sedemnayset i polovin

Thats 17 and a half for those of you who cant keep up.

Thanks again to the barbarian for his insight into our little world (see post below) and indeed for his help in that rainy week in September. He was a hero, even if he did lose the pizza competition.

It's been hot again for the last week or two, so all thoughts of woolly jumpers, rain and an imminent winter have all but disappeared along with the lettuce at the market. I have realised that it has been months since I last posted anything significant, let alone interesting, so will try to make it up with another fascinating tale of adventure in the former eastern block - failing that I'll make something up... again.

Although i'm still in my shorts it's becoming decidedly autumnal at the moment; scrumping for apples, making home brew, stomping grapes for wine and chucking conkers at stray cats (got one worth a 6er in my collection if anyone wants a challenge - got to be better than scrabbulous? - could call it catkers maybe?). The crazy Bulgars are brewing like mad at the moment in preparation for a drunken and therefore relatively painless winter; with homemade wine and brandy top of the menu accompanied by some particularly nasty sounding pickles (soured cucumbers in brine being a potential hazard in the coming months). The markets are pretty well stocked too, although only if you like peppers and cauliflower... see:


In reality, the fruit and veg markets here are outstanding. My particular favourite is in Sevlievo, our long forgotten home here between April and August last year. Every Friday, the local area converges upon the town which is taken over by market traders, dirty gypos and carnival folk who try to sell you just about anything to make ends meet including home made axes, huge knickers, home modified motorised pedal bikes or that bit of pipe you need to fix the radiator in't downstairs bog. The fruit and veg section is particularly brilliant with up to 40 stalls all selling exactly the same goods (see above). Furthermore, the houses next to the market are transformed into fast food heaven/hell as the locals feast on barely cooked meatballs and cold chips (which I shouldn't sneer at too much as I am also a regular these days). Sevlievo pazar is one of the regions highlights in my opinion; I imagine it to be as close to real life time travel, without the requirement for a Delorean and with more pensioners pushing in front of you.

So anyway - apart from swanning about at the market what have we been up to? Well piss loads actually. Since my last proper post we have:

- Sold off Sam's mum to Bob the fisherman in Cornwall (congratulations again to you both);
- Been sick at aforementioned wedding to commemorate the day;
- Had Clayson over to stay in Gabrovo, built a french drain, ate a meatball fantasy, went to the house of humour and satire, and polished off a pizza bigger than a premature baby;
- Had a surprise visit from Danny Coward (friend from school who i havent seen in 10 years) and girlfriend Krista who are cycling from London to Tibet (foolish) http://www.ridehimalaya.com/blog/;
- Been on the dodgems where head to head collisions are encouraged (Sevlievo Pazar again, brilliant!);
- Put up our guttering and facia boards on the house and fixed the roof ready for winter; and
- Negotiated two new, bespoke doors to secure the house with a local chippy, in Bulgarian no less.



So all is going well.

With a UK (alright world) recession under way, we have also been preparing ourselves for life in the UK with no money. As such I am now the proud owner of some pretty snazzy new (ok second hand) threads which, bought by the kilo, turned out to be super cheap, if a bit 'last season'. You'll all be right jealous when I get home. Taking orders for x-mas jumpers, leather jackets and ski wear if you're keen - might start an internet shop to ship them all back to Western Europe, which is where most of them have come from in the first place! Forget the spoons and knives, thats what I call irony Alanis you twat.

Until next time - ciao ciao i lek den