So I flew to Greece, but I didn’t actually stay there for very long (by the way I’ve never had an issue flying out of the Uk with metal circulars or any problems knitting on the plane, that’s no guarantee that you’ll have the same experience but it seems like it’s not usually a problem). Met up with Hannah, took a weird walk in the rain around thesaloniki’s port and ate a dinner made up of various greek side dishes, before we boarded the night train for Sofia. Sofia’s the capital of Bulgaria (er I didn’t know that until fairly recently) and although it’s chilly enough that we had to buy some warmer clothes we’ve been having fun exploring. Yesterday we wandered around the centre, which is full of totally contradictory buildings thrown together. Lots of run down concrete, colourful peeling paint on once grander facades and some amazing churches, like this – the ‘Russian Church’. I think it was built in the late 19th century as a celebration of Russia’s help in freeing the city from the rule of the Ottoman empire.
At least I think that’s it, we went to the National History Museum today and discovered that this place has a very colourful political history, as well as a pretty ancient one. There were lots of interesting archeological finds, and the church we visited after the museum was built between the 11th and 12th centuries. The entire interior of the church was decorated with murals, although photography was forbidden of course so I can’t show you.
Tomorrow we’re planning on visiting a monastery outside the city, before we get another night train to Bucharest and then onto Transylvania. We’re staying in a town that seems to be straight out of a fairytale, so we’re rather excited about that. 
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
thanks so much for sharing all your travels — as if the knitting wasn’t lovely enough! Can’t wait to see a eastern European “fairytale” town and transylvania – both places i have a few years before I can get to!
That’s look cute!! Lovely momuments!
reading the title, I expected to see a bunny :) beautiful pictures anyway.
Ooo Transylvania is lovely – I took the night train to Brasov from Budapest a couple of years ago. So very, very pretty. Good youth hostel too – it had a special room for snorers.
your wonderful pictures have added bulgaria to my already too long travel list!
Can I have your life??
i you see Drancula in Transilvania let us know ;)
How exciting! I can’t wait to see the Romania photos. I’m headed there this winter so now I get an Ysolda-style preview!
Love the Ode to Joy between chimneys. What a neat idea!
A) Bulgaria is beautiful. I love the picture of where the church used to be.
B) I once has issue getting my knitting needles through Stansted. It was on a particularly horrendous day where Ryanair destroyed my will to live (surprise, surprise) and we were just about to miss our flight when I got stopped with my size 2 Addis. By that point, though, I was already such a wreck that I started crying. I was so pitiful that the woman let me take my needles on board. And then we made our flight, but only because it had been delayed.
Didn’t have that problem coming back though.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful travel pics. The only problem I’ve had (in Canada) getting on a plane is that they don’t allow darning needles on and they will compare how pointy your knitting needles are to the darning needles. If the knitting needles are as pointy they will take them away from you but not many knitting needles are that pointy. Even the security guard at the airport thought this was a little ridiculous. Also can I have your life too?
That’s some holiday resort! Daring: Transylvania. Beware of Dracula.
I know you’re busy gallivanting throughout Europe, but I’m wondering if you’re ever going to post your “grown up booties” pattern. I’m dying to make them for a friend!