Balkan Bucket Bonanza

[Junkman]

 

Opel E Rekord/C Commodore, I think.

[Bucketeer]

Loved to do a bit of travelling, but old life got in the way. But being nearly/only 30, I guess I still have time on my side?

 

I was 36 and had seen nothing and been nowhere when I decided to sack off the old life and start the new one. There is always time.

[Dave_Q]

... Anyway, enough house waffle. It's exciting for me, but only me I reckon.

 

I think there would be many people interested in hearing about progress on the house there.

 

Suggested thread title - Grand Designs: a house for less than £1000 all in.

[Bucketeer]

I think I'll start a thread up when I start work on the place in earnest, which is likely to be early spring as it'll be around -10C when I get back and the talk is of a right cold Jan and Feb like three winters ago when it got down to -26C where I was.

Also I'm hoping it's going to be more like £500 all in, but who knows.

 

I never imagined I'd have my own house, never mind one in Bulgaria, but you can get so much for so little here. 5,000 Euro gives you a wide property pool to choose from.

As an example, here's a couple of randoms I just grabbed from the first property site I looked at.

 

4,000 Euro

http://www.stara-planina.com/property_details.php?prop_id=3717&page=8&dr=&r=&l=&t=

 

 

5,000 Euro

http://www.stara-planina.com/property_details.php?prop_id=3606&page=7&dr=&r=&l=&t=

[SiC]

I think I'll start a thread up when I start work on the place in earnest, which is likely to be early spring as it'll be around -10C when I get back and the talk is of a right cold Jan and Feb like three winters ago when it got down to -26C where I was.

Also I'm hoping it's going to be more like £500 all in, but who knows.

 

I never imagined I'd have my own house, never mind one in Bulgaria, but you can get so much for so little here. 5,000 Euro gives you a wide property pool to choose from.

As an example, here's a couple of randoms I just grabbed from the first property site I looked at.

 

4,000 Euro

http://www.stara-planina.com/property_details.php?prop_id=3717&page=8&dr=&r=&l=&t=

 

 

5,000 Euro

http://www.stara-planina.com/property_details.php?prop_id=3606&page=7&dr=&r=&l=&t=

Christ. What does the average UK house price of £190k get you?

[hairnet]

190k ya flash git

 

what does even 20-25k get??

 

farkin ell

[Bucketeer]

The last month or so has been a bit rubbish. The day before I was supposed to fly back to BG, my bag containing money, ticket, passport etc was pinched. I've also had an enforced 're-assessment' of my living situation since coming back East. Every cloud has a silver lining though. You can't appreciate the good times without experiencing bad times. It's all swings and roundabouts. Or something.

 

 

Aaaaanyway, I'm going to start big with the spots to cover up the fact that all the rest of them are a bit lacklustre.

 

One of my 'holy grail' spots was achieved the other day. There are absolutely huggins of Mk2 Astras and Belmonts over here but I had still never seen a Daewoo Racer equivalent until . . . . . . . .

 

 

 

 

You can relax now, it's all downhill from here.

Have some snowy spots from when it was snowy. If nothing else it'll use a bit of time so you can avoid - [doing some work/talking to a loved one/contemplating the global financial situation/worming the dog/whatevs].

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Niva needs a big sombrero on the roof to go with the wheel arch 'taches.

 

 

 

 

 

I've mentioned and papped the binmen in their UAZ mountain goats before and in snowy times they use the same trucks to 'grit' the roads. Just fill the back with sand and a few guys with shovels and  analogue road 'gritting' is achieved. Have a terrible long distance photo to illustrate this.

 

 

They do the same for the main road through town but use the big ZIL trucks instead.

The terrain and little cobbledy roads round this part of town (all built on steep hillsides/cliffs) really limit the type of vehicle they can use.

 

 

I did try to get up to my ruin in the hills but this was the state of the only road and I didn't really fancy 20kms of snow wading.

 

 

Lagunas seem to be 'on trend' at the moment. I like to imagine that this one is used solely as a porch to the house. Open drivers door, wipe feet on centre console and enter the house via the passenger door.

 

 

 

 

Chrome arched beige Lada.

 

 

A Kia Delta is a new one on me. Check out the cute little spindly wheels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got given a bike in exchange for one of the bits of furniture I make. This is the third bike I have been given since I set off traveling.

 

 

Collecting the bike gave me opportunity to pass by the Volvo graveyard on the way back. A few of the exhibits seem to have disappeared since the last time I was here.

 

 

And that's about it.

TTFN from BG.

 

[KruJoe]

More top spottery, Alex. That Kia Delta is new to me too, a strange one. It doesn't look like a Rio saloon or anything I recognise.

And I had a lol at the funny backwards tractor, ta!

 

Would you care to show us some of the furniture you make?

[cms206]

More top spottery, Alex. That Kia Delta is new to me too, a strange one. It doesn't look like a Rio saloon or anything I recognise.

And I had a lol at the funny backwards tractor, ta!

 

Would you care to show us some of the furniture you make?

The Kia Delta appears to be another name for the Kia Avella; like the Pride before it, it was Ford Festiva based (although thia time second generation) with Mazda B3/B5 engines. The saloon was a Kia only model as far as I can see but was only exported to a handful of markets.

[Jon]

Seconded on the backwards tractor; I'm trying to work out where the engine is, if it has one, or is it carted around by a bevy of very strong horses? I'm not sure if that's still a thing in Bulgaria but assume is was as it was still the conveyance of choice of the rag 'n bone man in Sunderland, last time I visited.

 

Picks this time are the pretty scene of the Lancer and 405 in snow (sunlight is very nice in that one) and also the gold R11 with R9 lights and grille, which looks very wrong, much like those continental Sierra Sapphires with the hatchback/estate bonnets.

[Bucketeer]

For the unlucky few who still read this thread of bilge, have a special bonus prize reward spot.

This was sent to me this very day by one of my sub-spotters. It was captured earlier in the week in quite nearby Burgas, sporting Russian plates.

 

 

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE FASTEN YOUR SAFETY BELTS AND PREPARE FOR TAKE OFF.

 

 

ANYBODY WHO HAS JUST EATEN OR IS OF A NERVOUS DISPOSITION, PLEASE DO NOT CONTINUE.

 

 

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've lovingly* bestowed 20 pages of spots so far and quite possibly the best one was papped by someone else.

I'm getting my coat.

[Dave_Q]

Cinderellas carriage clearly got stuck halfway when turning back to a pumpkin.

 

The quality of the finish on it is pretty good suggesting someone with cash to waste commissioned at least a semi competant bodyshop to make it.

[panhard65]

That really is horrid !! Well done, your friend deserves a virtual pint for finding that thing. Based on a PT Crusier if I am not mistaken. I thought there was no way anyone could make a PT even worse than the mobile Elvis shrines that rock up at car shows over here, but this proves that it is possible.

[Bucketeer]

^^^^ My thoughts exactly. I had presumed the PT Cruiser depths had been well and truly plumbed but this is a whole new level.

 

Is there actually anyone who wouldn't feel dirty and ashamed turning up on their wedding day (or any day) in this.

[Junkman]

It reminds me of the Studebaker children's hearse I briefly owned in the 90s.

 

 

The hearse was retrieved from Uruguay, where the hand carved body was fashioned.

[Bucketeer]

Boring words, then pictures.

 

Seconded on the backwards tractor; I'm trying to work out where the engine is, if it has one, or is it carted around by a bevy of very strong horses? I'm not sure if that's still a thing in Bulgaria but assume is was as it was still the conveyance of choice of the rag 'n bone man in Sunderland, last time I visited.

 

I'm glad it wasn't just me that was a bit confused by the tractor.

I went back yesterday to see if I could get a shot from a better angle. Not much better I'm afraid.

 

 

There's a great inspection ramp set up in the yard with the tractor. It looks like something Joe or Will might knock up.

Note the big* angry* dog keeping me from getting closer.

 

 

The only theory I have about the tractor comes from the fact that in an adjacent yard is the town's 'tourist train', where it rests up for the winter. I don't have a picture. Something like this . . . . . but much less decadent.

 

 

Anyway, the shape of the tractor is slightly steam enginey and I'm thinking maybe possibly it was the original 'train', many years ago. But probably not.

 

 

 

 

Is Veliko Tarnovo your neck of the woods, Bucketman?

 

I think I drove through there when I left Shipka.

 

That's exactly where I am Tayne. The original capital and the most historic place in Bulgaria.

I took this picture from a friend's house, just along the road from me. It's looking out from VT towards Shipka. The Shipka Pass is on the far horizon, about 40-50km away. On a clear day you can also see the Buzludzha monument (AKA The Flying Saucer) from here. Did you visit that?

Also, about half way between VT and the horizon and over to the right a bit is where my ruin is located.

 

 

 

Would you care to show us some of the furniture you make?

 

I'm probably going to start a little WOOD thread over on the other channel soon. I think there's plenty enough non-car stuff here already.

 

 

And now, some pictures.

It's just some stuff from the last few days, all within ten minutes walk, nothing much interesting.

 

Today's spots are brought to you be the letter . . . . . .

 

 

V for victory.

V for Vauxhall, the smell of win.

 

 

 

 

I love these Corsa Estates. I'd have one fitted with the 'half a V6' engine in a heartbeat.

 

 

 

 

 

This red estate is beautifully ropey. It has 'OFF ROAD' written on the bonnet with paint stripper or something but there was a guy standing just behind the stack of wood so I bottled out of picturing that. Soz.

 

 

 

 

 

Other photos what I took.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really, really like the look of the Lada 111. I only have one and a half working eyes though.

 

 

 

There are plenty of Lancia Kappas knocking around but this is the first one I have seen that is not dark blue. It does still have the lovely blue velour interior and blue tinted glass though.

 

 

 

 

 

I went past here again.

 

 

 

One of the benefits of learning Bulgarian is that I can now also read Russian. Their alphabet is the same but with two extra characters. Most of the language is very different to Bulgarian though, so reading Russian is not the same as understanding Russian. Anyway, I found myself trying to read a Russian newspaper online yesterday (as we all do) and found some interesting (to me) stuff.

 

So in the first part of a one part series, here is News From Mother Russia.

 

This was sent in to what I guess is their equivalent of the Lazy Spotters Thread.

Seen recently sporting GR88 falling tree branch protection.

 

 

 

There was a report on the latest Russian concept cars.

 

The modest Lada Xray SUVMPVLDV concept.

 

 

 

And a less modest Lada concept.

 

 

 

 

GAZ 5000GL.

 

 

 

And finally, this 'fake oil' facility was raided by police in Northern Russia.

 

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's all for now. I need a wee.

[Junkman]

We had tractors like this in the West as well.

 

 

The one you spotted could be a Russian Charkow T16M:

 

[Asimo]

My brain hurts - where is engine or are they pedal powered?

[Junkman]

[Bucketeer]

Yes, I went to Buzzludzha, that's why I was in Shipka, sadly couldn't gain access.

 

We're the dodgy crims in the fake oil facility filling those containers with something like spit, piss and treacle to sell to gullible fools buying cheap oil off the internet?

 

The report didn't seem to say what was in the containers but it definitely wasn't what it was supposed to be, and yes, they were being sold online as genuine.

 

Also, there's a little hole in the wall round the side of Buzludzha that you have to crawl through to get inside.

[panhard65]

I was just googleing Buzludzha and came across this site.

http://www.justanotherbackpacker.com/buzludzha-monument-bulgaria-ufo/

It seems the Land crusier has been there a while

[hairnet]

111!!!1 one one!!!111!!!!

 

lada obv

 

roadtriiiip!!!!!!

 

wwant

[chaseracer]

Brit plates...

 

[Bucketeer]

I was just googleing Buzludzha and came across this site.

http://www.justanotherbackpacker.com/buzludzha-monument-bulgaria-ufo/

It seems the Land crusier has been there a while

 

Interesting that. It's the same place I spotted it, outside bloody Hostel Mostel (my friend owns the other/better hostel in town, where I used to work). It seems to have gained some bull-bars in the intervening time but I'm pretty sure it hasn't moved for many, many months. They use a relatively new burgundy Espace for trips up to Buzludzha now.

 

 

Brit plates...

 

I never even noticed. They normally stick out like a sore thumb. I saw a Brit plated Rover 75 from the bus the other day, far too fleeting for a picture though. I'm pretty certain I've never seen another 75 here.

 

Anyway, as I'm here I may as well throw up yesterday's captures.

 

 

 

I never knew there was an all wheel drive Suzuki Liana.

 

 

 

Municipality sausage dog Niva with 'almost identical to my first car' Renault 5.

 

 

 

Belmont TIFFANY.

 

 

 

Peering over a wall looking at a recently resprayed (over ex-taxi yellow) Daewoo Tico.

 

 

 

I spotted this poor Datsun in the past, it's definitely dissolved some more and not moved since.

 

 

 

A UAZ 469 I wasn't quick enough to take a decent picture of.

 

 

 

111!!!1 one one!!!111!!!!

 

111!!!1one1!!11one!!11!!zero.

 

[andrew e]

I'd like to think I was alone with that Belmont Tiffany.

[Bucketeer]

^^^^ I NO RITE. I would genuinely struggle to choose between that Kadett Tiffany or Tiffany the 1980s 'I Think We're Alone Now' songstrel who awoke many wondrous new feelings in a young Bucketlad way back when.

 

 

Anyway, Sir Lord Stark the most depressed dog in Bulgaria invites you to view yesterday's spot-ishes.

 

 

Check out his swanky VIP wheel trim too. I imagined Sir Lord Stark was a Victorian adventurer/explorer/pillager type but after Googlizing it I'm slightly disappointed to learn it's a character from a TV show.

 

 

This is the third Volga that I know of in town. I've been trying to track it down for a while.

 

 

 

 

I'm going with the big guns early today, feast your viewballs on this Daewoo Prince Ace.

 

 

A new one on me, it's based on the Rekord E for added DRFTWPN.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another new one to me. For when a PT Cruiser just isn't quite ugly enough. The Chevrolet HHR (which apparently stands for Heritage High Roof, not the noise you make when dry-hurling).

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS ! ! !

FOR CONSECUTIVE LADAS, PLAYER ONE HAS BEEN AWARDED . . . . .

 

 

MULTIPLE SPOTS, THE SAME SHIT QUALITY.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lancias at Lidl.

 

 

The Kappa Estate in the background was all kinds of lovely in it's traditional blue with blue velour and blue tinted windows.

 

 

 

 

That's an old refuse collection UAZ 452 that has been tarted up (honestly) by it's new owner.

 

 

 

I found myself wandering about yesterday taking pictures of horrible/mismatched/interesting wheel trims. That's when I realised I need to take a break from Autoshite.

Not one of your decadent Western multi-fingered breaks though, oh no. Just a single fingered break for me.

 

 

I'm disappointed that I am too penniless at present to do more traveling, and therefore provide slightly more interesting updates.

The weather is really nice here though, so I'm going to go up to the ruin and play with some wood and stuff for a month or two, just camp up there and see what I can get done.

 

As a not very fitting sign off for now, have a cat I papped the hell out of no more than an hour or two ago. Catching it mid-lick was pure fluke.

 

[Bucketeer]

 

I need to take a break from Autoshite.

 

I'm going to go up to the ruin and play with some wood and stuff for a month or two, just camp up there and see what I can get done.

 

So this hasn't happened yet. I stayed in town to join in with today's Liberation Day celebrations. I'm currently sat indoors, with the curtains drawn, listening to Brahms and posting on Autoshite. Party on.

 

I may as well post up the last few day's offerings, photo-wise, whilst I still have internet.

 

 

A couple of weeks ago . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

This red estate is beautifully ropey. It has 'OFF ROAD' written on the bonnet with paint stripper or something but there was a guy standing just behind the stack of wood so I bottled out of picturing that. Soz.

 

 

REDEMPTION.

I strapped on a pair and papped this. Off Road RS by the look of it.

 

 

 

Other stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As an homage to Spotting Hall Of Famer Jon, I'm ending with a picture I took a few years ago that I just found. I was going to pop over the road and pap the Renault 11 in the distance but got sidetracked by the thrilling old lady race happening live in front of me. I backed the one on the right. Can't remember who won.

 

[castros_bro]

If you are bored the you could write the tale of the Giant Stone Eater  tale of the red Focus estate as I'm still in the dark, may also ping you a few bob to cover LPG etc .

[Bucketeer]

Soz Castroz, I thought I'd left you the combined works.

I'll fire off a fable forthwith.

 

LPG is on me (because it rhymes and because delivery fail).

[Bucketeer]

Spotting mojo low. Much ill. Very sickness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have much lurgy, literally zero money, zero prospect of any money and the weather has taken a sharp turn for the worse, so obviously I'm going to take a walk up to Romania next week.

Slightly less disappointing updates ahoy.