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Welcome to Our Journey in Southeast Bulgaria
If you’re new to our channel, we are the Udans: Phil, Kaye, Alex, and Ember. Back in November 2021, we took a leap of faith, purchasing land in Southeast Bulgaria. This property, which includes three barns, a house, and nearly two acres of farmland, was a significant step towards our dream of living more sustainably and off the grid. However, our adventure hasn’t been without challenges. The land had been abandoned for over a decade, situated in a state of disrepair, overgrown, and in need of significant attention.
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Our journey has been characterized by hard work, setbacks, and unexpected surprises, and in this article, we’ll explore what we have accomplished so far and what lies ahead as we continue our mission to establish a sustainable life in Bulgaria.
A New Beginning on Our Land
Stepping onto our newly purchased land marked an emotional milestone for us. It was a surreal moment that seemed to come after a long period of planning and dreaming. Our first official step onto the property solidified our commitment to making this vision a reality, despite the hurdles we knew we would face.
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As we explored what we affectionately call the "Big Barn," we recognized the need for immediate action due to its deteriorating condition. The roof, in particular, posed a risk of collapse, which would have obstructed our only access road. Our first goal was to stabilize the structure to ensure we could move forward with our plans.
The Barns: Our Foundations for Future Projects
The property includes three barns, each with its own history and potential. Barn 2, referred to as the "Boundary Barn," is the only brick structure and was where the original owners kept livestock, as well as produced their own wine. Further, Barn 3, or the "Small Barn," was used for milking cows, showcasing the agricultural history of the land.
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We didn’t just purchase the property for its buildings; the land itself, with a rich history as a former vineyard and a place that nurtured livestock, was what truly drew us in. We envisioned transforming this space into a vibrant off-grid homestead for our family.
Clearing the Land and Building a Future
As we settled in, our immediate priority became clearing and tidying up the space in anticipation of our future endeavors. It was around this time that Kaye discovered she was pregnant with Ember, adding both joy and complexity to our plans.
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Achieving off-grid living means not relying on traditional utilities for electricity and water. From the start, we have aimed for energy independence and self-sufficiency. This goal became evident when we installed our solar power system, allowing us to harness energy right from the sun. Living off the grid has provided us with a sense of freedom and adaptability, especially given the extreme seasonal weather conditions we experience.
Facing Challenges and Setbacks
Despite our enthusiasm, we faced significant challenges along our journey, including health struggles. Kaye underwent major surgery after a tumor was found in her hip. This complicated our project timelines and added unforeseen stress to our lives. Nevertheless, we have remained persistent in our goals.
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Winter's Arrival and Looking Forward
As winter blankets our homestead in snow, we take this time to reflect on our past experiences. This editorial period has allowed us to look back on our accomplishments and energize our spirits as we prepare for what is to come in 2025. Our project board is filled with ideas and plans, focusing primarily on transforming the first barn, completing our geodesic greenhouse, and enhancing our solar energy setup.
Additionally, we plan to finalize the pool area, and there’s some life-changing news on the horizon that we’re excited to share in subsequent videos.
Gratitude and Community
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We take this moment to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our viewers. Your engagement through likes, comments, and shares has motivated us to keep pushing forward, even when the work becomes overwhelming. Each interaction resonates with us, reminding us why we embarked on this journey.
As we move into 2025, we anticipate a year filled with considerable progress, exciting developments, and shared experiences. We hope you’ll join us as we continue on this remarkable adventure — transforming our lives and our land in Bulgaria.
In closing, thank you for reading, and of course, see you in the next chapter of our journey!