British: We found a small but select number of British expatriates living in the area who were to become close friends. We shall miss them all.

The camping in Biser is owned by Martin & Shirley Jeffes, whose beautiful home lies in the nearby Sakar Hills. Their son Matt resides on the campsite, and the whole family was very helpful to us. Martin & Shirley introduced us to Bulgarian history, including among several others, a Land Rover expedition to Perperikon (followed by a meal at the Stouden Kladenets lake on the River Arda). In July our wedding anniversary was celebrated at their home, with delicious home grown corn cobs and stuffed marrow, not to mention chocolate cake and flowers. For this – and much more – we are extremely grateful. We also enjoyed meeting Shirley's parents, Arnold & Beryl, over on holiday from England.

The only fellow-camper when we arrived was Bob Pharoah, a warm-hearted Geordie, living in his caravan and helping round the site. By the time Bob moved up to the property he had bought in another Sakar Hills village, we were great friends. We had many outings together, to shop in Haskovo, Harmanli or Stara Zagora, to eat in a wide variety of places, to visit Greece and the Black Sea coast. Bob has also provided a comfortable and spacious home for Nel, our foster-kitten, where she has now settled in very happily, along with one of Matt's young cats, 'Big Foot'. 

John & Carol left Liverpool to live in Biser village itself, along with their pedigree Bull Mastiff dogs - Susie, Ruby and Sox (not to mention the 4 puppies that Ruby produced during our stay!) John and Carol were kindness itself, taking us on visits to Svilengrad and Dimitrovgrad, and inviting us round for many a lively evening. We also met Carol's lovely daughter Nicola and her husband Stefan, visiting from their home in Sweden. In September John's friend George (we just needed Paul and Ringo to complete the Liverpool group) came to stay. We were guests at George's splendid birthday party, when he was overwhelmed by the many gifts from their Bulgarian friends – and a giant chocolate gateau from Margaret.

Last (but not least) we met a New Zealand family, who had moved from England to the same village as Bob: Ruth & Darryl and their children Alex, Aleesha, Erica and Sam. We had a very memorable evening at their home in mid-August, on a night which turned out to be a Lunar Eclipse! Over a long lingering meal under the stars, we all watched the 80% eclipse last for 3 hours. Soon afterwards Darryl and Alex had to return to England for a time, but we grew to love the rest of the family, visiting regularly to sample Ruth's muffins and other treats, to walk round the village, to take the girls on a visit to a Convent (where their fluency in the Bulgarian language astounded the Mother Superior), to laugh at their ginger-tom 'Cinnamon' being spoon-fed with cream, to enjoy family life …

Bulgarian: The Bulgarian villagers were extremely welcoming - many shared their produce with us, all gave a friendly wave or greeting. We only regret that we didn't have the language to talk at length. In addition to Ivan and our campsite neighbours Maria & Atanos (see 'Food' above), we were privileged to get to know others through English friends. We thank them all for their time and kindness and wish them well for the future.

At the home of John & Carol in Biser we dined with several of their neighbours, some of whom also joined us at the campsite for coffee. They had seen hard times: Boriana worked in Siberia when her children were small, and also in Greece. The powerfully built farmer Deliu, who had worked on building restoration near Berlin, was once a champion wrestler. Lubka, his wife, brought us fruit preserves and grapes from their land. Nikolai & Vilichka, with son Teodore, gave us home-made wine and cake. Nikolai had once worked as a chef in Germany and in the local Gargana Hotel, but was now a security guard in Lyubimets. Their large house, shared with Vilichka's mother, had been her childhood home. Indeed, rural houses are normally passed down through the generations and there are no estate agencies in the villages. The local mayor or post-master would know if any property was for sale.

We also met Martin & Shirley's neighbours in their village in the Sakar Hills. The indomitable Stefka Groseva, the Lady Mayor, is patiently teaching them the Bulgarian way of life and gardening. Across the road, another Ivan showed us round his dairy, where he is actually in the throes of converting the business from yogurt-making to wine.

For more images of people met in Bulgaria, click: People of Bulgaria