We butchered our first pig on Monday. It was a monumental task, and we learned loads during the whole process. This is our attempt to document what we set out to achieve, how that went and what we learned from it, so we can remember for the next time as it will be a whole…
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The Non-vegetarian Smallholder
We’re killing our first pig today. Having raised him from a small piglet, back in May, today is the day we complete the reason why we got him. It seems to me to be fairly natural, especially as this is our first, to take a few moments to consider whether this is the right things…
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Danny goes on his holidays
It’s that time of year when the sound of a gunshot in the morning is a regular occurrence as people slaughter their animals ready for winter. We have been getting ready to do our pigs and have decided Richard will be the first to go then a week later Danny. One of my concerns was…
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We now have a kitchen
Well not a complete finished kitchen but Joe has built the casing for the sink and washing machine so we now have a sink, complete with running water and a drain. At the moment we only have cold water but that is only a detail; the fact that for nearly 9 months we’ve had to carry…
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Todorov Den in Sadina
Our friend Ivan invited us to go with him to the Todorov Den horse-racing celebrations in the nearby village of Sadina today, so we have spent a pleasant morning with him and two other friends, watching the racing. It’s no Aintree 🙂 Groups of four riders raced each other across a grassy field, with a…
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The summer house
After helping the Velikov family move their belongings to Popovo, we have now got the keys to our new second house. The house is intended as a base for family, friends and volunteers to stay in, if they want. It’s a small property; one main bedroom, kitchen, living room, a second bedroom in an adjoining…
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St Tryphon’s Day
So it’s ten o’clock in the morning and we’re in the village square with a bonfire going, the musicians are starting up and we’re handed our first cup of wine of the day. Welcome to St Tryphon’s Day! St Tryphon is the patron saint of wine growers, and this day is celebrated in the Eastern…
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Room for expansion
With somewhat mixed feelings, Julie and I have bought a second house in the village. Mixed, because while we’re delighted that we’ve been able to buy a lovely little bungalow for friends, family and volunteers to stay in, and they’re very happy that finally they can do things like get an eye operation for grandfather,…
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