Author: Sue

I am an English Ex-Pat living in Hungary with my wonderful husband and 19 year old son. You can find me frequently writing, reading and taking photographs. We live in a beautiful small rural village surrounded by forests and lakes always appreciating the beauty around us. Life is good.

Categories
Everyday Life in Hungary

October Delights Strolling Around The Pretty Village of Kisszékely, Hungary

Such a beautiful day, early morning sunshine convinced me it was time to have a walk around the village. I never know what to expect on my walks, there is always something interesting to look at at any time of year. We have had a lovely warm late summer this year, the flowers are still growing enthusiastically.

This ~Welcome Bicycle~ sits elegantly in front of one of two lakes in the village. It looks rather healthy and no doubt much loved by one or several of the villagers.

If you would like to see the photos in a larger size, simply click on them to enhance your viewing experience.

I started my walk from just outside of the village boundary. On the approach into the village there is another “Welcome to Kisszékely” sign, beautifully complemented by the popular red Geraniums.

My initial intention was to walk as far as the busy animal farm a little way out of the village, then make my way back. There are usually many different animals to look at and photograph. Horses, donkeys, goats, sheep, llamas, pigs and deer, but none to be seen. Each day the animals are let out into certain fields on certain days. It is a bit of pot-luck if the animals are on the roadside enclosure. Today was not my lucky day…either they were somewhere else (different field) or they had not been let out yet. Undeterred, I walked up a dusty farm track, up the hill to see if I could see “ANY” kind of animal!! Nope not today, instead I took photos of deer tracks and would you believe my shoe print on the way up the track and then on the way down!

After my “no show” of animals I headed back towards the village. I was amazed at how green everything was, the warm weather has delayed Autumn but not for long I am sure. This photo is actually all about the winding road snaking up the hill and around the corner. The canopy of green trees worked perfectly to give a little mystery to my photo.

Traffic jam! Not really….. just a very frequent sight backwards and forwards through the village.

As you can see from the photo below, not all my photos are picture perfect. No doubt, if I was carrying a mobile phone my shot would be way better. The story behind this photo is that this is Henry Heron and he lives on the lake but he is extremely flitty and flies off at the slightest sound. I have been trying for years to photograph him but with little success. So today I was so excited to see my “first animal” and it was Henry! I quickly launched my camera into position, jammed it to my eye and pointed it in the right direction. As you can see my camera kindly autofocused on the foliage in front of my fleeing subject. Very frustrating. I don’t think I have got the patience to be a bird watcher!

Henry had made a hasty retreat and was now circling the lake presumably looking to perch somewhere and observe humans like me!

Here is Henry again as he circled some more.

Black and white Henry, his wing span is huge similar to a stork.

When I uploaded this photo it immediately reminded me of a certain very popular soap opera. If I said Hilda Ogden and Flying Ducks would you know what I was talking about??? I am sure British of a certain age will know!

I found this interesting piece about the flying ducks.

And if you have not guessed already it was Coronation Street.

https://coronationstreet.fandom.com/wiki/Flying_Ducks

After the excitement of the heron and ducks, I took a moment to stop and appreciate the October countryside. How very peaceful it was, stood leant up against a tree just listening to Mother Nature.

Walking back towards the village, I always get a feeling of being welcomed when I approach the signs. That is obviously the intention. The Council workers work very hard keeping the village neat and tidy, regardless of the weather! Temperatures get very high in the summer months making outdoor work uncomfortably hot.

This is a recent addition to the welcome sign, you might be wondering what it says? The translation is: Thank you for 800 years of Kisszékely. The village settlement is 800 years old which automatically called for lots of celebrating amongst the villagers.

And the other side: Come back to Kisszékely!

Baratok Tava – Meaning Baratok Lake This fishing lake has verified medieval origins which is quite unusual. The lake access is down a steep path winding through the trees until you come to a clearing and there is Baratok Lake. 

This was the first thing I photographed when I reached the clearing, “Sunny Gerrie’s” an expression my husband and I use to describe geraniums!!

At first look at the lake I spotted this white, what I thought was a discarded rubbish bag…it was moving slowly, I assumed propelled by the wind…but it got faster and faster until I squinted through my camera some more, extended the zoom and realised that it was a remote controlled boat!

I had not seen boats on the lake before other than an odd rowing boat. This was new to me…then I spotted the men on the opposite bank, remote control in hand looking pleased with themselves.

Normally I encounter this sort of lake activity – fishing! It is not free to fish, apparently you need to buy a pass for a nominal fee to enjoy the fish of this lake. I have never tried fishing, it does appear to be a popular sport in all the rural villages of Hungary.

My first thought when I looked down the length of the lake was Tranquility. I can understand fishermen coming down here for day fishing, it is so peaceful and has such beautiful surroundings.

I love the magnificent Weeping Willows. They bow their lengthy branches almost to the the waters edge, but not quite! I took photos from both sides of the lake.

This is Baratok Lake’s seasonally decorated fishing pavilion. There is a covered veranda to the side if you wish to sit and appreciate the view of the lake. There is an information board with photos of various fish with their species name that live in this lake.

Around the other side of the pavilion is this garden scene where a little imagination is needed! It made me stop, look twice, then laugh!

This is such a welcoming Autumn photo. Those crunchy brown leaves were shouting to be walked upon. I enjoyed the pleasure!

Dotted around the lake are lots of wooden piers and a wide variety of seating arrangements. If I was going to be fishing and sitting for some time (which the majority of fishermen do) I would choose the green wooden bench. I could not contemplate sitting on that very flimsy uncomfortable looking chair in the second photo. However, it did make an interesting thought provoking shot.

This giant Weeping Willow stood silently as I took my first photograph. By the time I had finished walking and turned back the wind had suddenly picked up. It was now blowing, whooshing and whispering to itself. I do like the ‘sounds’ of nature.

Transformed into a Windy Willow!

Late summer colour continues to brighten up the village with gorgeous displays of roses and marigolds at many houses.

Magnificent marigolds brighten the path.

Abundant Berries and huge wood piles are a common sight. Preparations for winter, chopping and stacking wood is underway. Massive deliveries of uncut wood are unloaded by delivery trucks at this time of year, just like this one. Owners can then look forward to having a winter supply of fuel.

Berries
Logs for Winter
Name tag on a wooden pier

A very pretty stylish hanging basket display worthy of a photo.

This is the other lake in the village, complete with a firepit, benches for picnics and leaning trees. I shall do a lake tour of this lake another time.

Finally, Kisszékely is a walkers paradise with numerous forest walks throughout the area. Each walk is colour coded with information boards at regular intervals. For those who like running there is also an annual village trail race, running through the forests with people competing from all over the county.

I hope you have enjoyed accompanying me on my October walk with my camera. There will be more camera-walks throughout the year. Thanks for reading 🍁🍁🍁

Categories
My Photo, My Thoughts!

*MY 1st PHOTO, MY THOUGHTS*

No 1. Szentendre, Hungary August 2023

Every now and then I take a photograph that makes me go Wow!! Did I REALLY take that photo? I usually upload my photos onto my PC as soon as is humanly possible! I am always full of excitement, eager to look at how my photographic eye has captured that day’s photoshoot. This particular shot was taken in August, in the quaint little town of Szentendre, Hungary.

In a town full of sunshine and colour, winding through the cobbled streets, the red tablecloths shouted at me to be photographed! What a typically Hungarian sight, love it. The full bloom red geraniums and wooden backed chairs complemented each other perfectly.

I took this photograph just before midday on a particularly bright sunny day. Not the best time to take photos as the light is sometimes just too bright for decent shots. I was still happy that I had got the chance to do a little walking and capture the atmosphere. The majority of people in Hungary eat at 12 midday so I was lucky to capture the empty chairs.

Looking at the different people all doing different things made it interesting to imagine their stories. I just loved the red letterbox perfectly placed next to the man smoking. I noticed the guy cheerily chatting on his mobile phone and the girls trying to decide if they should sit down or not. The couple at the front made me smile, I had accidentally blocked out the man’s face with the menu! The worried looking woman, caught my attention, is she looking out for someone? Who knows.

When I look at this photo again it reflects contentment and serenity, with good balance. The eye takes everything in, including the subjects at the back leading the eye to explore the whole photo. Did you notice the lampshades? At first glance, I noticed them last but then they appeared in the overall picture on a second look. Did you notice them?

This photo would make an EXCELLENT wall photo giving colour to any room in the home, it would also be good for one of those 1000 piece jigsaws!🧩

To me, this is Street Photography perhaps not as good as other seasoned photographers I have looked at but I am proud of this cheerful photo. It gives me pleasure every time I look at it. I hope it gives you some pleasure too.

Taken with a Sony Alpha 6000 with a zoom lens.

Categories
Marvellous Mediterranean Foods and Recipes To Make your Mouth Water

Marvellous Meat Free Friday

Today’s healthy recipes on our new Mediterranean food journey 29th Sept 2023

Eggplant, Lentils and Peppers cooked in Olive Oil, served with Wholewheat Pitta Bread Pockets

This is a Turkish dish called Mercimekli Mualla and has been served in Southern Turkey’s kitchens for centuries.

If you are unfamiliar with the name Eggplant it is also known as Aubergine. Eggplants are a nutrient rich food that contains fibre, vitamins, and minerals. This nutritious fruit is often considered a vegetable but actually it is a fruit, as they grow from a flowering plant and contain seeds.

I panicked this morning as I realised I had not put the lentils into soak last night. Apparently an absolute necessity to prevent tummy issues. No problem, I searched the internet and asked,

How do I soak lentils quickly?

Measure your lentils into a fine sieve and run vigorously under cold water to remove dust and debris. Boil the kettle and pour boiling water over the lentils, covering them evenly. Let them sit for 10 minutes then drain and rinse again under cold water. Set aside until they are needed.

I shall use this method in the future if I am short of time.

Eggplant, Lentils and Peppers cooked in Olive Oil

Ingredients

  • 150 g Brown Lentils
  • 1 large Eggplant
  • 1 large Onion
  • 3 cloves of Garlic
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper
  • 2 large Tomatoes
  • 4 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 teaspoons dried Mint
  • 1 teaspoon dried Coriander
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1/2 cup of Water

Method

  • Fill a large pan with water and add the lentils. Bring to the boil and simmer gently for about 15 minutes. You are only par boiling them. Drain and put to one side.
  • Using a vegetable peeler, peel the eggplant in zebra stripes. The length of the eggplant. Then, cut in half lengthways and cut each half into medium slices. Spread them on a wide tray, sprinkle salt over and leave aside for 15 minutes. Using a paper towel, dab the excess water out of the eggplants.
  • Heat 2 of the 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan and very lightly sauté the eggplant slices for a minute or two, turn a couple of times. This will help to soften them up and start bringing out their flavour.
  • In a large bowl, combine chopped onion, chopped garlic, sliced bell peppers, chopped tomatoes, salt, pepper, dried mint, coriander, cumin, the remaining 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and the sugar.
  • Add the half cooked lentils into the bowl and combine well.
  • In a large deep pan, place a layer of the eggplant slices on the bottom. Spread half the vegetable mixture over the eggplants evenly. Place the remaining eggplant slices over the top and spread on the rest of the vegetable mixture. Add the water, cover and cook on a medium to low heat for about 45 minutes.

You will have some seriously good smells drifting around your kitchen as this simmers away!

Wholewheat Pita Bread Pockets

My husband is so pleased he is allowed bread on this new, healthy Mediterranean food journey. It makes all the difference to how he enjoys his food. I was glad I found a super easy recipe for him to eat with his lentil dish.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Wholewheat Flour plus extra for kneading and rolling
  • 20g Fresh Yeast
  • 1 cup Warm Water
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
  • Add yeast and sugar to a little of the warm water and stir well, let it sit for 5 minutes to activate in a large bowl.
  • Add salt, oil and remaining water and 2 cups whole wheat flour and mix with hands until a ball of dough forms. It may feel slightly wet, if so add a little more flour until it comes together. Knead it until it is nice and smooth.
  • Cover the bowl with cling film and then a tea towel. Put in a warm place and let it rest for 2 hours to rise.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 F or 190 C. Lay a sheet of baking paper on a baking sheet.
  • When the dough has risen, divide it into 8 smaller balls. Roll out flat with a rolling pin to about 1/2 inch thick and 3-4 inches in diameter.
  • Place pita breads on the baking sheet in the oven for 12 mins. Turn once halfway through cooking.

You will notice that I only put 6 on the sheet, I cooked the other 2 separately.

The combination of these 2 dishes was delicious according to the taster!! He did suggest I add a handful of chickpeas to the lentils to give it extra crunch and flavour. I did so for his second bowl which he said was equally tasty! Meat Free Friday was a great success.

Without Chickpeas
With Chickpeas
Categories
Marvellous Mediterranean Foods and Recipes To Make your Mouth Water

Today’s healthy recipes on our new Mediterranean food journey, 26 Sept 23

One Breakfast and Three Snacks

Overnight Wholegrain Oats with Banana and toasted Almonds

I wasn’t really sure what overnight oats were until I started looking at ideas and recipes on the internet.

Not only is a bowl of overnight oats a nutritional powerhouse, but it is a known fact that oats are heart healthy. They are rich in fibre, protein, antioxidants and contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals. Adding your favourite toppings will add crunch, flavour and colour to this versatile breakfast dish.

The beauty of overnight oats is that you can make them as simple or creative as you like. The base recipe is very easy to prepare. You can add any variety of toppings, usually fresh fruit, nuts and seeds, I used what I had in the cupboards, and thankfully Eric loved his first ever overnight oats breakfast.

The trick is to get the proportions right of the base mix, which is simply:

  • 1 part oats, I used Wholemeal Rolled Oat Flakes.
  • 1 part cold milk, I used Dairy Milk, you can substitute it for almond, fat free or cashew milk, or whatever milk you prefer.
  • 1 part yoghurt, I used Greek yoghurt to give a super creamy texture. It also makes the oats more filling.

My Extras: 2 drops of vanilla essence and 2 teaspoons of honey, for natural sweetness. Add more or less depending on your taste.

Method

  • Mix all your ingredients in a bowl or a large screw top jar.
  • If you are using a bowl cover with cling film. If you are using a jar screw the lid down.
  • Put in the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours, but overnight is better. Hence the name!
  • At breakfast time stir the oats well and prepare your toppings.
  • I fried 2 tablespoons of chopped almonds in 1 tablespoon of olive oil until golden brown, drained them and let cool.
  • I sliced a banana and decorated the edge of the bowl adding the cooled chopped almonds in the middle.
  • If I had had some berries I would have added those on the top.
Image by Antonio Jose Cespedes from Pixabay
Image by Oana Durican from Pixabay

Vine Tomatoes with Goats Cheese and Fresh Herbs

I was looking for a simple healthy snack that would be nutritious and versatile. Snacking doesn’t seem so bad when it is healthy!

This dish is popular throughout Greece using tasty tomatoes and fresh cut pungent herbs to add plenty of flavour.

Tomatoes are low-calorie and nutrient-dense, making them an important part of a balanced diet. Raw tomatoes are rich in vitamin C.

Just five ingredients and you have a tasty nutritious snack.

  • 2 large vine tomatoes
  • A handful of fresh mint and fresh basil, other fresh herbs suitable, for example, are fresh oregano and fresh parsley
  • Sliced goats cheese or you can use feta cheese
  • Rock salt
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Method

  • Slice tomatoes evenly and thinly.
  • Add a generous amount of sea salt.
  • Lay the cheese on top of the tomatoes.
  • Chop the herbs coarsely and mix with the olive oil.
  • Finally drizzle the olive oil and herb mix over the tomatoes and serve.

Stuffed Cream Cheese Fresh Salmon

Salmon is a fatty fish containing a major source of omega 3 fatty acids. Salmon is rightly called a “superfood” as it is rich in nutrients and promotes good heart, brain, and immune system health. The Mediterranean diet suggests eating at least two fish meals per week, particularly fatty fish like salmon. We bought sliced salmon for this dish making it easy to roll into bite sized pieces.

This simple two ingredient dish was so easy to make. Just spread 1/2 teaspoon of cream cheese onto a small piece of sliced salmon, roll up and insert a cocktail stick for a tasty snack or part of a main course.

The sliced salmon and cream cheese combined with the tomato dish turned out to be a real winner.

Carrots Infused with Freshly Squeezed Lemon and Salt

One of our family’s absolute favourite snacks. Easy to make and a different way to eat raw carrots. Thanks go to my Lebanese family who gave me lots of inspiration and dishes to try. Lebanon was the first place I tried this moreish snack.

  • 3 Carrots, peeled and cut into batons
  • 1 full lemon squeezed
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Method

  • Mix together the squeezed lemon and the salt in a large dish.
  • Serve individually or as part of a Meze- Middle Eastern Starters.

This makes a pretty centre piece for any table.

Do you like overnight oats, what toppings do you use? I would love to hear in the comments.

Have a lovely day whatever you are doing. 👨‍🍳

Categories
My Gardening

Seven annoying garden pests that ‘bug’ us every year!

…And my helpful solutions

1. The Mole Rat

My one remaining red tulip, the last one left as the other five disappeared thanks to the digging mole rats who ate the bulbous roots of these beautiful flowers. My daffodils did not escape attack either and sadly I lost a few of those too.

I have discovered the Mole Rat is actually an endangered species here in Hungary. For the whole of this summer daily mole hills would appear, not only in my flower beds but in the grass too. They formed a distinct pattern of activity, straight through the flower beds and further and further up the garden.

Repeatedly we diligently removed the burrowed soil and moved it to another flowerbed. On the plus side, the soil is nice and aerated…that is the only plus!

I did some research looking for humane ways of eradicating these nuisance pests. The conclusion I came to was we needed to scare them away with some sort of ringing, rattling and vibrating sounds. This apparently shakes the ground above them and they become panicked and perceive danger is around.

While a slight vibration might only cause the moles to pause their travels or digging, constant vibrations will likely cause them to change course altogether. A great, inexpensive way to create a constant vibration is with pinwheels, it is a safe way to deter moles.

Pin wheel or Children’s windmill. Image by Jill_J_Jenkins from Pixabay

As I have planted more bulbs for next Spring I shall invest in several pinwheels and put them in my flowerbeds to hopefully scare them away.

In the veggie plot it is suggested you plant rows of parsnips as this deters the moles as they do not like the taste of the lengthy roots.

This morning’s molehill!

2. The Greenfly

I have a constant battle with greenflies every year attacking my roses. As the name suggests a green fly is a green aphid that is a nuisance pest that feeds on garden and crop plants.

I have tried repeatedly just to rub them off with my finger and thumb as soon as I spot them but proves difficult when there are so many hiding under the leaves.

Our friend suggested we use a mild washing up liquid mixed with water, in a spray bottle and spray the greenfly as soon as they were spotted. I tried this method with some success. I needed to spray my roses most days and be particularly diligent in lifting every leaf in sight. It made a good alternative to the harsh chemical greenfly spray you can buy in the garden centres.

I did read that garlic water is also a good natural greenfly spray. Several cloves of garlic are left to steep in boiling water, left to cool and then put into a spray bottle. This apparently kills off the current generation of aphids but not the eggs, so another repeat spray is required until they all disappear. I am not fond of the smell of garlic but if it prevents/irradicates the greenfly then I shall give it a go next year.

3. Stink Bugs

Stink bug on our inside window

These annoying hardback bugs seem to find their way into our house on a regular basis. They come in with the laundry or cling to my clothes when I am outside. They waft in through the front door much the same way a fly does. They are incredibly common in Hungary, particularly at this time of the year. I read their population is increasing, not a good sign.

Last year our entire tomato crop was eaten by stink bugs. They seemed to only be interested in red tomatoes, the big ones…our miniature tomatoes were not touched, which I found a little strange.

Experts suggest that if you find a stink bug in your home, you are advised to kill it and not release it outside. (which I have been doing constantly).

“Although tempting, releasing the bug would lead to even more unwelcome guests in the future. While this might sound cruel, the bugs don’t have a natural enemy in Hungary, so releasing them would lead to overpopulation. Exterminating stink bugs is not simple because, as their name suggests, they emit a foul odour when squashed.“

One solution I read to kill them swiftly without the stench is to drop them into soapy water. A stink bug’s natural reaction to any perceived threat is to drop straight down. Fill a wide mouth jar with soapy water (add some vinegar for extra killing power), move it into position beneath a stink bug, and most often it will drop right into the suds and drown.

Investigating how I could deter the stink bugs from eating my precious tomato crops was to do some companion planting. Stink bugs detest the smell of garlic, catnip, lavender and thyme. Radishes, marigolds, and chrysanthemums are also known to repel these pests.

4. Flies and Horse Flies

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

The common annoying fly is around everywhere during the early summer months right through until the Autumn. The insect’s lifespan lasts only a few weeks long. However, in this short time, it is very reproductively active. A single female can lay 500 eggs every three to four days.

Horse flies are obviously attracted to horses but also like to live in a habitat where there is water and woodland. They give a very painful bite, usually active during daylight hours and mainly in the summer.

We do lots of alfresco eating on our veranda creating a wonderful place for the flies to be the most annoying. I cover food sitting outside but they seem to dive bomb for the food on our plates making outdoor dining less than pleasant. I am constantly flapping the flies away but almost immediately they return.

The best solution we found was to purchase an “Outdoor Misting System” Bugs such as bees, flies, wasps and mosquitoes, are unable to get into any area that is protected by a mist system. The mist will also help keep the area free of bothersome dust and smoke, particularly if you are barbecuing. Patio misters are usually available in three major varieties, low, medium, or high pressure. We bought one at the end of the summer season at a reduced cost from our local Lidl.

Our fly weapons!

5. Foxes

This fox was one of many that lived in the next door empty house. It had and still is been empty for at least six years and fox families had made their home there. This happened to be my first “daytime” sighting of a fox…sitting arrogantly on top of our barn!

Whilst we had our dog, a husky, we found that we had frequent nightly visits from our fox neighbours. It took me a while to work out that it was foxes leaving their droppings all over our veranda and not feral cats. Foxes are known to be great scavengers, and these foxes were looking for food in our garden. Hayley (our dog) was an outdoor dog who happily chewed bones in the garden but did not always finish them. We also fed Hayley outside and whilst the smell of leftover food was a bit stinky to us it was a difficult smell to ignore for scavengers such as those foxes.

We quickly realised that ANY food left in the garden was a temptation to the hungry foxes, this included trays, skewers, or anything meaty we had used for our BBQ’s had to be brought inside. I was vigilant in clearing up bone pieces in the garden too. Any food waste went straight to the Wheelie Bin not in the bin on the veranda. Many a time I would come outside in the morning and find rubbish strewn all over the garden.

Sadly, we lost our dear Hayley and no longer have much food outside. The foxes have not been back as they have lost their food source.

6. Slugs and Snails

I don’t know why, but this particular year the slugs and snails have eaten a fair proportion of my flowers.

Slugs and snails feed on living and decomposing plant material, but they prefer young, tender plant growth. Newly sprouted seedlings and soft growth on established plants are often their first targets. Lettuces and tender herbs, such as basil, are also favoured, as are foliage plants, such as Hosta’s, Busy Lizzies and Dahlias. As slugs and snails feed, they create large, irregularly shaped holes. Unlike the rough, uneven edges left by many chewing insects, slugs and snails leave very smooth edges. These pests also feed on succulent fruits, such as strawberries and tomatoes, and even citrus. They tend to avoid plants that have rough, aromatic leaves, such as rosemary.

Because slugs and snails feed primarily at night, holes and mucus trails are evidence that they are active. Moist, moderate weather in Spring and up to early Autumn signals prime time for slug and snail damage.

When we lived in England the slug and snail problem was a major problem the constant rain meant they were fed well and multiplied often! Our solution was to lay down slug pellets which more or less controlled the growing population. Here in Hungary slug pellets do not seem to be available and if they were, we would not have used them as we owned a dog (the pellets are a hazard to pets, wildlife and children).

I did some research about removing the gardener’s worst enemy and what the alternatives were to slug pellets and came up with a few good suggestions.

  1. Used coffee granules spread around plants you want to protect, they do deter slugs and snails.
  2. Slugs love beer! A container such as a large yogurt pot sunk into the ground so the rim is at or just above soil level, filled with beer acts as a slug trap. The slugs are attracted by the smell, fall in and drown.
  3. Crushed eggshells. These are effective for a while when spread in a barrier ring around precious plants. Replenish as necessary.
  4. Finally, the good old hand method, collect and collect then dispose of!

7. Mosquitos

Image by Pitsch from Pixabay

The risk for mosquito activity and being bitten is extremely high in Hungary so during the summer months planes aerially spray pesticides in liquid form over many counties and areas. This is also done on foot and with truck sprayers in the early evening when the mosquitoes are most active.

Our family does tend to get bitten now and again but we have learned to cover up in the early morning and late evening when the mosquitoes are out looking for a willing victim. We have supplies of creams and gels to ease the itching and have experimented with various anti mosquito repellents.

I particularly like this short video with great ideas for homemade Mosquito Repellent and Air freshener.

Mosquito Repellent and Air Freshener

Most insect-repelling plants do so with their natural fragrances, which keep annoying mosquitoes away and introduce wonderful scents throughout your garden. Marigolds, an easy-to-grow annual flower, emit a smell that deters mosquitoes. Grow them in pots and place them near your veranda or entrance to your home to keep the pests out. Lavender is another good mosquito repellent giving off a wonderful scent. Again plant near your veranda. Two useful herbs to consider are Rosemary and Basil both with strong scents to ward off the mosquitos. Use them in your cooking too to enhance flavours.

Finally, in addition to growing anti-mosquito plants, you should also practice good mosquito control in your garden so that the pests don’t get out of hand. The best thing you can do is prevent water from collecting and becoming stagnant. Mosquitoes can lay hundreds of eggs even in a tiny spoonful of standing water. A disaster waiting to happen!

Marigolds as a Mosquito Repellent

Thanks for reading. Every country has annoying pests and insects, I would be interested to know what sort of pests you have and how do you deal with them?

Categories
Marvellous Mediterranean Foods and Recipes To Make your Mouth Water

Today’s healthy recipe on our new Mediterranean food journey, 21st Sept 23

I was a little surprised when I read what foods were allowed on the Mediterranean diet!

Potatoes: Both white and sweet potatoes, even though they are often thought of as a high carb veggie. Potatoes are very versatile, have high levels of potassium and contain vitamin C and vitamin B6.

Rice: You can serve any type of rice whilst on this diet, white, brown, or basmati rice. But, whole grain rice is preferable, as it contains more fiber.

Bread: You can still enjoy bread as part of the Mediterranean Diet, just swap your white bread for whole grain bread. Whole grain breads contain more fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Legumes: Legumes are a good source of protein but they are also high in carbohydrates. Legumes include beans, chickpeas and lentils, all acceptable on the Mediterranean diet.

Today we are going to look at delicious Hummus.

In Lebanon, it is a staple food, often eaten every day, not merely a dip but rather a main dish or a breakfast.

Hummus is a smooth and creamy puree of chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, salt and garlic. It is a good source of fiber, along with vitamins and minerals like magnesium, copper, folate, and iron. Some of the best ways to eat hummus are with sliced veggies, using them as dips, such as carrot sticks, celery sticks, and cucumber sticks. You can also dip pieces of wholemeal flatbread or wholemeal pita bread into this delicious dish.

It is super easy and quick to make, we serve it regularly to guests joining us for barbecues It looks attractive and very appetising. In Lebanon, it is often served as part of a meze with falafel, kibbeh and tabbouleh.

In the heart of Beirut there is a fantastic restaurant serving a variety of chickpea based dishes. It is extremely popular and according to my husband one of the best places to buy hummus in the city. They do not have a website but this YouTube video will give you an idea of the foods being served. The name of the restaurant (featured first in the video) is Abou Hassan Hummus & Fool. If you are ever in Beirut do pay it a visit. 👨‍🍳

The recipe we use for our delicious hummus is this one: The Best Lebanese Hummus it is always very popular. In Hungary, we are unable to buy the delicate pine nuts that are scattered on the top, which is a shame. We garnish with paprika and cumin.

Do you like hummus, what do you eat it with? I would love to know in the comments below. Thanks for reading and look out for the next Mediterranean recipe idea.

Categories
Marvellous Mediterranean Foods and Recipes To Make your Mouth Water

We need a food lifestyle change for continued health and happiness!

We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with different information about dieting and losing weight. It certainly is a minefield out there!

Whilst researching for this post, I sat back and considered all the diets we (my husband and I) had started together over the years. I am the knowledge behind “the diet” and my husband puts the diet into practice. Diets tried and failed – The Atkins Diet, Paleo Diet, Keto Diet, Weight Watchers Diet and Intermittent Fasting all with varying success but not for the long term.

Once again, I am scouring the internet for the next suitable diet. I came across The Mediterranean Lifestyle Diet voted the best diet of 2023. This is a well respected diet particularly suited to people with heart issues, although it is not a quick fix weight loss diet it is more of a whole lifestyle change.

This lifestyle change means broadly:

Yes, too a high consumption of fruit and veggies.

Yes, too a high consumption of legumes, nuts, whole grains, and seeds. Olive oil.

Yes, too a high consumption of lean proteins, chicken, turkey and seafoods.

Limited consumption of eggs and dairy products.

Very Limited red meat.

Eliminate fried foods, sweets and processed food.

As the name suggests, this eating lifestyle originates from the countries that surround the Mediterranean Sea.

So, we are starting our journey today with the intention of becoming healthier and for my husband to lose some weight.

As my husband comes from Lebanon and is an excellent chef these dietary changes should not be too difficult to achieve. Thankfully, our kitchen does not need a total overhaul, as most of the things required we already have. Just the “naughties need to be put away and a few things added to our next shopping list.

Each day I shall be making a dish using the Mediterranean guidelines and will photograph it and link to the recipe I have used. Today, I made Sweet Potato Hash with Eggs. Well received and enjoyed..unfortunately, I had no mushrooms but that did not detract from the flavour.

Cubed sweet potato
Cooked chicken, red pepper, onions

For this recipe click below.👨‍🍳

Delicious and Easy Sweet Potato Hash with Eggs

I hope to make this a regular feature. Not only will it inspire my husband and I to cook together but it will be a record here on my blog. It does not matter where in the world you live it is always possible to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.❤

Categories
Everyday Life in Hungary

Super September Saunter round the pretty village of Kisszékely with my camera

What a beautiful day to take a walk around the pretty little village of Kisszékely, Hungary.

The September sun was shining and the birds were constantly chattering to themselves as I strolled down the main road with my camera.

If you would like to see the photos in a larger size, simply click on them to enhance your viewing experience.

Village life starts around 7.00 am or earlier in the summer months when the mornings are lighter. Most of the villagers had done their morning chores before I had even ventured out.

Lots of houses display window boxes full of colourful geraniums, they are long lasting flowers and do not need much attention, prettily adding a flash of colour.

There were however the usual grass cutters and people strimming their gardens. This road leads to the cemetery and is always well maintained by either the villagers or the local council.

The village has various properties for sale, some in better condition than others! Eladó means “For Sale”. The one on the left has this amazing Virginia Creeper running up the side of the wall, it changes to a vibrant red in late October. The one on the right is probably better for demolition and rebuilding.

For at least the past 6 years this house has been derelict with no sign up for sale. When someone dies in the village the younger generation would normally stay on and maintain the house. Sadly there are no jobs in the village for the youngsters so they tend to move away in search of better lives and careers, usually to the capital, Budapest. This means that houses lie empty for years.

Some of the abandoned properties are personalised with their name/date on the front door, like this one, dated 1925.

Our home has white plastic drop-down blinds! Some of the village houses have wooden shutters which close from the outside and even the newer renovated houses retain the traditional authentic wooden shutters. I rather like them. Blinds are essential to keep the homes cool over the summer months.

Most houses have some sort of iron railings bordering their property. This one is a fairly common design, the shadows make it interesting to look at.

Most families have at least one dog in their household. I have lost count of the number of times they have made me jump with their sharp barking. I tend to walk down the middle of the road to avoid them!

These interesting structures appeared in several gardens I looked at. In days gone by they would have been for hanging and smoking meat, probably pork.

The September flowers are always a delight to look at and photograph. I think this is a Hibiscus, but am unsure.

Colourful and sweet smelling roses are still blooming in everybody’s gardens, they love the warm weather we are having. My roses are in their third bloom.

The photo on the left is a Sumac tree producing long red flowers that produce a spice, a dye and also is added to medicine. They grow easily here in Hungary. The second photo I think this is a cotton bush adorned with beautiful fluffy heads.

I am totally stumped with this one. At first look, they appear to be conkers (Horse Chestnuts)….but the leaves don’t match!

Kisszékely has many walks and trails around the valley and forests. This is a typical sign indicating on a map where you are and what you can expect to see while out and about. Each trail is colour coded so as not to get lost!

Hungary has many forests and woods, so there is plenty of timber about. This is an upper floor veranda made of wood. A lovely private place to sit and relax.

Walking further up the hill a burst of yellow bobbing flowers looked stunning in the morning sunshine….

…and a lazy butterfly lapping up the sun.

As I glanced through the farm gates I spotted several geese making their way slowly across the grass. I smiled as they formed an orderly queue (except for the last one) and continued on their way. Perhaps looking for water, they certainly knew where they were going.

This is a sad sight to see here in Hungary. Unfortunately, it is very common to have dogs chained up on a permanent basis. I have no words for this sad looking dog.

Further up the hill, I was slightly shocked to see a middle aged man gardening in his underwear!! I was slightly shocked, so turned around quickly and took a picture downhill!!

It is not unusual to have your veggie plot or flower garden on the other side of the road to your house, this is an example of one. The roads are very quiet but it seems a little inconvenient!

There were plenty of wild flowers on my route attracting the many bugs in the air.

A very common sight was lots of red tractors, parked in random places. The first one is “Belarus” produced in the 1950’s and still going strong today. Our neighbour also has a “Belarus”, it is super noisy and puffs out loads of black smoke every time it passes.

This is a water pump, fresh water and drinkable. Water many years ago would come from a well and then pumps were installed on the road side enabling those without water to have it. Most are still in use today, for example, the builders across the road regularly fill their buckets with water for mixing cement, school children replenish their water bottles on the way to school. Watering the front verges outside your property (this is the owner’s responsibility) is easier using the water pumps.

We have many feral cats in the village, all of them very shy and cautious. Here are just three of them, wandering around. They often come in our garden but flee the minute you approach them.

Every village has a church, this is ours, St George’s. This Saturday there will be a jubilee mass to celebrate the 200th anniversary of its consecration, quite an occasion for the village.

Most villages have a pub called a “Kocsma” in Hungarian. It opens early…so not unusual to see customers sitting outside at 7.00am in the morning! The second picture a little further down from the pub is a memorial statue sitting amongst a sweet smelling rose garden. It is also where Thursday market sellers come and sell their wares.

All around the village residents have different sorts of letter boxes, here are just four of them. A post van comes daily to the village and if you hang a sign outside your house he will visit you personally. You can pay bills, buy phone credit, collect parcels, anything a Post Office would do. It is very handy. It also caters to those villagers who are less mobile and can’t get to the main Post Office in the next village.

September Flowers
September Berries

If you love horses then Kisszékely is the place to be. There are several riding stables located here and you can take a horse for a stroll around the village and into the forests.

Bright and cheerful houses occupy the village, here are examples of just two of them. Hungarians appear to like colour, it does cheer the village up and makes directions easier!!

Homes that have cliffs backing them tend to have caves sunk into the rock, these are then used for storage or in some cases for wine making or storing fruit and vegetables over the winter season. There are many of these in the village.

My final photo is significant…this is our gardener’s wheelbarrow adapted over the years for easier transportation. It is left on the verge ready for its next job…we are lucky there is minimal crime in the village and it will still be there until he needs it again.

Thank you for reading my post. If you can identify any of the plants in my photos, please let me know what they are in the comments. Very much appreciated and many thanks.

Categories
Everyday Life in Hungary

Noisy bikers descend on the usually peaceful village of Kisszékely

Kisszékely was taken over a few weeks ago by the annual motorbike rally around the village. All ages took part and everyone had a lot of fun. A campsite was set up next to the swimming pool and a marquee was erected for refreshments.

If you like motorbikes then you will LOVE this post!

If you would like to see the photos at a larger size, simply click on them to enhance your viewing experience.

Every July many bikers gather in the village of Kisszékely to have a generally rowdy fun weekend. They ride through the village beeping their horns, shouting and waving at the spectators en route.

This particular year there were more bikes than usual, the good weather lifting everyone’s spirits.

There were a wide variety of bikes, quads, scooters and dirt bikes. This bike reminded me of a “Chopper bicycle” popular in the 70’s and 80’s!

Our village is a dead end, so the bikers turned at the end of the village and returned back up to the village green and campsite.

They passed our house twice so if I missed them going down I could catch them coming back.

This young man seemed to be having a problem with his bike, embarrassingly for him, he broke down in front of me and my camera!! Finally, he rejoined the rally.

You will notice that many of the participants, including children did not wear helmets.

These two are friends of ours….pay attention Atilla!!

The rally stretched out as the slower bikes took their time. The youngsters riding solo were closely followed by their parents.

On the way back to the campsite, past the church and village pub, a topless biker enjoyed the blazing heat!

This was my “Photo of The Day” Can’t beat a beer swilling, cig smoking trio of ageing bikers….with a rather ageing bike and sidecar.

This sensible parent made sure his son had his helmet on…although I do believe it is a cycle helmet.

This is the turn into the campsite. As the bikers noisily came down the hill there was lots of skidding and smoking tyres, showing off to the spectators and photographers no doubt.

The bikers had come the night before to set up their camping gear.

Many brought tents and set up camp under the shade of the big trees.

This was an opportunity to admire other people’s bikes and chat “biker talk”.

….even if you had just been for a dip in the pool.

This is our village pool, a beautiful pool open for the duration of the summer months. Very well used at events like this.

Time for sunbathing or just relaxing in the early evening sun.

There were certainly some AMAZING bikes to look at. As I walked around with my camera, the bikers were obviously very proud of them.

I particularly liked this BMW side car along with several other people.

These next 3 bikes were pretty impressive too, and worthy of photos.

Finally, this is a short clip of the bikers passing me and giving me camera shake as they revved past me!!

Do you like motorbikes, or own a bike? Does your local village/town hold rallies like this? I would be interested to hear in the comments.

Categories
Everyday Life in Hungary

Relishing Retirement but dealing with the “Empty Nest Syndrome”

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One of the blogs that I follow is called “Retired – No one told me” I am inclined to agree with this sentiment!

Here is her super site, jam-packed full of interesting recipes and information, please take a look. https://carolcooks2.com/

When we took early retirement to Hungary, it signified a new and very different chapter in our lives. Not only were we spending 24 hours with each other but division of chores (in my eyes) had/needed to be altered.

Old fashioned Middle Eastern culture is very different from British culture. In the Middle East wives stay at home keeping house, they don’t do paid work and raise a family. Husbands bring the money home to support their family and deal with the finances. British culture actively encourages equal partnerships with wives or live in partners working and taking dual responsibility for rearing a family and running the house. Nowadays the culture in the Middle East is slightly more relaxed with the younger generations pretty much following the British culture.

Eric, my husband is from the Middle East and he very much respects his cultural roots and values. He is a proud man so when we married he wanted me to leave my job (which I did) and for him to support us financially (which he did). I loved not going to work and being a housewife in England but it WAS hard work. Added to the mix was the birth of our son, Raphael. At age 43 motherhood was somewhat challenging.

Fast forward 19 years (6 years of retirement in Hungary) and we have reached an amicable, workable relationship where we are both very happy. It was not all a “bed of roses” – what relationship is? There were hiccups along the way but through good communication and patience we got through the challenging times.

As we sat on our veranda, sipping our morning coffee, I thought I would ask Eric three questions about our retirement. A good exercise to see if we were still on the same page together.

What is the best thing about your retirement?

His reply, after some thought, which was rather touching “To be together all the time” He then added “Freedom” and “Not having to work” I love those reasons.

Retiring to Hungary, would you do it all over again?

I just needed a Yes or No answer…. again after some thought, he said “Yes”. He then went on to list a few little niggles he had, but I pointed out that they had now been resolved. His answer confirmed that we had both made the right decision to retire to Hungary. But, if you had asked me that question at the challenging 1 year anniversary I would have said an emphatic NO! When I compare our lives then (in England) and now (in Hungary) the good things far out way the bad and the inevitable little niggles.

What our your future plans?

“To travel with you around Europe with Hungary as our base, as we have no responsibilities of children or animals” That is the perfect answer for me…we can drive anywhere in Europe to explore hidden gems and take wonderful photographs everywhere we go.

I am often asked what do you “do” in Hungary by English friends, as if I am bored and hang around doing nothing! Trust me when I say my days are jam packed full of the usual domestic duties and the fun hobby related things I love to do. I am never bored. A favourite quote of mine:

“Happiness depends upon ourselves.” —Aristotle

From Hungarian friends I get “Why” did you move to rural Hungary? I reply….the good air of the countryside, the friendly Hungarian people and a better quality of life than England.

I asked Eric these questions and I got hilarious but honest answers. “I like to experiment with different foods, particularly Chillin’ and Grillin!”, “Neutralising my brain!”, “Watch movies”, “Taxi for Sue and her camera”!

In answer to “Why did you move to Hungary?” the reply was “Because of Ben Fogle!!!” I had to laugh, but it is true.

Ben Fogle is an English broadcaster, writer and adventurer, best known for his presenting roles with British television channels, Channel 5, BBC and ITV.

Way back in 2015, a show was broadcast about a young, newly married British couple buying a run down property in rural Hungary. Eric watched it and full of excitement said “We should do this, it would be great living in the countryside and living off the land!!!!” I needed A LOT of convincing and persuading but as you can see, we did make the move to rural Hungary.

I thought it would be lovely to revisit the show that brought us to the middle of central Europe. The first episode follows the couple settling into their new life….the second video is one year later and how they have managed and progressed in their new adopted country. It makes interesting watching.

Our family dynamics have recently changed again, our son Raphael has returned to the UK, I miss him very much. The “Empty Nest Syndrome” has reared its ugly head.

Having children is an absolute blessing, I have 4! The hardest thing for me was when my youngest son Raphael spread his wings and flew to England. This is commonly known as “Empty nest Syndrome” often described as feeling grief, sadness and loneliness, all of which I have experienced first hand. I also experienced excitement for his future and a slight guilty relief. His independence means ours as well. Of course, I worry about him but do not discuss these thoughts with Raphael. Instead, my husband Eric is my “sounding off ear” and is very understanding of my irrational feelings and turbulent emotions.

I asked him how he felt emotionally and he replied “I would be selfish to keep him here but super excited for him starting a new chapter in his life”. Wise words.

If you have experienced “Empty Nest Syndrome” you will understand how I feel. These have been some of my symptoms:

  • The quietness of the house, a reminder he is not here.
  • A visit to his room and spotting familiar items – today it was his basketball.
  • A feeling of emptiness, being mum for 18 years then suddenly that responsibility has gone.
  • I no longer ‘know’ what he is doing – a loss of motherly control.

All these emotions I know will pass. We are already thinking, talking and planning where future adventures will take us. Where shall we go next?

I am considering learning to paint with acrylics on canvas, YouTube has given me some amazing inspiration but I am sure it is not as easy as it looks! This will be my new winter hobby.

I still have my photography to motivate my imagination and give me self confidence. I have many books to read on my Kindle just ready to whisk me off to imaginary places and exciting adventures.

I have resumed blogging after a 2 year break, I have time on my hands so am putting it to good use.

We stay in touch with Raphael (and my other 3 children) using social media, Messenger and Facebook. Thank goodness for modern technology. I feel reassured when he tells me about his day and what he has been up to. The physical distance is there but not the emotional distance. I am thankful for that.

I read online “Share your wisdom but let your children make their own decisions”. How very true.

This is where I shall end this blog post…it seems rather lengthy but I seemed to have had lots to say. Have you ever experienced “Empty Nest Syndrome”? How did you cope with it? I would love to hear your thoughts or experiences in the comments.

Thanks so much for reading.