still here

getting a bit stressed with all the things we should think of before leaving for Greece, including the disturbing thoughts that old people like us should stay put in a place that looks more and more cosy and comfortable every day, especially since Charlie, the Canadian hefty housesitter has been doing all the work now for a week or so. It is great to surface from lovely bed (dormio extra matrace) a bit later with the knowledge that somebody has enthusiastically looked after things. We did have a very crowded few days; Jutka's friends were pleasant, seemed to have had a good time; they sampled Susanna's organic wines in the next walkable village of Pécsdevecser, accompanied by me and my freshest goatcheese, had a day in Siklós/villány and one in Pécs, meanwhile Charlie arrived with cousin and niece just when Jenő also popped in with some of his visitors, Lily stayed for a few days on her way back from Sarajevo - so these after season times were busy. Done red cabbages, more brokkoli. Old hens were chopped - just in time said Erzsi, they would have dropped due to old age - so some Újházi tyúkhúsleves is the menu today. I got the keys for the house in Leonidio, and all sounds marvellous, we hope that Marta will join us there for a week or so - we plan to start off on Wednesday, the first day only as far as Novi Sad in Serbia. Agnes says, wi-fi is available in the Greek house, or if not, there are friendly tavernas nearby, so I hope to keep you updated, though I received not one encouragement in this direction lately... the photo shows Charlie making friends with the other inmates.

autumn lurking

a dismal day turned into a beauty yesterday, got a few things done in Pécs; a lovely optician helped me to new glasses under the insurance I apparently had, saving about 60K HUF, not bad. for about the same I booked our Manchester trip, 18th Jan to 4th Feb. got Erzsi to do cleaning again, I just don't feel like it (less so than usual) very cold clear morning with 0C, but I bet it'll be upto 20C during the day. Still had half a dozen raspberries a couple of days ago, Alan collected some marrows that I plan to deep fry today with some kohlrabi soup, from tons of that... plus another 5 jars of pear compote yesterday, no peace for the wicked, should do other stuff with trip looming, last hypo checks with new brakeshoes fitted friday evening, so Alan won't be here when Jutka's multitudes, including lapdog, arrive. Also Alan managed to step into an inch and a half rusty nail, so he was incapacitated for nearly a week, with me doing all the goating and stuff, bloody exhausted. The unwelcome news were, that that our GP had no Tetanus, and with the local pharmacy closed (stocktaking!!) we had to go to the Pecs clinic. Still, the doctor there was very nice, and promised to keep Alan's relevant foot intact. Another festival is coming up next Monday - it will be an extra long weekend here - this time chicken and potatoes will be baked in the kemence instead of strudels. Hopefully, our winter housesitter from Canada, Charlie, will be here by then, so we can introduce him to the revelers. Lily might turn up again on her way from Sarayevo. As this is now less about organic farming, I am not sure if I should go on blogging - with all this coming and going planned, we'll see... unless of course, there is popular demand...