The Yambol History Museum Statues

These are some statues that are placed outside the Yambol Historic Museum. They have a very plain look about them, but they seem to have personalities as you stare at them. Again, they stand in a very public place and accessable to everyone with no vandalism in sight.

A Former Fireplace Now Outside?

This remains an enigma to me as I thought at first it was a fireplace of a former home that had been knocked down. Looking again the surround doesn't really look like it was a home. So why an outside fireplace? Is it an fireplace or something else? It is situated just opposite the entrance the posh Diana Hotel entrance. Any ideas anyone?

Derelict Homes in Yambol

Another example of the the old Yambol where home are derelict and ripe for new developments. Eventually all these inner city houses will be gone and the new modern accommodation, shops or offices will stand in their place. Although these homes are an eye sore looking like this, they were someone's pride and joy years ago with land with vines and other organic homegrown produce. Such as shame this typical Bulgarian City home has gone to ruin.

An Attractive Corregated Iron Shelter

Walking past the relatively newly renovated local bakery where the fresh banitsa are still made very day, I noticed the entrance had a shelter built out of corregated iron. Corregated iron is used everywhere in Yambol on building, wall and even as replacement windows, but this was different. This was fashion corregated iron, which I found quite attractive in its own way. But then compared to the convential ugly corregated iron it stands out as a gem.

Yambol's Regional History Museum

This is Yambol's Regional History Museum situated just south of the main city shopping area. This is where many local historical artefacts dating back thousands of years are kept. I never been in there, but I know others who have been in and viewed the exhibits giving back good reviews. So one day I'll act the tourist and take a tour of the museum.

Corner Building

The south of Yambol is an interesting area just before hitting the River Tundzha. Lots of new developments are taking place, but there is still lots of old buildings still standing. this won't be for long I fear. This little corner building is unique, but at the same time typical of some of the sites still around right now.

St Nikolai's Church - An Arched Window

Walking past the St Nikolai's Church you could almost go by and not notice this understated arched window on the east facing side. Simply stated, it is apt in practicability and religous style. Might be a problem cleaing the windows with that metal grate that has been put on though.

Two Working Huts Not Working

These are at one of the many junctions n Yambol. One is a newspaper hut the other a traffic police tower hut. Since I have lived here I have never seen them actually being worked by anyone. I'm sure they were used before, maybe in commnist times. Maybe they'll be used in the future with more world news and traffic that will be in Yambol.

Two Black Trees - One White Wall

This was seen just south of Yambol City Centre in a derelict area which now doubt will be developed on soon. It just struck be with the contrast so I clicked and caught it. These trees I'm sure will bloom soon come spring. Buy the way, this is typical City centre surround in many areas of Yambol.

The Scratchcard Seller

The sun was out, but still a cold wind that blew and the scratchcard seller was out for business. This is a comon sight in Yambol's City centre where many passers by try their luck. The Bulgarians seem to like a little flutter on scratchcards judging by the amount of passers by who stop there. Notice the clear plastic wrapping round the legs to keep warm - Cheap and practical, again very much in the Bulgarian mould.

Ready, Steady Go!

In the boulevard area of Yambol City centre it is a sure sign of warmer weather when you see the battery powered kids cars ready for action. Loads of children, many toddlers train on these and have lots of practice to potentially becoming crazy Bulgarian drivers. If you are a pedestrian, you have to be on the lookout otherwise you'll be knocked over. Luckily though, these vehicles make quite a lot of noise with their whining and hard plastic wheels so you can hear them coming

Yambol Centre Flower Garden Ready For Action

Right in the heart of the City of Yambol is a little flower garden. It has lay dormant through the short winter and now lots of bedding plants have been planted ready for action. In a very short space of time this area will be full of colour and transform the boulevard into a festival and celebration mood. The flowers of Yambol are so uplifting when in bloom.

Driving Westward Over the River Tundzha

I don't normally hang around for sunsets in the winter, but will take pictures if I happen be out in the evening. That was taken as I were driving westward towards the road that travel to the village Rosa. A this point I was crossing the bridge that took us over the River Tundzha. It was actually taken whilst I was on the move at the wheel, so I was quite suprised it came out as sharp as it is. Don't try this at home folks.

The Wine Journalist Restaurant

This restaurant called the Wine Journalist offers fine food and drink all day and evening. It stands out with the varnished soft wood exterior design. I only been in the restaurant once quite a few years ago, as you enter you walk into a basement area. All the menus are also in English, but cuisine definitely Bulgarian. It's not the cheapest or the most expensive place to eat and we prefer other places, but then that's not coming from me, but from Bulgarians who know better.

The River Tundzha - The Other Face

Every picture I have ever seen of the River Tundzha show at as its prettiest. Here is one stretch that the cameras and publications totally ignore. The running water is there, you can just about see it on the left. The wildlife in this part of the river is full of varieties of waterfowl and other river loving mammal, including rats of course. This is a perfect natural haven for nesting in the long grasses there. Added to this the area is basically untouched by humans.

Bookseller or Fruit Seller?

This trader is hiding away in the bookstall hut on this slightly chilly morning. Although a bookstall that sells new and secondhand books, poster, there are extras. On the wirey legged chair are some goodies including fruit, including apples, bananas and preserved dates to offer passers by. Why not, it is just as good as the bazaar fruit and vegetables and a damn sight better than the supermarket stuff?

Yambol's Greek Goddess Diana - A Different Pose

We have already had one picture of the Greek Goddess Diana and her faithful hound in the Diana Park which is named after her. This time however there is no hunting in the snow. Here she is again situated on the south side of Yambol City just inside the dual carriageway ring road. She is such an elegant figure with almost a gymnastic pose with here bow. Dogs will always be dogs as this hunting kanine looks in readiness for the hunt.

Zagorka - Тhe Number One Beer In Bulgaria

Nailed to a linden tree right next to an outside eating area is a poster of the famed Zagorka lager beer. You will find many advertisments all around Yambol of this beer. It is considered the number one beer in Bulgaria and Bulgarians are very proud of that, even though people from Heineken own the company which based in Stara Zagora some 50 kilometres from Yambol. The younger generation tend to drink western branded beers such as Becks, Stella Artois and Tuborg, even though Zagorka is 50% less in price and of much better quality. I wonder why? Notice the poster is printed English with various languages, including Bulgarian, of the word 'cheers' above.

Whacky Races in Yambol

This was quite a bizzare event that I witnessed this evening on the roads of Yambol. A couple of gypsies bringing in some winter straw on their horse and cart were about to be overtaken by a woman cyclist. When she tried to pass they giddied up the horse and wouldn't let here by. It was only when they saw me with a camera on the side of the raod that the race ended and the cyclist finally got past. I suppose if it was a male cyclist there wouldn't have been any contest. By the way, a typical under-nourished gypsy horse, all skin and bones!

A Fat Yambol Cat Fed On Fish Donations

I see this lucky cat often, it hangs around a snack bar that serve fish (fried whitebait) every evening. We have often eaten there and this cat gets fed from customers from their restaurant tables. By the way, this snack bar is called 'Pre Jek' and is a perfect place to sit out warm evening eating fish and chips and a cold beer alongside. Very reasonably priced as well. The cat no doubt will have been on an involuntary diet in the winter, but will soon gain weight again in the spring when fish donations start up again.

The Tables And Chairs Are Out In Yambol Again

We are just barely into the second week in February and Bulgaria is having an exceptionally warm few days, The tables and chairs were out again in Yambol and not for the first time this year; today was cooler than yesturday. This very much brings back the thoughts of the long summers here, which actually only seems like yesterday anyway.

Moulded Staircase

Another back street picture that just caught my eye. The moulded cement just stood out on the 'spiral' staircase in this house. This is set off with the bare brick of the houser and the elegant metal railings. Somehow though it just fits together so well. The bucket outside comfirms this is in Bulgaria.

Stack Of Used Car Tyres

I found a stack of used car tyres outside a house on the main road today. I have no idea why they are there. They are chained to the iron grid on the window, understandably as this is almost in the Gypsy ghetto area. Maybe they are designated for more road sign in Yambol as the state or the roads are in a desperate need of repair.

A Simple Yambol Chimney

Chimneys are all over Yambol, in part sit get quite smoky is there is a still cold night. You can smell the wood burners smoke which rise and hang over the city. There chimneys often leak smoke and many are patched up with blobs of cement to keep them efficient. I just love the character of these old, but working chimneys. These are now on the decline in Yambol with new developments without wood burning systems.

Escalators in Yambol

These escaltalors are located in the brand new Yambol Shopping Centre opposite the main police station, I got to have a go on them this evening. They are the second moving stairs to be installed in new shopping complex in Yambol. The first was in the new Billa supermarket and Technomarket next to the Tundzha river. I saw a few shoppers not quite sure how to use them and kids innocently playing around going down the rising steps - all great fun. Whilst I was there using them the system broke, it may well be that the builders who installed them hadn't done this before.

A Fine Place for a Vine

This is another common sight in Yambol, vines growing on top of garages. These created spaces are sometimes used as seating areas in the summer under the frame and the shade of the vines. There is always space in Yambol for vines whether you have a garden or not.

An Official Bulgarian Road Sign

This is seen regularly on Bulgarian roads. It mean beware a hazard is here and in place where there are major pot holes, wet cement around drains that have just been repaired, or in place of a missing drain. In fact these green painted tyres are used on a regular basis. Why pay good money on cones when a couple of painted recycled car tyres will do? In some cases the wheel trim is placed in the tyre, perhaps a VIP in the City on these ocassions. By the way, the unofficial road signs for beware of hazard in the road are twigs and branches.

After The Gypsy Road Sweepers Have Been

I knew exactly who had been here moment before I walked along this Yambol back street. The Gypsy women road sweepers have been tidying up along this particular street. And what a good job they do as well. If it were Gypsy men, well actually any Bulagrian men for that matter working instead, this certainly would not be the same neat sight. They really do a good job these Gypsy women.

Grapes on the First Floor of Block 19

It only needs a small space to plant a grape vine and the resident on the first floor of Block 19 has found one. A small area by the side of the entrance of a furniture shop. Incidently we bought our bed/sofa from this shop. One thing is for sure, if this happened in the UK, the council would be out with their book of regulations and ready to send out a fine, there would be a war with the shopowner and besides that the vine would have been vandalised the same day it was planted!
Here in Yambol everyone grows grapes wherever they can.