20.05.2004 Two life stories from the region of Elhovo

Article by Teddy Kamenova, PR of Bulgarian Properties Ltd.

Vast sunny fields of green grass and blossoming trees, scattered flocks of sheep, fluffy small clouds and air so fresh, that you want to breathe to the very depth of your lungs… If I was ever wondering why all people coming from UK are crazy about this area, now my doubts remain in the past.
The region of Elhovo can be described with one single word: tranquility. Here everybody knows and greets the others and if they meet a newcomer always try to help. Half an hour with these people and you forget the tiredness of the long journey and feel as if… at home. These people are good at heart – a fact confirmed also by Dido and Stilian, two of the representatives of the Bulgarian Properties’ local team, who come to meet me. The purpose of my visit is to meet two couples from UK, who have chosen to settle in the nearby villages of Lesovo and Granitovo.

The first meeting is with Nick Butlant, who ownes a cozy house in the village of Lesovo. Unfortunately, his wife Debbie is not in the house, since she has gone to the town of Elhovo shopping. Butlant family settled in Bulgaria with their younger son Christopher, who is taking private lessons in Bulgarian. At the moment, though, in the house is only Nick, who smiles and radiates happiness. He sees us parking in front of his house and as a real host wants to show us around and point at the things he is especially proud of. Some repair works are still going on in the house, but the main is done and with a few finishing touches the house will be totally livable. Nick and Debbie have a wonderful garden in front of the house with two fig trees of different type, many flowers and a trellis vine on the level of the second floor.

Besides, they have a really spacious yard in the back, where they have already planted some vegetables; the rest is left for building a stable. Additional door will lead from the house to the yard, where a modern alcove will be constructed - ideal for pleasant family lunch. Nick and Debbie plan also to breed some animals, and Nick mentions the Christmas pig they plan to have. He says he loves also liver and lamb, all prepared in Bulgarian way.

However, what excites Nick Butland most is the wonderful view from the house towards the vast meadows in green and yellow colors. “We have the best view! There”, he points, “will our horses go for a walk!” In the vicinity I see a small military carriage. “That’s Turkey over there!”, says Nick, “It’s so peaceful here, a real paradise!”
It is time to go and he comes to see us off. Just across the street he sees his neighbors working in the garden and greets them noisily. They wave back and say they will bring him some vegetables. “The local people are very nice and hospitable”, points Nick, “They don’t know the language, but we still understand each other perfectly, they help us a lot.”
We part and Nick shows us the road to the house, which he reconstructed. We promise him to come back and head towards the village of Granitovo.

There we meet Norma and Alan Paddock, who welcome us heartily. It is obvious they like guests and soon I find out that most of the parties happen at their home.
The first thing I ask them is whether they are happy in Bulgaria. They smile at me, hug each other and kiss. “We are in love again! It is incredible! It feels like we have a second honey moon!”
“Come here, we want to show you the house”, invites me Norma and shows me the kitchen and the bathroom on the first floor. They have two more rooms there also. The first floor needs to be finished, but the kitchen sink and the cupboards are already bought and need to be installed. Then we go up on the second floor to find three spacious and sunny rooms, and completely finished and luxurious bathroom with a bath-tub. Norma and Alan have brought along most of their stuff from UK with two trailers. Even their dog is here and it seems she likes me!

It is obvious that Norma and Alan are extremely happy with their house. I can read it in their eyes when they talk about it! At first they liked another property but the minute they saw this house they fall in love with it. Norma points out, that they have chosen Bulgarian Properties Company, since they received immediate and correct answers to their questions and numerous additional advices by Barrister Chobanov. She also tells me, two days ago all people from UK who happened to be in the region went to visit Chobanov’s parents, who live nearby and made a great party there. “I found so many friends here! It is fantastic!”, she says “And look, these are vegetables my neighbors keep on giving me. We are all like one big happy family!”

I ask them about the wonderful garden and Nick says “That is my pride. You know, I was a gardener back in UK, but now I have to relearn everything again! Here the soil is different, the rainfall is different. The other day I was planting potatoes, but the lady over there said I was not doing it properly and showed me how they do it here.”
We wave Norma and Alan good-bye, but have to promise that we will go back when the house is completely ready to take part in the party.
They say they will record their experience in Bulgaria and try to help other people who want to find a peaceful area, with fresh air, amazing views and good neighbors. And I feel these were not only the stories of their new life in Bulgaria, but stories about falling in love… with nature, with the person next to you, with life.

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