Stories from the sea, the road and the wild.

The day at Bebresh and Skravena on 16 October 2026 had one more surprise for us after dark. After a day of rain and sun, with two stormy spells in between, the sky above Skravena suddenly went crystal clear. The rain had washed all the dust out of the air, and the stars came out sharper than I've seen them in a long time.

Less than an hour from Sofia, just north of the Vitinya Pass, the Bebresh river valley packs a surprising amount into a few kilometres: a quiet mountain reservoir, the highest bridge in Bulgaria, and a brand-new road taking shape across the Botevgrad valley. I went there with my camera for a walk. This post collects the photos and the stories behind these three places.

A peaceful day in the Rila Mountains visiting the incredible residents at Bear Sanctuary Belitsa. Knowing that these beautiful brown bears are finally living a life filled with safety, open spaces, and endless treats makes these photos so much more special. Big shoutout to Four Paws and the Fondation Brigitte Bardot for giving them the second chance they deserve.

An old electric pole stands alone against the sunset near Kremikovtsi Monastery, above Sofia, Bulgaria. It's a weathered post from another time, with ceramic insulators still on its arms. Its wires sway slowly in the evening wind. Behind it, the sky burns from gold to deep orange, and the pine forest on the ridge turns to a black silhouette.

Late September moon over Bulgaria: clouds drifting past the moon in Skravena and a moonrise from Vitosha above Bistritsa. Photos and video.

My third Friendship Regatta, and the most international one yet. Same boat, same skipper, a brand-new crew from five countries, and a route that took the fleet from Thassos across open water to Lemnos. This year the result matched the spirit: we won our division and finished 2nd overall. But as always with this regatta, the story is as much about the people on board as about the scoreboard.