Bulgaria
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We have a two up two down mudbrick house. There are all mod cons, microwave, washer etc and shower bathroom. It is cottagey and rustic but clean and comfortable. We also have a separate large living room across the yard. We are taming the land which is a very large garden and field and looking to build a large shed/extra room and also eventually a cordwood and glass infill build between the main house and extra separate room. We have tamed what was a total jungle and are already growing fruit and veg. We also have three rescue dogs, Rex, an older German Shepherd who is just a big softy, and Stella, a 3 year old, we think, Anatolyan Shepherd, also a daft softy. Rex can't be bothered but Stella will have a bark at passersby and the odd car. It's all bluff. Then there is Tina, an old German Shepherd girl with a limp who was abandoned. Tina is also soft and gentle and very happy to have a family in her old age. We also have two Collie/Springer Cross pet dogs. Daisy is very loving and very sensitive and extremely clever. Her understanding is remarkable. She will sit by you all the time and stare at you lovingly. Buster is not too far behind Daisy in being bright. Buster takes Daisy's example. Daisy taught herself to open doors and listens carefully for words like dinner, walk, garden, bed, car etc. She will slope off and guilt trip you when the car keys rattle. Buster will be your shadow and follow you around loyally. He is the boss of all the dogs and keeps everyone in their place. All four dogs are very routine dogs and very much pets. Daisy is scared of lightening and thunder and the booms from the military which is quite some distance away but she doesn't like their practices. She needs to be indoors when it is going on. We have one little rescue cat, Mags, who comes and goes as she pleases and is very independent. So.......clearly, being a dog/animal lover is important if you stay.
The village is a twenty minute drive from Stara Zagora or Kazanlak which has everything you need in terms of shopping , cinema, etc and historical interest also. The whole region is full of history. There is Buzhludza Monument, Kazanlak Town, Thracian Tombs and beautiful mountains and lakes close by. There are two mineral spa resort hotels within less than 5 minutes drive. A day pass is about 5euros. Our village itself is a typical, very small and very rural village. It is very sleepy and ramshackle. It has a shop that is serviceable for food and bits and bobs. There is a river and lakes within walking distance. There is a bus service, it is reliable but infrequent, however our last visitors were quite happy with it. It is possible you could have use of our van or car. To be discussed.***Due to Covid-19 things are changing all the time. We currently practice all the hygiene recommendations. We wear masks in indoor spaces, supermarkets etc, we wash before food and sanitise and practice social distancing where possible. We would expect you to have been doing the same and that you will do the same when you are here. It is possible to eat in outdoor restaurants and use the outdoor pools locally. The restaurants and pools follow current government rules on safe socialising. We would like you to be careful.
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Help with Eco Projects
Help around the house
Animal Care
Art Projects
You will get to see a very genuine, traditional Bulgarian way of living. Rural Bulgaria is very poor but we have experienced great generosity from out neighbours. It really is a slice of post communist Bulgaria that is less apparent in the cities. You will have access to a many, many ancient and recent historical sites . You can visit, Roman and Thracian sites, War Monuments, Monasteries and Museums. The surrounding area has some great beauty spots, mountains and lakes. We can tell you the best places to visit. Interestingly, this part of Bulgaria is very similar to villages in Ireland 50 years ago. Because the local towns are not particularly touristy, you will experience genuine Bulgarian living, food and entertainment. There are many places you can visit by train. The trains are old and part of the fun. During the time we are here with you, we will be happy to take you to some of the most interesting places and to make your stay as nice and interesting as possible. ***Due to Covid-19 things are changing all the time. We currently practice all the hygiene recommendations. We wear masks in indoor spaces, supermarkets etc, we wash before food and sanitise and practice social distancing where possible. We would expect you to have been doing the same and that you will do the same when you are here. It is possible to eat in outdoor restaurants and use the outdoor pools locally. The restaurants and pools follow current government rules on safe socialising. We would like you to be careful.
Sometimes, we are looking for house/animal sitters/garden maintenance when we go away. Feeding the animals and keeping them routine is the most important job and watering the garden is the second most important. If you are out all day we would like you to be around in the evening for the dogs in particular. If you are going to be out in the evening we would like you to be around for a large chunk of the day. The dogs are fed only once a day so dinner is a big deal for them. This happens at 3pm so that's the main time commitment. We don't expect anything more other that the normal routine of keeping things clean and tidy as you find them.
Other times, we are happy to welcome Workawayers to come and help whilst we are here. We are often involved in animal rescue/fostering and need to build some outside kennels in the shade for shelter until rehomed. There is always general maintenance or DIY. There is gardening, housework etc. We don't expect you to be skilled and we don't expect you to do anything outside your ability. If you do have building or carpentry or other skills we will be delighted. ***Due to Covid-19 things are changing all the time. We currently practice all the hygiene recommendations. We wear masks in indoor spaces, supermarkets etc, we wash before food and sanitise and practice social distancing where possible. We would expect you to have been doing the same and that you will do the same when you are here. It is possible to eat in outdoor restaurants and use the outdoor pools locally. The local restaurants and pools follow current government rules on safe socialising. We would like you to be careful.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Bulgarian: Beginner
French: Beginner
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You will have your own room with a nice comfy memory foam mattress double bed. If you are house/animal/garden sitting, there will be plenty of food in the fridge and freezer, you can help yourself to whatever you like and fruit and veg in the garden. If we are there with you, you will have three meals per day and my wife is a good cook! We are vegetarian 4 days per week. If you are vegetarian, she will cater for that, no problem. If you are a meat eater, we cater for you also.
I've already mentioned the above and can send you a list of places to see and how to get there and also negotiate possible use of the van or car. If/when we are here with you we are more than happy to provide transport to and from the bus stations/rail stations and local towns so as you can see all the sights. We like meeting people from different parts of the world and being good hosts is very important to us. ***Due to Covid-19 things are changing all the time. We currently practice all the hygiene recommendations. We wear masks in indoor spaces, supermarkets etc, we wash before food and sanitise and practice social distancing where possible. We would expect you to have been doing the same and that you will do the same when you are here. It is possible to eat in outdoor restaurants and use the outdoor pools locally. The restaurants and pools follow current government rules on safe socialising.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
We have a large field beside the house so parking is not an issue.
Two
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
