“I would have stayed a hundred times and I would have left one time only – still, I left.”
Mihail Drumeş
We are up early and there is a deliberate lethargy to our actions that has nothing to do with tiredness and everything to do with a reluctance to leave.
Breakfast is not until 8.00 am so we walk across the square to Beñovský for a morning coffee. It is cool, not cold and the sky is a clear blue.
Breakfast is delicious. Again.
It is a four-hour drive to Budapest from Poprad if you avoid tolls. There is an urgency to get the car back. It is due at 9.30 am.
We leave at 8.30 am.
It is an easy drive through the same beautiful countryside. The mountains of Slovakia give way to the fields and forests of Hungary.
We arrived at the airport apologizing for our lateness and being told the car was not due until midnight.
A cab ride into the city and a stroll to get me some walking shoes. My Brooks back home has worn through and I have been hiking in Sorel boots.
There is a sale on HOKA, they seem to be the most comfortable fit out of the Solamon and Merrel.
I end up with HOKA Clifton 9.
Our place in Budapest has a view over Szabadság tér and a bath.
There is complimentary wine at the bar provided, Patricius Furmint.
We head out for dinner. Café Kör.
A cottage cheese salad to start. Shell orders the duck for main and I get the saddle of venison.
We order Káli Kövek Rezeda Olaszrizling and Etyeki Kúria Sauvignon Blanc for the salad.
With mains, Pannonhalmi Föpátság Pinot Noir and Sauska Cuveé 7.
Dessert is apple pie and Császármorzsa. I relent and order two Tokaji to go with the dessert.
Oremus Késöi Szüret and Gróf Degenfeld 5 Puttunyos Aszú.
Here is a picture of what I look like explaining what I have chosen from the wine list at Rachelle’s insistence.
Home tomorrow.
The dread is real.
“He didnt know what was defeating him, but he sensed it was something he could not cope with, something that was far beyond his power to control or even at this point in time comprehend. ”
Hubert Selby Jr.
Safe travels home. Love the Hokas – they are supposed to be super comfy. We are off to Pistoia on the train today. Thinking Sienna tomorrow for the night then not much time left until Karen goes back to UK. xx