Bulgaria, amazing country.

[Grandad]

Keep this up Jay and we won't need to go......your account of your experience is like being there

[LovelyLadyLux]

Bulgaria is a destination that honestly had never crossed my mind (before now) but it sure sounds interesting and very tempting.

[Jayway]

Had a wander round the hotel and grounds as I kindly let the other two have a lay-in, they had said we had a days driving and would be taking another picnic. So nice to have no idea where you are going. The journey was good, the country was so empty and uncared for, my imagination was working overtime, so many opportunities -. Late afternoon we were driving through thick forests on windy ill repaired roads, Svetlana told me we were going to the secret monastery where all the treasures were hidden away from the invaders and we were staying for a couple of nights in the small hotel there. We arrived at dusk and went straight to our rooms. I went out on my balcony, I was surrounded by mountains on three sides, completely impassable. Tomorrow I would see all the treasures. Rila Monastery, what an amazing place, monks flitting about working, it was a complete little world, easily cut off from the rest of Bulgaria by felling a few trees and a few rock-slides. The treasures, well, the wood carved objects that had taken years and years to make, the small notices said "this monk lost his sight after finishing his minutely carved masterpiece" Gave Svetlana and Pete the afternoon off, I do like to wander around alone, up and down ancient stairways into unused rooms, a real tour into an old piece of history. Stayed another night at the hotel, we were the only guests and as Svetlana was really a VIP we have good service. Next day we were off to meet some friends of hers who lived near the coast.

[LovelyLadyLux]

One of my dreams would be to live in a huge old old historic house with multirooms, secret passages, full of oil paintings, sculptures and gardens. Sounds like you're in my dream place Jayway

[Horus]

Any photo's Jay?

[Jayway]

Yes Horus. I have a large old picture frame on my bookcase full of Bulgaria photos - - Oh, just looked at it ---- and a very artistic spider web - -

[Horus]

I shall have to slap your hand if you start misbehaving I meant some that you could upload for us to see?

[Jayway]

Dear Horus, did you forget who you are talking too? I cant even get my stuff uploaded from my new camera, waiting for a friend to visit and put it on my comp. My best effort was stealing that squirrel seat and getting that posted on here. It was worth the headache, when I saw how nicely Grandad made it - -

[Jayway]

Early start today, such a beautiful empty land. Had a diversion as a main road was blocked, took a few hours to get back on track, not a lot of signposts in this country - so Svetlana decided to overnight at Plevin. They arranged the Hotel and I wandered around, It was nice enough but rather scruffy like Sofia, I think the people lost all direction when Russia left. Followed some tall people (bulgarians) into a church, and was pounced on by a monk/priest demanding money, told him in my best portuguese where to go and walked out-HUH ! Sat in a sidewalk cafe at a long bench to get a drink. I was looking at the menu, not that I could understand anything but the prices and the waiter brought me another menu in english. Oh good, I could compare the writing but he tried to take the bulgarian one from me. No wonder, the prices were a lot different. Off I went, walkabout again, rip-offs really annoy me. Bought my cans from a market stall and back to the hotel and dinner in my room to give Svetlana and Peter a rest from me! Had fun with all the bottles and sachets in the bath, read a bit and slept, hopefully meeting the friends next day. Svetlana and Pete were going back to Sofia, I would be staying in a small hotel right on the beach.

[LovelyLadyLux]

Niceeeee day!

Guess the begging happens everywhere. Sometimes wonder how much is collected and if they'd actually collect more if they didn't ask aggressively.

[Grandad]

Jayway, I just checked your personal album and can see that you succeeded with two pictures last month......so what's the problem.
If we can help just let us know. I have a number of ways of downloading from my cameras but most times I just use Picasa. If you don't already have it I suggest you download it free from Google and we can help from there. It is also easy to resize within picasa to prepare pictures for uploading to the forums.

I am glad you did manage the squirrel seat/feeder.....they have given plenty of amusement for us and our neighbours

[Horus]

Jay have a look at the 'sticky' I did for people wanting to upload a photo to their albums, if you take it a step at a time I am sure you will be able to follow it OK, but if you get stuck, just shout out.

[Grandad]

Had fun with all the bottles and sachets in the bath, I would be staying in a small hotel right on the beach.

Shampoo and shower gel and body lotions? That has really spoilt the image Jay. I had a vision of cold water, carbolic soap, and bring your own towel.

[Jayway]

Thankyou for the advice, sorry cant be done as my photographer friend said it would be expensive to take each one separately and put onto a disc. After my headcold that went to my lung last month my cash is going to the medical profession to keep me breathing- HUH.

[Jayway]

Just wrote another episode twice, but when I pressed submit it disappeared.. ? ? ? Too LONG?? WILL TRY AGAIN LATER.

[Ruby Slippers]

I've just found out the beauty of an iPad where uploading photos are concerned! (I think!) no resizing or fiddling about - just copy and upload!

[Grandad]

Thankyou for the advice, sorry cant be done as my photographer friend said it would be expensive to take each one separately and put onto a disc. After my headcold that went to my lung last month my cash is going to the medical profession to keep me breathing- HUH.

You lost me there Jay.....I thought I had read all of this thread but can't see what you comment refers to????

[Horus]

I'm with you there Grandad it must be Jays head cold getting her confused.
Jay, If your camera is a digital one then there should be no cost in uploading an image to your PC straight from the camera and by the way you should always type up your long replies in Word or similar then just copy & paste it into the reply box, that way if it does get lost you will still have your original work to go back to. It is also a good idea as at a later date you may want to re-live or re-tell your story and you will have it all written down for posterity.

Hope you feel better soon

[Grandad]

Add a bit of drama and intrigue Jay and I can see the makings of a best seller

So, as Horus said, save everything

[Jayway]

Started from Plevin early as I was going to a tiny island for lunch. The island was covered completely with houses, very squashed and pretty, then on to the hotel and the friends. They were a nice couple who worked for the government, a lawyer and an architect, and wer going to take me touring next day. Said goodbye to Svetlana and Peter, and the couple and went for a walk. Six or seven dogs lived on the hotel steps, I felt right at home ! The road stopped at the hotel, turned into a dirt track by the sea. Saw a building up the hill but when I arrrived, couldnt poke around this villa as it had slipped sideways and was a a ridiculous angle and deserted. Walked further down hill and there was a cement swimming pool om the beach, with clean water. Well there was no one around so off came the teeshirt and shorts, tried the water with my hand it was very warm. Realised it came from up the mountain, and jumped in - ummmmmm lovely. Only for a while though, so down to the sea, where the overflow came out and floated about happily. Noticed a large building further along so had to see, climbed up the very wide staircase into a cable car station, so big, the cars must have been up the mountain. This place must have been very ornate when the russians were here but now dusty, such a waste .