We got back from dear ol GS last Monday after a fortnights A/I stay at The Nympha which is located within the Riviera Complex of 5 on-beach Hotels just past The Bonita. This was our fourth visit to GS and second year at Nympha.

Weather: After a rain lashed transfer from Varna to the Hotel the first two days gave us thunder, lightining, very very heavy rain and plenty of miserable faces looking skywards. But nil-desperandum dear reader, we plucky Brits got on with it. Some even produced an indoor undercover table-tennis table from drinks tables located on the terrace. Using the bats and balls from the out-door based table a mini Wimbleydon got underway to stun the Germans in the lounge. But, the hot n' sunny stuff arrived and it did us proud till our return...some days it topped 100 degrees. phew and phewer.

Hotel Nympha; Much busier than last year and although the Imperial next door was closed until our second week we seemed to be the busiest of the 5 Hotels with very few bodies seen bathing or on sunbeds. Sunbeds/parasols were initially at a premium but after a word to reception, a team of bronzed workers put up another 10 and Anglo/German warfare was avoided.

The whole resort of GS seemed much quieter than the corresponding dates last year with traders begging for you to try their hospitalty. We took our usual, and highly recommended, walk along from the Bonita, passed The Admiral and up to The White Lady for a few drinks and it was very evident things were indeed very very slow for the tourist reliant traders. Toilet Tax is now one Lev in most cases.

Exchange Rates: Most hotels gave 2.10 lev to the Pound...but the Raffesthingy Bank gave 2.34 lev on average. My Nationwide Flex gave me 2.38 at one point...best option as usual.

Food and Drinks; Prices seemed a tad higher and although it still is very cheap to eat/drink out you will pay more this season. 2 lev small beer and cocktails around 4.5 lev a go. Many bars still give a get one free deal but check the prices first. Muppet Bar still going and many of the usual bars seemed to be opening for businessan

Excursions; The reps were basically offering the same trips as last year and I will give them a seperate Topic Header....

A good relaxing holiday with the early weather probs met head on and kicked into touch.We will probably give GS a miss next year, but will deffo return in the future preferably still with the Lev and not the blinking Euro.