How we Grow and Preserve our Own Tea
pleasantplacesbulgaria This post describes how we grow and preserve our own tea, and also my own journey of ‘tea’ discovery. Before embarking on this explanation, however, let’s quickly look at why…
Easter in Bulgaria
A simpler way of life Easter in Bulgaria is nothing like the commercialised tradition that we associate with Easter in England. You won’t find the aisles of over priced chocolate…
Slow Living in Early Spring
‘Slow living’ is a current trend for some people, but here in rural Bulgaria it has been the way of life for centuries. In fact, the Bulgarians have a saying…
How to Make a Primitive Settle
I have been in love with the idea of owning a Primitive style wooden settle for as long as I can remember. This post will describe how to make a…
Living the Good Life
Setting the Scene Anyone old enough to remember the popular sitcom ‘The Good Life’ will understand the fascination engendered by the exploits of the middle class couple who turn their…
Stray Cats and Dogs
The majority of what I have written on this site is in appreciation and celebration of Bulgarian life. Animal welfare, however, particularly in relation to stray cats and dogs, is…
The Troyan Pass
The Troyan Pass is as impressive as the name belies. Stunning in summer and fall, and impassable in winter and early spring with ten foot high snow drifts. How exciting…
A Short Introduction to Our Home in the Valley of the Roses
A field of wildflowers on the edge of our village Our Village Our home is situated in ’The Valley of the Roses’ in central Bulgaria. We live in a small…
Seasonal Scenes in and Around Our Village
These are just some of the many photographs I have taken of seasonal scenes in our Bulgarian village. Our village is surrounded by mountains on all sides, typical of the…
The Bulgarian winter
Our first Bulgarian winter There was no water. The previous day’s hesitant spitting followed by a gregarious rush had given way to a total silence. Not even a distant gurgle.…