Hungária Kupa Day 1

We had an absolutely marvellous time in the Zemplén. The trip down was fairly standard, except for a slight diversion ending up in spending £365 just on the off chance. I have been looking for a solid, well built and rustic set of table, bench and roof arrangement for ages. Unfortunately I have never seen anything I liked within delivery distance of us. Until last Tuesday, that is. En route to the Zemplén we got stuck at a set of lights and have discovered these by the roadside. Popped in, loved it and bought one. I love shopping like this. Practically all things I have bought like this have ended up treasured possessions used and loved for years. Delivery is due sometime this week and we are planning to put it where the swing was until now at the back of the terrace.

At Szerencs,about 40 miles from our destination we stopped to have a bite to eat and pick up a geocache. The view from the top of the hill was glorious and we sussed that this will be only the first of many such views for the rest of the week. This picture is from the courtyard of the Rákóczi chateau in that town, nicely renovated in the reneaissance style. We arrived at our accommodation in the afternoon with our friends, who we teamed up with for the week arriving in the evening. The only other significant event that day was not a very happy one. I have put my back out somehow (I still don't know how) which was going to make 5 days of orienteering somewhat difficult! :-(

Day 1 was in a really rough and tough forest, which worried me a bit considering my back was a bit dodgy. Amazingly, however, as soon as I got into it I lost the pain and managed to have quite a good run. Perhaps slowing down to look after my back stopped me making mistakes. I ended up second that day (only 27 seconds down on one of my perennial rivals, Ágika) and the weather was also pleasant, sunny, but not too hot. In the afternoon we went geocaching just over the border in Slovakia, but could not find the box. As it turned out later, it has disappeared long ago and now I am awaiting the owner to accept my find based on the photographs. There was another Rákóczi chateau there which, unfortunately, is in a dreadful state. Some enthusiasts are restoring it bit by bit, but at this rate it will take them about 200 years. We managed to get inside, but it is in no better order inside than out.

We were very lucky as the annual Zemplén Art and Music Festival almost completely coincided with our orienteering event. About a week or so ago I ordered some tickets on the internet and were very much looking forward to going. The first of these events was a performance by the Hungarian National Folk Dance Ensemble on the first night in the nearby town. It was absolutely superb. I have not seen them ever since I was a child and even Roy was tapping his tows and having a fantastic time. Their skill and obvious enjoyment of their own art was infectious.