Why Bulgaria? Fed up with waiting all year for British summers to arrive only to be dealt a measly two weeks at the most of decent warm weather (even then you couldn't predict when that would be) we were looking to move to a country where summers were summers and winters were shorter and less damp than a typical northern European winter. But ultimately, we were looking for more than that. We are looking for a new life away from the intrusions of modern living, a country which still retains its old ways of life. Where foraging in woods, tending vegetable plots, and processing all your own food is a normal way of life. With friendly and hospitable people, natural forest, wild rivers, swimming holes and canyons to explore, Bulgaria offered us the perfect location to start a new adventure. Even better, its location is only a train ride to the mediteranean, central asia, Russia and the rest of the Balkans. In fact, our globe trotting days are hopefully just beginning all over again!
After a initial visits in October 2013, we found a beautiful village with the perfect house situated in the foothills of the Stara Planina mountain range south west of Veliko Tarnovo. We took ownership of our house now named 'Arkadia' in December 2013. The picture below shows 'Arkadia' from the road. The house is situated just before you get to the main village square. Like this house, many houses in Bulgaria turn away from the road and face south to maximise the warming rays of the sun in winter. Typically plots of land are over 1000m2 and are found at the front of the house where traditionally animals graze and vegetables are grown. 'Arkadia' has two attaching barns which we intend to turn into a kitchen living area and an adjoining outdoor summer kitchen and hopefully an art studio.
One of our first jobs when we go back to Bulgaria in January is to take away the lean to. This barn is intended to be a kitchen living area with the adjoining double storey barn being turned into a utility room, shower room and downstairs summer kitchen. In the heat of the summer, in rural areas most Bulgarians cook outside on stoves and wood ovens, bottling and preparing their home grown produce. Uptairs, eventually, I would love to create an art studio.
This is Chris's barn and workshop where all the good work will hopefully happen!
Roughly where myself and Billy the Builder (and good neighbour) are stood is the end of the garden. However, we are currently in the process of purchasing the derelict house and land beyond the garden to provide us with more land for crop growing and another future renovation project.
The views from the house are stunning. The small village of Skalso is nestled just below the left hand crag. Centre right is a newly planted plum orchard for making rakki. I can't wait to see the blossoms in spring.
Finally a few photos of beautiful Veliko Tarnovo and the countryside. The picture below shows Tsaravets, the walled fortress in Veliko Tarnovo. Below this is a picture of the houses clinging to the side of the canyon which runs around VT with the victory monument in the foreground.
The open road, not a car in sight!
One of the many natural pools formed in the Karst served by trickling waterfalls.
We are travelling back to Bulgaria mid January to start clearing out the house, discuss the renovations and preparing for our arrival later this year. The weather will the cold and snowy as the Bulgarian winter is finally arriving when we arrive! More pictures and update to follow soon.
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