Our Drive Out :- Day One Part One

It has just occured to me that many will not have had a chance to read this travel blog of our journey out, so I have just dug it out 






Day One: Part One

The previous night we had had a text message from Oggi saying that the lorry would be with us at about 9 o’clock in the morning, as the lorry had a trailer on the back of it could we suggest a secure lorry park where the driver could leave his trailer. Luckily we live in Poole so we thought that the ferry port would have facilities, a quick call to our youngest daughter’s other half (a Policeman) confirmed that this would be the best option.

An early start for us on the Saturday morning included putting harnesses onto the dog (Fenric) and the 3 cats (Greebo, Luna and Stinky Tinks). Fenric was put into the garage to keep him out of the way, and the cats went into their boxes, much to their disgust. We took final gas and electric readings and with a final cup of tea phoned them through. The family started arriving just before 9, ready to give a hand loading the lorry.

Another text from Oggi saying that the driver was not able to leave his trailer at the ferry port as it was for ferry traffic only, could we suggest anywhere else? As we were replying this massive artic and trailer turned into our road. Luckily our neighbours had parked on our side of the road effectively holding enough parking space for lorry and trailer, they were all quite happy to give up their parking spaces, maybe they were just happy to finally be getting rid of us.

The rest of the family arrived and the loading of the lorry got under way. Oggi had calculated that with 4 men it would take 4 hours, with the family lifting and shifting and the driver organising it took 2 and a half, even with an interfering Grandson trying to take over from the driver. A call from one of our Granddaughters informed us that one of the cats had exploded, on walking into the kitchen we understood what she meant. We know that the cats dislike their boxes with a passion but this was a new one on us, So it was Greebo out of his box, Jannette wiping him down with wet wipes while I cleaned out his box, thank heavens for French windows as we needed all of the fresh air that we could get.

The lorry was all loaded and the paperwork all signed, as the lorry gingerly drove away through the parked cars lining both sides of the road we thought that finally we were actually on our way. One final thing to do before we set off ourselves, a family breakfast, so 7 adults and 6 Grand kids descended on our local cafe for a final full English.

Breakfast done and it was time to load up Jannette’s 4x4 with the pets and the final bits and pieces, Fenric ending up with most room. Passports, both ours and the pets, were checked and double checked along with the ferry booking details. That was it, we were almost off, no mess, no fuss, no fanfares we were actually going. Just the final goodbyes to say, our next door neighbour’s gave us a lovely card wishing us well in our new life. Then it was the families turn, most were fine but our youngest daughter’s eyes started to water and that nearly set Jannette off. Kisses and cuddles all round and then it was our turn to load ourselves into the 4x4, as I’d not driven it before it was decided that I would drive to get used to her before getting to grips with driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road.

The Boss Is Away

As I write this Net is in the hospital in Razgrad, no don't panic everything is alright. A friend of ours has had to go in and have an operation on her ankle. Unfortunately her Mother is also in hospital, albeit a different one, so Net has volunteered to go over and help out. I don't know about anyone else, but I have always found hospital stays to be mind numbingly boring. It is also much nicer to wake up from an operation to see a friendly face there. Anyway we had to alter various plans that had previously been made and make sure that Net had enough bits and bobs to cover all eventualities. So yesterday it was a case of loading Net and her bits and pieces into the car and taking her over to our friends so that they could both go to the hospital together. It was quite fortunate that we went when we did, as just inside the borders of the village of Kamen we saw two Storks sat upon their nest.

We had passed other nests and open fields but these were the first two that we actually spotted. People have been reporting that the Storks are out and about in the country. It has also meant that we can now remove our Martenitsi, ours are now  hanging in fruit trees in the garden. They might have started off as red and white, but seeing as we have been wearing them since the start of the month they are looking a bit dishevelled, and now appear more red and grey. I say that it was fortunate that we saw them when we did, as even though I did look for them on my return journey there was no sign of them anywhere. For some strange reason we don't have any Stork nests in the village, or if there is one we have never managed to find it. Even though they are fascinating birds to watch I wouldn't really want them next to the house as they do make a bit of a racket with their beaks, and who knows what the cats and dogs would make of them.

So my first job on getting home was to tie the Martenitsi in fruit trees. Well it would have been but I had noticed a message taped to our gate. A courier company had tried to deliver something to us while I was dropping Net off. The only problem was that it wasn't for us it was for a neighbour down the road and she had been waiting for them to turn up. Luckily there was a contact number at the bottom so hopefully she was able to get it sorted out. So the message eventually got delivered to the correct address, and our Martenitsi are now adorning some fruit trees in the garden.

So at home at the moment there is just me and the animals. I think that I am meant to be in charge but the rest of the motley crew seem to have other ideas, and Mr Cat definitely thinks that he and Albert are in charge. I get looks of complete and utter disdain if I make too much noise while I am doing the housework and it disturbs their rest. Mini will complain if I am a couple of minutes late with their breakfast, and SillyO just tries attacking anything and everything. The dogs want food, attention and warmth, not neccessarily in that order but preferably all together. I have tried explaining that there are three dogs and I only have two hands, to make their feelings known they try gassing me. The dogs made sure that I had enough wood sorted out so that they could have their fire in the evening, no wonder people say that it is a dog's life, our three don't do so bad. 

Yesterday afternoon was spent painting that white Var stuff on the fruit. i have often asked what it is for and have received various different answers. The two that seem to make most sense are that insects are easier for birds to spot and so eat. The other being that walking and boring bugs don't like the lime so look elsewhere. The last one is probably correct as I have previously seen ants 'farming' the aphids. Whatever the purpose it also looks neat and tidy, and gives the impression that someone is caring for the garden. It is a bit like trying to paint porridge onto the bottom metre of the trunk. I think that I was doing it properly, although Sirrius did try washing it off of one tree just after I had finished 'painting' it. 

This morning started off with brilliant sunshine so I was quite looking forward to working out in the garden today. I did the normal routine of sorting the animals out, sorting myself out and then the housework. Believe or not ladies, us menfolk aren't totally helpless in these matters. I might even have a stab at the laundry tomorrow, if I'm lucky nothing will end up pink.

Once I got outside it was a matter of getting the patio furniture back out from under the barn where I had stowed it to avoid the winds from the other day. The sunloungers were given a quick test by Albert, and seemed to meet with his approval. I had got halfway through putting Var on one of the walnut trees outside when the wind started picking up again, the sky turned grey and it started to spit with rain. So the patio furniture was put back under the barn before I finished with the walnut tree. I will probably find that the rain has washed it all off, and so I will have to start again, but there is that great smell of damp earth.

The good news is that all of the animals apart from Mini are indoors and trying to gas each other. The fire is lit and I have my coffee. I shall have to go and see what I fancy for tea, so I shall leave you to read this latest blog in peace

Thar She Blows!

As I write this blog the Bulgarian National Weather Service has placed 22 districts under code yellow due to gusty wind conditions. These regions are Vidin, Vratsa, Montana, Lovech, Pleven, Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, targovishte, Shumen, Razgrad, Silistra, Dobrich, Varna, Burgas, Yambol, Haskovo, Stara Zagora, Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, Smolyan and Kardzhali. Code yellow means potentially dangerous weather conditions, and that people should exercise caution. Code Orange has been raised for the Sliven region. This means intense weather conditions with potential damage, injuries and possibly even fatalities. People are advised to stay indoors and only venture outside if they have to.

Yesterday it seems as though Gabrovo and Veliko Tarnovo bore the brunt of things, when we were on our Code Orange status. Unfortunately in Gabrovo there was a fatality as a young lady was hit when some scaffolding was affected by the wind. Across the two regions, trees have been blown down, buildings damaged and the fire departments have been kept very busy. Several areas have suffered power outages as a result, as power lines have been damaged. Hurricane force wind speeds have been recorded at over 120 kmph, and there have been even stronger gusts.

So for our region the winds have abated somewhat. They are certainly no longer roaring round the house. When we hear how other people have fared in the storms we have got off very lightly, even if we do live at the top of a hill. Though luckily the village nestles in a hollow at the hilltop, so maybe the wind was just whistling across the top, and not bothering to stop. We were watching the pine tree in Baba Donka's back garden. Even though she is no longer with us we still refer to it as her house. The wind was certainly giving that tree a going over, and this morning I have noticed a few broken branches. 

Even when I went round to the magazin to get bread this morning the only signs that I noticed were a few broken branches laying in the road. One good thing has been that a lot of the rubbish that tends to surround some of the gypsy houses is no longer evident. The downside being that it will have ended up either in someoone else's garden or out in the countryside. As for ourselves we seem to have got away with things very lightly, our roofs are intact, the patio furniture hasn't gone on a tour of the village, a few plant pots have moved but that seems to be about it. The daft thing is that shortly after we moved here we bought a bamboo wind chime, an English neighbour asked why we had bought one of those as we don't get wind in Bulgaria. I hope that he was looking out of his window last night, as he might have noticed a few gusts of wind.

The animals were not overly keen on the weather yesterday. They only went outside when they had to, and even then they were haddled back in front of the fire as soon as they could. Here we can see Fenric and SillyO hogging the fire. Fenric is the only one of our dogs wo will put up with SillyO, for a small cat when she stretches out she seems to take up an awful lot of room. No tail or nose is safe from her claws either. They do seem to enjoy their creature comforts, but with the weather slowly warming and the days getting longer we won't be lighting the fires as often. Having said that after the wind and rain of yesterday it does feel rather chilly today. As I said on a previous blog Baba marta can be a fickle old lady, with sunshine one day and storms the next. On a much happier note, whilst I was walking round the village I noticed plenty of signs to let us all know that Spring is just round the corner. Some people have been lucky enough to have seen Storks already, if there were any flying round this way yesterday I think that they have probably been blown slightly off course.

Google Street View comes to Bulgaria

As of today people from across the globe can now virtually explore the majority of Bulgaria. This is thanks to the release of Google Street View from Bulgaria. The country is now the 48th one to have this street view linked with Google maps. The majority of the picture taking was done over the past year, and it must have been fraught with challenges. However it does possibly answer one question, and that was the purpose of numerous road markings that mysteriously appeared. By all accounts the vast majority of the country has now been covered. Although in our village it seems as though the only coverage has been limited to the 'main' roads. As we live up a side road our house has not been included, maybe that isn't such a bad thing though.

Much has been said that faces and number plates will be blurred to protect, or respect, an individual's privacy. It is quite interesting to look at these images and think back to the weather of this time last year. You will be following a clear road in the sunshine and all of a sudden it is snow covered. A reminder about just how changeable the weather can be at this time of year. I can see that this will prove to be a useful tool, especially when it comes to navigating your way round somewhere that you have never been before. Directions are all well and good but if they can be also linked to landmarks then it does make it so much easier.

Even when you have accessed the Street View programme there are still other options for you to employ. You can look left and right, as well as up and down. All of this is because when the camera car has been touring round, up to 15 different cameras have been utilised at the same time. This allows the user to explore somewhere through a complete 360 degrees. It really is a remarkable programme and thanks to it I have had a nose at houses where we used to live, and seen any changes that have been made. It also does jog the memory when you see a particular landmark that you haven't seen for a while. Even if it is a pub sign, although some pubs that we used to frequent are no longer there.

It has to be said that Google have been quite determined in their approach. Certainly in other countries where it has proved impossible to gain access to some areas by vehicle, they have had people go in on foot. The Bulgarian roads must have posed quite a challenge with their famous potholes, but they seem to have overcome this problem.

Some people have been having problems accessing the Street View programme so here is a brief overview of how I have managed to do so. As to whether this is the right way or the wrong way remains to be seen, but for me it works.

1. Open up Google maps 
2. Select the area you wish to see
3. Zoom in as close as you wish
4. Click on the yellow figure at the top of the zooming slide
5. Drag it over to the area you wish to check
6. If the road turns blue then the Street View programme is available
7. Using the provided tools you can pan left and right, or tilt up and down

I hope that everyone has fun using this, as not even Google could manage all of the roads in Bulgaria so if your house or street is featured then maybe your roads are not as bad as you once thought.

National Liberation Day - March 3rd

Today is a very important day in the Bulgarian calendar. This year marks 135 years of Bulgaria's Liberation from under the Ottoman yoke, where they had been held for five centuries. The actual Independence Day is celebrated later in the year in September. Today commemorates the signing of the San Stefano peace treaty in 1878 between the Empires of Russia and Turkey, which enabled the Bulgarian nation to re-emerge, although that wasn't the final version of the peace treaty.

This peace treaty came at the end of the war of Liberaion which was fought between 1877 and 1878. The Russians became involved due to attrocities that the Ottomans had carried out against the  Bulgarians in the April uprising of 1876. Fortunately it was reported by an American journalist who was working for the British press. There are many famous names linked to the Independence movement of the 1870s, some are even known to us foreigners. People such as Hristo Botev, Georgi Rakovski, Lyuben Karavelov and Vassil Levski were leading figures in the Independence movement but the deciding factor in ousting the Turks was the Russian involvement. This was when Tsar Alexander II of Russia declared war against the Ottoman Empire, over concerns about treatment of orthodox christians in Bulgaria. After the liberation Bulgaria came under Russian administration for a couple of years, but it also allowed Bulgaria a gradual transition to achieving nationhood once again.

Today there are celebrations being held throughout the country. There are normally large solemn celebrations held at the memorial atop the Shipka Pass, which was where fierce fighting took place during the war. Flowers and notes of thanks are often placed at the various liberation momorials. 

This year the are also various protests being held across the country, but the organisers are hoping that these protests will pass peacefully. In Varna people are being asked to wear a badge depicting a flame. This is in recognition of Plamen Goranov, a 36 year old who set himself on fire as an act of protest. In a village of this size not a lot happens, as people tend to head into the surrounding towns or the city of Veliko Turnovo. Despite a chilly start we now have sunshine and clear blue skies, a change from the snows of previous years.

So to all of our Bulgarian friends we would like to say

Честит национален празник на България! Честит 3-ти март на всички българи!

Happy National Day of Bulgaria! Happy March 3 to all Bulgarians!

Честита Баба мартa

Friday marks the end of February and the start of March, it is also one of my favourite Bulgarian celebrations. It is a celebration to welcome the coming of Spring and the waning of Winter. It is depicted by a cranky old lady called Baba Marta, or Grandmother Marta. Marta being a play on words for March, the month being Mart in Bulgarian. Weather wise it is quite similar to April in the UK, one day it can be brilliant sunshine and the next you can be confronted by all sorts of weather. So the weather can be as contrary as an old lady, one day she can be all sweetness and light, but the next it could be like she has been on a diet of vinegar and lemons. Definitely not an old lady to mess with, and one who will keep you on your toes.

To mark the first day of March, Bulgarians exchange Martenitsi. These are the red and white ornaments, made from twisted threads and are often worn around the wrist or neck, pinned to clothing, or even decorating doors and vehicles, some people even buy them for their pets to wear. At this time of year there are many stalls selling these Martenitsi, but there are still those who prefer to hand make them for their friends and family. For many these  Martenitsi will be worn until they see the first Stork or the first fruit tree in blossom,at which time they can be removed and hung from the closest fruit tree. The colours are quite significant, with white symbolising strength, purity and happiness, and the red with health, blood and fertility. Quite often you will find that a couple of figures are represented, and these are known as Pizho and Penda.

Pizho is the male figure, and can be identified by being mainly white. As you might expect the mainly red figure is the female of the two, and is called Penda. A Martenitsa can be thought of as an amulet and is used for protection against Baba Marta, whose mercurial temperament can cause unexpected misfortune. Baba Marta is gentler and more forgiving to the person who wears a Martenitsa. Some feel that a Martenitsa can also be used for fortune telling or to encourage the desirable outcome of a wish. Some also believe that wearing a Martenitsa will also hasten the coming of Spring. I have to admit that as soon as I see the Martenitsi stalls I psychologically feel that warmer weather is just around the corner. It is a tradition that has been upheld in Bulgaria for a long time, and you will often find trees that are adorned with martenitsi from not only the current year but also from years gone by. We do tend to go by the first Stork before we remove ours, and it has been known for us to drive around looking for the Storks.

The legends behind the Martenitsa are numerous, and many think that they date back to the founding of the first Bulgarian state in 681AD. Whatever the origins of this tradition it is one in which we happily partake.  It is such a popular tradition amongst Bulgarians that even those in foreign countries still observe it, and as Bulgarians venture further and further afield, more people are coming into contact with this wonderful custom. As I have previously mentioned for me it helps to break through that psychological barrier between the two seasons. I know that we can still get snow, but the likelihood does tend to diminish as we progress further into the year, and this celebration for me is a good mile stone. 

So on Friday please remember to hand out your Martenitsi to your family and friends. Also remember to wish them Честита Баба мартa (Chestita Baba Marta).

Totally unrelated I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my heartfelt thanks to all of you who took the time to read my previous blog. Thanks to you all reading and sharing it, the number of times that our blogs have been accessed is now over 7000 times. A particularly big thank you goes to all who provided such positive feedback, both Bulgarians and ExPats. It is nice knowing that so many people enjoy reading these blogs. In case you are wondering about the Martenitsa on the right, it is probably me on the left and Net on the right, even if the colours are the wrong way round.  

Why Bulgaria?

People are still leaving the UK and heading for a new life in Bulgaria, quite a lot are retirees looking for a better quality of life. There are still plenty with a pioneering spirit who feel that they have found a niche market where their skills or products will be enough to earn them a living. One common question that their friends and relatives ask is, why Bulgaria? Most who then go on to denigrate Bulgaria are often the ones who have never actually been to Bulgaria, or their sole dealing with Bulgaria has been a package holiday at Sunny Beach. Hardly typical of the true Bulgaria that many of us have come to know and love. So maybe the next time that someone asks you why Bulgaria, you can point them in the direction of this blog.

Bulgaria is still in Europe, many will say that it is totally different to anywhere else in Europe, but surely as an island nation the same argument could be levelled at the UK. Despite it being situated in Eastern Europe Communism is not the sole influence on this country as many of the uninformed seem to think. This country is steeped in history, and you are never far away from it. The capital city has changed location on several occasions as needs have dictated, and castles and fortresses are still in existence at these sites. The tourist industry on the Black sea coast is a much more recent addition to the attractions of Bulgaria. Yet those who only spend their time there miss out on so much that Bulgaria has to offer, all that they need to do is head in land for a few miles to begin to find the true Bulgaria.

I remember the first time that Net and I came to Bulgaria on a property viewing trip, and as soon as we left the airport in Sofia the first thing that we were faced with was a large gypsy area. Hardly a good advert for the country, but we soon noticed the countryside changing and we were soon hooked. The scenery is forever changing along with the seasons. There is so much of Bulgaria that is unspoilt, and hopefully it will remain that way for a long time. As you travel the country from the mountains in the West to the coastline in the East, or from the Danube plains in the North to more mountains in the South there are large areas still teeming with wildlife. Yes there is a littering problem that is a bit upsetting, but the younger Bulgarians are becoming greener and more ecologically aware, so various clean up programs are carried out throughout the year. The middle aged are often the culprits as they seem to feel that someone else will clean up after them. There are lakes and rivers criss crossing the country, and where there is water there is nature. We have seen Deer, Wild Boar, Pine Martens and all kinds of reptiles, and that is just in the area round the village where we live.

The pace of life is a lot slower than that in the UK, and it does take a bit of getting used to, but the good thing is that you will notice so much more. There is not the hustle and bustle, or the volume of traffic on the roads. One thing that has surprised me is that the Bulgarians, who are so pleasant and helpful, suffer a complete change in character as soon as they get behind a wheel of a car. The good thing is that I don't have to be anywhere by a certain time, so if they want to overtake in stupid places they can carry on. It is a bit disconcerting if you are using public transport that they have pictures of Saints inside the buses, do they know something that you don't?

As I have said the Bularians themselves are a warm, kind and generous people. They are always willing to offer help and advice. I have come to realise that they really do like to see the foreigners doing the same kind of things that they do. For example we live in a village, and the majority of the villagers grow  their own fruit and vegetables, we have a garden and we do the same. The first year we were doing things the same way that we would in the UK, but it was pointed out that if we planted in trenches we would only have to water the trench and not waste water by getting it where we don't need it. It really is that simple but they were pleased that we were using the garden in much the same way as themselves. Some might say about the language but it doesn't take long for you to start picking up bits and pieces, and you would be surprised that even if you make a complete hash of the language your neighbours will appreciate that you have made the effort to try.

You also have to try the food, now as many will confirm back in the UK I would avoid eating salads if I possibly could. Now in Bulgaria and with everything being so much fresher, and often locally grown, food does have a much better taste. Even I have been known to order and eat a Shopska salad, and quite often because of the weather we will be sat outside just watching the world go by. In all of the time that we have been here I think that we have only ever had a couple of meals that were not nice. Even the old habit of meals coming out at different times is getting much better, and I can not remember the last time that a dessert came out before a main course. Unfortunately the likes of McDonalds has made it to Bulgaria, but do your stomach a favour and go where the locals go. For one thing the food will be much better, and a lot of the time it will also be a lot cheaper.

Many will have seen that Bulgaria has been in the news just recently. The latest being that the government has all resigned this week. This has largely been down to protests across the country. These protests have mainly been aimed at the 3 electrical supply companies who have been steadily increasing prices and providing a worsening service. For a country the size of Bulgaria there are just the 3 power companies, and they are all foreign. We have known a couple of small scale protests but nothing on the level of these recent ones, where they have largely been countrywide. Even as foreigners we have also been invited to join, and as they have so rightly pointed out we are also affected. The main reason that people will have heard of Bulgaria, and Romania, recently will have been due to all of the scare mongering that has been going on in the UK press the past few weeks.

A lot of it seems to stem from what will happen in January 2014 when Bulgaria and Romania get full rights within the EU. If you were to believe everything that has been written in the newspapers then the UK is going to be deluged by more than the existing populations of the two countries. This is clearly a stupid argument but the tabloids have been making a lot of noise about this, and not only the press but also some of the fringe politicians. I can understand how upsetting it must be for Bulgarians, they are a proud people but the message that they are recieving is that they are not welcome. Nothing is mentioned about the numerous professional Bulgarians and Romanians who are already making a valuable contribution to society in the UK. Yet thanks to the UK press, some of the uneducated have decided to conduct their own versions of witch hunts and tell some Bulgarians, who have been in the country for years (earning and paying taxes) that they are not welcome. This is meant to be the 21st Century not 1930s Germany. Even the Charge d'Affaire from the Embassy in Sofia has been giving interviews trying to calm the situation.

The Bulgarian press have also been reporting things with their own slant, and certain nationalist parties in Bulgaria have been holding protests outside of the embassy in Sofia. The ExPat community have not escaped things either, with there having been some spats and name calling. For why? Lazy journalism, but as they do say sensationalism sells, for the time being it seems to have cooled down but it might well flare up as next January gets closer. Personally I am quite proud to say that I do count Bulgarians amongst my friends. I never thought that I would say this but I actually agree with one thing that Nick Griffin, the head of the BNP, has reportedly said. He claims that the reason behind this is that "Bulgarians are white and Christian", maybe he is not far off of the mark in PC Britain. Maybe another thing which seems to have been conveniently overlooked are the criminal elements who are already there in the UK. Just because their passports might say Bulgaria or Romania on them does not automatically that they are who Bulgarians and Romanians would class as their countrymen. So these press articles and statements from Politicians are causing untold strife and harm, but they have little or no understanding about the situations that they have helped to cause. Instead they are undoing an awful lot of good work that various groups and forums have done over the years. So if anyone is in two minds about moving out here I would whole heartedly say to them do not give up your plans or your dreams.