The Day Of The Races

The Saturday dawned bright and clear, I know this because I was awake at daft o'clock still trying to figure out what had been forgotten. To no avail, but it did have at least one benefit. I was able to get in the bathroom first, not a bad result when you consider that I could have been at the back of the queue. Then it was time to play tea boy, once everyone had been sorted out we all headed off to the campsite, via a shop as Iskra's father wanted to get some water. When we got to the shop he decided that he didn't want any water after all, but we were still ahead of our mental schedule.

Once we had arrived at the campsite we had enough time for a quick coffee, before sorting out the team and the marshal packs. We also had to put the finishing touches to some of the games and adjust some of the others. For instance at the archery, the pins would not hold the balloons to the target boss so the game there had to be rejigged slightly. Fortunately the problems that were encountered on the day were fairly minor. At 9 in the morning it was meant to be time to brief the team captains and the marshals, eventually they were shepherded into place and the briefing were carried out and packs were issued. Of the twelve teams promised, eleven turned up to compete, the only ones who failed to show were Team Vinograd who had withdrawn the previous day. The mayor of Dragizhevo formally opened the games by saying a few words and cutting the ribbon. Once the speeches were over it was over to Bobby martin who introduced the teams and then they were away to their first events. The morning all went like clockwork with each team turning up to where they were meant to be, when they were meant to be there.



The sun continued to climb high in the sky, and the temperatures were rising all of the time, so the pool events were looking more and more inviting. The teams were staggered for their lunches, the theory being that this would help Nick and Nicky's kitchen staff. Hopefully it worked to a certain extent, but people did get fed and the teams managed to appear at their next events. After lunch a few problems cropped up, mainly caused by marshals just going home and not actually telling anyone, so the events in the afternoon were a bit more chaotic. This was also when the TV crews chose to turn up and start filming, and the newspapers wanted interviews. As the various photographs, that have been posted round the internet, show there were plenty of big daft grins plastered on people's faces.

Come five o'clock it was all over, even if we hadn't managed anything else we had got ExPats and Bulgarians working and competing together, and from that point alone the games were an outstanding success. The feedback that was passed on immediately after the games was that they had been an incredible success. Some teams were more interested than others in the final placings, and there were three different trophies up for grabs, which would go to the top three teams. The trophies were kindly donated by Trust Global radio, McNamara's Irish Bar and the VT Times. It all seemed to work out quite well, it was a team of Bulgarian youngsters, from a local Salsa club who came first who came first. A mixed team of Bulgarians and ExPats came second, and an ExPat team who came third. Once the trophies had been given out it was time for the evenings festivities to commence. Along with the raffle there was also the karaoke. People will be glad to hear that I didn't sing, as I can't carry a tune, not even in a bucket. Everyone did seem to enjoy themselves, and I think that I crawled into bed at nearly 2 in the morning. I was also up before 6 tidying up the archery and slingshot ranges. Just in case anyone wonders what Net and I were doing on the day, Net was trying to take charge of the marshals, and myself? Well I was competing. The team that I was part of came third as we were called the VT Camp Crusaders the trophy that we won is now being kept out at the campsite, but I do get to keep my third place medal.

The Run Up to It's A Knockout

Maybe some of you have been keeping an eye on the calendar, and will be aware that the It's A Knockout was held at the VT camp site this weekend just gone. I have decided to blog it in two parts, the lead up to the event, and the event itself. I don't think that I have ever spoken to the press quite so much as I have in recent weeks. Not that I have been the only one, as can be seen here it also happened to Net and Nicky. Although as they say any publicity is better than no publicity. Besides speaking to the newspapers, I was also invited to chat with Bobby Martin on Trust Global Radio. As many have said previously it is lucky that I have a face for radio. The first time I was a little nervous, but managed to get through it all unscathed. Probably largely down to Bobby though.

There have been several planning meetings throughout the year, and as time progressed more people have been invited to join. It does seem strange looking back on things that this all grew from a friendly quiz challenge with the Condor Club down near Nova Zagora. Not only have there been planning meetings but also some fund raisers, mainly because we were starting off with no equipment. Games also had to be devised, and built, alongside rules being drawn up. It was quite difficult trying to sort out the logistics of it all, we didn't know how many teams we could expect, and by the same token we did not really know just how many events we ought to consider.

Nick and Nicky out at the campsite very kindly said that we could use there as the venue. So that was probably the biggest concern sorted out, to be quite honest I don't think that this project would have worked without their willingness. Although they are probably fed up with the sight of us. Tomorrow will seem rather strange when we go there for the craft club, and I am not wandering about trying to work out which game will go where. We had to come up with a shortlist of games, and also try to figure out where they ought to be held so that they didn't interfere with anything else. It was quite surprising where some of the ideas were coming from, but they were often adapted to fit into another part of a game. In the end we decided to go for 10 games, and each one would have to be tried out to make sure that they would work.

We decided that the time to test the games would be the weekend before the big day. This would give us enough time to change things around if necessary, and also to source any more equipment that might have been needed. It was also used to get various marshals used to the games themselves and to highlight any particular problems that might arise. It did prove very beneficial on several different counts, it highlighted the dangers of shooting, so that was ruled out quite quickly. This meant that we had to come up with something else to take its place, but luckily it was the only game that we had to remove. A couple of the others had to be slightly adjusted, but all in all a very worthwhile exercise. Just so there could be no arguments about teams having a sneak trial, a couple of teams of village children and some students were used. Once we found out what worked and what didn't we sat round a discussed how they could be changed or adapted. It did help having some new heads available to give things a fresh approach.

When everything had been decided upon, it was then just a case of deciding what was going to be taking place where, and also who would be doing so when. This might sound easier than it actually was, the location for the games themselves was quite simple once a basic plan had been drawn up. The difficult thing was trying to get 12 teams through all 10 games roughly on time. Eventually a timetable was roughly worked out. So everyone would know where they were meant to be and when, we began to make up packs of information. There were packs for teams, and slightly different ones for the marshals.

On the Friday evening as the teams began to arrive various bits and pieces of the games were being assembled. I don't know about anyone else but it had seemed to have gone smoothly, probably too smoothly for my liking. I kept on having the niggling thought at the back of my mind that we had either forgotten or overlooked something. With friends staying over we didn't get to sleep too early, and because I couldn't shake the niggling doubt from my mind I was awake the next morning at 4. It didn't do any good as I still couldn't work out what I might have forgotten, and by then it was too late really.

So Here We Are In June

June is now finally with us, and so far the rain seems to have disappeared for a while. Someone somewhere certainly seems to have turned the heat up too. These past few days have been glorious, wall to wall sunshine, and what rain we have had seems to have confined itself to the evenings and night time. It has meant that we have finally been able to get out in the garden and tackle some much needed weeding, and the grass has all been cut again.

This has not been the limit of our activities though. It was on Tuesday that I made my first appearance on Trust Global Radio, talking about this summer's It's A Knock-out Olympic Challenge. I have to admit to feeling a wee bit nervous before I went on air, although that might have been down to the coffee that I had been drinking earlier. My first experience was doing the sound level check, and then about half an hour later I was live on air with Bobby Martin. I have to say that Bobby did make it very easy for me, and quite a few people have said that they enjoyed the interview. I certainly hope so as I am back on the radio on Tuesday, as I will be every week in the run up to the Games. The good news is that we now have eight confirmed teams, with at least another two possibles. So maybe I did do something right, as the interest has really taken off. We appreciate all of the support, time and energy that people are putting into this, and we all feel that this is a very worthy cause. Some of you might not be able to make the Games but would still like to find out what is going on, so there are a couple of websites for you to follow. This first one was the one that I mentioned on the radio on Tuesday http://www.olympics.gornaoryahovitsa.com and then we have just had this one go live this weekend http://www.binkyaidbg.com/ but don't tell Bobby as I will be letting him know about it this coming week.

There was also the craft day on Wednesday, and in the morning there were Inge and Iona showing us all where the fabric shops are in VT. We did try to have a look at the prices of art supplies in the VT University  Art Department. Sadly though that shop was closed, but we did get a tour round the place. It was fascinating to see the mosaics being made, nothing seemed too much trouble for the faculty staff and they were happy to give up their time explaining the processes used. My particular favourite bit was the Lithographic Department, as my Aunt used to be one of the last lithographic printers in the UK. Although she never used stone for her lithographic printing.

Friday saw the return of the Pub Quiz, and even though the turn out could have been better those that made it enjoyed themselves. So much so that they have asked me when the next one is likely to be. I guess that in hindsight Friday might not have been the best of days on which to hold it, as it was also the first day of the smoking ban in Bulgaria. So now there is no smoking inside any bars or restaurants, all smoking had to be done outside. So for our particular venue it meant going up a spiral staircase, and wouldn't you just know it there was a thunderstorm raging. So the smokers were huddled together trying to keep as dry as possible, before traipsing all the way back down the spiral staircase again.

Today marked the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, as the UK and ExPats celebrated 60 years of her reign. We were invited out to a Jubilee party in a neighbouring village, so thanks very much to Ellie and Gary Martin. It was a wonderful day, and attracted press coverage, both TV and print, and I finally got to try some of John Hodge's wonderful baking. Many might know him by the name of The Baker's House, as he used to be a Baker before retiring out here. The weather was wonderful, and you did have to feel sorry for the flotilla sailing up the Thames in the pouring rain. We just had to suffer with the temperatures in the 30s, it was a touch warm to say the least, but the food was good and the company even better, and attracted both Bulgarians as well as ExPats. From the British Embassy in Sofia the Charge d'affaires, Catherine Barber, also attended. So now the Embassy will be fully aware about what we are hoping to achieve with this summer's It's A Knockout, and if we are lucky they might even send a representative down.

So all in all it has been a busy and varied week for us all, and long may it continue. There's just one thing left to say. God save The Queen :o)

Treasure Hunt

A few months ago we were asked if we could possibly arrange a car treasure hunt, this was by one of our Bulgarian friends. We said of course we could, thinking that it would be an easy thing to do, we soon found out differently. First we had to work out a rough route, with both a start and finish point. We decided to go for somewhere that everybody knew, so we opted to use the VT camp site. Poor Nick and Nicky must be getting fed up with the sight of us. So using Dragizhevo as both the start and end point, it was a matter of consulting the map to work out a circular route. With the route roughly plotted we then had to drive it ourselves looking for suitable clues as we went. It took in several villages that even we hadn't been to before, but we had to make sure that the route itself was drivable, and didn't end up disappearing into some goat track into the middle of nowhere. As we went round Net had a notepad and was busily writing down possible clues, and their answers.

With the route, clues and answers I then had to type them out in a logical form. We couldn't really use cryptic clues, as we weren't sure how any Bulgarian teams would fare with these, so decided to keep the clues and directions straightforward. Once I had typed them out, it was then a matter of reading through them all, and with the map ensure that it all made sense. My next task was to get them translated into Bulgarian. I asked our lovely friend Bianka if she could spare the time to help us out. Bless her she did all of the translating for us, not only for the questions, but also for the poster that we did to advertise the event. Question sheets were printed out in both English and Bulgarian, team numbers were printed up, along with time sheets and score sheets.

Now if any of you have read my previous blog, you will be aware that we have been having some rather damp and inclement weather. We were in two minds as to whether to postpone the treasure hunt, but looking at the forecast for Saturday, it said that there were possibilities of showers, so we decided to go ahead with it. Armed and ready with all the necessary bits and pieces we set off for the camp site, so that we could get ourselves organised. Net took her laptop, so that we could keep everyone in Facebook land  aware of what was going on. The only problem being that we couldn't get the damn thing to recognise the network, Net tried, I tried and even Nick tried, but the laptop just wasn't cooperating. Eventually I managed to get it to actually link up to the campsite's network. Round about this time the sun started to come out, and  first team turned up so it was then a matter of explaining the rules and bits and pieces to them.

At the designated time of 1230 the first team was off, and heading into the great unknown. The teams were set off at five minute intervals to prevent congestion. It wouldn't have really mattered as only 6 teams actually turned up for the event, which was a bit disappointing after all of the work that we had put into it. So all of the teams had departed by 1 o'clock, leaving Net and I to drink coffee and await any problems. Sure enough we did get a text message from one team saying that they were tired and wouldn't be completing the course. That wasn't really surprising as they had been moving a lot of timber the previous day. So that left only five teams to worry about as they travelled the minor roads of Bulgaria, on their hunt for the answers to the clues.

After 2 hours and 35 minutes the first team reported back in, closely followed by the next team. They were only separated by just 3 minutes. It was the two Bulgarian teams fighting it out to be the winning team time wise as they both had the same score with their answers. So the winners for the fastest team going round the route were our friend Katia and her team. Funnily enough it was Katia who had originally asked about the possibility of a treasure hunt in the first place. So well done to them. Soon the ExPat teams started to return, even though they might not get the fastest time, it was all to play for with the most answers correct. One of the questions I had to discount, as the answer had been removed between the time of us setting the questions, and the day of the treasure hunt. All of the answer sheets were getting very close, but it eventually came down to John and Sue, and their American friends who were victorious.

Despite it not being as well supported as we had hoped, we were somewhat reassured to hear that those who took part enjoyed themselves. They must have done as we have been asked if there is any possibility of us setting another one later in the year.

So it just remains for me to thank all of those who took part, a very big thank you to Nick and Nicky at the campsite, not only for putting up with us once again, but for also supplying the prizes. Before I forget I am meant to be doing an interview on Trust Global Radio on Tuesday, maybe that could be the subject of another blog.    

Is It Monsoon Season?

For those in the UK this will probably amuse you, we seem to have had a bit of rain here, it must have something to do with the fact that we have got our pool up and filled. It all started off quite nicely at the end of April, the weather was warming up nicely, brilliant blue skies. Admittedly we do normally get a few wet days thrown at us, but not days on end of the stuff. We are all getting webbed feet over here, and that includes the cats and dogs. The ground is sodden, so we have had no real chance to potter about in the garden, only half an hour here and there, luckily we have managed to get the vegetable garden planted up, and I haven't had to get the hosepipe out for about 10 days now. We have had some downpours of Biblical proportions, and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that somebody in the village is contemplating building an Ark. The grass and weeds are growing every time you turn your back on them, at least with the sodden ground the weeds are easier to pull out whenever you get the opportunity to get  out there between downpours. I had always wondered what it was like to be six feet tall, I found out with the accumulation of mud on the soles of my boots. I swear that Bulgarian mud would make an excellent glue.

The rivers and lakes are all swollen with all of this water. So far I have not heard any reports of any serious flooding, or of any bursting their banks. I think that the country could do without a repetition of a dam failing like earlier in the year. I have checked on the various weather forecasts and we are not out of the woods yet, although hopefully we are in for a couple of drier days. Which would be much appreciated, as there is always a lot to do at this time of year. It would be nice to look out of the window and actually see some blue skies for a change, there isn't even much bird life about at the moment, so it seems as though the inclement weather has caused them to declare a no flying period. I do keep hearing Peacocks and Pheasants though, so some of the locals must be rearing them. Their cockerels seem to be remarkably quiet at the moment, maybe it's hard to crow while wearing a snorkel.

One thing that we haven't been short of at this time of year is thunderstorms. The thunderstorms have to be seen and heard to be believed. As the village is in a dip at the top of a hill they often seem to rage around us, and it is quite spectacular to watch them. Had the weather been a bit warmer we would normally be sat out on the porch watching them. Even Fen, our Boxer, is quite content to sit out there with us while they are going on. When they are directly overhead he isn't quite so keen then. The loud rumbles of thunder even make the ground shake, and I have even heard the air sizzle with the lightning. In warmer years we would normally see the ground and roads steaming after a downpour. It might still be happening but we just can't see it thanks to the seemingly continuous rainfall.

With the rainfall we have all had problems. The new neighbours over the way foolishly parked their car on the green, it now resembles a bit of a swamp, so they have had problems moving furniture and bits and pieces from their old house in the village to this one. We have had rain entering the house. The drips coming through the ceiling in the bathroom we have encountered before. To resolve that was just a matter of me going up into the attic and reattaching the plastic sheeting that the wind had disturbed. One thing that we hadn't encountered before was the steps leading down to our cellar became a river and attempted to enter the cellar through the French windows. The only way that it managed to do it was through the ventilation holes at the bottom of the door. So armed with mops and buckets it was a matter of tidying up afterwards, I am just glad that it happened while we were here.

Another unusual occurrence was Dencho's field behind us trying to make a bid for freedom. Unfortunately it tried doing this through part of our garden wall. Luckily net noticed this before the dogs went round there. It was a case of scratching my head and figuring out where to start first. The first thing was to try and clear some of it out of the way, just so we could assess what needed doing to sort it out. The plastic sheeting was draped over to hopefully prevent anything else causing problems. Initially we got Kula, one of the locals in to give a hand. As I was shifting stone out of the way he started rebuilding the wall. Unfortunately he was meant to be working elsewhere so could only spare a couple of hours. Then like the 7th Cavalry we had a phone call from Barb and Dave, they had decided that they were coming out to give a hand with our wall. What would we do without people like those two? Luckily while in the UK they had previously done a drystone walling course, and they did make it all look so simple. As a result part of our garden wall is a hybrid between Bulgarian and English styles. The main thing is that it is up, Dencho's field is back in its rightful place, and the dogs can safely go back round there without us worrying that they are going to try escaping.

This afternoon we were down at Yolanta's trying to sort out her leaks. Hopefully we have managed that for her. We also tried to find Ringo and the kittens, but it seems as though Ringo has now moved them out of the attic. Now all we need is a few dry days to start drying the ground out, and all will be well. Before I forget for those of you in the VT area the car treasure is still going ahead next Saturday, but we will be keeping an eye out on the weather. It also seems like I have been volunteered to do some radio interviews, as we lead up to the It's A Knockout Olympic Challenge this summer.

Things Are Gathering Pace

Hopefully most of you will be aware by now, that we plan to hold an It's A Knockout style competition this summer. It started out as a friendly challenge between the ExPats in VT and those down in the Stara Zagora area. At last count we have 7 teams of 6 people, and this includes 3 Bulgarian teams. So the word is slowly spreading far and wide.Not only are we hoping to make it a fun day for everyone, we are also aiming to raise money to help equip the ambulances in the region. We have been told that they are very ill equipped, and it is something that can be of benefit to everyone. Just our collective way of putting something something back into the community that we are now part of.

At the start of the year progress was quite slow, but over recent weeks it has started to gather up a bit of a pace, and individual strands are now starting to knit together. It now seems as though we have three trophies for teams to aim to win, and these have been very kindly supplied by Trust Global Radio, McNamara's Irish Bar and the VT Times. We are hoping that this will become an annual event, and that these trophies will change hands for many years to come.

Not only have Trust Global Radio offered to donate a trophy, but Bobby Martin has very kindly said that he will compère the program of events for us, and they are also going to promote the event on his radio show. As if that wasn't enough media support, the local press are interested and also one of the Bulgarian TV networks, so on the day all those attending ought to remember to comb their hair. Nick and Nicky at the VT Camp Site have very kindly allowed us to use the site as a venue for the games, and hopefully we will get a good turn out. The first real committee meeting should be going ahead in the next few weeks, so we will know more information then.

The VT members have already started the fund raising. While delivering the VT Times Rachel got speaking with Martin McNamara, of McNamara's Irish Pub, and he kindly offered the bar as a venue for a pub quiz. So last Friday his offer was taken up. To give Rachel a hand setting up we turned up early and got chatting with Martin, which was when he kindly offered a cup. We only had to move a few tables about a bit, so that everyone could get in. In the end I think that we had 8 teams playing, and this also included some Bulgarians and Russians. I have to say a big thank you to Joe, not only did he sort out the questions, but also acted as question master on the evening. He must have been hoarse the next morning, as he did most of it without the aid of a microphone. I think that everyone had a good time, both the quiz and the raffle seemed to go down well. A very big thank you to everyone who made it all possible, and for all those who took part. Joe had even timed it perfectly so that we were finished in time to see the new light show in VT.

The next fund raising event is next month, and was suggested by a Bulgarian friend. We are holding a car treasure hunt round the towns and villages near VT. Already there has been quite a bit of interest shown on one of the local Bulgarian Facebook groups and we still have a month to go. So if you are reading this and stuck for something to do on the 26th why not come along and show your support. It is all in aid of a good cause, and the more the merrier. We hope to see you there.

Full Of Ups And Downs

It has been a strange week full of ups and downs, even the weather can't decide what it has wanted to do. We have even had a smattering of more snow just over a week ago, this was on the Sunday, and everyone had hoped that we had seen the last of it until next winter. With Monday's arrival we were greeted with bright blue skies, sunshine and heat. We decided to make the most of it, and head off into town and pay the bills and do a bit of shopping. All was going well until we started our journey home. The car, which has normally been so reliable, decided that it was going to let us down. The battery light came on as we passed through Dolna, and that was it, we were stuck at the roadside. Luckily I had been able to get her into a small pull off area, so at least we weren't blocking the road. Opening the bonnet, I did find that I could move the positive terminal on the battery, not that that helped us much. We had to get some assistance, and as far as we are aware there is nothing like the AA or RAC here. We did try phoning our mechanic, who speaks English, but he was in Popovo, his suggestion was to try and get someone to give us a tow to his garage, failing that he would get his recovery truck out to pick us up. We had to resort to phoning Dad to come and give us a hand. he turned up, closely followed by Tony and Diana, this was helpful as between us we were able to cobble enough tools together to remove the battery.  Even though it might not have been the battery causing the problem, we decided that it would be worthwhile to get a new one. Dad and I went to get one, while Net stayed with the car. While we were gone Yolanta turned up and kept Net company, and also Peter the mechanic pulled over on his way back to the garage. Dad and I put the replacement battery in, connected it up, and Net started the engine. We still had a fault light so the best option would be to take it to Peter's garage, so with Dad following we set off, and despite not getting there at any great speed we arrived without too many problems. As it wasn't the battery it could only be the belt or the alternator. Peter suspected the latter, but said that it wasn't a problem as he knew a man in Lyaskovets who repaired alternators and he would have all of the parts. We left the car at the garage, and cadged a lift home with Dad.

Tuesday was another brilliant morning, which was fortunate as we had been invited out on a mystery tour with Mum and Dad. There was no worry about our car as we were going in theirs, and they would drop us off at the garage once we had finished. Going down the ridge road we could see the distant snow capped mountains in front of us. It is not often that we actually get to see them, and even rarer that we actually have a camera with us. So the day was starting off really well. The first part of the mystery tour was to be a walk along the riverbank. We have driven across various bridges that span the river many times, but we had never actually walked along it. It is surprising just what you can find right on your own doorstep.

 The only sounds that disturbed the silence were the water rushing over the weir and the steady plod of horses and donkeys as they pulled their carts along. Butterflies were already out and about, and they flitted between the wild flowers that were actually brave enough to open. Fishermen were out on the banks trying to catch heaven only knows what, they certainly seem to be a very patient bunch. Unlike the UK there were no signs of rusting shopping trolleys or dead bicycles, but I do wish that they would remember to take their rubbish home with them. It does tend to spoil the beauty that they seem to take for granted, but with the glorious sunshine we were not going to let that spoil our day.

One thing about walking along the riverbank, it does tend to give you an appetite. This led to our next port of call, a small restaurant in Polski Trambesh. Once everyone had recharges their batteries it was time to explore Nikopolis ad Istrum. Another place on our very own doorstep, somewhere that you always felt that it is so close that we can always do it another day. Even for Mum and Dad who have been here for about six years. Situated near the village of Nikyup, the access roads were not brilliant, but then again after the winter what roads in Bulgaria are?

I have to say that you do get an amazing sense of history walking around here amongst the ruins. It has been settled at various times throughout its history. Originally it was built on the order of the Emperor Trajan, to celebrate his victory over the Dacians, and was one of several built across the Balkans. Built along the classic lines of a Roman town of that period, the city's main roads pointed to each of the cardinal compass points. We entered though what would have been the position of the gate in the north wall, and meandered our way towards what would have been the centre of the city, walking on large paving slabs. Who knows how many feet have walked over those same slabs during the course of history.

There are plenty of carvings still evident on the surviving masonry, and it is surprising just how clear they still look today. While we were looking at some of the grave monuments it was easy to pick out a face emblazoned on a sunburst. We surmised that it might have been something to do with one of the ancient deitys, possibly Helios who was the sun god in ancient Greek mythology. Some of the inscriptions on the masonry are still clearly legible, and we were able to see both Latin and Greek characters. As it was just the four of us wandering about, the peace and tranquillity was undisturbed. I just hope that the local schools make use of this history right on their doorstep, history would be so much easier to learn about when you can actually see an example with your own eyes. We will definitely take the family there the next time that they come over. I must remember to keep hold of the little ones hands to prevent then disappearing down a culvert that runs underneath the main street.

  All in all I found it more worthwhile than a trip round Tsaravets, and will gladly return another time. Our trip over, it was back to the garage to find out what was happening with the car. It wasn't ready, as the chap in Lyaskovets didn't have the parts. Peter had managed to order them and was just waiting for them to turn up. They arrived on the Wednesday, and although the alternator worked on the bench, it didn't work in the car, so Peter got one from a scrapyard. We had the phone call, letting us know that the car was ready to be collected, but decided to wait until Thursday as Mum and Dad were going in then and I could scrounge yet another lift. It was early in the morning and I anticipated that I would be back in plenty of time to give a hand taking SillyO down to Yolanta's to keep her appointment with the travelling vet.
As Sod's Law would have it I broke down again on the way home. As I moved out of the way of a flying Dustcart, the car stalled and no matter what I did she refused to start. So back on the phone to Peter, he was going to send out his recovery truck, and I also phoned Net up to let her know what was happening. After a while I was able to restart the car, so had to phone Peter up and cancel the recovery, and finally made it home in time to take SillyO for her appointment.
Between the two of them Net and Yolanta had decided that SillyO and Yolanta's cat, Ringo, were going to be speyed at the same time. Unfortunately Ringo will have to be done at a later date, as she is with kittens, but SillyO has been walking round quite gingerly. She is a lot more mobile than she was, and I have even seen her up a tree.
On Sunday we had our first ramble of the season, and I think that everyone enjoyed themselves. We went for a traipse across fields and up hills around Momin Sbor. It was definitely a case that boots were needed, as we must have all ended up a few inches taller due to the accumulation of mud. At times it was like walking with a pair of diving boots on, our legs must have had a good workout. We were confronted with different weather during the ramble, one minute sunshine and the next hammering down with rain. At the end we all went back to Norma's for a quick drink, but she had done us all proud by laying on a lavish spread. So if you are reading this Norma, once again a very big thank you. The car seems to be behaving itself now, and made it to Momin Sbor and back without a hiccup.