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Renovating at 67 & 76 years old

(104 Posts)
Nanz Sat 20-Aug-22 07:07:52

We are working on Renovating an old cottage in Bulgaria with little money smile We went to help our daughter in Canada for 18 months looking after two active young uns.. Now we are building our dream. People think its weird we would do this at our age but to be honest it has made us have a goal each day - it has also helped us mentally and physically as we work the overgrown gardens and plan the house out. If there is interest in our progress i can post photos of our journey

Willow68 Mon 22-Aug-22 12:49:56

Yes please post pics and whatever makes you happy, it’s a big task, but if your mobile and healthy it’s better than sitting indoors with nothing to get excited about… good luck x

4allweknow Mon 22-Aug-22 12:41:39

Go for it. As you say will keep you fit and focused in your lives. Bit surprised it's still so cheap in BG as usually once joining EU everything shoots up in price.Good Luck.

Fridayschild Mon 22-Aug-22 12:30:53

Wow! Sounds exciting. I’d love to see your progress!

SunshineSally Mon 22-Aug-22 12:18:42

Oh my goodness Nanz that all sounds wonderful. How exciting and a doctor and/or dentist easily accessible!

Do update us regularly and/or consider doing a blog.

Good luck to you both. I admire your enthusiasm, our current bungalow was a DIY-upper and that was more than enough for us as every single room hadn’t been touched since 1960/1970 and the gardens was a forest! I’m glad now that we moved here, but there were several times that I wept and wondered if we’d done the right thing in moving here - especially when the chimney and wall were knocked down in the kitchen and I had a makeshift kitchen in one of the bedrooms and did the washing up in the bathroom. The dust and grime was horrendous. We are just about to tackle the last bedroom - currently waiting for a loft ladder installation (the space needed to be made bigger) and then we’re done … but I still find myself lurking on Rightmove lol ? (much to my DH’s horror!?)

Edith81 Mon 22-Aug-22 12:17:38

You’re never too old to start a new venture, it’s better than just sitting around waiting to die. Good luck and long may you enjoy it.

Amalegra Mon 22-Aug-22 12:17:11

It sounds gorgeous! I would have loved to do something like this and nearly did so in Cornwall (where I’m originally from) which was a huge old place with ‘potential’! Unfortunately my (now ex) husband chickened out. Older now and on my own, I wouldn’t have the chutzpah (or cash!) to do it solo. All the best with your adventure- never too old, health willing, for such an exciting challenge. Do let us know how you get on!

Cossy Mon 22-Aug-22 12:15:28

I think you’re both amazing people and must have some interesting tales. Photos please !!

GrandmaMia1 Mon 22-Aug-22 12:14:47

I think that’s brilliant and wish you well. People keep saying ‘got to expect .... at our age’. Well no! My mother is 98 and always says that you have to keep ‘doing’ and keep going whatever your age. Friends have just said ‘we can’t do what we used to’ they are only 62. Well maybe not so quickly, but still try. This morning I’ve just ran 5.25 km. At 63, first run for few weeks because it’s been so hot, and I am still working. Keep at it, keep going and enjoy it. Brilliant!

pinkjj27 Mon 22-Aug-22 12:10:39

Good for you I admire you. I am so sick of people thinking age has to be a barrier. If you are healthy and able then go for it I say. Be lovely to see pictures of it once its done. Good luck

Fletcher1 Mon 22-Aug-22 12:09:06

Well done you only get one life so live it to the full hope all goes well would love photos

LondonMzFitz Mon 22-Aug-22 12:08:57

I have a Bulgarian friend who has organised group trips to different parts of Bulgaria. The history of this Country is extraordinary - Thracian pre-Roman! She is from Plovdiv so I've had a couple of trips there - City of Culture in 2019, Roman Ampitheatre, standing side by side with old Communist buildings. The St Petersburg hotel in Plovdiv would meet any 5* hotel in the UK, simply beautiful. The Rose Festival in June - the Bulgarian Spa's - I've sampled three throughout the Country, Borovets in Winter, the Starosel resort (really lovely spa set in a Vineyard) - Vineyards, earthy red wines .... Cheap skiing in season, I spent Christmas there a few years ago.

I am all envy. Blog please.

undines Mon 22-Aug-22 12:01:16

Fabulous! What a wonderful project - hope it goes really well for you!

spabbygirl Mon 22-Aug-22 12:00:06

Nanz that sounds lovely!! I'm in mid-60's and up for a new adventure like that, I've always wanted to do an old property up. Do post details of your blog, it will be nice for you to have a diary of your work

Durga Mon 22-Aug-22 11:57:39

I bought and renovated my present house at 80.

AuntieEleanorsCat Mon 22-Aug-22 11:50:37

Sounds wonderful to me and yes! would love to see your progress ?

Zonne Mon 22-Aug-22 10:39:54

Bookmarking, so I can follow the updates.

MerylStreep Mon 22-Aug-22 09:45:18

Nanz
I had a completely different encounter with an electricity worker.
I was told that I had to have my meter moved outside. Ok.
I asked when this was going to happen. Sunday afternoon ?
I asked the cost. 120 leva. Ok.
I told my neighbour what was happening and how much he paid. Nothing.
He was very angry and told me to call him when the electrician had finished.
It got very nasty. Obviously I couldn’t understand what was said but he physically got hold of him and threw him off my property.

Nanz Mon 22-Aug-22 09:23:39

Last night we were watching the torrential rain fall when i saw sparks from the side of the old barn ..YIPS we called one of our BG friends who called his friend works for the Electric company. 8pm on a Sunday night . He came out isolated the old shed and then fixed out power issue. Would not take a dime. You cant pay for that kind of friends

Nanz Mon 22-Aug-22 09:21:39

YorkLady

Have you thought about creating your own blog. Easier to add information and photos and it’s all in one space, rather than all over this thread. Provide us with a link to it and we can comment on there. Easier for friends and family too. Good luck with the renovations. I am looking forward to hearing about it all.

Thats an excellent idea. I will look into that when i get in from the garden today.

YorkLady Mon 22-Aug-22 08:49:37

Have you thought about creating your own blog. Easier to add information and photos and it’s all in one space, rather than all over this thread. Provide us with a link to it and we can comment on there. Easier for friends and family too. Good luck with the renovations. I am looking forward to hearing about it all.

Germanshepherdsmum Mon 22-Aug-22 08:42:29

They didn’t, unfortunately. Perhaps try again?

Nanz Mon 22-Aug-22 06:20:29

Hi everyone
Hopefully these photos will upload .

Nanz Sun 21-Aug-22 15:04:34

As Meryl said the health care is brilliant. We have a Brit friend here who had a heart issue. he was whisked into hospital with specialists called in during the night. That was 18 months ago and still is sent appointments for a regular check up.

Bellanonna Sun 21-Aug-22 11:55:04

Sounds utopian! I love your enthusiasm and wish you a wonderful life there, if it’s where you plan to stay.

MerylStreep Sun 21-Aug-22 11:08:18

When I lived there we were within walking distance of a largish hospital.
When I had health problems or the dentist I would see the pharmacist and she would walk me to the appropriate department, knock on the door and be introduced to Dr.
Before we moved there I’d had a gynaecological problem which the NHS couldn’t fix.
One visit to that hospital ( no appointment) all fixed, and the woman didn’t speak a word of English ?
Dentistry second to none.