A very different trip to Bulgaria this time, as I wanted to watch one of the workshops concerning the production of a wolf management plan for Bulgaria, bringing together all interested (and conflicting) parties. Two days locked in a room, with some progress but also a fair amount of frustration at the conclusion of the workshop.

Then, a demonstration in Sofia, against more development in the Pirin National Park, a protected area. Hmmm, someone doesn't know the meaning of Environmental Impact Assessment, methinks! This demonstration continues every two weeks, to remind people that the problem will not go away, and seems to receive a fair amount of media attention.

In the end, I only had two days in the mountains, but did get chance to take one of the Karakachan livestock guarding dogs for a long walk, which creates a great feeling of security, should a wild bear be around! Early November and temperatures in the mid-20s, with a clear blue sky. Nice, but also very wrong!