Well, yesterday, we set off from Papa in good time and in rain. We were going to call in on Pannonhalma on the way, a priory with a superb library and monks who make and sell wine and liqueurs. It rained all the way, as we came in sight of the priory we realised how spectacular and imposing it would have looked in decent weather. It stood on top of a hill totally dominating the countryside around it. Shame it was wreathed in mist and cloud.
Visiting the priory and the winery would have involved an extended walk and since it was chucking it down, we decide to give it a miss and just go to the gift shop where John bought some drink and Maria bought some Christmas cards (a touch early I’d have thought). We then went to the café and tried the drinks John hadn’t bought and decided to go back and buy some of them. That’s when John discovered he was a credit card short. The last time he could remember using it was when we checked out of the hotel in Papa. So back we went to Papa. Hungarian drivers are appalling!! We were coming up to a bend in the road when round it came 2 vans and a car overtaking them, ON OUR SIDE OF THE ROAD. There was nowhere for us to go, John and I closed our eyes, luckily Maria (who was driving) didn’t. She pulled over as far as she could and braked, the van at the back did the same and luckily the car missed us. It did however hit the car following us. Y then everyone has slowed down sufficiently that while the cars were damaged there were no major injuries. It was however a close thing.
We made it back to Papa in one piece and found John had left his credit card there, so that was ok, and eventually we made it to Budapest. Back to the Gellert, our favourite hotel where we are known by all and sundry.
We have a nice room with a balcony, overlooking Gellert Hill and the Danube.
We unpacked and then we were off. We had tickets for a show of gipsy music and folk dancing. It was performed by the Rajko Ensemble, a group we had not seen before. They were very good but I think our favourite is still The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble.
 
We went back to the hotel restaurant for a meal and our favourite waiter wasn’t there!
Still the others know us as well and Maria had seen Zolti’s head from our balcony so we knew he hadn’t left
Today the weather had taken a definite turn for the better, too good if anything, the temperature was soaring. We planned to spend the day messing about in Budapest. First we visited another of Maria’s cousins, Ili. Apparently Maria and family used to stay with her on visits to Hungary in years gone by. She was looking well and very pleased to see us. She gave us a prezzie of some wine to take away with us, not I might say the first person to give us wine.
Then we moved onto a big book store Maria had found out about, the biggest in Budapest. John parked himself in the café while Maria had the staff running around finding her obscure books she remembered from her childhood.
They were very good to her, mind you she spent enough..
After that we traipsed around the Herend shops looking for this Matyo Madonna, Maria is so keen on. We only found a large one, so we’ve ordered one to pick up at Christmas, so I assume we’re coming back for the Christmas market. In the meantime of course, Maria had to have a small figurine to keep her going.
We were all wacked by now and grateful to stop at the Gerbeaux cukrazda for some well deserved refreshments.
 
It has been very hot, I feel truly sorry for the little old ladies in black begging on the streets, first because they’re begging and then because they must be so hot dressed all in black.
The gipsy band were playing during tea and they remembered us, which was nice. In fact we have our bedroom window open and we can hear them, which is lovely.
However we have had a disappointment. Zolti has transferred to the Brasserie (and they call him Zoli!!) so do we go and have our tea there and miss the band or do we stick with the restaurant and miss Zolti?? .