Today I was wondering whether to pack sun block cream for our short holiday, when it reminded me of another holiday with my mother.
As usual we had gone to Folkestone and were staying with my grandparents. We went down to the beach, me to swim, and my mother to read. As she caught the sun readily she always made a paper beak for herself and somehow stuck it on her nose to prevent sunburn.
I do not know how long I was swimming, but my mother used to call me from time to time to see if I had gone blue, and when I had, it was time to come out and get dressed and for me to have a hot Horlicks drink to get warm again. We used to go to a fisherman's cafe, and at the time they kept playing Ghost Riders in the Sky, on the juke box, sung by Frankie Laine; I loved it.
My mother thought it would be a good idea to go to the cinema and see The Cruel Sea, so we did. For once we sat in the seats to which we had been ushered. Usually we had to move several times before my mother thought the view was good enough which always involved a lot of grumbling from other people, and made me want to be invisible.
The film was absorbing and dramatic. When it finished, my mother remained sitting as the others left. She was in an isle seat, so they had to clamber over her. When they had gone she said in a horse voice to help her stand up. I tried, but she could not straighten her legs because sunburn had tightened her skin into a sitting position.
We staggered and lurched out of the cinema, with her walking in crab fashion, now reminiscent of Toulouse Lautrec, holding on to me desperately. It took a long time, but we reached my grandparent's house, and when they opened the door they were shocked, and then angry that she would be so foolish.
The next day she had to stay in bed covered in calamine lotion, and when she eventually got up she had to walk with my grandfather's walking sticks. For all following holidays like that, not only did she wear a white beak on the beach, but she wrapped herself up like The Mummy
with towels while she read.
Years later I found out that Nicholas Montserrat, who wrote The Cruel Sea, lived in Guernsey. His house was beside the view I painted called The Shortcut. (On my website)
Sunday, 9 December 2007
Friday, 7 December 2007
Diane, Monika and Milan
Diane phoned today after returning from holiday yesterday. She had been to the Canary Islands stocking up on a little sunshine before Christmas, and I look forward to hearing all about it as soon as possible.
Today our friend Monika visited as planned. She is expecting a baby on New Years Eve, so wanted to visit while she could still fit behind the steering wheel, and delivered Christmas presents. Her son Milan was very happy playing with a basket of slippers and socks, folding them carefully and pulling all the socks on. He is very capable and can dress himself, and is talking all the time, and always laughing. It is amazing how developed his sense of humour is at such a young age.
Next time we see Monika will be after the birth of her baby, but we look forward to seeing them all soon in the new year.
Today our friend Monika visited as planned. She is expecting a baby on New Years Eve, so wanted to visit while she could still fit behind the steering wheel, and delivered Christmas presents. Her son Milan was very happy playing with a basket of slippers and socks, folding them carefully and pulling all the socks on. He is very capable and can dress himself, and is talking all the time, and always laughing. It is amazing how developed his sense of humour is at such a young age.
Next time we see Monika will be after the birth of her baby, but we look forward to seeing them all soon in the new year.
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
How to murder your husband.
Breakfast at our house is usually a strange affair. While we have been getting up, bathing and dressing Mas usually does not see me, if he does, he stares at me blankly and without recognition; he cannot respond to a greeting of any kind. On automatic pilot he goes downstairs and makes the coffee.
When we are seated at the table, and after a few sips of coffee, all the vital signs return and Mas wakes up and, immediately, is ready to share his opinion about anything and everything with me. This often takes quite a time.
This morning while Mas was eating muesli I mentioned that yesterday I had received an e-mail written so quickly, and in such an abbreviated way that it was hard to understand, I told him the first line, and with a mouth full he burst out laughing. When he had recovered somewhat I told him the next part of the e-mail, which also caught him chewing muesli, but this time he laughed until he almost choked, and when he got over it he repeated what I had said, and began to laugh again until he was breathless and had tears in his eyes. In order to protect the innocent I cannot print the e-mail.
Mas said, after this, that it is too dangerous to eat at breakfast, and he will wait till later in the day, and eat alone. It occurred to me that this would make the perfect murder, and be an unusual method of killing for a detective story, and we started laughing again……..!
When we are seated at the table, and after a few sips of coffee, all the vital signs return and Mas wakes up and, immediately, is ready to share his opinion about anything and everything with me. This often takes quite a time.
This morning while Mas was eating muesli I mentioned that yesterday I had received an e-mail written so quickly, and in such an abbreviated way that it was hard to understand, I told him the first line, and with a mouth full he burst out laughing. When he had recovered somewhat I told him the next part of the e-mail, which also caught him chewing muesli, but this time he laughed until he almost choked, and when he got over it he repeated what I had said, and began to laugh again until he was breathless and had tears in his eyes. In order to protect the innocent I cannot print the e-mail.
Mas said, after this, that it is too dangerous to eat at breakfast, and he will wait till later in the day, and eat alone. It occurred to me that this would make the perfect murder, and be an unusual method of killing for a detective story, and we started laughing again……..!
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
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Saturday, 1 December 2007
Lunch with 'Alternatives'
I am feeling a bit rushed at the moment, trying to do illustrations of eight year old children which is difficult, as I do not remember their proportions because it is so long since my children were that age; I had to borrow a friend's child for this purpose.
Yesterday I was invited to lunch by some of my 'Alternative' friends. Previously I went to classes to learn about various alternative therapies, but sadly my time seems to have shrunk this year, and I could not go this term. It was good catching up on what I have been missing, and meeting some of the new people who have joined the class.
Yesterday I was invited to lunch by some of my 'Alternative' friends. Previously I went to classes to learn about various alternative therapies, but sadly my time seems to have shrunk this year, and I could not go this term. It was good catching up on what I have been missing, and meeting some of the new people who have joined the class.
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
St.Albans Market and lunch
We drove off to St.Albans to visit the street market and buy some fruit and vegetables, and also to meet Tania and Robert for lunch. The weather was a bit cold, and some people were wearing their overcoats.
We got our shopping, and went off to meet our friends at the Thai restaurant that we often go to. As usual we had a very tasty meal, the generous owner bringing all kinds of things for us to try as well as the food we had ordered, she then decided she wanted a photograph of us, but when I returned the complement, she ran away saying she was too old to be photographed.
Our shy friend.
After chatting a bit longer we went our separate ways, planning to regroup, before we set off on our holiday, to finalise our plans.
We got our shopping, and went off to meet our friends at the Thai restaurant that we often go to. As usual we had a very tasty meal, the generous owner bringing all kinds of things for us to try as well as the food we had ordered, she then decided she wanted a photograph of us, but when I returned the complement, she ran away saying she was too old to be photographed.
Our shy friend.
After chatting a bit longer we went our separate ways, planning to regroup, before we set off on our holiday, to finalise our plans.
Sunday, 25 November 2007
Thanksgiving Meal
We managed to get the house fairly shipshape before people arrived, and had the meal under control. Tania, Robert, Diane, Poppy and Ben arrived, and Pete who had survived a difficult journey due to railway maintenance delays arrived a bit later. We all had a nice time chatting, and the conversations were interesting. The meal went well, and as I had bungled the pies I made some meringue nests with fruit and cream to offer as an alternative. It was a really nice occasion, despite the cooking, and we are lucky to have such good friends.
The next morning, on our second coffee Mas said he felt really relaxed, and I said I thought another word for it was tired, and we both had a good laugh.
The next morning, on our second coffee Mas said he felt really relaxed, and I said I thought another word for it was tired, and we both had a good laugh.
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Pumpkin Pie Peril.
My main claim to fame as a cook happened many years ago, when during a dinner party, one of the ladies began to cry, and sobbed that however hard she tried she would never be able to make such good pastry.* It has been all downhill since then.
Luckily, since marrying Mas I only cook if necessary, as he loves to do it.
As usual we planned to have friends over for a Thanksgiving meal, Mas would make the starter and main course, and I would bake pumpkin pies. The day before Thanksgiving we roasted the pumpkin.
I think last year I cheated on the pastry, but decided to do it properly this time, and make the sweet spicy pastry that is so fragile it has to be rolled between floured sheets of greaseproof paper, and then very carefully placed into an inverted flan dish.
Things got rather tense in the kitchen when I discovered that I had made the pastry too fragile, and that the flan dishes were the wrong size. At this point Mas made himself scarce and beat a hasty retreat.
Eventually the two pies were placed into the oven and left to cook. Looking at them a little later, I found that the top flan dish had cracked and was leaking into the bottom pie which had puffed up and stuck to the oven rack above it, and the top got torn off as I removed it from the oven. I resolved never to make another pumpkin pie at this point.
* possibly one glass too many of wine.
Luckily, since marrying Mas I only cook if necessary, as he loves to do it.
As usual we planned to have friends over for a Thanksgiving meal, Mas would make the starter and main course, and I would bake pumpkin pies. The day before Thanksgiving we roasted the pumpkin.
I think last year I cheated on the pastry, but decided to do it properly this time, and make the sweet spicy pastry that is so fragile it has to be rolled between floured sheets of greaseproof paper, and then very carefully placed into an inverted flan dish.
Things got rather tense in the kitchen when I discovered that I had made the pastry too fragile, and that the flan dishes were the wrong size. At this point Mas made himself scarce and beat a hasty retreat.
Eventually the two pies were placed into the oven and left to cook. Looking at them a little later, I found that the top flan dish had cracked and was leaking into the bottom pie which had puffed up and stuck to the oven rack above it, and the top got torn off as I removed it from the oven. I resolved never to make another pumpkin pie at this point.
* possibly one glass too many of wine.
Friday, 23 November 2007
Nighthawking and bombs.
It seems that there is a problem of nighthawking; this is when metal detectorists illegally remove and keep antiquities that they have found on archaeological sites, during the night, and sell them on to collectors. There are others who legitimately use metal detectors and have added to the knowledge of the past.
I have always wanted to have a go at metal detecting, but like a lot of other things, (white water rafting and riding a horse to name but two) I have never got round to it. Perhaps this is just as well as I would probably unearth an unexploded WW2 bomb of some kind.
This thought may be due to an incident when I was a small child. My mother and I were staying with my grandparents in Folkestone one Christmas. After breakfast my mother and I walked down to the sandy beach, which looked very inviting, and was covered with snow that had fallen the night before.
My mother carefully lifted the barbed wire that was blocking the way to the beach (it was war time) and we squeezed under it and ran across the beach, stamping and making footprint patterns in the unmarked snow, and laughing. We were stopped in our tracks literally when a man with a megaphone began shouting at us to get off the beach, or words to that effect, as the beach was mined.
My mother carefully explained to me to walk in the footsteps we had already made in the snow, and to leave the beach. At the time I did not know what mines were, but the man almost incoherent with rage impressed me a lot. I do not think this adventure was mentioned to my grandparents when we got home.
I have always wanted to have a go at metal detecting, but like a lot of other things, (white water rafting and riding a horse to name but two) I have never got round to it. Perhaps this is just as well as I would probably unearth an unexploded WW2 bomb of some kind.
This thought may be due to an incident when I was a small child. My mother and I were staying with my grandparents in Folkestone one Christmas. After breakfast my mother and I walked down to the sandy beach, which looked very inviting, and was covered with snow that had fallen the night before.
My mother carefully lifted the barbed wire that was blocking the way to the beach (it was war time) and we squeezed under it and ran across the beach, stamping and making footprint patterns in the unmarked snow, and laughing. We were stopped in our tracks literally when a man with a megaphone began shouting at us to get off the beach, or words to that effect, as the beach was mined.
My mother carefully explained to me to walk in the footsteps we had already made in the snow, and to leave the beach. At the time I did not know what mines were, but the man almost incoherent with rage impressed me a lot. I do not think this adventure was mentioned to my grandparents when we got home.
Sunday, 18 November 2007
Béla Bartók puzzle
I love Bartók’s ‘Music for Strings Percussion and Celesta’.
I listened to a lecture about it, which said the music is constructed like a cut gem, so I thought it would be a good idea to try and paint this very precisely. The instructions are as follows:
In the first movement he makes a circle of arches, beginning each arch with a 5th…the second arch is a 5th higher and so on, then down the other side to make a complete circle. Bartók then goes back around the arches, climbing down the ladders? When they meet he crosses over using 4ths and 3rds which cross the original sound arches.
The second movement uses this construction which is varied throughout. Then passages of major and minor distorted scales are used, before moving onto the 8 note scale (as used by some of the Russians). All these are interwoven.
The third movement is atavistic in that the sounds seem recognisable, but they are not. He employs the folk method of playing a violin to make an open note drone. The celesta, piano and harp combine to make an unearthly trembling using a texture of fragments, with the intervals of the opening, using 4ths and then tri tone returns.
The fourth movement uses rhythm not linked to harmony; simple rhythms that sound complicated and complicated rhythms that sound simple. The string section is divided into two, one playing from the left, the other from the right. Each line is a mosaic of 2 and 3 beats, which fabricates the sound of the cymbeline with the celesta, violin and piano making a twanging rhythmic sound!
If there is anyone out there who can work this out, please let me know as it will stop me obsessively drawing spider web constructions on the back of envelopes……..HELP !
I listened to a lecture about it, which said the music is constructed like a cut gem, so I thought it would be a good idea to try and paint this very precisely. The instructions are as follows:
In the first movement he makes a circle of arches, beginning each arch with a 5th…the second arch is a 5th higher and so on, then down the other side to make a complete circle. Bartók then goes back around the arches, climbing down the ladders? When they meet he crosses over using 4ths and 3rds which cross the original sound arches.
The second movement uses this construction which is varied throughout. Then passages of major and minor distorted scales are used, before moving onto the 8 note scale (as used by some of the Russians). All these are interwoven.
The third movement is atavistic in that the sounds seem recognisable, but they are not. He employs the folk method of playing a violin to make an open note drone. The celesta, piano and harp combine to make an unearthly trembling using a texture of fragments, with the intervals of the opening, using 4ths and then tri tone returns.
The fourth movement uses rhythm not linked to harmony; simple rhythms that sound complicated and complicated rhythms that sound simple. The string section is divided into two, one playing from the left, the other from the right. Each line is a mosaic of 2 and 3 beats, which fabricates the sound of the cymbeline with the celesta, violin and piano making a twanging rhythmic sound!
If there is anyone out there who can work this out, please let me know as it will stop me obsessively drawing spider web constructions on the back of envelopes……..HELP !
Monday, 12 November 2007
Walking in Hertfordshire and an evening with friends.
My special walking friend Jana came for a brief holiday, she came over in the morning and we walked across fields from Elstree to Letchmore Heath by an indirect route. The day was sunny and bright and we had a lot to talk about as we walked. We stopped at the Three Horseshoes and had a coffees before setting off by a different route to return to Elstree again as it was getting dark and cold; we had walked for hours which was great.
The village of Letchmore Heath, and the Three Horseshoes were used when making the film The Village or the Damned ( John Wyndham's Midwich Cuckoos) and also for some of The Avengers series.
In the evening our friends Monika and Oktay came over with Milan, and we all had dinner which Mas had specially cooked for us, and the conversation ranged through all kinds of subjects. They all left around midnight, and we tottered off to bed having had a really nice day.
Below views of the Three Horseshoes, and the closest shot of Jana that I am allowed to show.
The village of Letchmore Heath, and the Three Horseshoes were used when making the film The Village or the Damned ( John Wyndham's Midwich Cuckoos) and also for some of The Avengers series.
In the evening our friends Monika and Oktay came over with Milan, and we all had dinner which Mas had specially cooked for us, and the conversation ranged through all kinds of subjects. They all left around midnight, and we tottered off to bed having had a really nice day.
Below views of the Three Horseshoes, and the closest shot of Jana that I am allowed to show.
Sunday, 4 November 2007
Friday, 2 November 2007
Linda Blackstone Gallery
As arranged, I visited the gallery, and showed some of my art work to Linda. She said that she would only be going to show art at the Art Fairs from now on, and not using her gallery anymore. She took four of my paintings, and advised me to independantly enter some of the painting competitions,and she would get the pictures framed up for me for this. I was sorry to hear she will be giving up her gallery as it is very nice place with lots of natural light, and Pinner is an interesting place to visit, and convenient for me . I will sadly have to make an effort and see if I can find another gallery who will have showrooms at their disposal.
Friday, 19 October 2007
Affordable Art Fair
Ater spending time recovering from colds Mas and I were well enough to down to town to visit the Affordable Art Fair. Before we set off I went to the doctors and had the usual flu' jab.
We stopped at our usual haunt, the Oriel, where we had snacks and a glass of white wine in the cosy downstairs bar. We then took the AAF car to the fair where we spent all afternoon looking at the art work.
I began to think that the art did not seem as good as usual until I realised that my arm was hurting a lot and I was not feeling well. Mas on the other hand thought there was some very good art this year.
When we got home I began to feel like I had the flu', and this later developed and I felt ill for about ten days, but I will draw a blanket over this.
We stopped at our usual haunt, the Oriel, where we had snacks and a glass of white wine in the cosy downstairs bar. We then took the AAF car to the fair where we spent all afternoon looking at the art work.
I began to think that the art did not seem as good as usual until I realised that my arm was hurting a lot and I was not feeling well. Mas on the other hand thought there was some very good art this year.
When we got home I began to feel like I had the flu', and this later developed and I felt ill for about ten days, but I will draw a blanket over this.
Sunday, 7 October 2007
Last day in Guernsey
Saints Bay
We walked from Icart to Saint's Bay, eating blackberries along the way while people kept running past us along the cliff paths for a half marathon. We had a slice of gâche at Saints before walking up the hill.
We stopped to look at a large gathering of ducks on a pond, and as we left they all came out of the pond and followed us up the road, almost in single file. We were beginning to feel like Pied Pipers, but as they caught up with us, a man came out of his house with about three loaves of bread which he broke up and gave to them. After a lot of squabbling they ate the bread and walked back down the hill to their pond again.
We went to the airport by taxi, and flew back to Gatwick then Pete and I went our separate ways home. I got home only to find my poor husband ill with a cold.
Friday, 5 October 2007
Neolithic remains and friendship
Pete and I took the bus then walked along the coast for hours, and through a nature reserve where we saw some butterflies called Baby Blues locally. We stopped at a kiosk and had tea and chips, and I had cheese with them too.
We reached Lancresse common which has a golf course and some neolithic remains, one called La Varde which is a passage grave, and Les Fouillages which dates back to about 4000BC and is possibly the oldest remaining manmade structure in Europe as indicated by pottery found at the site. There is also a rock called La Roche qui Sonne for no obvious reason as the site has been dismantled and stones removed, but it is said that there was a hollow stone which when struck made a sound that carried for a considerable distance.
Les Fouaillages
La Varde passage grave
In the evening we met Poppy and Ben and went to the Bella Luce Hotel for another tennerfest meal which was very good, and the company even better.
We reached Lancresse common which has a golf course and some neolithic remains, one called La Varde which is a passage grave, and Les Fouillages which dates back to about 4000BC and is possibly the oldest remaining manmade structure in Europe as indicated by pottery found at the site. There is also a rock called La Roche qui Sonne for no obvious reason as the site has been dismantled and stones removed, but it is said that there was a hollow stone which when struck made a sound that carried for a considerable distance.
Les Fouaillages
La Varde passage grave
In the evening we met Poppy and Ben and went to the Bella Luce Hotel for another tennerfest meal which was very good, and the company even better.
Thursday, 4 October 2007
Jerbourg to Fermain and poets
After another large breakfast we walked off towards Moulin Huet and walked up the Water Lanes pausing to make wishes in the well at the top, and then to Jerbourge and to St. Martins point and on to Fermain where we had lunch with ducks begging for scraps. We were amused to see the ducks swimming on the sea pestering people on boats for food.
We walked up from the valley and Pete went off to meet up with a poetry group called Poets in Motion, and I took the bus to St.Peter Port and mooched around town for most of the day.
Pete and I met in the hotel bar for a nightcap and to talk about the interesting evening he had with the poetry group.
Fermain Bay
We walked up from the valley and Pete went off to meet up with a poetry group called Poets in Motion, and I took the bus to St.Peter Port and mooched around town for most of the day.
Pete and I met in the hotel bar for a nightcap and to talk about the interesting evening he had with the poetry group.
Fermain Bay
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
Icart to Torteval
Late morning Pete and I walked to Icart, then along the cliffs, up and down steps for hours until we reached Le Gouffre and had a really tasty Greek lunch at The Hollows, Pete enjoying a
retsina as well.
Icart
En route
We left the cliffs at Torteval and took the bus which toured most of the island.
Later, in the evening we strolled off to Les Douvres and had a meal there, then had an evening walk to Icart again before going back to the hotel.
retsina as well.
Icart
En route
We left the cliffs at Torteval and took the bus which toured most of the island.
Later, in the evening we strolled off to Les Douvres and had a meal there, then had an evening walk to Icart again before going back to the hotel.
Monday, 1 October 2007
Back to Guernsey
I flew over to Guernsey for a week, and was kindly met by Ben at the airport, and whisked off to La Barberie Hotel where my son was also staying. Pete and I walked down to Moulin Huet and looked in the Moulin Huet Pottery at some of the pottery and artwork that was for sale.
Later I walked to Saints Bay and strolled on the beach before walking to Icart, while Pete did some writing.
Ben and Poppy met us in the bar as we had planned to have an evening meal together as the hotel was participating in the Tennerfest. This is where the restaurants compete to provide outstanding meals in order to win awards for their cooking. One of the recommended wines was Chat en Oeuf (a cheaper version of Chateau Neuf ). We had a really nice evening chatting and eating.
Later I walked to Saints Bay and strolled on the beach before walking to Icart, while Pete did some writing.
Ben and Poppy met us in the bar as we had planned to have an evening meal together as the hotel was participating in the Tennerfest. This is where the restaurants compete to provide outstanding meals in order to win awards for their cooking. One of the recommended wines was Chat en Oeuf (a cheaper version of Chateau Neuf ). We had a really nice evening chatting and eating.
Friday, 21 September 2007
Last day in Budapest.
On our last day I was collected once more and taken to the dentists, leaving my husband to visit an internet cafe and talk to a new friend. When I got back we had lunch at a very stylish place called Avocado, before being whisked off to the airport, and flying back on a BEA plane with a friendly crew and a pilot who made jokes. It was a good flight, but we had to circle round Heathrow for half an hour before we could land, and the airport was chaotic. We eventually got home past midnight. It is nice to go away, but always nice to return home afterwards.
Budapest temptations.
Thursday, 20 September 2007
Cave Church and For Sale Pub
We walked across the Elisabeth Bridge and called into the Gellért Hotel and had a coffee there. This spa is inside the hotel which is the oldest thermal hotel in Hungary, the spa and pools are extremely luxurious and decorated in an art nuveau style. The hot healing waters have been flowing for 2000 years.
We then went to The Cave Church inside St Gellért’s Hill. This was founded in 1924 using St. Iváns cave (he had been a hermit living there in earlier times).
We then went to The Cave Church inside St Gellért’s Hill. This was founded in 1924 using St. Iváns cave (he had been a hermit living there in earlier times).
Entrance to the Cave Church .
In January 2007 another cave system was found in this area it is 60m long by 18m deep in 3 rooms whose interior is covered in dazzling white crystals of gypsum, calcite and aragonite. These were immediately placed under legal protection.
Later we had lunch at the For Sale Pub, which from the outside looks like a feathered nest as it is lined with notes that have been attached to walls and ceiling. There is straw on the floors mixed with peanut shells as peanuts are provided on every table. The food is very good there, and reasonable.
For Sale Pub
Saturday, 15 September 2007
Dentists and Jules Verne
While in Budapest we went as arranged to the dentists. They collected us from the airport, and from the hotel for each dental session and were very efficient and friendly. When it was time for us to go home, the dental office arranged a taxi for us to drive back to the airport. These extra services were provided with no extra costs, and if we had asked they would have booked hotel accommodation for us with a concessionary rate as we were their patients.
We did a lot of window shopping while there and saw the Jules Verne submarine restaurant and bar which reminded us of the film Brasil.
Later we took a final tram ride along the Danube before going back to the hotel where children were performing folk dances to gypsey music in the restaurant.
Friday, 14 September 2007
Vajdahunyad Castle,Heros' and Fat Mo's
After visiting an internet café we took the Metro to Mexikoí út and walked across the park to Vajdahunyad Castle and looked around the impressive buildings and lake. we liked this statue called Annonymous which was in the grounds.
Later we walked to Heros' Square and had coffee there.
Heros' Square
After a meal in a Kínai Büfé (Chinese Buffet) we went to Fat Mo’s speakeasy music club, in a cellar, for a glass of wine. The staff were very friendly, and the display shelves and optics were being scrupulously cleaned and polished by the bar staff. Later we strolled around town, and admired the Market Building before going back to the hotel.
The covered market
Later we walked to Heros' Square and had coffee there.
Heros' Square
After a meal in a Kínai Büfé (Chinese Buffet) we went to Fat Mo’s speakeasy music club, in a cellar, for a glass of wine. The staff were very friendly, and the display shelves and optics were being scrupulously cleaned and polished by the bar staff. Later we strolled around town, and admired the Market Building before going back to the hotel.
The covered market
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
Return to Budapest
We have recently visited Budapest, we have been once before, but this time we were situated downtown beside the Danube. The weather was warm, and we spent time traveling all over the city by bus, tram and the Metro. In this way we explored Budapest without risking life or limb by driving. As it was so mild the pavement cafes were in use by day and night.
Later we went to the theatre and saw a musical called Menyasszonytánc, which had subtitles above, but most impressively there was a lady signing so that any deaf people would be able to follow what was going on. The show was very lively, with energetic Klesmer music, and ended on a very feel-good note.
Next we had a meal at the Komedias Kaveház, where there is a jazz pianist.
While we were in Budapest there was an International Congress for the New Evangelisation so various Christian denominations were competing to broadcast their messages and all the churches were open and giving concerts and services, with some enthusiastic gatherings being held in the open so the air was filled with music.
St Stephen's Basilika. One of St. Stephen's cut off mumified hands is kept here as a relic.
Later we went to the theatre and saw a musical called Menyasszonytánc, which had subtitles above, but most impressively there was a lady signing so that any deaf people would be able to follow what was going on. The show was very lively, with energetic Klesmer music, and ended on a very feel-good note.
Next we had a meal at the Komedias Kaveház, where there is a jazz pianist.
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