Bulgaria, amazing country.

[Jayway]

Back to the hotel, I was the only guest, one guy was reception and waiter, a lady was cook, she made me a nice small meal,lots of little plates like spanish tapas. Svetlana must have told them I liked icecream, they bought out 2 sundaes, then took my doggie bag outside to share, read a bit and went to bed early to get another swim before the pick up. Next day I was taken to Sunny Beach, they explained how the hotels were all using the hot spring water for everything. Tourist heaven, the lunch on a galleon was good then we went on a countryside tour which was lovely, not fond of mini Benidorms and junky shops. Told me the cable cars were used when the russians had huge villas up the mountain but they were all deserted now - no-one seemed to care. Me, I would have moved right in but then winter must have been hard up there, would have needed plenty of servants ! Next day was rest day, more exploring and swimming, well, floating about really, keeping in the warm patch, never saw a single person, not that they would talk to me anyway. Such a large country and so empty.

[LovelyLadyLux]

Sounds fabulous!

[Grandad]

I'm loving your story telling style Jay.....casual and relaxed.....keep it coming.

[Horus]

I agree these little snippets are making for really interesting reading, it all sounds splendid

[Jayway]

Had a look on Google earth today, I had mixed up Plovdiv and Plevin, and the island was Nessebar, looks much more developed now, in fact the whole country looks a lot different, wonder if bits are still falling off the buildings in Sofia - and they have the Lada cars with no doors, just a chain across - . There are road signs now with english on, great sets of photos on G. Earth.

[Jayway]

Had my half days out with the couple,who had brought me little packets of seeds to grow my own Bulgarian veg, I was very pleased. Walked a lot with the dogs who loved me now and had a rest, Svetlana and Pete came back for me, visited a few more sites (another fishing stop) she wanted me to see and then to the hotel in Sofia for a couple of days. Bought my little wooden flasks of rose perfume and a few icons and ate street snacks. Visited the embassy with presents for Svetlana and Pete,the consul was very happy his wife had such a success with me ! So, off to the corrugated shed then and flew home, a very interesting holiday and unbelievably cheap. The End.

[Horus]

Thanks for sharing your adventure Jay, you certainly got off the beaten track

[Grandad]

I really enjoyed your story Jay But I have a mental image of Svetlana, tall, black hair, olive coloured military style uniform, and jack boots......please tell me I am completely wrong

[LovelyLadyLux]

Sounds like it was one of the totally 100% perfect holidays AND the locations sounds pretty wonderful too.

As for Grandad me thinks his imagination re: Svetlana runs wild!

[Jayway]

No, Grandad, Svetlana was a tall brown-haired elegant lady, (they all towered over me, even the school kids! ) (I am 5ft5) very well groomed, with a briefcase full of papers she kept in the car to inform me, and I always had plenty of questions -