Electricity

New lamps and a couple of walls have been installed and moved. The little house is beginning to take shape, although still must modernise the windows and most importantly the central heating.
Gemma and I should be visiting BG at the begining of October so promise to return with photo's and even some of that video technology stuff.

Location,Location,Location

It struck me that although everyone may have heard of Bulgaria being able to imagine it's location in the grand scheme of geography might be a little different,and have therefore attached a map so you'll be able to book your holiday flight with confidence.

Renovated Memories

There are small things which make a 'renovatee' smile. This window was blocked by a leanto roof covering the kitchen extension and now I can imagine waking to the call of a scorching summers morning, pushing the window open and drinking in the good life. Of course a little romantic, even truly romantic but this picture allows the waft of fresh coffee curl it's fingers around pre made memories waiting for creation.

A little coffee news if you click the link

Beautiful Plastic

Just for the posterity of it......here's a picture of the Septic Tank in it's 'grave'.
Although many of the village communities still use 'hole in the ground' toilet facilities which is ecologically sound the EU do insist on a new septic tank.It's slinky plastic skin and rigid hull will keep you safe and sewage flood free for years

Renovations

The first stage of the changes have been completed, a new roof, a new leanto roof which covers the kitchen, a new EU standard septic tank which unfortunately gets covered before ever having the joy of looking at it properly, guttering and internal plumbing which is set to accept the fixtures and fittings.
Richard at varnaexpat has kept us well informed, asked questions and resolved problems which from this distance really puts us at ease.
The next stage which is a complete rewire is on schedule. New walls will be created for the upstairs wetroom and a little extension to the 'living' room downstairs will give us a L-shaped space with which to hole up in at winter time.
It's difficult not to want to be with the house during the renovations,but I suspect there will be a deal of refurbishment internally once the core work has been done to keep us busy for a while.

Theres a link to Varna Expat should you wish to find out any more information or want to get in touch with Richard Cleaver

Nicolaus Copernicus Observatory

This good looking young man is Nicolaus Copernicus, the astronomers who changed our view of the solar system when he published his heliocentric theory, and as well as being remembered sculpturally all around Europe, this sculpture sits outside The Astronomical Observatory in Varna Park ( really this park is huge!)
The building work started in earnest yesterday and already our 'fixer' has sent through some pictures of the channels for the new plumbing.The Universe might not rotate around a single point but when committing to renovations and such it certainly feels concentric rather than heliocentric.

Click the title for more

Kayolan The Roman Slayer

This proud moustachioed statue is Ivan 1, Emporer of Bulgaria between 1197 - 1207, standing some 12 feet on a plinth to the bottom right of of The Assumption Cathedral in Varna. I have passed it a couple of times whilst meandering around the city and each time he catches my eye. Ivan is a translated as John,known as Good John he helped Crusaders by bringing Wallachians and Bulgarians to beseige Adrianople. He is buried in Veliko Tarnovo.
It appears not only do the Bulgarians have a St George but now I find a Good King John!

The title will take you to a link in Wikapeadia