Anyone who was in the UK over December and January has seen how unprepared the ordinary motor vehicle is in the snow, especially when the roads have not been gritted. Purchasing a set of snow tyres is a big investment in the UK, costing upwards of £1000, a cost that most people would not bother to foot as snow is a relatively rare occurrence. However it occupying a significant chunk of the year in Bulgaria really necessitates their purchase, and you will find that it is considerably cheaper here. We paid about 125 leva per tyre and this was expensive as we have a van so the tyres are bigger - we saw tyres in the hypermarket for 60 leva each, so it would cost you 240 leva in total for an ordinary car (and you really need to get all four, contrary to what you might think!). Not a big investment. Most small roads in Bulgaria may take a week or two to be ploughed (usually by the local authorities), so you may have to go out with a snow shovel to get to the main road, or use buses to get to the local town if you are really out in the sticks and need to get out in an emergency. Okay, you'll probably have to go out with a snow shovel in any case, so this is another essential investment. Even once the roads have been ploughed, there will still be a layer of compacted snow which will make driving tricky - grit is only really reserved for towns and large roads. If you are inexperienced in the snow, even if you have four wheel drive, you will still find it difficult so be sure to read Tom's guide to driving in the snow. Needless to say, if you don't absolutely have to go out, don't!

If you do end up driving in minus temperatures, be sure to take supplies in the car. We have had a snow shovel, double duvet, water, torches, means to make fire and food in there since November. Breaking down around minus 20°C is not an attractive prospect no matter how well prepared you are, but you can at least survive the night if you have to. Even if you do have your mobile phone, it might be a while before someone can come to help you.

Most people have wood-burning stoves as do we; we also have a couple of oil radiators. Having a wood stove means getting plenty of wood and preparing it in advance - this means buying it at the latest during the summer (the longer you leave it the more expensive it will be) and allowing it to season in time for when you require it. Winters here are anything but simply surviving, as long as you are well prepared and your house is well-equipped with all the necessary creature comforts to keep you happy and to prevent some serious cabin fever!