Even though the sun sets late and rises early in summer, we kept our South African internal clocks going. Since arriving in Amsterdam we went to bed very late, yet could not managed to sleep in the following day. Early rising is a genetic thing, it seems. Revelation! Sofia, "The Wise Woman". Since 1879 the … Continue reading 15. 11 th July. Holy Moly!
It was hot on Monday morning the 10th of July. Sofia hit the middle thirties Celsius early in the morning already. We left the Artemida Complex early to head for the lavender and rose farms where harvesting of lavender was taking place. But first, Ina said, we must try the Banitza with cheese, Mekitza plain, … Continue reading 14. 10th July. Kazanlak and the bare essentials of oil
Ina met us at the hotel and first took us for lunch in Sofia. It was a balmy hot Sunday. The heat was still overwhelming in contrast to the cool summer days in Amsterdam and Belgium. We stopped at a pizza restaurant, Niagara, where Ina entertained us on the Bulgarian food traditions and the country's … Continue reading 13. 9th July – Koprinka
8th July. Sofia, Bulgaria. We arrived by plane from Brussels around 12.25 noon. The airport experience told us that we were far away from home and in a totally foreign environment. A cacophonic jumble of languages and very different-looking faces circled around us. The atmosphere was different. A creative, opportunistic taxi driver robbed us of … Continue reading 12. 8th July. Bulgaria – the beginning
John Lui was a good driver. We hit the road to Belgium and hardly stopped before we reached the farm where we would do a workshop on 4 major principles of nature restoration work worldwide. On our way we did a stop to view a new machine which is producing wood vinegar (a natural organic … Continue reading 11. 5-7 th July Belgium magic
Our last day in Amsterdam, as well as with our friends Paul and Carla, started out with a visit to Haarlem, where Carla grew up. Our first stop was the St. Bavo Cathedral, well okay, that was after a quick visit to a gift shop. Our grandchildren were big on our minds and time was … Continue reading 10. 4th July. Haarlem and memories
The highlight of this day! While doing the boat trip we crossed under one of the bridges with the Petunia flowers that I wanted to see on this trip. Elation, once again, yes! When I looked at the pictures while planning the trip, I hoped to see it, and there it was! But that was … Continue reading 9. 3rd July – The Walk, Trams, Bus and Run Day
AMSTERDAM!!!! 10.00 am. We've never been so happy to walk on solid ground again. Tired and in pain, we went through the drill to collect our bags, pass customs and find Carla and Paul. The joy was immense, intense. The smiles lingered right around our heads. Elation ruled. The first time we met was twelve … Continue reading 8. 2nd July. AMSTERDAM!!!!
On Saturday morning we left early for George. Our daughter would take our vehicle back to the farm until she flew to Alaska on Tuesday, when she would drive back to the same airport and leave our vehicle with Barry and Rina, our wonderful friends in George. With our daughter at the airport in George. … Continue reading 7. 1st July. Flying
It was the evening before the church fare. All available accommodation were taken up in the valley as the neighboring towns moved in to support our community's fund raising effort for the church. We would miss it this year. This annual event, dating back more than a century, has an ambiance not to be easily … Continue reading 6. 30th June, 2017. Even the chickens said goodbye
