A traumatic week

Last weekend was a brilliant one, as it usually is in Laci and Márti's company. We went out to Csobánka on public transport and they fetched us from the railway station. We had a second breakfast, which was great, but as I was already on a restricted diet for the colonoscopy the following Thursday, I had to miss some of the delicacies Márti had prepared. Then we left Roy with the computer and Márti and departed for the hike.

The Highwaymen's rocks

The reason why Márti wasn't coming was quite sad. She has had many niggles in the past year with her back, but lately it has become so painful that she will have to have an MRI and rest until then. So it was only Laci and I that took off to Dobogókő, although Márti played chauffeur, so that we would not have to go back for the car later. The weather was perfect and with the exception of a small, but steep uphill at the end, it was entirely downhill or level.

Pretty thistles

First cache was at the Highwaymen's Rocks, which were impressive. Having got that, we continued downhill into the valley, crossed the road and started climbing slightly on the other side.  That path went past a memorial to a fallen forester and a cave, until we got to the start of the steep hill, which led to two more caches.

Laci on Laci's knoll

The first cache was by a spring, which apparently has very nice taste and totally safe drinking water.  We filled our water bottles, had a swig and confirmed its great taste. The third and last cache was definitely the highlight of the trip. Its name was Laci's knoll, which was very apt. It consisted of a good few rock pillars, top of some we actually managed to climb. The panoramic view from the highest one was breath taking, but unfortunately there was a haze which made photography not at an optimum.

Muggins on the peak

Starting the descent to the nearest village we rang Roy and Márti and met them at the restaurant at the bottom. We had a lovely lunch. We stayed the night, as we usually do, and were ready for another hike when the weather forecast warned us of some rain coming.  On Sunday morning, however, it didn't rain, so Laci and I left, this time for a hike where we were to return to base, so we didn't need chauffeur. It was overcast, but nice and warm with a slight breeze. Until it started to rain.

The panoramic views from the lookout point

We definitely looked like a couple of drowned rats, and just as we dried after the first big shower, there came a second one.  Thankfully, that was a lot shorter, and we didn't get too wet.  The caching was interesting, although the last one was definitely gone as we found the right tree and the big hole in the tree, just the box was missing. Blue Mali, my good friends, whose cache it was, gave me the password to log it and said that he would have to go out there to replace it some time.

A pretty wild flower

After a quick lift to the railway station we departed and I must admit I am so very, very pleased that these two have found each other at their time of life. She is in her forties, he in his fifties and they look like two lovesick teenagers, which is touching.  I hope they will be together for a long time in great happiness.

A rare reasonably photogenic picture of me

In the meantime, some time before I broke a tooth while trying to crack a frozen hard chocolate bar. Happily, my dentist could squeeze me in on Monday morning, so I had an appointment at 8am. Town was a complete nightmare. Probably because of the rain, but also as that was the first day of the new school year. I was nearly late, but I was still earlier than the dentist herself. She was on the next bus after me. The tooth and its filling are a bit ancient and I will have to have an inlay. Another £300 gone again. I have to see her next Friday, by which time, hopefully, the inlay would have been made and she can put it in.

Lewis has just shoved Vettel out of the way

On Tuesday we watched Sunday's Grand Prix, which turned out to be an absolute classic. Monza can be a boring procession, but this one was anything but. The Ferraris dominated qualifying, so they were on the front row. Lewis was 3rd on the grid, but due to a first lap smash up Vettel got damaged, so Lewis was second. However, Vettel was fighting his way back to the front and Raikkonen, who was leading most laps, finally had to look after his blistered tyres and Lewis took him in a masterly move and won. He is now 30 or so points ahead in the championship, but as there are another 7 races left, anything can happen in the next 2 and bit months.

Roy's hand and wrist

My stomach in frightening close up

After these events, the rest of the week was unfortunately dominated by accidents, illness, doctors and hospitals.  Some of this was unexpected, like Roy slipping in the courtyard, falling over and hurting his left wrist and hand; others were scheduled, like my repeated gastroscopy/colonoscopy.

Roy's slip was really annoying, because it was mostly caused by an uncleaned courtyard with green slime on and a stupid neighbour blocking the only dry bit with her enormous house plants. Part of the responsibility was also Roy's, as going to the shop in your slippers and then politely going round the stupid plant into the slimy bit, instead of shoving the pot aside, was not one of his better decisions. Thankfully nothing broke, but I got fairly worried when all his fingers swelled up a lot in the first 24 hours.  Later I had them X-rayed and as that had not come up with anything untoward, hopefully he should be back to rude health soon.  The swelling is going down, but very slowly.  I suppose his years, in spite of him being a very sprightly 76 year old, don't help.  He'll have to be patient and wait for the swelling go down and the strength returning to his grip.

Small bit on the right is the polyp they took off

My repeated procedure had me visiting the hospital three times this week.  First to have a checkup from the anesthetist, next day to pop in for the prescription for the horrible stuff you have to take to clean your innards and finally, on Thursday, to have the procedure done. I am glad to report that other than an unpleasant reaction to the laxative, all went well and as I had several bagfuls of saline in my arm, even the nausea caused by the laxative went.

My lovely Dr. Demeter

Dr. Demeter is an absolute gem. He is really first class in his field, a nationally respected consultant in gastroenterology, but that is something you would expect. However, his nature, his manner and his lovely persona were definitely a great plus and made the whole thing this time a breeze. He has even taken pictures of my insides, which he then shared with us. That was seriously interesting, even fascinating. Even Roy, who is normally very squeamish about stuff like this, was glued to the computer screen where various bits of my innards appeared in full colour, accompanied by copious explanations from Dr. Demeter.

Better apple crop than last year

Currently we are now back in the village and we are both quite tired.  I think Roy went through a fair amount of stress in the last few days: first his accident then my discomfort prior to the hospital and then the procedure itself. So we hope that we can have a little rest this week, although the outstanding chores here are probably going to put an end to that.

Our gorgeous apples in close up

To be honest, they already have. Within half an hour of our arrival home we were both out in the garden mowing, pruning, watering, harvesting etc., etc. The grass was amazingly short, considering we were away nearly 5 weeks. The roses needed a severe prune, the apple trees a quick harvest and Roy even picked our white grapes today, and they are deliciously sweet.

The tractor jockey at work

One more thing has happened in the last few days, which is worth a mention. Stephen put a link (see below) on his FB page, in which he and his colleague, with whom he runs a series of cycling podcasts, are interviewing Gordon Ramsey about his triathloning and generally all things cycling. That was probably the best podcast I have ever heard in my life.  Fast and furious, very funny, unscripted gags galore and I nearly weed myself laughing all the way through it. Have a listen, you might enjoy it. Beware of the swearing, both Ramsey and Stephen are noted for it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpUkil8YQX4&feature=share

Stephen with Gordon Ramsey

Today, just before we caught the bus, I visited my hairdresser and for once, she really did as I asked. I always say: "Short please!"!, but this was the first time she really listened. I am almost as severely shorn as Roy is normally when he gets back from his barber. And that is done with shears!

A glorious view down the courtyard

I must go and have a nap, or I will fall off this chair.

The apple harvest so far

I have just got back from my nap, God that was lovely. I feel a bit more alive now.
That's all for today. Talk to you next week!