KB (again) and orienteering amidst a Pig Fest

This weekend turned out to be interesting, to say te least. Initially I wasn't sure whether we should go at all, as I had a violent head cold with sneezing fits and a blocked nose. However, as I had a concert on the Friday night we had no choice. Some of you may know that Kristof Barati, one of the best violinists in the world, is not someone whom I would miss, not even at death's door.  So we went. He played Bartok, Dohnanyi, Paganini, Saint-Saens and Sarasate. The second half was full of virtuoso stuff, which was breath taking, even though it looked as if it took its toll on his fingers. A delightful evening in all, he never disappoints.

Then on Saturday we went South for the last O event of the season. I never realised that it was coinciding with an Autumn Pig Fest that was being held in practically the same place as Assembly, so Roy could have quite a lot of fun while hanging around, waiting for me to return from my run.

The whole area was full of sausages, crackling, roast pig's bits, any bits you care to think of, some live mangalica piglets as well, then sweets, and lots of booze etc., etc.

However, in spite of all this delicious stuff, what got Roy really excited was the ingenuity of ordinary people with which they fixed up the rotary spits and other bits of equipment from bits and bobs that they had lying around at home.  His absolute favourite was the rotary spit manufactured at home from a bit of a bicycle, a motor from a windscreen wiper, two cogs of a bicycle chain welded together, a car battery, steel rods and supports. We were told that this contraption could spit roast anything up to a 120 kilo side of beef.

My run was OK, considering I couldn't run much, but in juniper jungle it's better to go slowly anyway. I finished without any big mistakes, which is good news in and of itself on this kind of terrain. 2.3k took me 41 minutes and that was considered a good time. There was only two of us in W65 and with the other competitor taking 90 minutes+ I was first.

Our accommodation was the next item of interest which turned out great. What was really fantastic was the quality of the renovations that our host lavished on what must have been originally a completely derelict hamlet in the middle of absolutely nowhere on the prarie. Roy did not enjoy the mile and a half of sandy lane full of bumps and hollows, but on arrival we were enchanted.

The group of buildings included a covered outside barbecue area, the owner's accommodation, two houses for guests, a covered garage and a swimming pool. Inside the decorations and the furniture were beautiful aas well as very warm and comfortable.

Before dinner we took some pictures outside again while the sun was setting.  There was a magical atmosphere to the place, even though the owner's politics was not exactly to my liking. Still, I didn't let it spoil my enjoyment of a place that was very reasonably priced and of a level of comfort very rarely found in these type of establishments.

Dinner was taken at a nearby inn, the food was delicious and plentyful and we retired feeling very relaxed and happy indeed  The following morning, after paying our bill and making our farewells we journied to the second day of the event, unfortunately by now without the pig fest. It was perishingly cold, but in my trusty wool mixture helly under my O top I was OK. The course was 3k long this morning and that took me 55 minutes and again, that was also considered a good time. I must admit I was pretty knackered by the end, but I loved it all the same.  Some Norvegians, whom we got chatting to, suggested that there was no need to put some controls into the dark green and I had to agree.  On the other hand, what's the point of the juniper jungle without impossible controls, one might ask?

So a fairly eventful weekend came to a close.  Roy was quite anxious to get going, but I had to wait for the presentations, which this time meant a certificate and a small present for my overall win. Now we are spending a whole week in town with so much to do that normally I would take about 3 weeks over.  Let's hope that my cold subsides and that I stay healthy to see my little Xander in a fortnight's time.