hotbox

introducing Alan's hotbox, which is a load of fresh manure
in a box, keeping relatively high temperature in the closed bit, but also warms the polytunnel - it's 12C degrees higher
than the outside temperature. We have experimental lettuce seedlings
sitting there.

Also, the new cat-dining arrangement, so they don't get harassed by
any Bonzos. Otherwise they seem to get along real well, even sleeping together at times.

better news!

My dad is back home, he's sitting up in his chair,
he even walks with a borrowed walking frame - he did no such things for about 4 weeks.
My sis told me to stay put - there are so many helpers around that
I couldn't be able to get to the old'ns. They are getting 24 hour care.
So I only go up on Sunday - I was offered a ticket for Madam Butterfly on the 25th in Budapest (thanks Eszter!), so I'll stay till thursday, 26th.

We have some hostel bookings coming in now, for March as well as April - roll on the spring. Though record cold is expected for a few more days. Alan's new maximum/minimum thermometer only registered -6C, but in the village called Szecseny somewhere in North-East Hungary, they had -15C, and they had -20C there before. Glad we don't live there...

Alan started to shift the manure mountain up the hill with Anna's little tractor, he won't ask help from Jozsi or Bela, as they don't seem to be fit enough, poor things. Maybe we should have got all those willing wwoofers who wanted to come earlier but was sent away... I suppose the heating would have been a problem.

2nd of March - a village meeting - I hope I won't forget - there will be further developments about the waste-drainage plans, among other topics.

no better news

... about my dad, he's no stronger after the transfusion,
and we couldn't see him for 5 days due to an otherwise frustatingly non-enforced flu - quarantine in the hospital. We do hope to take him home, organising 24 hour care, so he can be with my mum.
I am home for some time now, managed to go on with English lessons,
student is a serious guy, working at the prison, which I didn't know about, in the middle of Pecs.
Had snow and very unusually windy weather.
Lots of meaty food - you get a picture of today's lunch -
leftover 3 types of meat with brown rice cooked with peas and sweetcorn, and steamed red cabbage. Picture cheer up things...

budapest week

just a note; been up since thursday, my dad is very weak, needs all round care now, and I help in, it turns out he is very low in hemoglobin, he is due to go in hospital for transfusion. Alan is keeping the front alone in Kiskassa, not a lot is happening, he put in the bed exiled from the computer room in the end room of the guest house, I don't know how it looks... weather is turning mild after a few days of cold and a bit of snow, not as much as elsewhere - tons in London and Spain...
i hope to go home on friday 6th feb, for at least a few days. I have a new student keen to start, he wants to pass a basic exam in June.