBi2a-rFHR9XznmHyGKeUCENwKBwttcPL0BQztNH-G1SwM/s1600/P1040968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF4prgIr5AuHfJ4Z_Iw9pDNisIROMODeLbcNiS8uzHk8ProRlSynWqLDxfyXwjVYZ7-VBsqbBL3wNhNGOlpk2O9Wq_8wjvdWBi2a-rFHR9XznmHyGKeUCENwKBwttcPL0BQztNH-G1SwM/s320/P1040968.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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and on the other these are cob bricks!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6C72OsXHdlrYFlq7FKvZuNvYO-b32GdAxwMyk8irJ_H7c3a6PyQ_egeyj97Y6hN4ZiUsvywEUneh8P8Iia78vynFv42qGpkz4ocb8nVUlXu8-vR4XJ3jaVXEDWeikVwDbCI02TrKRI2Sv/s1600/P1040952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6C72OsXHdlrYFlq7FKvZuNvYO-b32GdAxwMyk8irJ_H7c3a6PyQ_egeyj97Y6hN4ZiUsvywEUneh8P8Iia78vynFv42qGpkz4ocb8nVUlXu8-vR4XJ3jaVXEDWeikVwDbCI02TrKRI2Sv/s320/P1040952.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We hear these every morning - he is a handsome lad, and we hear scuttling of critters in the roof space - probably edible dormice or pine martins. </div>
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Just to finish, Sarah and Dave have been taking us to all the local supermarkets but certain things are a bit limited for example Lamb and Beef but yesterday they took us to a cash and carry called Metro and they have a wide selection of fresh meat. Freezer suitably stacked up. Graham even came across a baby whole suckling pig in one freezer - wouldn't see that in Asda. We managed to get some aged rib eye steaks which I must say cut like butter. I even managed to get some asparagus (but not British) and rather than chips, I served it with little fried potatoes, home-made onion rings and bearnaise sauce. - Yummy! </div>
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Cheers for now</div>
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Helen, Graham and Bracken</div>
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Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-22870501501072316122015-11-23T09:34:00.000-08:002015-11-23T09:34:16.717-08:00We've Hot Footed to Hotnitsa!Sorry I have not been in touch lately, we have had to sort out the inter-web at our new place...<br />
<br />
Well we've found it...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRE6CpZ_McYrR5N6l_VzlpbLbcHAyt0yTOb9zmKFkt6xE9kHCTyczyakTtHMf6aQ99Z6kAAkhSs8MuyxwWao3imrvPclw6fwHR95y8SOZ-ELSR7V4Eq7J57QjbHB6N0xuu7FPPBT_7NS_/s1600/DSC00715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRE6CpZ_McYrR5N6l_VzlpbLbcHAyt0yTOb9zmKFkt6xE9kHCTyczyakTtHMf6aQ99Z6kAAkhSs8MuyxwWao3imrvPclw6fwHR95y8SOZ-ELSR7V4Eq7J57QjbHB6N0xuu7FPPBT_7NS_/s320/DSC00715.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's in a village called Hotnitsa which was once featured on "A Place in the Sun". This caused the village to be well populated by ex-pats two of which owned this house. There are not so many ex pats now and we have met at least 7 of the locals and said "Priyaten den" which means have a nice day in Bulgeski but probably not spelt like that. The house is in good nick and has some lovely features not least the Strawbale house that sits in the grounds...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSOa7MnrOL0HTGZq6maQv-abLfSvgNBgvImFdEbOTkfDqqQ3iYC7eXzM9iyZHb09wguwK3SrcDijkAzFkJnuD5SeK_JtABr49JIoUj8UYPl5p3vtfdfMITKWmizpiNBc9k8vsODI3k990/s1600/DSC00684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSOa7MnrOL0HTGZq6maQv-abLfSvgNBgvImFdEbOTkfDqqQ3iYC7eXzM9iyZHb09wguwK3SrcDijkAzFkJnuD5SeK_JtABr49JIoUj8UYPl5p3vtfdfMITKWmizpiNBc9k8vsODI3k990/s320/DSC00684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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GJ has this marked out as a " man-cave"</div>
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The previous owners had a business making these homes out of straw and there is a website showing just how this one was made <a href="http://www.hotnitsa.com/strawbale.html">www.hotnitsa.com/strawbale.html</a> </div>
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The house itself has a summer/kitchen</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVpDG42hd4HCz3PA1rDe9hyrekEJniAKDnr7cV5woUR7mIXW7Y861hLOCzBzjyAa7Cp3FljOEK8Jkvt5mnzJccF3ZYtaqfKA3YrNRTi8lZ2SafZTCAa3Gd8W9t9EPCjySll35kVd948kb/s1600/P1040816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVpDG42hd4HCz3PA1rDe9hyrekEJniAKDnr7cV5woUR7mIXW7Y861hLOCzBzjyAa7Cp3FljOEK8Jkvt5mnzJccF3ZYtaqfKA3YrNRTi8lZ2SafZTCAa3Gd8W9t9EPCjySll35kVd948kb/s320/P1040816.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Needs a bit of tidying up and a lick of paint</div>
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which is basically a covered area for sitting in on the hot balmy summer nights. Opposite this is a large unused template for a poly tunnel for me to hone my skills at grow your own. This should allow me to extend the growing seasons but I will still need some raised beds to make things easier for me in my old age. See I've got plans to keep GJ working for ever. In the grounds there is a large barn</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdjTUrvroIjg8pFfW-BYHzlSBiAU1JqQXb0J0FRSgBnCZd9TLfgeiS0TUdwO3F233JX-_3xt7dolq76_d5YOHHIzo9El4isUG1vx453vRxqEDpnojElz7JKR9g5B-J3VY95HMcGQ7NPDd/s1600/P1040825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdjTUrvroIjg8pFfW-BYHzlSBiAU1JqQXb0J0FRSgBnCZd9TLfgeiS0TUdwO3F233JX-_3xt7dolq76_d5YOHHIzo9El4isUG1vx453vRxqEDpnojElz7JKR9g5B-J3VY95HMcGQ7NPDd/s320/P1040825.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just the half that was not in the dark!</div>
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We met the neighbors who live behind the barn, on our second visit and the estate agent was told in Bulgarian by them that the wood inside the barn belonged to them. This was queried with the owner and found to be untrue so the agent hot footed it back to put a padlock of the barn door. We will however be able to use the wood as a sweetener for the neighbors when we come to put Kevin into the barn because the approach is from the back of the property and it will need some adjustment to a walnut tree in the lane which happens to be on their property. That's how things work out here - give and take. </div>
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These branches will have to be removed....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO__EZiy_a4h543fAakeilXi2PpEFeGDf0evHqyYAbldfl_U5B8lrc5izj_v83NGofCk2C4HhQHyO3eReEisoOdKmJCgfqForB2S9Yx1qhxCRKlXRQDYajXZZLUmNxZMXIK0mymSxFozo0/s1600/P1040840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO__EZiy_a4h543fAakeilXi2PpEFeGDf0evHqyYAbldfl_U5B8lrc5izj_v83NGofCk2C4HhQHyO3eReEisoOdKmJCgfqForB2S9Yx1qhxCRKlXRQDYajXZZLUmNxZMXIK0mymSxFozo0/s320/P1040840.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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To allow access to our barn and the neighbor will also have to move his van and bits and pieces - only to get Kevin in but I think we are going to need a translator!</div>
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Inside the house is a beautiful old wood oven which was discovered behind closed doors. I can see me doing the leg of lamb on one side of this for Sunday Lunch.</div>
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Think we better get it swept first though!</div>
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We have a downstairs loo and shower room which is very unusual in Bulgarian houses as are internal staircases, and we must be very posh because we even have a bath in the upstairs bathroom. The house itself was split into 2 with the kitchen area actually in the main living room..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAffD3lI0vfRW0y6-UltobIvp7-a409X9VYmsErWJf5oqCCJtkZfERXVNt9gn4Q1Cp1Md8j0NgjjG353Ro5SMfgwB4WOTh14iPgxzm6vsMaKUdoCRiPIyVUwdIYBIoMT-kjRMBsNt9Zmm/s1600/P1040847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAffD3lI0vfRW0y6-UltobIvp7-a409X9VYmsErWJf5oqCCJtkZfERXVNt9gn4Q1Cp1Md8j0NgjjG353Ro5SMfgwB4WOTh14iPgxzm6vsMaKUdoCRiPIyVUwdIYBIoMT-kjRMBsNt9Zmm/s320/P1040847.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can just see the fridge on the right hand side and a sink and some units follow on.</div>
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It has to be said that I like a nice kitchen, and so the plan is to convert the annex which holds the wood oven above, into a nice live-in kitchen</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxWa71QzG5fhH5H82bnTsrCcW6UQiBnAfKiApjJGEuOCl37WvcgMFukX7KlCW5phi_LNQoq6Aiqv6bYmuD7mEGMnTyFdQ-XNZkKAW9hj1mo-ko7K-Y-HQbRj2GKrh3csmgYstLOgPrQL-/s1600/P1040836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxWa71QzG5fhH5H82bnTsrCcW6UQiBnAfKiApjJGEuOCl37WvcgMFukX7KlCW5phi_LNQoq6Aiqv6bYmuD7mEGMnTyFdQ-XNZkKAW9hj1mo-ko7K-Y-HQbRj2GKrh3csmgYstLOgPrQL-/s320/P1040836.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oven hidden behind those doors - this could be a dining area</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6J0k2v86tzBp30LOuvD-1IuzFq61UKOtfkLgUKkpIpXOn2e7Sz3W8OTZG3FuoyuB_WshagJRUKUWWX9F5RzXgGslMJ2a9GTnWa8PA_W3GUStcEdLUbGEOzjFbmdRBK-1_JI2VkKtSjLTX/s1600/P1040835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6J0k2v86tzBp30LOuvD-1IuzFq61UKOtfkLgUKkpIpXOn2e7Sz3W8OTZG3FuoyuB_WshagJRUKUWWX9F5RzXgGslMJ2a9GTnWa8PA_W3GUStcEdLUbGEOzjFbmdRBK-1_JI2VkKtSjLTX/s320/P1040835.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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some sort of sleeping area which will become the main part of the kitchen</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGl35460wy7hG5M251yCeOtH5zazYBG6gi7ijcHfjqcyiJME-ZYsPO_yqZLiYywJZ3Iane3WJN7Wzd1TfoZW4SoDLj5UjpZew96w9BINaFduNrKRz67cvKUFmryW2_jnCMrtbzb2NqoVvv/s1600/P1040834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGl35460wy7hG5M251yCeOtH5zazYBG6gi7ijcHfjqcyiJME-ZYsPO_yqZLiYywJZ3Iane3WJN7Wzd1TfoZW4SoDLj5UjpZew96w9BINaFduNrKRz67cvKUFmryW2_jnCMrtbzb2NqoVvv/s320/P1040834.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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and then the door to the summer kitchen.</div>
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The Man Cave:</div>
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I don't think I get a look in here but it has running water, shower etc and there is even a mezzanine sleeping area so if he does something wrong - he can go to the naughty corner. Here's a few pickies:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXsTajTQbzsw3Ox6i8wwAlKUNNDQyN0YDYf6yyhYUp4Ektm0HBpZipMzBjzH8Id6kOA0nvgMDju4X-xcSo6uPqgQCkv43LN5Rnh7n0kSg261awx_DQBCcha2unlWvyYtUDqwhRKCob9Jg/s1600/DSC00685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXsTajTQbzsw3Ox6i8wwAlKUNNDQyN0YDYf6yyhYUp4Ektm0HBpZipMzBjzH8Id6kOA0nvgMDju4X-xcSo6uPqgQCkv43LN5Rnh7n0kSg261awx_DQBCcha2unlWvyYtUDqwhRKCob9Jg/s320/DSC00685.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There's that women again!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWBD93_w6Hv5bkF5MIJDxiFmMR5L0ih9Hg8Gy9okW8DsKN_-xx4JfDzQVq2PlGWwMWTU9bZyd0Oy4NPrkOAs4t5iT9In_tdgPKSby2-DAxAzLa7_4J5rmcsks6qhYboy6cRpoAHupRoFH/s1600/DSC00686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWBD93_w6Hv5bkF5MIJDxiFmMR5L0ih9Hg8Gy9okW8DsKN_-xx4JfDzQVq2PlGWwMWTU9bZyd0Oy4NPrkOAs4t5iT9In_tdgPKSby2-DAxAzLa7_4J5rmcsks6qhYboy6cRpoAHupRoFH/s320/DSC00686.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The lounge area!</div>
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and the kitchen area - but I don't think he will be using this as such! More likely to be storing oily rags and tools than tea towels and utensils.</div>
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Up the naughty steps</div>
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And a window in the wall just to confirm the straw bales.</div>
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Oh well!!!</div>
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Catch up next time with our first few days as homeowners again - at least this one is all ours and we don't have to share it with the bank.</div>
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H, GJ and Braken</div>
Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-58410816417606608722015-11-09T02:38:00.000-08:002015-11-09T02:38:06.685-08:00Sofia - The Capital and some cultureWhilst waiting for some time to pass - because of which I will blog about later - we decided to hire a car for a week and take a city break in Sofia, Bulgaria's capital city. In preparation and to get a little practice driving a left hand drive car, we ventured down to the market on Wednesday to pick a few things up. Graham wanted a supply of chillies (which he uses like normal people use salt and pepper). We approached one of the stalls who advertised 1.60 levs per kilo. Because we were not sure how much we would get for a kilo, I duly pointed at the sign and said "edna" which means one in Bulgarian. The seller started putting more and more in the bag and when we told him to stop he charged us 2 lev. That's what I call rounding up!<br />
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In UK I used to get 4 chillies for 80p and this lot cost 72p.</div>
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Phew - what do I do with these now? - Ah, a nice decoration!</div>
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We decided that because of our lack of Bulgarian we would play it safe and book a "Best Western" hotel right in the heart of Sofia called 'The Bristol'. We arrived amid masses of traffic going every which way - scary for us country folk. We parked the car on the pavement outside the hotel (several cars already on the pavement so just followed suit) and the bell boy came out and shimmied us into the hotel and took the car off whilst we checked in. Phew, it was all a whirlwind. Our room was what you would expect from a "Best Western" with en-suite, mini bar etc. so we settled in to look at the menu to see if we would eat there that night. Now the reason the break was so cheap is that they make up for it on the menu - without wine, averaging £70 for two which is mega expensive for Bulgaria. So off we went into the city and the first, most inviting place we came across was a "Happy Bar". This is a restaurant chain that primarily supplies tapas type dishes, sushi and larger mains. In the UK we would order our starters, mains and drinks first and they would come in that order. Not so in Bulgaria. Each dish comes when it is ready (so one person could have their dish 20 minutes before another and main before a starter). For us though, it all came together. I ordered courgette cakes to start followed by a chicken dish, GJ ordered a beef tongue starter with another chicken dish to follow. Voila - four plates on the table together. </div>
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I will say the service, buzzing atmosphere, and food were great together with the cheap prices but unfortunately Bulgarians still smoke in the restaurants and the fog was quite thick.</div>
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Next morning we were advised by the bell boy to take a guided walk around the city and our free guide would be in front of the National Theatre at 11am.</div>
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</div>
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Well we waited and waited..</div>
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met this lady en route..</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIeMO2ZkKlY9pSAjG0kgsCRYedWeBp7CTO4fOt_4wITpahRQlwVSmGpuDHLIlEvHbo7g5s84sbmGUCtWfk7TlN2cjPCMXpRvyfV_zYNppvYyMacQYeYhkUfmVMUHuvQp45D5_SPLKnDWA/s1600/P1040897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIeMO2ZkKlY9pSAjG0kgsCRYedWeBp7CTO4fOt_4wITpahRQlwVSmGpuDHLIlEvHbo7g5s84sbmGUCtWfk7TlN2cjPCMXpRvyfV_zYNppvYyMacQYeYhkUfmVMUHuvQp45D5_SPLKnDWA/s320/P1040897.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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listened (and donated) to this trio whilst we waited - they were excellent.</div>
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We got talking to a German chap who was also waiting. He was in Bulgaria to help out with integration of immigrants - what an interesting chap. We were accosted by a lad on a bicycle who explained that there were no volunteers to do the tour on foot but that he was available to do it on a bike. Now I know that we are proficient bicycle riders after our French trip but this city is as busy as London and there was no way these old folk could cope with that. Off went the German fellow.</div>
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See the universal fast food joint on the left!</div>
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So after a coffee, we went off to do our own sight seeing. Not sure what the buildings are but I thought I would give you an idea..</div>
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We thought we would learn about the history of the country we were going to be inhabiting so we went to the History Museum...</div>
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Unfortunately we were not able to take photos inside but the history of Sofia was very similar to ours once the Romans had left their mark. Even up to the start of the 20th century, the clothes looked like they were used in Downton Abbey. It's amazing that the city is rich and vibrant yet move out to the country side and even though there is no more communist rule, the villages are still very poor.</div>
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Lunch in the American Cheer Leaders Bar that we stumbled across - very cosmopolitan...</div>
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and when in Rome (or America) - Ceaser Salad - which came about 20 minutes before GJs Burger.</div>
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That night, we decided to find an Indian restaurant (Spice Island) but they were hosting an Indian birthday party - always good to go were the locals go. The host managed to squeeze a table in by the reception desk for us which was great because the dewali style singing started downstairs which gave a great atmosphere. We ordered, 1) Popadums with pickles, 2) Onion Bahjees and Samosas, 3) A chicken dish, king prawn dish and vegetable dish and drinks. However, firstly came the Bahjees and Samosas - both excellent. Then the drinks..... </div>
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then the popadums.. </div>
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and before we had finished that lot, along comes the mains with rice - Phew, our little table was groaning so we had to use the reception desk!</div>
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All were absolutely excellent.</div>
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Next day, we went to the National Theatre once again for our walking tour but when we got to meet the guide, it turned out that the walking tour was actually a hiking tour to the mountains overlooking the city. Well neither of us were dressed for that and we didn't have packed lunches either so we had to be left to our own devices again. As you will see - my legs were starting to play up so we slowly meandered around the city to find parts we hadn't yet seen</div>
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On Saturday, the parking areas are deserted</div>
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We visited this cathedral which was quite impressive but again we were not allowed to take pictures<br />
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This chap was a bit stern and if we had had a guided tour, I could have told you who it was<br />
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Just one of the unusual sights A biker who clearly had a bad leg!</div>
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Back to the Happy bar for lunch - because we couldn't find a Greggs! - Sushi for me with edemami beans and chicken dippers - Bulgarian style for GJ.</div>
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And that night back into town to the Spaghetti House, which unfortunately was empty at 7:30 pm but once again the starters came with GJ's pizza and 20 mins later came my rigatone with capers and mozerella.<br />
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Tempted though we were, we decided not to get a taxi back to the hotel but I thought I would put this on to remind GJ of what he is missing - Ha Ha!</div>
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More ramblings and news soon.....</div>
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H, GJ & Bracken</div>
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PS: It's was the first time we have actually gone away and left Bracken with someone else (Sister & BIL) and he didn't pine a bit - unlike me!</div>
Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-42350129888403777602015-11-06T06:59:00.003-08:002015-11-06T07:13:36.097-08:00We arrive at Chez Brunger...Well, Kevin and GJ got us here in one piece on Sunday 25th October to Polski Senovets village which is where my sister and brother in law live.<br />
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Kevin sitting outside - can you imagine the curtains twitching!</div>
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Chez Brunger or in Bulgeski - Dom David et Sarah</div>
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The outside kitchen on the right and the front (or side) door..</div>
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Leading to the Chicken roosting shed and night time perch, then on to the goat shed..</div>
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Millie having a scratch and David closed in for the night!!!</div>
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Goat - who said goat? Grrr!</div>
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On Monday I had about 5 loads of washing to do and we decided to choose and book some houses to look at on Tuesday. We looked at 5 on Tuesday within the village that S & D live (Polski Senovets), one of which was just what we wanted but with possibly a bit too much every day work going into our old age but we thought we would put it on the back burner. Some of the houses were pretty bad but for the price, we didn't expect much. It's quite creepy that when there has been a death in the family, the Bulgarians celebrate it by putting a poster of the dead person on the entrance door, for how long I'm not sure but there are posters everywhere. </div>
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On Wednesday it was market day at Polski Trembesh, a couple of villages away, so off we trundled with David and Venka and Jordan their neighbours. Venka and Jordan are both in their 60/70s and have adopted David and Sarah and between them all, they manage very well to communicate. </div>
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Venka, Jordan, David and Me off to market in the early morning mist.</div>
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The market was an array of colours with all the lovely fruit and veg stalls - no photos tho' because we were standing out enough without being tourists. Under a subway to avoid the railway track and there were stalls selling shoes, kitchen stuff, clothes, hardware - you name it. We met up with Venka and Jordan in a very trendy café for coffee and were invited to their house that night for a meal and that afternoon to look at a house for sale of another neighbour. OMG! The price started at 19k Levs, quite a lot of people turned up to show us around babbling away in Bulgarian. After having negociated the unkempt garden to get into the house (if you could call it that) we went from smelly room to room in the dark and semi dark. The calendar on the wall was dated 2006 which is when it was last inhabited, yet things were left just as though somebody had just walked out - use your imagination. When we came out of the house the looks on our faces brought the price down to 12k Levs. (1 lev = 37p)</div>
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Later that night at Venka and Jordan's the price was 10k Levs but we still didn't want it!</div>
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Jordan watching David denying that he had had too much rakia (the local hooch). Jordan should know because he was secretly topping him up.</div>
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Venka just smiling because she cannot understand a word GJ is saying and he hadn't had too much rakia</div>
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A present from Sarah and David's recent trip to UK - Liverpool stuff - A common language<br />
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Well what a bobby dazzler!</div>
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The meal consisted of a plate of mixed vegetables raw but pickled for a starter, Fish and Chips which was carp in batter with chips and grated cheese on top - all cold. That's how they serve it, so that the hostess doesn't have to be away from the table for long. Alongside this came a plate of very fatty cold cured meat but Sarah had made some chocolate brownies for pud - so that was alright then! It was lovely to be embraced by these people and their humble surroundings. They are a very genorous, proud and hospitable nation - even though we told them that we didn't want the house. </div>
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Thursday took us to Velinko Tornovo, the largest local town (used to be the capital I believe) and we visited the local supermarkets. We had by now found a nice walk we could take Bracken on which headed out of the village</div>
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You will notice the weather and the lack of outer clothing!</div>
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and the fact that we are still eating in the garden...sorry about the washing!</div>
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This takes us to Friday and more viewings - another 4 I think, it is all quite a blur....</div>
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Now this was interesting!</div>
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More about this next time......what a busy week!!!</div>
H, GJ & Bracken<br />
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Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-57856206725505969832015-11-01T06:07:00.002-08:002015-11-01T06:07:34.061-08:00Last hurdle into BulgariaHello again, anybody whose watching!<br />
Well Kevin made it to Bulgaria and up to my sisters house. In total 3960 miles. Romania was an eye opener. From the border in, to the border out, I felt uneasy. <br />
We had to stop twice due to the fact that it is quite a big country. The first stop was at a sort of large car park with hook up facilities about 3 hours drive into Romania. We were met at the gate by an old man who pointed us to a pair of iron gates that were slowly opening and another chap came out to greet us with his two large, entire male dogs - spot the first problem.<br />
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You can just see them sniffing round the Kevin.</div>
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They were nice enough dogs but were so determined to get a look at Bracken that one of them even jumped on the bonnet. We had been travelling for a while and wanted to let Bracken have a comfort break but the dogs kept circling the van and when GJ asked when they were taken in, the chap at the second gate said "later". We managed "later" to give Bracken a break and he has now learned to perform on command. The following morning we were on the road again..</div>
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Not a very good picture because the roads now start to become a bit dodgy and full of pot-holes.</div>
We did quite a few more miles on this stretch, deciding that we would not have a third stop in Romania but would make a quick and early dart for Bulgaria. We found a place to stay via Google and telephoned ahead to make sure they were still open - it being October. They were and could speak a little English so we set off to find them. We followed the sat nav woman who took us to a road/street that didn't appear to have any parking for motorhomes in it and whilst we sat scratching our heads and watching the local wild dogs terrorising a horse that was pulling a cart, a lady knocked at the window and told us to turn around and follow her. It turns out that our stop was in her yard where there was space for about eight vans and they actually had hook up and showers but the loos were a bit dubious so we used our own facilities for that!<br />
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Because there were no other customers and we were locked in, Bracken at last was able to have some leg room. </div>
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We were able to pay our board in Euros and so didn't have to buy any Romanian Lei. </div>
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Not that we wanted to buy any souvenirs!</div>
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Being a dog lover, we had to steel ourselves about the dog situation in this part of the world. They scavenge about for mere morsels and there are always a few around the bins at truck stops. They live a bit like foxes in the UK but are more visible. The mountain roads were easily accessible but the driving by the constant trucks/lorries was relentless. </div>
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These shots show the roads to be a bit empty but believe me they were not - I think everyone was trying to pass Kevin!!</div>
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Every little village had rows of shops selling their wares..</div>
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and some have quite a western flavour.</div>
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The next day we got sorted early and motored our way into Bulgaria. We were advised (by our Bulgarian connection - Brother in Law) that the bridge at Ruse would take about 2 hours to cross but looking at the map, if we had to divert to another crossing, we would have taken at least another two hours anyway so we motored on to Ruse. As we were waived past all the lorries (about 3 miles of them being checked for stowaways) we settled in to wait so I made a coffee which was the first hot drink we had had all day. Then all the engines started up - oh well, worth a try.</div>
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This side of the bridge (undergoing repairs) was built in 1952</div>
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Whilst this side in 1954.</div>
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On we trundled to our camping destination of Velika Turnovo where we were to hold up for a couple of days until my sister and her husband returned from Blighty. The site...</div>
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and weather were lovely and we were able to get some chores done - like catching up with blogs..</div>
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And Bracken was having a great time..</div>
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I will continue the story but just to whet your appetite, I hope there is a video attached which shows the first time Bracken met a cat close up!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwYaQ6XmD1XJLQGhB5erZjrZ47KoS-PAZa3dQlimfjvCJav9wMqeyNT-fo2sYF8FxbynBOgavHq6AT5trPN8g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
H, GJ & Bracken<br />
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Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-65638809264816041812015-10-26T08:53:00.004-07:002015-10-26T10:32:00.086-07:00Customs and traditions observed It's become apparent that we are all different in so many ways within each country. I have put together some observations, good and bad, that we have come across within each country we have travelled.<br />
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<strong>UNITED KINGDOM</strong><br />
Well what can I say, we all know our traditions and customs but I will say that we are not as abrupt as other nations but maybe it's our stiff upper lip. One of the reasons we have left Blighty is I'm concerned about the cost of living and the hold that the supermarkets have over the price we pay for food. We feel that to get to the age we are now and still keep getting up to work every day is a tad monotonous and with the odd medical problem in the past - life is too short. So that's why we up sticks, sold up and moved off! Mad fools! On doing this adventure we started in the UK and although all the campsites had good amenities, they tended to be away from any towns. With a big vehicle like ours, we'd prefer to be just on the outskirts so we could walk in, however we do have good taxi services in the UK (so GJ says) and we made use of them.<br />
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Another advantage to Blighty is that we have a full eclectic range of eating establishments so we generally know what we are ordering and unless it's fine dining, generally dogs are allowed. People who know me know that I am a big foodie and even that is very expensive now in Britain to fulfil one of my passions.<br />
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<strong>FRANCE</strong><br />
One thing I did notice about France is that the women do seem to always walk around in pairs, huddled together chattering. There is a big Café Society which gets started about 11.30 in the morning but other things we came across were equally present in the UK, shoplifting. GJ and I were outside a store discussing our shopping needs when a young girl came running out with a lot of security guys right behind her. She managed to shake them but for some reason we just weren't expecting it in a high end resort like La Rochelle and it fair shocked us.<br />
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We also came across a few beggars, (no different to our big cities then). One even had a dog with him that was the spit of Bracken (though not so well fed). I didn't like to photograph him - not the British thing you know. Needless to say, I had a word with Bracken to tell him just how lucky he was. The other side of France that is different to the UK is the agriculture. None of there fields have boundaries and as we go further into Europe we discover other countries don't either.<br />
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Fields in Padstow as an example, with hedges all around...</div>
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and fields in France for example, and the rest of Europe with no boundaries.</div>
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There is a lot more to say about the difference between us and the French but to harp on about food (for which the French think they serve the best), our experiences were not altogether indicative of the French cuisine. I did have veal (eeek for the ethics but when in France!) and GJ did have a good duck dish but other than that our choices were limited to burgers, pizzas, fish and steak and when I chose a typical moules mariniere, they were not available. </div>
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<strong>GERMANY</strong></div>
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The Germans are all mad about sauna's, sausages, sauerkraut and motor homing. They are generally a breed of big women but like the Brits these days, a lot can be seen out jogging at all hours. Our trip on the Autobahn was fun. We found our that when there has been an accident, the Germans completely close the road so all the drivers move into the hard shoulder to have a pee or a little walk around and chat to fellow motorists. This then prevents the emergency services getting through so we wait a bit longer.... When ever scrap of debris is cleared up, we then start to move but we were perplexed as to why the first (slow) lane was not moving. When we got to the front, the first driver in his truck was completely asleep so you can imagine the scene from the drivers behind him. First time I've ever made a cup of tea on an autobahn. Now technically, I think that schnitzel belongs to the Austrians but the general food in Germany is any kind of meat pounded out and bread crumbed and then called either 'Flesch', 'Swine' or 'Hun' Schnitzel. - Beef, Pork or Chicken. And don't forget the Wurst.</div>
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Wurst sandwich made on the autobahn</div>
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and hunschnitzel at a service station.<br />
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<strong>AUSTRIA</strong></div>
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is a very clean country who even offer special doggy poop boxes at various intervals along a street. The staff at the place we stayed were very precise and very knowledgeable. Much more training than I think we get in UK. The scenery is beautiful and they make the most of promoting it but other than the dog bins, the one thing we noticed was the lack of litter bins. They seem to have trained the citizens to take all rubbish to one place along with their recycling. Very difficult for an occasional traveller but we found recycling at the motorway service stations - got to have somewhere for the wine bottles. Its very expensive to drive on the motorways as explained in the rest of my blog but what you do find is empty roads</div>
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My kind of motorway.</div>
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Some examples of the scenery - much like the Lakes really.<br />
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All the houses seem to be detached chalets with boxes of bright red geraniums adorning the verandas. Just like I remember as a child doing a jigsaw puzzle of a Swiss/Austrian chalet.</div>
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<strong>HUNGARY</strong></div>
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A very hospitable nation taking advantage of the government grants to repair the roads - two things that spring to mind when I think of the Hungarians. We accidentally drove through the centre of Budapest during rush hour no less. Nearly every street was having major road works done but the traffic kept flowing somehow.</div>
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This road doesn't actually have road works but we were concentrating so hard on our way though that I forgot to take any pictures.</div>
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They also seem to have an awful lot of public transport which is probably the best and safest way to travel through the city. The health and safety system out here seems to be non existent. Road workers leaning down holes in the middle of the busy roads, no hard hats, hi-vis shirts etc. and that goes for motorways as well. Around every corner there was a police presence and it would seem, several incidents going on across town - we were glad to get out. </div>
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The people we were in contact with while in the country were very helpful and generous. Arrival drinks and bottle of wine on departure - do we look like winos?</div>
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<strong>ROMANIA</strong></div>
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What can I say about the driving of the Romanians - see a space, and put your vehicle in it. 90% of vehicles are articulated lorries and the way they fly up the mountain passes while on the phone or texting, beggars belief. </div>
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This road actually happened to have some cars on it!</div>
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We were confronted at the border by guards with guns (didn't take any pictures) but for some reason, we didn't feel particularly safe in Romania. There were a lot of wild dogs on the streets, abandoned and having to fend for themselves. Being a dog lover, this was painful to see. </div>
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They just sleep in the sunshine - in this case, on the forecourt of a service station.</div>
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They are a short race, the Romanians and the women wave down vehicles for a lift but as soon as they see a British motorhome, they retract their arm. They obviously know us snooty British. We first start to see the Gypsies here but I couldn't get photos while moving....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1B5uUw_LcnfIdfFIAGQCHps2hFcMGzYiV0WcKe-Qk2aX9ZplJqCN7G6j2Zvc9BtVO8QCUs9fP0F_494zJIHfxT2aUUtEazMVOUjbYoVBtr9PMH1pi1fQd7-HVtwxr1wGkWdqAGSEsghX/s1600/DSC00582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1B5uUw_LcnfIdfFIAGQCHps2hFcMGzYiV0WcKe-Qk2aX9ZplJqCN7G6j2Zvc9BtVO8QCUs9fP0F_494zJIHfxT2aUUtEazMVOUjbYoVBtr9PMH1pi1fQd7-HVtwxr1wGkWdqAGSEsghX/s320/DSC00582.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yes, there was a horse at the front of this cart.</div>
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The Gypsies came up to the Kevin when we had to stop at traffic lights or road works trying to sell us things like drinks (goodness knows what), and walnuts (they grow all over). On the side of the road you could stop and buy cheeses and fruit, sometimes vegetables and we even went through a village that had about 20 shops selling the same souvenir stuff you could find a Harry Sharp's in Windermere. All the shops were next to each other and all sold the same things so if you did stop, how would you choose?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWDmk5zZC2CqIx1-_13iNNGYc_FScK-X_X6I0F-iP1GGKRkvjeJyHby72O61748nNQsbRyeprC63IStuyqPQpkMmwvspAD1scTQC_q9-P0QWAiEwrnfHZ8XxWflB5o_CCCJ69lWweryYU/s1600/P1040744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWDmk5zZC2CqIx1-_13iNNGYc_FScK-X_X6I0F-iP1GGKRkvjeJyHby72O61748nNQsbRyeprC63IStuyqPQpkMmwvspAD1scTQC_q9-P0QWAiEwrnfHZ8XxWflB5o_CCCJ69lWweryYU/s320/P1040744.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sorry about the quality</div>
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The houses are usually little and square and all lined up along the only street in the village, they all have very good roofs but are a bit ramshackle below that. There are a lot of hotels (for truckers) but all look a bit dubious (probably where those women go). The wine is cheap and good - I got a really nice box of wine for just under £2 (or the equivalent). We had to spend 2 nights in Romania which I will show on another blog but because we felt a little unsafe, decided to hurtle on to Bulgaria.</div>
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Helen, GJ and Bracken</div>
Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-78867239294744711512015-10-21T13:32:00.002-07:002015-10-21T13:48:12.064-07:00Austian Laidahosen and Hungarian Hospitality...<br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Into Austria and OMG! Had a hair raising
journey to Zell am See.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvBKOpztjvotoVkqef1RWVukVhv14zrRq14llX5LKM79canUM6GfzD2VDWBnuubRvjjrL69a7Ldz_wYXCcIyZ6bhwN-jedHMtAJh4Z-qA3ovpk8gyQOX-PUX1gp25PqVflrdCg4p6cj0e/s1600/DSC00480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvBKOpztjvotoVkqef1RWVukVhv14zrRq14llX5LKM79canUM6GfzD2VDWBnuubRvjjrL69a7Ldz_wYXCcIyZ6bhwN-jedHMtAJh4Z-qA3ovpk8gyQOX-PUX1gp25PqVflrdCg4p6cj0e/s320/DSC00480.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There's snow on them there hills!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sat nav took us up
a mountain pass road it being the quickest route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About 6km in, foot to the floor and gears in
low there was absolutely nowhere to turn. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, half way up, the road closed and
we were able to turn around at an also closed restaurant car park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back down again (brakes and gears being
tested) and we decided to try and go around the mountain in the hope that the
sat nav woman would recalculate but for miles she wanted us to turn
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did the old fashioned thing
and followed the signs for Zell am See and after going through the same tunnel
three times, going the wrong way and the sat nav lady taking us to two
different bridges that were too low, arrived at the site in the dark, got
hooked up and checked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to stay
2 nights to let both GJ & Kevin have a rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point, our Go Box, </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtcnyd8_e5Pc-1cZgPp-3EqjlxQ2O4VXZbOCojeIQGNTsvpngH636tHj1kJjvVnhfktXDD6zF6kpqkHcqICaL85zSFi7WpkIe5tOu2WdquWIVShRUgtX5gMGTCRi6j_Tm3-Ewwjl2iUcG/s1600/P1040667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtcnyd8_e5Pc-1cZgPp-3EqjlxQ2O4VXZbOCojeIQGNTsvpngH636tHj1kJjvVnhfktXDD6zF6kpqkHcqICaL85zSFi7WpkIe5tOu2WdquWIVShRUgtX5gMGTCRi6j_Tm3-Ewwjl2iUcG/s320/P1040667.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Go Box (licence to print money)</span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">...which is the toll system
we had to have for our size of vehicle, had not made a bleeping sound which it
is supposed to when it goes through a toll camera. Because of this, we knew that
we still had 75 euros in credit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We showered
(spotless Austrian conveniences), I made a simple meal and the next day we planned
the rest of our route to Bulgaria with the next stop being in Graz, still in
Austria.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBqUlSHUDDT71m3_Ody84jcaV-V1EFRdLQzLKB8o_yRMvpEvyjX2YnP_ZJvCLgwSfcUs6uXzvo5aZGKu999fyhV9rUZIVhLjGxQWEdJVbgny90UZWmdQwcoeVKfZ7Tt_J7tMB6wD0kSmb/s1600/DSC00501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYBqUlSHUDDT71m3_Ody84jcaV-V1EFRdLQzLKB8o_yRMvpEvyjX2YnP_ZJvCLgwSfcUs6uXzvo5aZGKu999fyhV9rUZIVhLjGxQWEdJVbgny90UZWmdQwcoeVKfZ7Tt_J7tMB6wD0kSmb/s320/DSC00501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kevin at Graz (pictures not quite running with the story...but keep up!)</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> That night we had a typical Austrian meal at the hotel that was part
of the camping complex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Liver in a
piquant sauce with rice - very nice.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ30SXYLWlxdCX7t_57OypghgpNW7JwkKCnTzLtYAkR_042nhpJHE5beNdBApOHIykmyqkv_CvDaDnnNS9pBE8d9UtO54u7UDaPqc0oMujO7q9EfeImIQTKtc1fv8KBC5EnZAuIqIMrXfx/s1600/DSC00498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ30SXYLWlxdCX7t_57OypghgpNW7JwkKCnTzLtYAkR_042nhpJHE5beNdBApOHIykmyqkv_CvDaDnnNS9pBE8d9UtO54u7UDaPqc0oMujO7q9EfeImIQTKtc1fv8KBC5EnZAuIqIMrXfx/s320/DSC00498.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GJ
had steak cooked in a red wine sauce with spetzell noodles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Equally good considering we used a pin to
choose what to have.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9VW33fS1PiAUDzbcT4u4ghvZDP5bTZHKFY08Evb4bvUrKONhpsczfPGPAj_tI2lTLF3XSIXvRbn2XNXpQp95Ivbg3s7nUVhtvvmPDKYLihaOSJqg8e54awqdJrgIn1w3FVdwNbNE8wFs/s1600/DSC00499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9VW33fS1PiAUDzbcT4u4ghvZDP5bTZHKFY08Evb4bvUrKONhpsczfPGPAj_tI2lTLF3XSIXvRbn2XNXpQp95Ivbg3s7nUVhtvvmPDKYLihaOSJqg8e54awqdJrgIn1w3FVdwNbNE8wFs/s320/DSC00499.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Both looked very similar but tasted completely different.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEEMXsPsOFw5LAcEWxm2JYBBPMETi4RMnDbXNPpPvksAsJKbiAgpK01h3HGwYc8lPOwwWGcBCOYiowDqBmwXPx66DU5GHiWwU6TMncGA91lOt_mVSlevK1YWkzkL1fgne_m6V38YOoy_o/s1600/DSC00491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGEEMXsPsOFw5LAcEWxm2JYBBPMETi4RMnDbXNPpPvksAsJKbiAgpK01h3HGwYc8lPOwwWGcBCOYiowDqBmwXPx66DU5GHiWwU6TMncGA91lOt_mVSlevK1YWkzkL1fgne_m6V38YOoy_o/s320/DSC00491.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtcnyd8_e5Pc-1cZgPp-3EqjlxQ2O4VXZbOCojeIQGNTsvpngH636tHj1kJjvVnhfktXDD6zF6kpqkHcqICaL85zSFi7WpkIe5tOu2WdquWIVShRUgtX5gMGTCRi6j_Tm3-Ewwjl2iUcG/s1600/P1040667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Nice little table decoration it being pumpkin and conker time. </div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On to Graz next day again arriving quite
late in the day so I cooked some meatballs and spaghetti and we watched a film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tolls started to register on the Go Box
and by the end of the day it was bleeping twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This meant we were paying the tolls but that
we should get it topped up as we only had 30 euros left.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtcnyd8_e5Pc-1cZgPp-3EqjlxQ2O4VXZbOCojeIQGNTsvpngH636tHj1kJjvVnhfktXDD6zF6kpqkHcqICaL85zSFi7WpkIe5tOu2WdquWIVShRUgtX5gMGTCRi6j_Tm3-Ewwjl2iUcG/s1600/P1040667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtcnyd8_e5Pc-1cZgPp-3EqjlxQ2O4VXZbOCojeIQGNTsvpngH636tHj1kJjvVnhfktXDD6zF6kpqkHcqICaL85zSFi7WpkIe5tOu2WdquWIVShRUgtX5gMGTCRi6j_Tm3-Ewwjl2iUcG/s320/P1040667.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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That damn go box</div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day we decided to make a run for
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We only had 50 kms to go in Austria
and if we had topped up the Go Box it would have been another 75 euros
minimum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we plodded along counting
the double bleeps and made it into Slovenia. We hadn't intended to go into
Slovenia but the road signs were a bit confusing and the sat nav woman didn't
tell us we were approaching a border area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At least we got through Austria with only 75 euros of tolls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had another 2 tolls to pay in Slovenia and
then we were into Hungary and had a 10 day vignette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The campsite we picked mentioned Bucharest
but I didn't think we would be travelling straight through the centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21N0Jkpc_EG7_jbx6y57VXP97sO-V_-2Wybk1TCgpEQujfixtoMOhJV7VIcGYH-uboJ_VGrq9VOEp0Tt2LvEo2KlptB4V_PVB87QygYuUx4DeYGKztWrRfV6MeRTocxJwQrTrN_rkpRaL/s1600/P1040702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21N0Jkpc_EG7_jbx6y57VXP97sO-V_-2Wybk1TCgpEQujfixtoMOhJV7VIcGYH-uboJ_VGrq9VOEp0Tt2LvEo2KlptB4V_PVB87QygYuUx4DeYGKztWrRfV6MeRTocxJwQrTrN_rkpRaL/s320/P1040702.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyYNkkgi4ocYhvzW0MLBkrZ0rg9eVO-olSSPDJSd92mDH87WxqvX9MiS-pVeHeHf1JLfc7KK9aZPWc3TFQ4FfSpsCB7OwcROmtl4LSl253T6k4PgS3yDNL7UnnibWuUqQPDqo1kYQi0j5/s1600/P1040707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyYNkkgi4ocYhvzW0MLBkrZ0rg9eVO-olSSPDJSd92mDH87WxqvX9MiS-pVeHeHf1JLfc7KK9aZPWc3TFQ4FfSpsCB7OwcROmtl4LSl253T6k4PgS3yDNL7UnnibWuUqQPDqo1kYQi0j5/s320/P1040707.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">OMG! GJ was having palpitations but Kevin
coped admirably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found our spot which
was up a kind of track and into an old disused tram station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFM6l6CejBHAYe6pnXRKRPQ-SxWmshGmWrPzkM0oXV_VTnKid4Dt260kcyVQ6HqoUjvoUtrrUITa_QDJUJXYfAQ-3enJ5m3yQh0DkT0IppzGNnpJKlg_TpBtVh8ud5wQU-wKvcNDWDbvWn/s1600/DSC00523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFM6l6CejBHAYe6pnXRKRPQ-SxWmshGmWrPzkM0oXV_VTnKid4Dt260kcyVQ6HqoUjvoUtrrUITa_QDJUJXYfAQ-3enJ5m3yQh0DkT0IppzGNnpJKlg_TpBtVh8ud5wQU-wKvcNDWDbvWn/s320/DSC00523.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The people who ran this old tram station were
very proud of it and when we arrived, they asked us to park up and join them
for a welcome drink so they could tell us all about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elizabeth also gave us a map of the town centre
and a bus route map etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She insisted we
had a beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old station is converted
into a restaurant but for some reason it was like walking into their
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We left promising to have dinner
there later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked over at about
7.15 after a 15 minute look around for GJs reading glasses (I'm going to get
him a chain) and we were offered another drink and the menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of the 5 things on the menu, I picked the
pork chop (gypsy style) and GJ picked the beef stew and dumplings (similar to
stroganoff).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>10 minutes later and its
arrived. GJs dumplings were actually spetzell again and my pork chop was actually
a fried pork steak with dried herbs and uncooked garlic on top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both were served with chunky potatoes boiled
with herbs and tossed in some fat or other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was all very Hungarian but very nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It took us 10 minutes to eat and we were back at the Kevin to watch a
film.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were the only people in the
restaurant and there was no background music it was a quick eat and run (hence no pictures). The price included breakfast so we duly re-entered
the empty restaurant again the next morning to find a big spread of sweet and savoury
goodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They seem to specialize in
pancakes because two mountains of them came in so we had to oblige.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must admit I am missing fruit and veg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When GJ went to pay he was given a bottle of
local wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are so nice the
Hungarians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdINEYQoM1bKT93_Qr1Q17VwlvAIuHvv6fiPTov1a53PpSW-HDtRuU0FwvUr6TG71Df-NcfH54hmWUKLtMTBHjdWsapuPtX-XeyGoYwvP_OBAhmuJ2RWsYq8igXIJXDKsImlPsDAJkBLO/s1600/DSC00525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdINEYQoM1bKT93_Qr1Q17VwlvAIuHvv6fiPTov1a53PpSW-HDtRuU0FwvUr6TG71Df-NcfH54hmWUKLtMTBHjdWsapuPtX-XeyGoYwvP_OBAhmuJ2RWsYq8igXIJXDKsImlPsDAJkBLO/s320/DSC00525.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kevin in the Tram Station</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unfortunately the sat nav
lady, who is not as nice, took s back through Budapest town centre again even
though we had tried to confuse her into taking us around the outskirts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing that every road had either some
road works, a diversion or a police blockage on it.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>OMG!</o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67byTGBQLO7aMy2vUuVJJndDRPwBemobAs0ZLUgcsoWBuqUu2iMiStymRYyZ8nLOI6h3MzNUTFzaah29CM-l0zSWC49vAHSFF8t7yjJ1R93CWrmP3tpCzvYR9WdrjQnnoERCBk4z-cExO/s1600/P1040695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67byTGBQLO7aMy2vUuVJJndDRPwBemobAs0ZLUgcsoWBuqUu2iMiStymRYyZ8nLOI6h3MzNUTFzaah29CM-l0zSWC49vAHSFF8t7yjJ1R93CWrmP3tpCzvYR9WdrjQnnoERCBk4z-cExO/s320/P1040695.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>We ventured on to Romania…<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvBKOpztjvotoVkqef1RWVukVhv14zrRq14llX5LKM79canUM6GfzD2VDWBnuubRvjjrL69a7Ldz_wYXCcIyZ6bhwN-jedHMtAJh4Z-qA3ovpk8gyQOX-PUX1gp25PqVflrdCg4p6cj0e/s1600/DSC00480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Miles travelled? Forgot to check again.</div>
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H, GJ & Bracs (and Kevin the Kontiki) </div>
</div>
</div>
Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2706998577653071600.post-31659836577467471552015-10-19T01:04:00.000-07:002015-10-19T01:04:30.884-07:00Le French to De Germans.......Sorry I haven't been able to get a blog done for a while folks, it's difficult when you are on the move. Anyway here goes France to Austria.<br />
First off, we had to get Kevin turned around. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKobKosHiLfdtRLwKu2x8mkmn9pBhvkCKLuIPwjXOimo-vIrTF-iynBnJkD5vZGnX6IH6MPrnSWvRfcMVKa8AlV3YyYVnUEYiDkeuamAYvM-aCTc4AMyvO2SXcI-d8RK7tH9AQ2h2EWb9/s1600/DSC00346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKobKosHiLfdtRLwKu2x8mkmn9pBhvkCKLuIPwjXOimo-vIrTF-iynBnJkD5vZGnX6IH6MPrnSWvRfcMVKa8AlV3YyYVnUEYiDkeuamAYvM-aCTc4AMyvO2SXcI-d8RK7tH9AQ2h2EWb9/s320/DSC00346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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from this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNHlaYmFWUc7xyKu50DQ3tcLgM-TP7CVveukuhH3YkvHOEEaMGjuEN6Un0bj_VgJsdyL99U9US-OUeXwRg8yJdJJqaHYlBr89oKg8Xt2hcoBFT8mm-l2ojdDeOw5FJUqu9aRaz8I9oTfV/s1600/DSC00349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNHlaYmFWUc7xyKu50DQ3tcLgM-TP7CVveukuhH3YkvHOEEaMGjuEN6Un0bj_VgJsdyL99U9US-OUeXwRg8yJdJJqaHYlBr89oKg8Xt2hcoBFT8mm-l2ojdDeOw5FJUqu9aRaz8I9oTfV/s320/DSC00349.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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to this.</div>
<span style="text-align: left;">Mission accomplished. We then set off to travel a bit over France quite quickly because we were losing the light at the end of the day and the heat. We travelled along the motorways but incurred a lot in tolls. In total it cost us Euro 122 to get across but I will say that the roads were very good. Now there were no tolls in Germany but that was reflected in the state of the autobahns which were very bad and poor Kevin was buffeted about cracking and squeaking and we even found a screw on the floor and we don't know where it came from.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">
This was our first stop in France, next to the Loire but we had an unfortunate situation with a loose dog from another camper van that kept wanting us to throw a stick for it. It was a nice dog but because we have had a problem in the past with Border Collies (pre castration) and our Braken, we didn't give B too much excercise. </div>
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Me and the black dog - best I'm taken from afar!</div>
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The Loire</div>
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We're on the road again...<br />
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The next stop was one of our favourites. Further along the Loire Valley, nothing there but a herb garden that we were asked to help ourselves to. While we were there though, we had a right giggle at a German van that turned up. Huge thing towing a smart car. The owner stoped at three different points before he satisfactorily got a signal on his automatic sky dish. But it was funny to see this dish going round and round and this German man getting more and more cross. When he found the signal, both occupants sat down and just watched TV all night. What's the point!<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">This was the first time that we were able to give Bracken some exercise off the lead.</span></div>
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Just thought I would show you the exercise recommendations on the French motorways. They even give you an exercise bench.<br />
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Into Germany now and we saw more wine vines here than we ever saw in France. We had crossed the border clutching our passports ready to show them, dog muzzled but blink and we missed it. Only a police station to mark the crossing.<br />
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We stayed just outside a town called Bad Durkheim and went for a walk into the town in the afernoon. We thought we would come back in at night and have a meal here......<br />
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Don't know if you can zoom in but we didn't understand a thing. By the time it had gone dark and the wind was extremely cold - we decided not to venture out. So no photos of food here.<br />
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More of the pretty town.<br />
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When we were on the autobahn, we kept coming across shrink wrapped cars. We actually saw a load of Masaratties but didn't have time to photograph them. GJ commented that "theres a few thousand quid there" These were actually Audi's.<br />
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We had to stop for about 1 and a half hours because there was an accident. You wouldn't believe it but people started getting out of their cars and going for a pee at the side of the road. So I got up and made a sandwich and a cup of coffee whilst GJ got out to talk to the English trucker whose name was Honest Bob - it said that on his window. They completely closed the motorway. We had to laugh because this vehicle in front squeezed past us all to try and help. Typical of the US army, always come in at the end!<br />
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Our only typical German meal experience in a motorway cafe where we had to purchase our Go Box so we could travel across Austria. Knackwurst und Katoffle.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">And I had my first Veinna Snitzel.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Milage to date - Lots. Will try harder next time.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">GJ, H and Bracken x</span></div>
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Helen Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14596247943767958598noreply@blogger.com3