To Keszthely, Hungary

Off on our first trip today, sad to say goodbye to the O’Tooles for about 10 days – we’ll be back next Friday.  Sadly my red wine allergy flared up during the night and I had a little less sleep than was required.  Looks like the allergy may be a little contagious – Frank seems to have caught a bit of it too.  Not sure how?

We planned to drive about 5.5hrs to Keszthely on Balanton Lake in Hungary today.  Left the house at 8.30, drove out the driveway and the Sat-Nav wasn’t co-operating.  Played with it for half an hour till Belinda came out to take the kids down town.  We decided to walk down with her to visit Budget Car Hire at the main train station to get one for the duration.  Needless to say, after a 40 minute walk there, Budget didn’t have one to give us (Try the airport was the suggestion, they always have them).  Walked all the way home and decided to use our phones to guide us to the airport and get one there.  As soon as we got going we realised the Sat-Nav was actually working, so we diverted to our original destination.  Just out of Prague the Sat-Nav started playing up and it was a very difficult drive – poor Pam was ready to throw the Sat-Nav AND the map out the window – closely followed by yours truly!

The Sat-Nav is about 6 years old and there were plenty of new roads it didn’t know.  Consequently it took about 7 hours to get to Keszthely.  Traveled through country very similar to Darling Downs country.  Mostly wheat farming, sorghum and other grains.  Mostly flat to undulating as we made our way through Brno (Czech Rep.), Bratislava(Slovakia) to Keszthely (Hungary).  Saw lots of little villages and a few freeways.

Arrived tired and hungry, dropped our suitcases and walked the 5 minutes into town for a cold beer/wine and tea.  After tea we walked down to the Lake (they call the area a beach – not even close!).  It is a beautiful town on the lake, tree lined streets, ancient trees in the park near the lake and the lake areas have been meticulously maintain and are picture perfect.  Might get time for a morning stroll down there before breakfast?

It’s now 9pm and we are exhausted – will sleep well for sure even though we miss the Prague O’Tooles and their spare bed!

Town Centre was deserted - all the action was happening at the lake with markets and food tents

We went for the less crowded option

Some buildings on our walk to the lake after tea.

 

and a walk in the park

ALWAYS room for dessert!!

The lakes edge.

Our room

Our street