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Tuesday 15 September 2015

Phew Preserving Season, Loving Living in Bulgaria,

I apologise for the lateness of catching up with my blogs, life sometimes has to be put on hold, just to catch up with oneself.

It is really hot here now, with beautiful days intermingled with huge storms.  The best is when the day is just gorgeous with a late storm but sadly this is not always the case. Hey no complaints from me as it is a huge relief buy the time the storm arrives as my head is normally about to explode from the pressure build up.
I somehow have lost my fear of being alone in a storm, but two of my dogs are petrified, this means I end up with dogs all over me for protection.
Monday morning just before 7am they were all awoken by a huge exploding thunder clap. WOW it was huge and shook the house along with everything in it. All 4 dogs and 2 puppies shot in the air and ran the length of the room wondering what happened. Yes I did laugh!
It was a real hoolie of a storm with a few more explosions some normal claps and lots of loud rolling thunder.

Bulgaria is very beautiful right now with amazing wild flowers that I have not seen before, a myriad of colours everywhere. What is tantalising are the greenery of what will be the majestic sun flowers, fields as far as the eye can see, soooo looking forward to that. With the amount of heat and rain we have had they should be the best for 4 years. The air smells heavenly from the perfume of the Linden trees, beautiful. So right now going out and about in Bulgaria is just wonderful, gush gush :-)

Talking of the weather, well I am English ;-)  I have a feeling we will have a normal harsh winter this year. About time as the last 4 have been amazing. This both fills me with dread and a joy. We have suffered less than great summers, these last couple of years. They have been very wet with major flooding and loss of life and home, we need to get back to what is balanced and that means a harsh winter with a fantastic spring, hot summer, warm autumn.
I dread it only for having to get the wood in as well as being able to buy enough, oh and not getting frozen pipes. Other than that I look forward to it.

I have been blessed with another baby granddaughter since last blogging. She is identical to her sister in looks, a real beautiful chunky girl. her name is Lillia, so I now have 5 gorgeous granddaughters, I feel so blessed but sad to not be with them. To know I am missing out on cuddling my two gorgeous babies is very emotional but I look forward very much to at least seeing soon.

So workaway-ers are booked in for July and August, there will be some help with the grounds and painting, looking forward to that! Love to socialise and it doesn't happen much now. My fault as I am just not into hosting lots of meals right now, I will get my Mojo back though.

Preserving season is upon me, I missed the strawberries sadly, but have managed to get plenty of cherry conserve and jams made this week, next is Apricots then I will be inundated with plums, the small kind. White and red, delicious. I am also reddening up some chillies to make sweet chilli sauce.
I miss not growing them this year, it is just too much with everything else sadly, so my garden is empty of produce this year, other than the fruit trees :-)

Financially I am overwhelmed with the worry of not being able to pay bills and getting services cut off, BUT I am plodding on and trying to sell items to help me get on top of things. SO much to worry about but I am in the right place and absolutely love this country. The dogs have food which is the most important and hopefully the pups will all be gone soon which will lighten the load, I do love them though and it has been a privilege to have them in my life


3 comments:

  1. Hi Joanna,

    I hope you don't mind me posting this here, there seemed to be no other way for me to contact you here. I love the way you talk about Bulgaria and your life there and I'd love to meet you in person! Please check out my call for participants below and get in touch if you like. Also, it'd be much appreciated if you spread the word about my project between your readers and real-life expat contacts.
    Many thanks!

    Participants Sought For Photographic Project

    Are you a British expat living in Bulgaria? 

    Whatever the reasons for your move, my documentary project needs you! What brought you here, how you adapted, what occupies your time and how the British and Bulgarian cultures blend together are all questions that I wish to investigate through the photographic language. The series of images will aim to open a dialogue about broader cultural and socio-economic issues in the light of the constantly moving and changing face of Europe.

    About me:
    I’m a final year photography degree student in the University Of Surrey, England and as an expat myself I wanted to dedicate my dissertation to a theme that is very close to heart, yet completely unusual. I was born and raised in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria thirty years ago but for the last seven years UK has been home and this has given me a first-hand perspective on issues like immigration, national identity and cultural belonging. 

    I take this project very seriously and your help will be much appreciated. Professional and character references are available upon request. Also the people who already got photographed for this project can provide feedback from the experience.

    I will be in Veliko Tarnovo between 9-14 October so please do not hesitate to get in touch, I’m free to answer all questions and speak to you directly via e-mail or telephone and of course in person once in the area. I have own transport and can travel within a reasonable radius.

    Feel free to pass on this message to any other expats, I'd be happy to hear from as many of you as possible!

    Nataliya Ilieva
    shadesoflight212@gmail.com
    shadesoflight.photography
    +44 7528205741

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Joanna,

    Apologies if I've contacted you with the same somewhere else, I've spoken to so many people now I'm starting to get a bit confused.
    I read a few of your blog posts and I think you're an excellent candidate for my project. I love the way you talk about your life in Bulgaria - with a genuine but loving feeling. Please see below my call for participants - I'd love to meet you in person whether you want to take part or not. Also, if you could spread the word by forwarding my message to your contacts or by sharing it online, I'd be more than grateful.
    Many thanks,
    Nataliya

    Participants Sought For Photographic Project

    Are you a British expat living in Bulgaria? 

    Whatever the reasons for your move, my documentary project needs you! What brought you here, how you adapted, what occupies your time and how the British and Bulgarian cultures blend together are all questions that I wish to investigate through the photographic language. The series of images will aim to open a dialogue about broader cultural and socio-economic issues in the light of constantly moving and changing Europe.

    About me:
    I’m a final year photography degree student in the University Of Surrey, England and as an expat myself I wanted to dedicate my dissertation to a theme that is very close to heart, yet completely unusual. I was born and raised in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria thirty years ago but for the last seven years UK has been home and this has given me a first-hand perspective on issues like immigration, national identity and cultural belonging. 

    I take this project very seriously and your help will be much appreciated. Professional and character references are available upon request. Also the people who already got photographed for this project can provide feedback from the experience.

    I will be in Veliko Tarnovo between 9-14 October so please do not hesitate to get in touch, I’m free to answer all questions and speak to you directly via e-mail or telephone and of course in person once in the area. I have own transport and can travel within a reasonable radius.

    Feel free to pass on this message to any other expats, I'd be happy to hear from as many of you as possible!

    Nataliya Ilieva
    shadesoflight212@gmail.com
    shadesoflight.photography
    +44 7528205741

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi I am working on a television show and looking to email you over some details. Can you let me know your email address please or get in touch with me? jade.prince@crackitproductions.co.uk

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comments, I very much appreciate them. I am sorry if I do not post a personal reply. Thank you x