Middle-aged flash packers

I won’t bore you with the details, but last week was not a good one, and at one point I honestly thought the only place I’d be checking into would be an asylum.

However, here we are, in The Jasmine Hotel Sofia, having had a stress free flight with some reviving champagne and a good old sleep.

We are ready to enjoy whatever it is the Rhodope mountains have to offer and just enjoy pottering around in a carefree manner.

The Rhodopes straddle Bulgaria and Greece and we decided to visit the Bulgarian section because… well no particular reason to be honest., we just thought we would.

We have a vague itinerary that includes visiting the ancient city of Plovdiv, walk the mountains around Smolyan and enjoy a few days at a wellness spa in Velingrad.

As usual Steve is in the driving seat, and I am the annoying commentator on all the sights he is missing while he keeps his eyes on the road.

Let the fun commence and the unwinding begin.