Woodwork heaven

[custard]

but if my eyes continue to deteriorate so that I can't drive it will be far more sensible than living in a village miles from anywhere.

Hello Steve, I hope your eyesight holds up for many, many years to come. I've learnt a great deal from you in the past, and I'm sure you have a lot more to teach me and countless others, so the very best of luck to you. If by any chance your new home is in the Hampshire area then know that you're welcome in my workshop any time.

 

[Bigdanny]

But as it will be almost winter when we go we thought we had better get it done rather than sufferthe current broken rotten windows.Neil

How cold does it get in winter :?: we are in Eastern Europe and we get minus 22C so a good central heating system is essential.

Hi Losos, I'll try to help on a few of your points. Yup it can get cold here, last year was quite mild only about -18C but the year before was -28C and a good heating system is a necessity. Whereabouts in East Europe are you? From your description further down about tradesmen. I would guess Romania.

Regarding the language, your partner might speak Bulgarian but that doesn't mean she knows all the technical terms and trying to explain to her in English what a 'waney edge' is and then getting her to put that into Bulgarian might be a problem DAMHIKT :lol:

I had huge problems when I first got here and was trying to learn the language and ways. But with good dictionaries, talking to people and t'internet I can usually get what I want. I would say my knowledge of building and wood is probably as good or better than the average bulgarian. But I am still learning all the time.

Along with poor quality tools you will find poor quality work if you use outsiders and I found that so called 'tradesmen' always wanted to use my ladders and wheelbarrows and even some of my tools :roll: and they often want you to buy the materials for the job before they will start work :x

Hehehe, I still smile when a "maestor" comes and says Oh I can do everything. Then he arranges his tools. Hammer/adze, saw, mortar trowel and plaster trowel. Nothing else. I can understand the bit about the client buying the materials as this is a more cash based society and building supply companies often don't extend credit.

Are you going to remain a UK resident for tax purposes :?: Do you have any savings :?: Is Bulgaria in the EU :?: If it is then be aware that the European Savings Interest legislation now means that any interest you earn in UK (Including pensions, ISA's, Premium Bonds etc) will be reported to the Bulgarian Tax authorities and you'll have to prove you've paid tax on them in UK. In the case of Premium Bond prizes you won't be able to do that and may be liable to pay 30% to Bulgarian tax authorities (so if you should win the big one that's £330,000 :x)

Finally, what status will you have over there 'Tourist' 'Foreign tempory resident' 'Foreign permanent resident' etc. depending on which you go for will depend on things like drivers licence, ownership of property, and medical services. I would strongly advise that you get an EHIC before you go but this only covers accidents and emergancies any other medical services will need to be paid for.

Foreign Permanent Resident card is relativly easy to apply for and get. Agree about the EIHC card will need that for the residence card. Neil will need to make sure that Passport and Driving licence are as up to date as possible as many documents. Card ownership, residency etc have an end date with the passport expiry date.

Best of luck with your venture, one thing you should find is peace and solitude and you don't get much of that in overcrowded Britain.

 

[devonwoody]

Interesting post and my best wishes to your future and happiness.

Woodwork, well that garden will keep you tied up for many days a week, the stuff grows faster than you can cut it down.

But I expect there are many plusses as well.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Hey Custard, thanks very much indeed. Actually the house is close to where I am living now. A rather decayed ex-mining area. Hey ho.
I'm not panicking about my eyesight. It's been carp all my life. I was told when I was 16 that I would go blind (no making up your own jokes, please). But so far I've proved him wrong. The main problem is that whereas I used to be able to wear my contact lenses 15 hours a day 365/365, now 8 hours is OK, 10 is a push and if I keep them in for 12 then I pay for it the next day. I do have specs but they are a very poor substitute. I can't read or drive with them.
They seem to be stable again just now, but last year I had 7 new prescriptions, and it's only ever in one direction.
Anyway, onwards and upwards, as they say.
I can't help but think that I have hijacked Neil's thread a little. Sorry Neil. Can we have some more nice piccies please?
S

 

[SammyQ]

Steve, you've shared enough of yourself both here (and on a certain radio broadcast) that I am sure I speak for many when I tell you I am chuffed and a little moved for you, to learn of your purchase. I know you have had a rough few years. Good Luck Mate.

Sam

 

[ellisn]

Hey Steve don't worry about hijacking, keeps the thread alive until I get some work done

Yes cold will be an issue especially as we will be into the winter almost when we go there. Luckily my girlfriends mother has an empty flat in Vidin (nearest big town) so we will probably use that until our place is ready.

Will need to update my passport as it only has a year or so left on it. Haven't a clue about all the paperwork needed but I will be a 3 month tourist to begin and sort the rest when there. I will carry on paying my stamp here in the UK for pension and get health insurance. It is part of Europe which makes things easier so as long as I can prove I have money in an account there they should leave me alone.

The specialised language will be a problem but I will just annoy Danny until he gets fed up with me

The garden you can see is just a fraction, there is a whole field behind the barns... we can live of nettle soup for the next few years.

Neil

 

[Bigdanny]

Hehehehe, Red wine and beer is on you depending on season. (hammer)

 

[Graham Orm]

Check this guy out. He posts great video's about his 'homestead' lifestyle in America. I'm sure it will give you lots of inspiration. http://www.youtube.com/user/wranglerstar

 

[ellisn]

Don't worry Danny at the price of beer out there I will get it plumbed in

 

[ellisn]

And just to prove I have no problem with the thread being hijacked I purchased Steve's 10 DVD bundle (think I will need it) ..... on sale by the way so get in there quick

 

[Losos]

Will need to update my passport as it only has a year or so left on it. Haven't a clue about all the paperwork needed but I will be a 3 month tourist to begin and sort the rest when there. I will carry on paying my stamp here in the UK for pension and get health insurance. It is part of Europe which makes things easier so as long as I can prove I have money in an account there they should leave me alone.

The specialised language will be a problem but I will just annoy Danny until he gets fed up with me

The garden you can see is just a fraction, there is a whole field behind the barns... we can live of nettle soup for the next few years.

Neil

One tip I would pass on, get your passport renewed while you are in UK, the Passport Office are very good and they will deal with you wherever you are BUT if you are abroad they use DHL to send the new passport and then a seperate DHL conseignment to send the old one back to you (Don't ask why not both in the same shipment!) anyway the whole thing costs £150 my wife just did it. As I say their web site is good and the form is simple and straitforward but the fee for renewing while abroad really hurts :lol:

We are in Czech Republic, we bought an old farm house ten years ago and have renovated it thought it would take two years but still not finished and frankly I've decided certain rooms will stay virtually as they were when we moved in, we don't need them and being somewhat older than you it's not worth the hassle, house is reasonably comfortable even in winter.

Another tip is don't ever set yourself any deadlines 'cos things get done when they get done and you'll save yourself a nervous breakdown if you don't ever say "By so and so I'll have that finished" :lol:

 

[Losos]

Whereabouts in East Europe are you? From your description further down about tradesmen. I would guess Romania.

We are in Czech Republic but in a very rural area, even the postman has problems finding us. I think people who move to the rural areas of Eastern Europe must take on board that tradesmen (Good or bad) don't need to go outside their own street to look for work. There is such a huge backlog of work on houses in every town that most chippies, sparks, brickies etc. have enough work to last them a lifetime literally.

For nearly 45 years no maintenance was done on any private properties under the communists and that's one hell of a backlog, we have found it very hard to even get trades people to come out to us to look at a jobs. I used to do it all myself but sadly age is now a factor, can't get up at dawn and slog all day 'till 7 or 8 at night any more.

 

[Bigdanny]

Hi Losos,
I'm a little surprised at the Czechs being same as Bulgarians. I guess is a communist trait, what's yours is everybodies. . There are things I don't lend. ie My woodwork tools & machines & scaffolding. Don't mind the hammers, old saws shovels spades etc.
I visited Czech in 1997 and was an interesting place. Really enjoyed Prague, also did Bratislava and Budapest as well. It probably gave me the idea then to move a bit East.
I'm glad I didn't move into a huge house here. A lot of Brits have and although they have big houses usually they only use the usual, kitchen, bed,living and bathroom. They quite often have another 3 or 4 bedrooms doing nothing. Still each to their own.
Yes, there is more of a "tomorrow" attitude as well. Sometimes this can be a little frustrating but then if I wanted everything NOW then I would still be in the UK with a mortgage and on the hamster wheel.

Danny

 

[Losos]

I guess is a communist trait, what's yours is everybodies. .

And of course the old communist mantra "All property is theft" :lol: I quoted that in an Estate Agents office once and the whole office went silent :lol:

When shopping I've found a huge difference in attitude between those over say 45 and who have been brought up with the communist propoganda and those younger shop assistants. Exact opposite of UK. It will take another generation to eradicate the 45 years of brain washing and the 'take it or leave it attitude' of those serving you who are over 45