Blogs from Borovets, Sofia Province, Bulgaria, Europe

Our last morning in Borovets was drizzly but still warm. We went on a last walk, catching all of the local pokéstops and doing a last minute spot of urban exploration after we spotted a derelict bar/ hotel. The sorry looking calendar on the wall was from 2006 but strangely there were planks of wood piled up as though it was in the middle of being built. There were some disregarded ski boots which is particularly odd because they are expensive items. There were signs that someone could be living rough there, so we didn't stay long. The drive to the car hire depot in Sofia got hotter as we progressed and Sofia was having a very sunny day. We filled the tank and in Bulgaria they still have an attendant who fills the car for ... read more

Bulgaria day 5: Climb every mountain but don’t make hay too Yes, after walking 13 miles round Sofia yesterday we deserved a rest so we lay in until 7am! Crazy I know but, as the first cable car didn’t go until 8:30, we thought we’d go nuts. So after breakfast we headed to the gondola station. Having made some booboos on previous climbs this time we were determined to be prepared. So we had shorts and long trousers, coats, sun cream, hats and umbrellas. We even had water as well as two packs of Refreshers and a packet of Cherry Drops. We were ready for anything.....although I have to admit to being a tad envious of those that had made sandwiches.... The cable car was £6 each return, took 25 minutes and took us up just ... read more

Today I have become an Urban Explorer in the mountains! This is easily done in Bulgaria due to the declining population, the fall of communism and the failure of capitalism, resulting in an extremely high amount of derelict dwellings, factories and public buildings. Glyn and I had driven near to Mount Musala looking for moody, misty mountains (which we found) but ended up exploring what we think were derelict hotels, literally in the middle of nowhere. We arrived in Borovets in the small hours of the night, having driven from Sofia, and after much confusion mixed with stroppy night receptionists, we eventually dragged our luggage past the only rowdy bar in the area and found our apartment. To Glyn's utmost horror, there was no bogroll and he was getting anxious about his morning poo. So he ... read more

Hello everyone, Yes it is us! The long lost travellers - my apologies for not keeping you a little more up to date with what has been happening. So, we arrived back in London and we have settled in quite well here. We share a house in Shepherds Bush with 3 others who have made us feel quite at home. Steve is still working North of London and I got a 2 week contract with a government agency over here just before Christmas.... I am still there. My contract finishes (for good!) at the end of March so I am currently putting my feelers out to see if I can find something else. The lead up to Christmas was pretty uneventful. We attended a football match between Tottenham and Middlesborough which was good fun. I have ... read more