Category: Everyday Life in Hungary

Categories
Everyday Life in Hungary

Looking Back at 2023 Surprising, Satisfying, Special, Plan for More in 24!

Please tell me why, my year passed so very quick?
Let me look at my photos, that will surely do the trick!
I’ll pick some great memories to refresh my ageing brain
and write down my thoughts that are running like a train!

The New Year has started, what surprises will she bring?
A new baby, what joy, Nanny Sue once again!
A new job, much needed, for Raphael our youngest son,
seasonal work in Austria, he’s having a ball and so much fun!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM HUNGARY

Snippets of 2023 through the eyes of my camera. A fun packed year exploring and enjoying events in our little rural village in Hungary and trips abroad to Ibiza and Croatia.

SUMMER
WINTER

January 2023

SNOW

My excitement for snow never wanes! Like a little kid, wanting to get wrapped up immediately and venture outside in the crisp snow, crunching underfoot taking photos with my camera. This is the start of the year and I am on the lookout for original and different shots. 

Kisszékely village with the viewpoint in the distance top right.

This is my favourite snow shot of the year. I was just randomly walking around the village and spotted this wheelbarrow. I liked the fact that a mundane piece of equipment is instantly transformed into a pleasing shot when covered in snow. 

February

INQUISITIVE MR FOX

We are fully aware that foxes live in the empty house next door. We hear them at night bumping around and there are droppings evidence during the day of their nightly patrols of our garden. I have never seen any of the fox family during the day until this snowy morning in February. Mr fox sat boldly glaring at me as I crept VERY slowly towards him. He allowed me several shots before nonchalantly turning his back on me and climbing up the barn roof out of sight.

March

Dawn sky with a field of lavender ready to explode into life. I got up very early and slowly walked up the side of the valley. The sky constantly changes creating a gorgeous array of pinks and blues. Just beautiful!

Aren’t these the cutest little piglets? They live on the local farm surrounded by masses of woodland for them to roam and explore. This very healthy pig gave birth to about 10 piglets and will give birth to another litter later on in the year.

April

Road Trip

Eric and I often just jump in the car and pick a random destination to travel to. On this particular day in April, we ended up next to this gently flowing river with a quaint tiny cottage looking pretty in the spring sun.

I was not the only one walking the river bank that day. This handsome water turtle scurried away as quick as he could when I approached…..but not before I took a picture of him!

I am not normally a big fan of snails…a garden pest! I made an exception, this snail looked quite magnificent munching through our greenery. No problem getting down low to take the shot but by gum what a struggle to get back up again!

May

MAY DAY

Our village Maypole is put up every year, decorated with colourful ribbons and balloons. The villagers, adults and children get involved in this traditional event. Traditional songs are sung as the villages link arms and sing enthusiastically whilst circling the Maypole.

I think this shot encompasses Hungarian village life. A villager lovingly tends his tidy garden, appreciating everything growing. The Maypole pops up tall above the trees. Village life is so idyllic. 

SIMONTORYNYA CASTLE DAY

Every year, Simontornya holds a Castle Day which I always enjoy…much colour, noise and excitement. Many interesting people visit from all over the county, it is a real family event. Community spirit is everywhere and is extremely heartwarming.

This is Simontornya Castle Tower built in the 13th Century in the next village very close to us in rural Hungary. The whole event revolves around activities taking place inside and outside the castle. The purpose of this traditional event is to revive the history of Simontornya Castle.

The girls wear traditional dress, but then whip out their modern mobiles to record the moment for their respective Instagram accounts!

My free entertainment was a mock battle with live LOUD canon fire and guns…..I jumped like mad, unwisely I had positioned myself with my camera on the front row!! I quickly retreated to the back row! Lesson learnt for next year!

Would you like to see more of my photos? Click this link

KING CHARLES CORONATION

The Coronation of Charles III and his wife Camilla as King and Queen of the United Kingdom took place on Saturday 6th May 2023 at Westminster Abbey, London England.

Even though I live in Hungary I have not forgotten my roots, nor my interest in the Royal Family (I am from the Princess Diane era). The good the bad the ugly!

My good Kiwi friend, Jackie, lives in the same village and also follows the British Royal Family with interest. I was excited to be invited to a British High Tea on Coronation Day outside on her patio. What a splendid spread from a great baker and also a very good friend.

The Union Jack cake made a great photo and tasted as delicious as it looked. We drank Earl Grey tea from a china teapot and later, cheese scones lathered in butter and sipped full bodied red wine from decorated glasses.

June

DUNAFOLDVAR

We picked a beautiful day in June to visit picturesque Dunaföldvár. After just a forty minute drive, with clear roads, we arrived at this historic riverside town on the banks of the River Danube. The cobbled streets and pretty houses lined the roads up to the hilltop castle.

This is the impressive bridge over the River Danube viewed from the castle restaurant on top of a hill.

Riverside and The Rakpart restaurant with a beautiful outdoor eating area, perfect for people watching and soaking up the atmosphere of the mighty Duna!

Would you like to see more of my photos? Click the link

IBIZA BEACH WEDDING

The absolute highlight of my year. Travelling over to Ibiza in Spain to watch my youngest daughter marry on the beach to the love of her life. This photo feels special, romantic, perfect, togetherness. A VERY proud mama, lots of happy tears and happy memories. 💓

The table settings were beautiful. The lilac scarf is not a napkin as I first thought. The Spanish custom at weddings is that as the married couple joins the guests at the reception party, loud music welcomes the dancing bride and groom with every guest waving their scarves energetically above their heads and shouting good wishes…truly memorable!

Our treat to ourselves was to book into a super adults only hotel on the beach. An absolutely beautiful location, enormous breakfasts, gym and spa and very tidy rooms. This photo captures a little bit of everything…direct access to the beach, sun loungers in the forest, crystal clear pools and not too overcrowded for June.

July

HARVEST FESTIVAL

With promising July blue skies, the people of the surrounding villages gathered together in Kisszékely to make preparations for the annual Harvest Festival procession. Certainly a good day to be out with my camera and so convenient on my doorstep.

There were some new additions to the procession this year including a very lively and spirited foal learning the ropes on “how to lead the procession”!

These two horses regularly participate in the village Harvest Procession and are decorated traditionally as are their riders. The horses have a little munch on the grass just before the start!

No Harvest is complete until it has an array of seasonal sunflowers. These arrangements adorned the stage, set up for the traditional dancing later on in the evening.

ANNUAL MOTORBIKE RALLY

Kisszékely is taken over for a weekend in July by the annual motorbike rally biking around the village. All ages take part and everyone has a lot of fun. A campsite is set up next to the swimming pool and a marquee is erected for a variety of foods and refreshments.

Our village is a dead end so the bikers travel around the village, up the hill out of the village and back again. Lots of loud toot tooting can be heard all over this normally peaceful village. As the bikers pass it is clear not everyone has safety in mind!

This image makes me chuckle every time and one of my favourites from the rally, entitled “Three Men on a Bike!”

We are so blessed to have a village swimming pool with camping grounds, open fires and stone ovens. The campers wander around admiring each other’s pristine bikes and I hear lots of Ooooo’s Ahhhhh’s and Wows!!

If you would like to see more of the Motor Bike Rally click here

SPOTTING STORKS

Twice this year I have been fortunate to get decent stork photographs. I am particularly proud of these two. The first was taken in the nearby village of Dég nesting on top of the street lights in the middle of the village green. Every passing motorist can see them as they gaze curiously around them, their beaks slightly open cooling themselves from the burning heat. These storks are nearly big enough to leave their nest, they will soon be ready to take the leap of faith!

In flight and carrying a snack. I could not believe my eyes, camera ready I took a series of shots with his wings in varying positions, he is a graceful bird with a huge wing span. This magnificent bird, it is said, signifies the arrival of Spring in Hungary, I watch out in anticipation for the first sighting every year.

August

SZENTENDRE

My dear husband once again agreed to be my taxi and drive me to Szentendre, a place I have been longing to photograph for some time.

Szentendre is best known for its Mediterranean atmosphere, beautiful Baroque architecture and colourful artwork housed in museums scattered across the town.

It was a hot day and there were people milling about everywhere. I walked up and down the streets looking at the arts and crafts on sale, also admiring and photographing the suspended lampshades… along with many other people!

Lunchtime and the street cafes begin to fill up with tourists, some eating lunch others just stopping for a cooling lavender ice cream.

I walked over the bridge and as I looked over, there was an outdoor art exhibition going on down below, next to a small river. I went to investigate. What an interesting stroll, accompanied by the sounds of 2 talented street musicians. 

BUDAPEST PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS

“When in Budapest….Photograph the Parliament Buildings” Another one of my photographic goals was achieved this year. I took many photos of the magnificent Parliament Buildings and several bridges lining the River Danube.

If you would like to see my photos of the beautiful Szentendre, Bridges and Budapest click here

SPOTTING SUNFLOWERS

Living in the Hungarian countryside it is usual to see the fields packed with bobbing sunflowers at this time of year. They brighten the landscape and give the farmers a valuable crop to harvest for sunflower oil. 

I LOVE photographing sunflowers, every year I choose a different location…this field is on the way out of our village. 

Closer to home, this sunflower is in our garden. My photo has had some success in a global photographic competition. 

September

Kisszékely village celebrated a Jubilee Mass at St George’s Roman Catholic Church commemorating the 200th anniversary of its consecration.

Kisszékely village church waiting to celebrate its 200th birthday.

The church was full, overflowing at the back with parishioners and visitors. Music played and sung by the neighbouring village choir was absolutely beautiful to listen to. The congregation then went on to enjoy a full day of celebrations and merriment!

October

RIJEKA, CROATIA

Our English friends flew over to visit us this month for a late Autumn road-trip over the border to neighbouring Croatia.

A very smooth 5 hour journey to an idyllic part of the Croatian coast. We swam, we ate we had fun. The weather was beautifully kind and we managed to cram in plenty of photo opportunities!

We managed to visit the famous Rijeka Fish Market early in the morning, competing with local fishmongers for the best catch. A huge variety of fish stacked and displayed on tables greeted me everywhere I looked! What a choice! 

If you would like to see more photos of our road trip to Rijeka, Croatia click on this link

OZORA

Another village not far away from us, rich in history, famous for weekly car-boot sales and the home of The Ozora Music Festival held in the summer months. Every time we visit there is something different for me to photograph.

This is Ozora Castle, furnished inside in the Renaissance style, you can hire the whole castle for functions and events! How grand would that be?

A typical Hungarian village square, with a sheltered bus stop, pretty pastel houses, changing autumnal trees and a river running through the centre.

OZORA: Home to Castles, Car Booting and Music Festivals!!

If you would like to see more photos from our day out in Ozora click this link

November

The weather is changing as the year comes to a close. The various birds in the garden come searching for food on a daily basis. I have hung a bird feeder up so I can see it from my window. The hanging basket makes a good “waiting perch” before dashing over to the feeder when it becomes vacant.

“Fog on the Water” I love the moodiness of this photo…the mystery, stillness, silence….peaceful. I enjoyed my walk that morning. A different perspective in the fog. 

Winter snow and a struggling rose, not sure whether to wake up…the weather has been surprisingly warm for November then snap, cold with snow! Bizarre!

December

RAPHAEL OFF TO AUSTRIA

Much excitement in our house as our youngest son Raphael takes off to work in The Austria Alps. He travelled cross country on the European train starting his journey in Budapest, Hungary. Here he is, early morning ready to catch his train. A great way to travel Europe. Good luck son 🍺

CHRISTMAS

The outdoor kitchen and seating area on the village green are beautifully decorated in preparation for the local photographer to come and take Christmas photos. 

The village organised an Advent event in the local pub. Temperatures were below freezing at this outdoor event but that did not stop many people coming to enjoy the super entertainment, Hungarian finger food, mulled wine and a generous tombola. We danced to keep warm under the twinkling canopy of fairy lights decorating the open sky. The friendly community spirit was oozing that night, I am glad we braved the cold.

For more photographs and information about the Kisszékely village group responsible for the Advent event, please visit their Facebook page via the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/meseskisszekely

As usual, throughout the year I have taken many, many photographs! I have limited myself to three photos per event for this blog post, it was so hard to choose so, in the end, I selected my significant favourites. I have added a link to the blog posts for more of my photography.  Please do go and take a look and see why I LOVE photographing my adopted country Hungary so much.

I have had an excellent year blessed with good health, lots of fun, interesting outings, good friends and great photo opps! I am expecting more of the same next year. As this year finishes, the page turns, we start anew, what does 2024 have in store? I shall record the memories to look back on and enjoy. I wish you all the best for 2024 and thank you for your continued support on my blog, it means a lot. ❤

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
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”

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

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.

Categories
Everyday Life in Hungary

Storks, Sunflowers and Sunsets!

Storks

Our village in the Hungarian countryside is not usually honoured by visiting storks…there is not sufficient food sources to sustain them. They do however live in the neighbouring villages. This young man happened to visit our village (much excitement) and perched himself right outside our bedroom window. As you can see there is no platform for him to build his nest, it is up to the villagers to erect them and then hope for storks to visit and nest. There is one elsewhere in the village but for years they have not taken up residency yet.

Storks preferred foods are small mammals, frogs and large insects such as grasshoppers. In the first weeks after birth, stork parents mainly feed their young earthworms.

This stork was foraging for food in a neighbouring town, we just happened to be driving past the field he was in. He had caught a lizard and is on his way back to his hungry babies. Notice the tag on his back leg. This is a sort of tracking device and can identify where the stork lives and how frequently he returns to his mating nest from his long annual migration. After some research and inquiries it turns out this particular chap had returned seven times to the same spot for mating and nesting.

The average life span of a stork is 22 years. White storks breed throughout Europe and migrate in large flocks South to Africa and Asia for the winter.

This is one of my most recent photos, just before these adolescent storks are about to leave their nest and take the long journey South. I love their facial expressions!

In Hungary, the storks arrive in March, the males arrive first a few days before the females in order to secure the best territories. They are loyal to their breeding site and will return year after year to the same spot. They migrate in September. Most of the storks in our surrounding area have left, some say this is the sign that the end of summer is close.

My final magnificent photo of storks is with their beaks open (as it was extremely hot that day, it is their cooling mechanism) all stood to attention, four in a row and looking rather dandy!

In the Netherlands, Germany and Eastern Europe it is believed that storks nesting on the roof of a household would bring luck to the family below, and maybe the birth of a baby. The Asian cultures also regard the stork as good luck.

Sunflowers

We are very lucky to have numerous sunflower fields in and around our village. The flower heads bob about and give an amazing display to the passer by. The fields are always bulging with a mass of yellows and greens. Quite spectacular.

Hungary is at the forefront of sunflower cultivation, third behind mass producers Ukraine.

This gorgeous field (which is huge) is on the road leaving our village.

In the 16th century Spanish explorers brought sunflowers to Europe. Sunflowers are processed into the well known cooking oil and is also used in Hungarian confectionary products.

Sunflowers symbolise loyalty and adoration and because of their association with the sun, sunflowers are known for being a “happy flower” I could not agree more. 🌻

Did you know that sunflowers are edible flowers? The delicate colourful petals can be used in salads as a pretty garnish. The leaves can also be steeped to make a healthy tea. You can also eat the seeds but remove the shell first as these are not easy to digest. Sunflower seeds are full of healthy nutrients.

As you can see not only humans enjoy sunflower seeds. This photo is taken in our garden. The head was full of seeds until this greedy Redhatch spotted the feeding opportunity and took as many as possible. He managed to stuff three or four at a time into his mouth and fly off to feed his babies only to return 2 minutes later for more. Other smaller birds tried to get a look in but the Redhatch seemed quite dominant and a bit of a bully, chasing off the smaller birds trying to get a look in.

All birds that love sunflower seeds, do not eat the hard shell but crack it open and eat the seed inside. Some examples of birds that adore sunflower seeds, finches, nuthatches, cardinals, woodpecker, robins and blackbirds. For an extra special treat you could buy ready shelled sunflower seeds, they are guaranteed to return again and again.

Sunsets

“Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn“

Our village is nestled in a valley with steep sides. When it came to photographing this particular sunset we had to drive to the top of the ridge to get the best views. It is accessed by a tractor track often rutted from the constant use of heavy tractors. We took our car up the track very slowly and cautiously, thankfully we did not have any damage done to the car or get stuck. (We have in the past got stuck in a rut – not funny!!) It was worth the effort.

“Sunsets are like God’s paintings in the sky”

I love taking photos of the sunset, I also like to add a little interest in the photo. This, I think is what we call in the UK Cow Parsley, please correct me if I am wrong. Incidentally there were numerous cows in the field.

I am always quite surprised at how quickly the sun goes down, then of course it gets dark and the trek down the track becomes a bit precarious with no light, we had to be careful as rabbits were darting everywhere in front of us, their eyes shining in the headlights!

“Every sunset is an opportunity to reset”

Did you know a lover of sunsets is called a “Opacarophile”? That must be me then! Every year, late August, early evening the sky is aglow with multiple colours. Morning sunrise skies tend to be more purply and pink whereas the evening skies more yellow and orange.

I am fortunate to have a decent camera with a specific setting for sunsets. I am thankful for that as it is not good for your eyes.

“Sunsets, a farewell to the day”

My final photo, a glorious sky and the disappearance of the days’ sun, ready to rise again next morning. Sunset in Hungary at the moment is just before 8.00 pm, the nights are closing in but the sky continues to give an every changing beautiful sight.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog about the three “S’s”. Do you like photographing sunsets or sunrises? Let me know in the comments below. 😁

If you have not already subscribed, please look at my homepage for details of how to keep up to date with my posts. Thanks for reading.

Categories
Everyday Life in Hungary

Making Hungary Home Six Years On

A Brief Update

Six years ago, my husband, son, and I moved to a remote village in the Hungarian countryside for a better quality of life. We wanted to escape the hustle and bustle, noise, and air pollution of city life we had known for many years. After much researching of various countries, we found that the cost of living and property prices in Hungary were cheaper than in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

Sadly we lost our gorgeous Siberian Husky, Haley. She was four years old and a beautiful bubbly dog. She left a big aching hole in our lives the day she ate some poisoned meat meant for the ever increasing fox population living in the derelict house next door. (Not put down by us) We shall not replace her, it is just too painful when pets pass away. She will never be forgotten. ♥

Our house is finally finished, it has taken a long time, we are super happy with it and delighted with the finished result of the new tiles laid on our veranda. We bought the tiles many months ago and they sat for a full year waiting for the workmen to lay them. Tradesmen are far and few between in the countryside and we had to wait our turn for any sort of professional workman to be available. As it turned out building materials increased in price by a dramatic 20% (after we bought the tiles) due to higher energy, transport and raw material prices. We were fortunate to have saved money on this project.

People Update

Lots of celebrations in our home… my youngest daughter got married to her sweetheart in Ibiza. They both live in the UK now but wanted to marry somewhere extra special to them. Both worked on Ibiza island for several years and developed their blossoming relationship on the renowned “Party Island” of Spain. What a glorious day it was. The sound of the ocean lapping in the background and the sight of lots of happy laughing guests made it an extra special beach wedding. My three older children were all there with my granddaughter Mia (4) being the flower girl. A recent addition to our family was my second grandchild, Jack (18 months). Now the happily married newly weds are honeymooning in Tanzania.

My youngest son Raphael is departing to the UK to start work. He loves the quiet Hungarian life and has made several good Hungarian friends, but at 18 years old he wants/needs to work and earn some money. Obviously we shall miss him and I fear I shall be suffering with “empty nest syndrome” as he is my last child to leave home. He knows there is always a place for him here if he needs it.

So, I am back to blogging again bringing you our adventures and experiences in this beautiful country we call home. There are just the two of us now living our best retirement years in peaceful, rural Hungary.😍

Categories
Everyday Life in Hungary

I bought a new camera!

Something a bit different today. I have my camera by my side every day…it works hard for me and I am rewarded with beautiful memories to pass on to my children and grandchildren. My birthday is just around the corner, so my wonderful husband, who knows my obsession with photography suggested I upgrade to a newer more modern camera….as a birthday present. Who am I to say no!!

It took me 6 months to read and research all the information I could find about buying a new camera. I used comparison sites to compare specifications, checked different brands available, compared the photographic quality of photos and read many reviews. There are a lot of cameras out there! My old camera was a Sony Alpha 3000 bought in 2014 and has served me relentlessly well. I am not a professional photographer but now I feel I can call myself a reasonable amateur. There is always room for improvement and my “photographic eye” has become better over time. Joining a photographic competition site helped me immensely. I learnt from people better than me, and I am still learning and improving.

Finally, I decided on what I would like to upgrade to…a Sony Alpha 6000. I toyed with the idea of changing brands but came to the conclusion, that for me, Sony suited my needs the best.

We made the long trip to Budapest, the capital, and bought my new camera, a Sony Alpha 6000 with an additional zoom lens… something I have never had before. The sales assistant seemed keen to tell me all about Canon and the packages they had to offer…I got the impression he was on a commission. My mind was on Sony and I told him that. The young sales assistant spoke good English which for me was a massive bonus as my Hungarian language skills are not great.

Getting it home and on charge was my main priority but imagine my disappointment when I found I needed to buy a memory card for the camera for operation. Not deterred, the next day we travelled to the closest electronics shop and asked for the appropriate memory card…home again and realised we had been sold (on their guidance) the wrong memory card. Frustration overload!!! I have now bought the correct memory card online and accepted I have wasted money on a useless memory card locally.

My new camera has many additional features and a manual that would make long time bedtime reading! My new camera is lighter than my previous one and smaller making it ideal for walking any sort of distance. It has a tilted screen, high quality video recording, wireless for transferring photos and image stabilization on the new lens. I am hoping for many photo opportunities and can’t wait to get started.. in particular taking shots of moving subjects, birds, animals, people etc. These have not been my strong points in the past.

Anyone who is interested in photography will know that overwhelming desire to improve our image taking. Over the years I have “learnt on the job” what a good photo is and what a GREAT photo is. In these days of sophisticated mobile phones, cameras seem to have taken a back seat. Mobiles are easy to use with just a point and click action. It could be argued that mobiles take as good a photo as a dedicated camera. Bearing this in mind I put together a list of my tips for better pictures. Trial and error plays a part too and being self-critical is not always easy. I thought my photos years ago were excellent until I looked back and spotted glaring errors. I started experimenting and learning different ways to do my photography and I was pleased with the results.

My Top Tips for Better Photography

  • ALWAYS level your horizons. It improves the look of your photo immensely. If you do find you have not got a straight horizon, adjust it in an editing programme on your computer.
  • AVOID taking photographs in the mid-day sun. Your photos will glare too much. The ideal time is early morning or early evening. Better to be slightly dark than too bright. You can amend the darkness successfully by using the lightening function on an editing programme.
  • ALWAYS be aware of the background of your shot, study it in your viewfinder, adjust your positioning if necessary. There is nothing worse than seeing washing hanging out on the line or a unwelcome mop bucket in your view.
  • DON’T always use automatic settings. Your camera is a sophisticated piece of equipment and gives you a multitude of settings for different scenes and environments. Learn from your manual or go online to discovery how versatile your camera is. You will surprise yourself with amazing shots.
  • TRY photography from different angels and levels, lay on the ground, look up to the sky, tilt your camera be brave and experiment.
  • HAVE a focal point for EVERY photo.
  • TRY Macro photography. The definition is: Macro photography is a unique form of photography that involves photographing small objects to make them look life-sized or larger in the photo. The usual subjects include flowers and small insects, which we don’t normally get to see up close with the naked eye.
  • TAKE a walk with your camera after the rain, if it is foggy, or after a snow-fall, build your portfolio with interesting weather shots.
  • USE your camera indoors, create an interesting scene, food shots to make your mouth water, still life in colour or black and white, perfumes bottles or interesting jewellery, anything you like. Be aware of the lighting and the inevitable reflections and bright spots.
  • FINALLY, do you see dark spots on your photos when you upload them?…this is because dust has got inside your camera. Clean your external lenses regularly and use a puffer to remove those annoying dust spots from the inside.

The main principle of good photography is excellent lighting and knowing your camera inside out. I have found good editing programmes are essential to improve my photographs, every photo needs a second look…and an edit. It is habit forming and for me is another essential for good photography.

Imagine someone else is looking at your photo – what will they see? What are you trying to tell people? Every photo tells a story, what is yours?

I joined www.gurushots.com for practice and competition. It is free and you have the opportunity to look at other people’s photographs, compete for prizes and get ideas for your next photoshoot. Undoubtedly this has improved my photography.

Remember: Enjoy photography – you are making memories.

What sort of camera do you have….do you agree with my tips? Can you add any more? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

Categories
Everyday Life in Hungary

Magical July in Hungary

Lavender Fields

We are so lucky to have lavender fields in our little village. The farm opened their gates to the public last week and I could not resist taking a look with my camera and taking the obligatory pruners! I collected 3 bags of their heavenly lavender. The ladies running the field were very helpful and encouraged me to stuff my bags full! I had to watch out for the bees as there were many buzzing around also enjoying the lavender. The smell was divine and it was interesting to see the little tractor harvesting the lavender into large white sacks. It will later be processed into essential oil, soaps and honey. Lavender has many therapeutic qualities, I like to use it as a sleep aid. In its oil format I use it to treat burns with amazing results. It soothes the burnt skin.

Village Swimming Pool

Our little village swimming pool opened its gates at the beginning of July. For two years (because of the pandemic) it has been closed so we were thrilled to hear it was fully operational again. We have a good sized pool with a slide for the youngsters. Great value too…just over £2.00 for the full day. There is a large grassed area with trees, outdoor games, fire pits, oven and picnic benches. The local ice-cream man visits daily selling not just ice-creams but sweet yummy cakes too. A lovely place to spend the day…and just on our doorstep.

Haley our Siberian Husky

We are fortunate that a visiting vet comes annually to administer Rabies vaccinations to the local dogs. Haley does not travel well in the car so we very much appreciate this rural service. She has recently been shedding her winter fur which takes a few weeks. We are constantly brushing her to help her shed. Huskies, you would think, do not do well in hot weather as they are associated with a cold climate and snow. However, Haley would appear to love sunbathing in the high temperature we are having in Hungary at the moment. Her summer coat keeps her cool and she munches on ice cubes. She is a very active dog and loves to poke her head through the railings frequently to see what’s happening. When she is exhausted she takes a nap…but still has an ear open so as not to miss any action!

Sunflower Fields

Travelling around the countryside you cannot help but notice the many sunflower fields that line the roads. They are a staggering sight covering acres of fields with a vibrant yellow. Hungary is a big producer of sunflower oil and the flowers will be around for weeks with the farmers letting them dry ready to be harvested for their precious oil. We grow sunflowers in our garden but purely for the pleasure of looking at them. The finches love the seeds and are frequent visitors a bit later on in the year.

Residency Permits

The UK has recently left the European Union, meaning those of us who are British, living somewhere else needed to apply for residency status in our respective countries. Having already gone through this process before (when we first arrived 4 years ago) we expected this to be straightforward and easy. We had 12 months to complete this process (until the end of December 21) but there have been many difficulties with the Hungarian computer systems. Finally, 6 months later we managed to complete the process and so now hopefully, we will retain our status in our adopted country.

Without a fridge during a heatwave!

We are currently experiencing a heatwave in Hungary…high temperatures of 38/39 degrees Celsius which is a touch uncomfortable. Imagine our horror and dismay when our Samsung fridge-freezer decided to stop working! We asked a Hungarian neighbour to contact Samsung on our behalf to arrange to get it fixed! Would you believe, 2 weeks later we have had no visit from Samsung, or explanation even though we have a 10 year warranty. We have ended up buying a very small fridge to tide us over until we can get our main fridge freezer fixed. There was talk that the part required was no longer available but I don’t know how true that is. I am certainly struggling with the after sales service from this company.

I am going to be a granny again!

What joy it is when your eldest son tells you “Mum you are going to be a granny again” I am so happy for him and his partner but slightly saddened I cannot go over to England and celebrate their news. They are expecting a boy (they have a daughter already) which is super news. I am forever thankful for the internet and Facetime, years ago we would not have had that privilege. My granddaughter will be 4 this year and starting nursery school soon, I do miss her. Maybe next year when this disabling pandemic is over (or controlled) I will be able to reconnect in real life.

So that was just a little update of what has been happening in our lives at the moment. This weekend is the annual Harvest Festival in the village. A wonderful occasion that I shall be photographing, watch out for the next blog entry. 😃

Categories
Everyday Life in Hungary

Heatwave Hungary!

Phew, it is hot!!! The temperature is reading 37 degrees Celsius 98.6 Fahrenheit, 2.30 pm. Hungary are experiencing their first heatwave of the year. Perhaps it will reach an all time high of 41 degrees Celsius? The farmers and villagers are praying for rain as the ground is so parched and crops are in need of water.

I tend to take water for granted, but here water is valuable, not to be wasted and reused if possible. There are water pumps in the street for those villagers without mains supply. It is quite humbling to see villagers filling their bottles from the pumps. Yesterday our water pressure took a severe drop and some people in the village higher up the valley had no water at all. Through the village Facebook site, I gathered there may be some broken pipes in the village but it also coincided with the annual “fill the village swimming pool up” which may have affected the water pressure.

Water pumps line the village streets

The Hungarian government have issued a state of emergency during the heatwave advising people about health and safety precautions and general health tips to stay safe in the heat. Interestingly if you see a child or pet in a hot car…call the emergency services, I worry they might be some time getting to remote places!

So what have I been doing this week?

Out and About – Been out and about to Székesfehérvár (I can just about pronounce it!) and came across some staggering poppy fields on the way. I have tried to take photos that are slightly different.

We also passed a good looking riding stables and just had to stop. It was a good opportunity to take a couple of photos of these gorgeous horses..

We then collected milk from the local farm, the cows were ambling around just waiting to be photographed!!. This one caught my eye…on further examination later on my PC I noticed the close up…. of the tongue!!! HaHa!

There were also sheep asleep on the roadside sheltering from the blazing sun. These are racka sheep, an ancient type of sheep, said to be living here with us in Hungary since cc. 970…

Finally stopped off for a coffee at a friend’s and admired her beautiful water-lilies. We had a lovely day 🙂

We ventured out again and admired the local lavender fields in the village.

Kisszékely Lavender Fields

Then a visit to the lake…I am pursuing an elusive heron…I know he is there but thought I would have a better chance walking by the lake so as not to distract this flighty bird. Sadly not to be seen!

We then went onto the tops and admired the hay bails Lol!!

Impulsive intrepid Eric (my husband) decided to drive through the forest…I was worried the car would tip at the deep tractor ruts along the way. Thankfully we made it safely back to home base 🙂

Brexit – The UK has now left the European Union which means as residents we need to re-apply for our status in Hungary. There is lots of red tape, paper filling and lengthy visits to get through before we can be issued with this valuable status. We are lucky in Hungary and have until 31st December to submit our paperwork, some European countries require these documents by the 31st June. So with plenty of time to get organised I managed to print of the lengthy 18 page document, fill them in and get the required passport photos needed for the documents. I needed help finding a place to get the said photos, friends helped for which I was very thankful. They don’t appear to have photo booths here like in the UK, it was a case of doing it online and going to the local chemist for printouts.

Gardening Progress

We invested this year in a large polytunnel to grow tomatoes and watermelons. Six weeks later we have baby water melons and masses of very healthy tomatoes. We have found if we grow tomatoes outside they become infested with bugs and do not yield their maximum crop. We are hopeful this year we will have a good harvest to preserve to last us through the winter.

Something else new this year is our living fence. Next door neighbours have a very unsightly wall and I wanted to grow a fence of sunflowers to hide it. After collecting hundreds of seeds last year I planted a long line, in the Spring the length of the wall. In between the sunflowers I planted marigolds, again from seeds collected from last year. I think it will give a staggering long lasting display and cover the ugly wall!

The weeding is never ending with weeds shooting up on a daily basis. The only way to keep on top is little and often, preferably around 5.00 am in the morning before it gets unbearably hot.

Preparations for the big 60 Birthday at the end of July!

So the time is approaching for the big 60 birthday. Age to me is a number but it is nice to celebrate the special ones. Covid19 has put a stop to any romantic weekend away so the revised plan is to have a meal at the local castle restaurant, sitting outside with the hotel and spa facilities available and the added bonus of an outdoor pool. We went to have a look and it looks super. Of course, I took lots of photos.

Finally… I have been asked to write a daily piece on two different pages on Facebook about family life in rural Hungary. I was very flattered and am enjoying promoting this fantastic country and what it has to offer. It also gives me an opportunity to continue my photography capturing special moments during our time in Hungary.