Ta Da! I've just realised this is my 250th blog post! Doesn't time fly quickly when you're having fun? or at least it does when you're prone to waffling on in a blog.
Admittedly I haven't been blogging as much lately but there's only so many times you can write about the weather (oh and we've had more snow overnight!). But soon things will change, I'll be able to get outside more often and fingers crossed I may even be wearing my shorts in the next 6 weeks and can pack the winter wear away for at least 6 months.
There will be an influx of people to Bulgaria over the next few months, holidaymakers, sightseers and those looking to buy property. Property prices are still cheap and I'm always being asked to sell property in the village for the locals. Just this morning a woman stopped me and asked if I knew anyone looking for a nice house.
There are literally thousands of houses and plots of land for sale in Bulgaria and almost as many estate agents too. It's really confusing and can be trying buying property here, especially as anyone can be an estate agent and there is no governing or regulating body controlling estate agents. Plus properties can be advertised with as many agents as the owner wants and not always at the same price.
Hopefully we'll get a bit more renovation work done this year and have time to sit back and enjoy life. I'm already looking forward to having another pig roast, spending evenings sat outside chatting and having a dip in the pool when it's really hot. But before all of that there's the yearly house taxes to pay, the company accounts to be submitted and a load of other things that can't be put off until another time.
Friday, 4 March 2011
Thursday, 3 March 2011
National Liberation Day
Today is a holiday in Bulgaria, much like a bank holiday in the UK as most businesses will be closed and the schools are off. It's National Liberation Day, celebrating the end of 500 years of Ottoman rule under the treaty of San Stefano.
More information about this holiday can be found Here.
Bulgaria has some lovely customs and the people do like to celebrate their holidays in style. Over the last few years we've managed to be involved with most of the village celebrations and it's great to be included. My favourites are Easter and also Baba Marta which was also celebrated this week and we're wearing our martenitza's until we see the storks come back to nest.
Easter is lovely here and nothing like the commercial holiday it's become in the UK. Chocolate eggs are not given, but instead we paint or dye hens eggs and eat lovely sweet bread called Kozenak. I'll blog more about it at the time.
More information about this holiday can be found Here.
Bulgaria has some lovely customs and the people do like to celebrate their holidays in style. Over the last few years we've managed to be involved with most of the village celebrations and it's great to be included. My favourites are Easter and also Baba Marta which was also celebrated this week and we're wearing our martenitza's until we see the storks come back to nest.
Easter is lovely here and nothing like the commercial holiday it's become in the UK. Chocolate eggs are not given, but instead we paint or dye hens eggs and eat lovely sweet bread called Kozenak. I'll blog more about it at the time.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Chestita Baba Marta
Once again it's the start of March and for the Bulgarians that means Martenitza's. Lovely red and white bracelets or broaches given to friends on the 1st of March to appease Baba Marta.
I really do like this tradition and so do the kids, who were busy last night making red and white plaited bands for all of their friends at school. Last year I blogged a piece about the day so here's a link to it for anyone that would like to have a look. Baba Marta
We still have snow on the ground despite a week's reprieve and higher temperatures. Just goes to show how unpredictable things can be here weather wise. One day we were out in the garden working in T-shirts in +17 degrees C and the next the snow was back again. Temperatures have been pretty low and rarely above freezing for the last week, even during the daytime. And according to news reports we're to have a week of higher temperatures mid march then back down to freezing again. Best not put the thermals away yet!
Still spring is only just around the corner then the hard work will start again. We've got fence building, gardening and planting to do, a compost heap to spread and various other outside jobs that need attention this year. Sounds like it will be a busy year and I'm looking forward to it.
I really do like this tradition and so do the kids, who were busy last night making red and white plaited bands for all of their friends at school. Last year I blogged a piece about the day so here's a link to it for anyone that would like to have a look. Baba Marta
We still have snow on the ground despite a week's reprieve and higher temperatures. Just goes to show how unpredictable things can be here weather wise. One day we were out in the garden working in T-shirts in +17 degrees C and the next the snow was back again. Temperatures have been pretty low and rarely above freezing for the last week, even during the daytime. And according to news reports we're to have a week of higher temperatures mid march then back down to freezing again. Best not put the thermals away yet!
Still spring is only just around the corner then the hard work will start again. We've got fence building, gardening and planting to do, a compost heap to spread and various other outside jobs that need attention this year. Sounds like it will be a busy year and I'm looking forward to it.
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