May 2009 times of Change in the Village

The Children Entertain

The Work Starts

The Digger with champagne

The Village Singing Group

A Poppy Field

May this year has been a bit different with the weather. We have had some very nice warm days but mainly humid with some showers. The thunder storms in Bulgaria are spectacular, we get our very own light show. Also the stars in the sky here are awesome, we never knew there were so many stars up there. No light pollution here to distract form the beauty of the night sky.
We in the village are excited because we have a new water main being put in and this menas the water shortage will be much alleviated for all the village. Last week we had a village celebrations to mark the pipeline work. It was well attended and dignitaries form surround villages came to celebrate with our own mayor and the villagers. The digger was launched with a bottle of champagne and the trench was started by some of the visiting dignitaries. The village singing group preformed for us and also the kindergarten children preformed it was a really nice morning in the village old and young and everyone in between turned out and had a enjoyable time. This is what makes village life so interesting. Everyone meeting and getting along together regardless of age.
We have guests in at Rock House at the moment and it is nice to have people around and about the house. We are enjoying the company and hope our guests are enjoying the village.
The crops in the garden are starting to show and soon it will be harvest time and then the work will start preparing for Winter. So much cooking, preserving etc etc. We enjoy this and the fruits are out the mulberries are sweet and juice, the strawberries are delicious, the cherries glisten in the sun and are very sweet, and most other fruits will be along soon. The grape vines were cut back hard this year and are looking as if we will have a bumper crops. May be this year we will try and make our own wine. We are sure the locals will point us in the right direction of how to do this. This is another joy of village life there is always someone ready and willing to share knowledge with us. After all these people have been doing this for years. Our fig tree is laden this year and we are looking forward to picking fresh figs. Our animals are all suffering from the humidity and spend most of the day sleeping and seem to come alive again at night. Our chickens are still giving us wonderful eggs each day. How different an egg fresh from the chicken tastes.
I hope June will be a wonderful month for us here and you where ever you are in the world. We look forward to your company again next month until then we wish you all much happiness. Thanks for visiting.

April 2009 Work on the Gardens Start

Veliko Tarnovo

The Blosoms


Horse and Plough

The Horse at Work

April has been a very cold and sometimes wet month. We have had a long Winter here in Bulgaria this year. Our snows did not leave us until March. This being the case we are behind with planting in the garden. Work has just started after having the veggie plot ploughed twice it is now ready for planting. April did see the blossoms out and this year it has been really pretty the mountain awash with blossom, whites, pinks and dark purples. All the spring flowers are out and looking beautiful. The birds are also here preparing for nesting. We have a pair of nesting storks at the bottom of the garden, they are really amazing birds. The wood peckers are also in our garden along with many other small birds. They all fly with amazing accuracy and keep us amused with their antics.
Our chicken keep us well supplied with eggs and we have four fresh eggs each day. Unfortunately we lost two of our hens to birds of prey. We were so sorry to have this happen but being so near the mountain where the birds of prey are, sometimes it is inevitable that this may happen. We keep a close watch on them at all times now and don't leave them out in the garden if we are not there to watch for them. Life here is really hard sometimes and we have learnt many hard lessons along the way. We would not change a thing all the happenings are all part of life's rich tapestry. We are so looking forward to some warmer weather. When we can spend time on the land and grow our fruits and veg. We have come along way with our adventure, our animals the cats, the dog, the chicken all live here at Rock House in harmony, each having a healthy respect for each other. We took a trip to the beautiful city of Veliko Tarnovo not so long along. The drive up through the mountains was amazing and the city itself is very beautiful. Rich in culture and a wonderful panorama.
Well my friends that is about all for this month. We hope you will all keep well. Until next time our good wishes to you all.