The hundred and fiftyfourth week of the pandemic

The main event of the last week was the 75th birthday of our friend, László Lázár, aka Laci. It was a full 15 years ago that he celebrated his birthday with us in Bér. He was 60 years old then and we were both fit enough to orienteer together. Nowadays he doesn’t take part in any sports, while I am still hiking, though a lot slower than before. He came up with the idea that we should repeat the event again, and both Roy and I were delighted. 

Szundi's Pork fillet in bacon

Muggins next to the birthday boy

 

Nine people arrived on Friday, one on Saturday, plus Roy and me, made for a happy dozen for the weekend. Friday was spent mostly chatting, eating and drinking. Some of us did a lot of all three, others favoured either chatting, eating or drinking. I must admit, I had only a fraction of the booze available, and it still made me having to abstain for at least a fortnight, in order to maintain my average intake. 

Chopped up pork fillet with bacon

Peti patiently waiting for his dinner

 

Saturday night we all stuffed ourselves silly with Szundi’s fillet of pork, wrapped in bacon and all the trimmings. Aperitifs, wine, champagne, pálinka, port, liqueurs and a few other ways of getting drunk made the whole affair quite jolly. I went to bed quite late, although many others did the same even later. Consequently, I was expecting the pack waking late, but they did surprise me by being up, dressed, breakfasted and ready to tear off on our customary Saturday hike by 9 am.

Roy enjoying his food

The birthday crowd round the table

We left around 9:15 am and finished the day around 2:00 pm, having covered 10 km with about 300 metres of climb. Talking of which, the last one up to the world famous wavy andesite columns had nearly killed me, but I finally made it. The first stop out of the village was at the Mill, which until recently was a very pleasant restaurant and watering hole of ours. Unfortunately, they have recently decided to put it on the market, therefore it was closed. Luckily, the door to the Mill itself was unlocked, so we could sneak in and have a look. We walked up the hill, I checked my geocache, which was OK, and carried on up the hill.

The birthday boy

Rita hunting cobwebs

Once in Virágos, approximately a mile away, we found 2 or 3 chaps who were packing up from an event the day before. They seemed to have had some gallon flagons of wine left, so we helped ourselves to some of it and were very happy to find, that they didn’t accept our offer of paying for it. Having met the donkeys and the camel, we took our leave and pushed forward through the heavenly winter forest around Virágos, en route to the andesite columns about 6 or 7 km away. 

The millstream

Wildlife at Virágos

I lead, as I know those hills like the back of my hand, although Laci helped with his Google map on his phone. While I know the forest there very well, he managed to find a route I have never taken before, which was fun. The andesite columns resembling waves are unique in the world. There are only two places in Europe and not too many even worldwide where these columns bend. Unfortunately, most of the bottom end has been quarried for gravestones a 100 years ago, but they are still quite a special sight, making it worth the hike. 

King Matthias and the church

Gyurika, Szundi, Peti and Balázs on the free wine

The views from the top of the columns are spectacular, even though the sun did not shine by the time we got there. On a clear day you can see way into Slovakia in the North and way down South towards Budapest too. The route home was through my favourite, rough jungle, which makes this little known area in the Cserhát a real joy. Soon after we arrived back from the hike, our last guest, Ancsa arrived, thus making the party complete. 

Waymarker en route to the andesite columns

Nemesházi Laci and Márti up front

Saturday evening was the Birthday Dinner, with champagne, cake and STUFFED CABBAGE, a real speciality prepared by the celebrated birthday boy. Roy and I are not unduly fond of this dish, but the way Laci makes it was so delicious that we had some. Obviously, the home made version is in a different league from commercially made ones. The presents were opened, which made everybody happy to see the joy on Laci’s face. 

Nemesházi Laci by the andesite columns

The compulsory group photo from the top

 

In fact, presents were given and received all weekend, as Zsuzsi and I celebrated our name days recently. I got some chocolates, a glass jar of nuts, a lovely orchid, several bottles of booze, some flower bulbs and a lovely bunch of roses. Roy mostly got booze, some 12-year-old whisky, some homemade pear pálinka and a few others. Finally, Sunday came and our guests departed just before midday. I hope they’ll come again, as we have really enjoyed their company.

Laci's orange cream birthday cake

The weekend has been pretty exhausting, so we had to rest for several days and are just now feeling sufficiently recovered to start thinking of going anywhere. The weather has gone very spring-like, so if it's still sunny tomorrow, I might drag Roy out of the house.

George Clooney aka Dr. Ross

 

Indoors we have been mostly watching TV, working on the computer, reading books and watching some old TV online. I have discovered that Channel 4 is actually streaming the entire 15 series of ER, so I set about watching the first series. I am absolutely positive that all those years ago, when I started watching it, I definitely missed the first and possibly both first and second series. So this has been quite enjoyable, especially that I like all the actors in it, and it gave me a chance to see an incredibly young George Clooney as Dr. Ross. By the time I started watching ER 15+ years ago, he was no longer in it.

George Clarke

Having rediscovered the joys of Channel 4, I also watched a few programs with George Clarke, whom I am still very fond of and of whom I have just read that he is quite ill. His Remarkable Renovations series, having watched both 1st and 2nd one, I loved very much. Let us hope that they manage to slow his muscular dystrophy down sufficiently to have him around for a good while yet. It is quite tragic that this condition is incurable, I really love his programs and will miss him. We have almost a week still to stay in the village and will have to go into town next Tuesday. We both have appointments with Dr. Dános next Wednesday and a few bits of shopping to do. Next post after that.