Dupevitza April 2026

Again on Dupevitza - mostly, because I wanted to fill our bottles with the delicious mineral water of Gorna Banya, but also, because the hike is lovely, the car ride is short and late April low mountains are gorgeous.

Based on weather forecast, we chose Saturday as the bast day for our hike - sunny, warm and low speed wind - perfect hiking spring weather.

The old barracks on the peak

Hike info:

Date: 25 April 2026

Destination: round trail to peak Dupevitza

Mountain: Lulin

Total length: 10 km

Elevation gain: 320 m

Total duration (plus picnic): 3 and half hours

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

We had our lunch on the tables on the peak, our tortillas and beer were tasty and scrumptious with the gorgeous views under the warm sun.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: men's boxers, blue longsleeve, cargo pants

I: lingerie, Sinclair Lotte sweater, leg warmers

The forests in the low mountains are leafing out, the wild fruit trees and bushes are all in bloom, the grass is taking over the meadows and the carpet of old brown leaves is being replaced with greenery and flowers.

This trail is abundant with nettles and I picked a whole bag of young cuttings, which I intend to turn into nettles quiche and shakshuka.

All Saints chappel

St. Cyril and Methodius Monastery

Blue Rhapsody with Butterflies

Rhapsody is definitely my most beloved blouse pattern and I have used it more than a dozen of times (this is my 15th Rhapsody, to be precise!), making blouses for myself and Gaby, and even one for my mother.

Despite the fact, that I have a number of them, I have a favourite, which I wear in the summer more than any other. It is the one with 3/4 bishop sleeves with ruffles and I've been planning a repeat ever since.

I had a piece of fabric left from the georgette with butterflies - I have a sleeveless dress out of this fabric and a long sleeve shirt with a bow collar (which I have never worn :( ), and I though I could make a sleeveless Rhapsody out of the remnants. 

But then, with a bit of sacrifice on the length - I love the shorter length! - and some shenanigans with the sleeve ruffles - they were cut separately and added to the sleeves, hiding the seam in the elastic, I managed to get a 3/4 sleeved Rhapsody and I am ecstatic! Now I am waiting for the warm weather to add it to my staple spring and summer wardrobe.

Apart from shortening the blouse, I made almost no mods to the pattern in addition to my usual mods. All the seams are french seams, including the seams, attaching the sleeves to the body and I used the burrito method for the yoke. However, I did try something new - I stay-stitched and added fusible to the curved edges - sleeve openings and neckline. The fusible is a step I skipped previously and for good reason - stay-stitching is plenty enough for stabilizing these seams, the fusible made the seams too stiff and I wouldn't recommend it for delicate fabric as this thin georgette.

Pattern: Rhapsody by Love Notions 

Size: XS, modified

Fabric: Polyester Georgette, 1 m

Time to make: 3 days

I finished the blouse more than a month ago, we took the pictures three weeks ago, but I've been so busy with work and prepping the balconies for the spring, that I've had almost no time for blogging. Meanwhile I finished sewing three more items, now I  need to photograph and post about them. Stay tuned :)

Peak Kecheko, Vitosha

A short reportage from our hike last Friday to peak Kecheko on Vitosha. The peak is just half a kilometer away from the Blue Arrow shelter, and though we hike there almost every year, we hadn't been to that peak.

The day was gorgeous, sunny and warm and the trail was completely devoid of people.

Hike info:

Date: 17 April 2026

Destination: peak Kecheko (1639)

Mountain: Vitosha

Total length: 12.5 km

Elevation gain: 550 m

Total duration (plus rest): 4 h

Average difficulty: 4 / 10

To make things more interesting, we tried a couple of new tracks, following the map on our app. This turned the hike a couple of kilometers longer and made the climb easier, stretching it over meandering paths, instead of straight up.

The higher we went, more back in season we got. The mountain flowers in bloom were hellebores, squills and crocuses and after the 1500 m altitude line the first snow patches appeared. The snow cap above the 2000 m is very significant this year and given the cold spring and the amount of snow, it will probably keep till the end of June, if not longer.

The trail is very nice and pleasant to hike, but the altitude gain is substantial for such a short hike, even with the longer route.

The Blue arrow shelter

On peak Kecheko, which is actually a few dozen meters lower than the shelter

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: men's boxers, Burda cargo pants, Burda longsleeve, knitted socks

I:  lingerie, Sinclair Lotte blouse, legwarmers

We had our tortillas, beers and hot coffee here, on a meadow under the peak, with a view to the villages in the valley, next to a big snow drift. The wind on the peak was strong and cold and the vibe was much more winter-y than spring-y.

Peak Kecheko, seen from the trail to Belchova skala

On the way back we took almost entirely alternative trails, to explore the region more fully. I picked a handful of young nettles, which I plan to cook with shakshuka tomorrow.

Very satisfying hike and definitely a good exercise :)

Easter on Polovrak 2026

After a string of gray, rainy days, Easter was sunny and warm. This year Gaby stayed in Vienna (we are expecting her later this month), but Alex decided to join us on our traditional Easter hike. 

Although we visited peak Polovrak only a month ago, we chose it again for its nice open trails, beautiful views and easy access from home.

The view from the Lozen monastery to the Sofia valley

Because of the holiday, the monastery was well visited and the nuns surprised us with dyed Easter eggs as a good wishes greeting for every visitor.

The forests towards the peak are gradually filling in with grass and flowers

Hike info:

Date: 12 April 2026 

Destination: peak Polovrak (1182 m)

Mountain: Lozen

Total length: 10.5 km

Elevation gain: 420 m

Total duration (plus picnic and rests): 3 and a half hours

Average difficulty: 3 / 10

The last steep stretch towards the top of the mountain

Dam Iskar and Rila in the far distance

Vitosha with its fresh snow cap - the snow there will last at least till June.

Me-made items, worn on this hike:

 

Husband: men's boxers, Burda cargo pants, Burda longsleeve, knitted socks

I:  lingerie, Sinclair Lotte blouse, legwarmers

Alex: Burda T-shirt, hat 

As usual, we had our tortillas, painted Easter eggs and kozunaks (Easter bread) slices on the sunny meadow near the peak. It was warm, quiet and divinely peaceful.

On the way back we took alternative trails, so that we managed to make the hike almost entirely circular.

The trees in the mountains are still bare, but spring is definitely in its reign now.