June 30th and the first really wet day since being back!!!

Having spent much of the time back in UK visiting our large family travelling from Scotland down to Devon with Kent and London on the way.

 My husband and my eldest son left North Yorkshire in the last week of March and drove overnight to catch the early Euro Tunnel crossing.  My husband having retired from managing the Northern Dales Farmers' Market bought the elderly transit van which was used to transport stalls and various bits of equipment.  Having had his arm twisted by our youngest son to do one more days snow ploughing the van was hastily packed with bits of furniture, a generator and an ancient rotavator for the garden!!  They set off in high spirits but, my heart was in my mouth would they even make it to Dover!!! I have to admit that I was quite glad to have volunteered to stay behind to help with the lambing!!!

Their progress was on target with frequent updates as to where they were on facebook finally, arriving in the village 3 days later with no breakdowns.  The old van had done them proud and with the logo still on it the Farmers' Market was well advertised throughout Europe!!! They were well fed and watered by our Bulgarian friends on arrival.

I don't need to tell most of you, that the weather in UK was appalling.  Lambing began in the snow and farmers were having to dig sheep out of snow drifts.  I didn't see much point in blogging wrapped up in a scarf in freezing Yorkshire.  It didn't help my mood to hear of the lovely weather in Bulgaria which my husband delighted in reporting on a nightly basis via skype!!

Work on the other house was progressing in the meantime and electricians and plumbers are due to come in when we get the thumbs up from the customer.  Remember, with retirebulgaria.co.uk the customer is always in charge.

I flew out at the end of April having I hope, made life a little easier on the farm.  I was met with a temperature of 27 degrees having left one of 7 degrees three hours earlier!!

After much hard work from the other half our garden is now flourishing with cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, sweetcorn not to mention what looks as though there are going to be at least 50 melons!!!  Much chutney is being made and freezing of veg. In between that is cooling off in the pool and sipping the odd alchoholic beverage!

As I have mentioned before, it is our choice to grow our own vegetables but the local markets are very well stocked and cheap.  If you choose to have a holiday home in Bulgaria growing veg. is the last thing you would be thinking of.

So, here we are today 3 months in and I think I can honestly say apart from some thunder storms at night on occasions this is the first wet day.  Time, to skype family and have a general catch up. Perhaps finally hang those pictures that are still languishing where they were unpacked - please!!!!

Renovation on the house we sold has gone well with phase 1 completed to the customer's satisfaction.  All windows replaced with double glazing and floors dug out ready for concreting and drainage.  An open plan aspect with archways throughout the ground floor was asked for so walls came down and RSJ's went up

Looking from the conservatory through what will be

the living area into the kitchen at the far end. The new wall with window was originally a garage door..The next stage will be started in March when we return.  Quotes for this have been e-mailed to the customer already for their approval.  Photographs are also e-mailed to them during each stage.  The renovation  takes place at their own speed. Oh and this customer requires a swimming pool built too - not a problem.

Since starting work we have been offered four other houses for sale in the village!!!  Price range would be somewhere between £4,000-£8000

Meanwhile in our own garden the aubergines and peppers continue to flourish so I am told!! 

Next year we intend to stay for nine months so will not have to rely on friends and neighbours to harvest the garden.  I look forward to freezing and bottling our own produce. 

I expect my Bulgarian to improve immensely over this time too!! Having said that, it is not necessary to learn the language as in Veliko Tarnovo there is more often than not an English speaking person and sign language and pointing is ok locally!!

Front of the house - the day the windows were fitted.

It took 1 day to fit all 13 windows and 4 doors at

a a price less than £2,000 including fly screens! 

With the customer's permission, I will post more pictures (when I get more adept with posting them on my blog!)

I look forward to seeing the finished article on this house in the Spring.  It is a lovely solid property with brilliant views from the balcony and a very sunny secluded aspect to it.

So, as I always say come on out join us !!!

Three days left before we have to go back to chilly UK!  Had a productive day cutting the vines back and mounding them up for Winter  thanks to our Bulgarian neighbour who kept us right!  We have learnt so much.  I had no idea how prolific aubergine and pepper plants were.

Work on the other house is moving along windows and doors all now in.  Drainage pipes and then concreting floors will be the next job.  Paid the Council Tax for the year on both properties about £55!!

Tomorrow night we are going out with some of our Bulgarian friends - I reserved a table for eight in my best Bulgarian and gained a clap from the restaurant owner!!!

Now off to cook - everything bar the meat from our own garden - so what are you waiting for come on out it's great!!!

Another bright sunny day!!  As I write, my other half is digging away in the garden ready for Winter.  Before we leave for UK it will all be turned over ready for planting in Spring.  Still have some peppers and aubergines to pick.  A friend gave me a great recipe for aubergine meat balls - delicious.

 So, back to UK at the end of the month for 3 months to help out on the farm when required and, visit all our family around the UK. Can't wait until we can hand over the farm completely!!!

We have sold the other house now but will be here to oversee the renovation - our first project!!!

Catch you later better go and look busy!!

Thursday 27th September

32 degrees here today and last finishing touches to house complete so far.  News from home not good - severe flooding and River Swale has burst it's banks and flooded road to our farm.  Only the second time in 34yrs!! However, have to let the new regime get on with it and not feel guilty (not easy!!!)

In the meantime have to harvest the rest of the aubergines and peppers!  Looking forward to my eldest son and his better half arriving tomorrow.

Thursday 27th September

32 degrees here today and last finishing touches to house complete so far.  News from home not good - severe flooding and River Swale has burst it's banks and flooded road to our farm.  Only the second time in 34yrs!! However, have to let the new regime get on with it and not feel guilty (not easy!!!)

In the meantime have to harvest the rest of the aubergines and peppers!  Looking forward to my eldest son and his better half arriving tomorrow.

Thursday 27th September