Today marks the final day of the Lev, Bulgaria's national currency. I was not sure if to call this post "The Last Day of the Lev" or to go with the current title. Lev actually means lion in Bulgarian, and I think it links nicely with the theme of the post. According to recent social … Continue reading The Last Roar of the Lion
Author: Derek Lee
I was born in Croydon, South London and eventually settled in Northamptonshire. After more than 30 years as a clinical psychologist in the NHS, my welcome retirement finds me dabbling in bits and pieces - e.g., writing, running, martial arts and photography.
Jingle Bells and a bit of Chopping
It has been a quiet Christmas here in Avren. The misty and damp days that led up to the big day were in marked contrast to the couple of warm sunny days that preceded them. We were able to have a little picnic on Kamchia beach at that time. In the bleak mid-afternoon of Christmas … Continue reading Jingle Bells and a bit of Chopping
Return to Avren
My UK Five City Tour has come to an end. Based in Kettering, I radiated to Bristol, Cambridge, Leicester, Manchester and Milton Keynes - the newest city. It was great to catch up with family and friends, to visit an Indian Restaurant, to have a takeaway fish and chip supper (or two), to sample a … Continue reading Return to Avren
Preparing for Winter
Wallace Stevens was right about having "a mind of winter". In my last post I wrote about the beauty of autumn, but within that hinted at some of the melancholy of the season. We have enjoyed the soft and colourful parts of autumn, rather like focusing on the feathered fletching of an arrow. Now we … Continue reading Preparing for Winter
Autumn Comes to Avren
The road to the village from the main Varna to Burgas highway is best described as serpentine. It twists and turns through the forest like a cobra rising, and it could be said we live on its hood - a plateau about 300 metres above sea level. Anyone driving to or from the village at … Continue reading Autumn Comes to Avren
Extractor Fan and Firewood
There are many ways to be heroic and within those ways there are many degrees of heroism. Simple truths that played out in Avren over the past few days. Extractor Fan The first problem I had to prepare myself to tackle was the bathroom extractor fan that was not actually extracting. There had been strange … Continue reading Extractor Fan and Firewood
Mindful Wood Stacking in Avren
Over the past few days I have slowly and carefully moved our winter's supply of wood from one shelter to another. The roof of the first shelter is in dire need of repair and could crash down on my head at any time. That is not conducive to mindfulness. My exploits were witnessed at times … Continue reading Mindful Wood Stacking in Avren
Big Trip – Additional Bits Part I
No-one came back to me with any suggestions for a new project following my last post documenting my return to Croydon, so here I am again going on about the trip that just keeps on giving. I said in one of my earlier posts that I had some photos that were not available at the … Continue reading Big Trip – Additional Bits Part I
Big Trip Day 128 – London!
We crossed into Belgium just after 07.00 hrs this morning and headed straight to Calais. The hovercraft crossing was delayed by an hour because of a technical fault... ...reared up like roaring monster, great climax then deflated I guess this could apply to many things in life. After the crossing, it was straight back onto … Continue reading Big Trip Day 128 – London!
Big Trip Day 127 – Still on the Bus
My first travelogue entry for today provides very precise details of how I spent my dwindling funds and exchanged my last 10 dinar note for Austrian shillings. I shall spare you the list of food and snacks I bought, but will note that I saved 1 shilling to use the toilet... ...well invested! This kind … Continue reading Big Trip Day 127 – Still on the Bus
Psychologist on the Move 