10-09-08

I thought I'd better get an update on here now otherwise I'd be doing it at the airport or on my homebound flight.
I'm getting decidedly slacker with my blog which is a shame as quite a bit is happening as time goes by & I'm forgetting all the finer details & funny stuff over the weeks.
Having a blog is handy not just for keeping everyone in the picture but I like to look back from time to time & refresh my memory as to what's happened over the months. or years.


This blog entry is dedicated to all the guys back home, yeah that's right it's a "guys only" page so you girls need special permission from your significant others to continue ;)


Of course the content is mainly pics as most guys don't like reading right?

Starting with a few for the Boss & his workers if they are around.....

I know he's looking for a few new toys so have been keeping an eye out for him....

Click on the photos to get the full size image.

Here's a combine,

This one needs a bit of a scrub up & some air in the tyres, currently used as a jungle gym by the local kids. Turbo charged too!

As I was having a look at it one of the locals who was working out in the front of a house near by asked me if I was Angliski (English)
I told him I was from NZ & immediately I was dragged back to his house for a coffee & a bight to eat. Amazing hospitality & neat to meet his extended family & all the animals as well.

Ok now for a few more...



There reallly are some fascinating old contraptions out here...










If you look at the sticker at th top of the windscreen you can see that it's powered by a Kent (wood burner?)




It started out a great day cruising thru little villages just north of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.






So Dave if these aren't up to speck for you, here's an alternative......



What more could a farmer want I ask? Oh yeah some wings would be good....

This was in the next village down from the harvester at the top of the blog... Interesting trying to get a photo of it too.
There were 2 guys in the yard where it sat & I asked "Photo OK?" "Nay nay!" miming that I would be shot if I photographed military hardware. Carefully surveying the situation I figured that they were armed with a Husky & a pile of firewood.... I took my chances. Of course next they wanted 7 lev for the photos, I laughed & it was all good.

So for those who don't know, it's a Russian Mig,

I felt pretty good getting something from a Bulgarian without been had for a fortune.... Onwards I continued.... to an abandoned air base.

That didn't work out so well, as it wasn't quite abandoned, there was 3 guards who turned up just I was doing what nature forces you to do, a little embarrassing, & probably another reason why they wouldn't let me have a look around. Oh well.
One of them was quite cute too! (a girl don't worry)

So I'll have to try my luck somewhere else one day.





There is some pretty advanced & new gear around Bulgaria too, seen some brand new stuff out there.
This was near Veliko Tarnovo where I am based, not new but gives you an idea I spose. It was harvesting sunflowers.


This was in the village where the house is....






Tell Basil we can get it to him for the next seasons hay making :)





The wagon is just around the corner from the house, it's not a decoration either. Genuine work wagon!
Well after taking the shots of the Mig jet fighter I was feeling pretty chuffed.

Sooooo I went into the mountains North of Sofia, pretty windy roads & was having a bit of fun until I blew 2 tires in a huge pot hole,
I think someone tried building a small swimming pool in the road or something. On removing the wheels I discovered I had also badly bent both rims as well! Took a few hours to find someone In fact I couldn't find anyone willing or able to help & ended up walking back to the car thinking "I'm not going to make it to church in Sofia & meet up with Galin & the others!"which was really frustrating, since last summer I failed to make contact too. Just then a car went past me & pulled up beside mine. It turned out the lady broke down,so I had a look for her & it was just a faulty wire.I then pointed to my car & said "Problem" with a big smile on my face cause I knew she was in for a time trying to help me out.Well she called her cousin who turned up a few minutes later, who called another friend who had another friend (this is the way it always is here) who had 2 wheels for 50 lev, which promptly became one wheel for 70 lev (explains why inflation is running at an all time high here) So I did a deal & borrowed it for 40 lev, thought I was been smart but only had a 50 lev note on me & it was dark by now.... Yup those Bulgarians are cunning!

Righto the guys only bit takes a break now & here's some light entertainment,

Some pics of funny signs.

It's the French I'm telling you!

This ones for Jay :)

They're everywhere! Even in the middle of Sofia which is about the size of Auckland.
You'll see Hum Vees & Gypsies jostling with Porches & Trabants for a lane!










No washing the car! (Slovenia)
I need one of these.
Ironically this was on a eco trail in the mountains where you'd never get a car too!


Right, that's it for now. I have more pics & stories but I need a break,
See you next time!