Near Varna: When you've found you greener grass. part 1

Running out

The author’s 50th birthday threatened like a low fuel warning light, his fast lane existence had bypassed a mid-life crisis. Turning towards early retirement seemed the best way to avoid hitting the morgue.

You’re going to move where?

On Midsummer’s Day he took off on a motorcycle ride towards Eastern Europe to contemplate his imminent homelessness along with life, love, employment, purpose and other trivialities. Somewhat distracted by this train of thought he accidentally found himself in a country of temptation and promise, prompting a reckless gamble based on a gut feeling.

Choosing quality of life

It soon transpired there was far more to immigrating than simply relocating. Despite a down to earth outlook his feet barely touched the ground, as he rode into his new life experiencing the ups and downs of Balkan living, cherry-picking from his hectic past to make room for a calmer future.

Trying to sit still

Nirvana is a place where life slows to a pace of seasonal changes. But ties have to be severed before you can unplug, sit back and watch with wonder as the planet rotates, all whilst trying not to drink too much.

The last cheque

A single-minded lifestyle, searching for greener grass was inevitably a lifetime of lists. Now it was time to check the final boxes and Bulgaria made the grade:

• leisurely rhythm of life;
• time honoured traditions;
• dramatic seasons;
• uncrowded country;
• untamed nature;
• snow-capped mountains;
• wild beaches;
• exotic and accessible neighbours (Islamic Turkey, sun-baked and bankrupt Greece, mystic Romania and recently unsettled Serbia);
• and the freedom that comes with affordability.

Embrace the pace and come along on this compelling, entertaining journey.