The end of the summer season is fast nearing and so too our sojourn here at Camping Veliko Tarnovo as Camp Wardens. The 5 months spent on-site has been great, a hugely positive experience proving the dictum that you are never too old to do something different. No need to sit at home and do the same old routine day after day, month in month out. Get yourself a motorhome, take your passport, refresh your sense of adventure and follow the road of the traveller. The road of the traveller - yes wherever it goes. Have a broad plan and an open mind. Travelling in Europe is not strenuous and we have found it to be safe and very rewarding.
The swimming pool has been half emptied in preparation for winter, to be fully emptied and filled again May 2014. Maintenance projects have started whilst the weather is still good and more will follow before the summer season of 2014.
In the next few days we will be preparing Fifi for the journey south to the Greek border, perhaps spend one more night in Bulgaria and cross into Greece early October heading for the coastal city of Alexandroupoli on the northern shores of the Aegean Sea.
We are spending our last days taking things easy, normal chores are still done but the pace has slowed markedly. We have started walking on the edges of the fields surrounding the campsite, watching the sunflowers ripen and bow their heads, ripening the seeds before the harvest.
We have also sat back and admired the last splashes of colour in the four 'firebox beds' which Joan so painstakingly cleared of weeds and made them look presentable. To her be the credit!
There is no ignoring the approach of winter. We've seen and watched the trundling lorries carrying loads of fire wood around the area, providing homes and households with piles of it. Most lorries are of a blue/grey colour and resemble old Russian supplied ex-army vehicles. They have a steady quite melodious growl as they come trundling past.
Usually on our way to and from the local village shop, we take a detour through the farmers fields surrounding the campsite. Joan has pointed all sorts of interesting vegetation like these Rose hips , something I have not seen before. It is a berry like fruit which can be used in the making of jellies, jams, marmalade and much more. Joan had the giggles all the way back to camp because I'd not seen (maybe unknowingly) Rose hips before.
We also came across Sloe berries used in the distillation of some Gin's, now that I had known .... funny how you know about some uses of some berries.
Next week its off to GREECE. A whole new part, of the New Adventure, as we head once more for the Mediterranean.
Watch this space .... !
The swimming pool has been half emptied in preparation for winter, to be fully emptied and filled again May 2014. Maintenance projects have started whilst the weather is still good and more will follow before the summer season of 2014.
In the next few days we will be preparing Fifi for the journey south to the Greek border, perhaps spend one more night in Bulgaria and cross into Greece early October heading for the coastal city of Alexandroupoli on the northern shores of the Aegean Sea.
We are spending our last days taking things easy, normal chores are still done but the pace has slowed markedly. We have started walking on the edges of the fields surrounding the campsite, watching the sunflowers ripen and bow their heads, ripening the seeds before the harvest.
Sunflowers ripening
Walking the fields
Campsite from the nearby farm track
We have also sat back and admired the last splashes of colour in the four 'firebox beds' which Joan so painstakingly cleared of weeds and made them look presentable. To her be the credit!
From this ....
.... to being cleared of weeds ....
.... to natural splashes of colour.
There is no ignoring the approach of winter. We've seen and watched the trundling lorries carrying loads of fire wood around the area, providing homes and households with piles of it. Most lorries are of a blue/grey colour and resemble old Russian supplied ex-army vehicles. They have a steady quite melodious growl as they come trundling past.
Delivering wood in the local village
Usually on our way to and from the local village shop, we take a detour through the farmers fields surrounding the campsite. Joan has pointed all sorts of interesting vegetation like these Rose hips , something I have not seen before. It is a berry like fruit which can be used in the making of jellies, jams, marmalade and much more. Joan had the giggles all the way back to camp because I'd not seen (maybe unknowingly) Rose hips before.
We also came across Sloe berries used in the distillation of some Gin's, now that I had known .... funny how you know about some uses of some berries.
Next week its off to GREECE. A whole new part, of the New Adventure, as we head once more for the Mediterranean.
Watch this space .... !
