Hey Pete dont worry. If you really can't find a hotel for this winter, I will bring you with me directly to hosts in Bansko. I go there every week end during the winter, the atmosphere is really great, the food is the best you can eat without comparison (ahhh the morning pancakes !!) and the cheapest prices in the resort !
You'll be fine. I got my corrected details from Lunn Poly yesterday. Flight numbers are BY606A going out and BY606B coming home to Gatwick from Plovdiv.
All will be fine, you'll get your skiing and we'll get our joint birthday party after all.
I am now in Smolian my home town, some 15 km away from Pamporovo. But with the opening of the winter season I move to Pamporovo. I will be based in one of the central hotels there.