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
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.
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
Big Trip Day 126 – Leaving on a Bus
I guess the title does not have the same romantic appeal as Leaving on a Jet Plane, but it was the Magic Bus from Athens to London (ticket price in 1973 - £19.50). I had a fitful night's sleep because I did not want to miss my alarm and then the bus. I woke long … Continue reading Big Trip Day 126 – Leaving on a Bus
Big Trip Day 125 – Athens
The final day in Athens has arrived. With my characteristic perspicacity, I noted... Last night was last night but tonight's the last night. I am surprised that I did not record more of my thoughts and feelings about my trip coming to an end. Similarly with leaving Matala. One thinks these moments should be charged … Continue reading Big Trip Day 125 – Athens
Big Trip Day 124 – Athens
The travelogue entries for today (13th August 1973) also cover bits of the previous two days. Saturday (Day 122) saw me boarding the boat at Heraklion, a last minute scramble and panic. The journey was uneventful and I managed to get some sleep on a bench on deck. It was lovely, waking during the night... … Continue reading Big Trip Day 124 – Athens
Big Trip Day 122 – Farewell Matala!
Today is a day of beginnings and endings. For the former, I would like to introduce my new notebook. Although it says 8th August, my first proper travelogue entry was for today - 11th August. You will also note that it lasted a rather long time. I may have had some intermediary notebooks, or I … Continue reading Big Trip Day 122 – Farewell Matala!
Psychologist on the Move 