Budapest Theme

Dr Anne loves a theme.  Here follows a Budapest theme.

Doors...

Drains...

Roof windows...

Crazy Month - August

Dr Anne has had the craziest month ever. 

It all started with the amazing weddings of Zoe and Sheena Kay.  Dr Anne was privileged to attend their  special day.  

There followed the whirlwind of Whisky Galore.  Every day was unique.  The town of Portsoy was buzzing.  Dr Anne was privileged to teach the cast and the extras to dance the waltz and the eightsome reel.  This was a never to be forgotten experience.  Everyone was so so happy.

Dr Anne, SS and her friend went to see Dr Anne's friend Jen in her production of Myrtle Throgmorton - An Ancient Heckler at the Edinburgh Fringe.  

Dr Anne was delighted to meet up with Anna on her return from China before her year in Ottawa.  She also met up with Ursula twice and was delighted to catch up.

The month culminated in a trip to Budapest.  Dr Anne and SS headed off on Monday via Frankfurt with great expectation.  The week. was full of ups and downs.  Dr Anne shut her car keys in the boot of her car.  Her house keys were in the car. The journey went well.  The hotel was chic. The day on Castle Hill was inciteful. Crossing the Chain Bridge was SS's worst nightmare. Public transport was free so the metro was the means of travel to Pest From Buda.  The intrepid duo especially Dr Anne felt they were ripped off at the biggest synagogue in Budapest. The entry price was x times other museums.  The experience was ok, The bothy museum application will only be given provisional accreditation - a disappointing email for Dr Anne. There were dancing issues at home and in Edinburgh. There was bothy business all week. The visit to the House of Terror was awesome. The week's highlight was a visit to the biggest thermal baths in Budapest with an amazing massage - the best ever.  The two were on a high.  This was followed by the worst bacterial infection that both have ever had.  It continues even although they are now home.  Dr Anne had a very expensive price to pay for her action at the beginning of the holiday.  She will be lying low for a while.  

Day 4 Budapest

SS and Dr Anne decided to go up north to Szentendre, an hour from Budapest. They went by train and came down the Danube by boat.  

It was a beautiful day, strong sunshine, 33c.

The town had narrow streets, quaint buildings and cobbled streets.

The train station.

Quaint streets and alleyways.

The village square.

By the banks of the Danube.

Arrival back in Budapest opposite the parliament buildings.

Day 3 Budapest

Dr Anne wanted to visit the Museum of Terror which used to house the Secret Police.  It depicts the siege in 1944-45 leading up to the Soviet Invasion.  This is followed by the occupation of Hungary by the Soviets until 1991.  The crimes and the atrocities committed by both the fascists and the communist regimes were depicted vividly.  The interactive dispays were harrowing.

The rest of the day was spent in the City Park.  The entrance shows Heros' Square.

The visit to Széchenyi Baths was superb and a highlight.  These are the largest thermal baths in Budapest.  An aroma session followed by an amazing massage was complimented with fresh fruit and herbal teas.  The thermal baths, the saunas and the outdoor pools were sensational.

Day 2 Budapest

SS was in charge of the itinerary for today.  She and Dr Anne crossed the Danube to the Pest Area.  They concentrated on the Jewish Area.  They had a tour of the Great Synagogue, the biggest  Synagogue in Europe.  They toured the Jewish Ghetto.  

Exterior of the Synagogue.

The interior of the Synagogue.

The graveyard where 2000 Hungarian Jews were buried after WW2.

A memorial to the Jews who died during WW2.  The memorial was paid by Tony Curtus, a Hungarian Jew who went to America.  Each leaf has the name of some one who died.

A memorial to those who helped Jews escape.

The Ghetto Area with part of the remaining Ghetto Wall.

SS and Dr Anne headed to St Stephen's Basillica.

St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest's premier church.

The interior of the Basilica.

The Black Madonna

St Stephen's mummified right hand.  

SS and Dr Anne dropped by the Lutherin Church but the doors were locked... 

It was off to a 'Pop Up Coffee Shop' for refreshments. 

Day 1 Budapest

Today was spent on Castle Hill, Buda.  The weather was warm but cloudy.  There was no wind.  SS had planned the day.

The venicular up the palace.

The coat of arms.

The Chain Bridge from Castle Hill.

Matthias Church

The pulpit.

The ceiling with St Matthew depicted as the angel, St Mark the lion, St Luke the bull and St John with the eagle.  They are within the rose petals of Mary.

The alter.

A view of the beautiful tiled roof.

A visit to the Hospilal in the Rock was an inciteful experience. It was a hospital built into the caves under Castle Hill.  It was manned by the Red Cross during WW2 catering for hundreds of civilians.  In the Cold War years it served as a secret nuclear bunker.

The Royal Palace now houses museums.  

There was a spectacular fountain - the Matthias Fountain.

There were beautiful walks around the walls with many fruit laden trees.

Budapest

Dr Anne and SS are off on their travels.  They met up in Aberdeen and travelled via Frankfurt.  Their hotel is called Lanchid 19.  It overlooks the Danube and is right beside the Chain Bridge.

View from bedroom.

The Chain Bridge.

The happy duo.

# day 43 holidays - the church outing

Olwen and Dr Anne joined members of Portsoy Church on their Day Oot.  They went by bus to Fyvie Castle.  Following a walk around the grounds they had a cream tea in the racquet room.

Fyvie Castle.

Olwen and Dr Anne.

# day 38 holidays - Last Day of Filming

Everyone was sad last night.  It was the last day of the filming down by the harbour.  It has been an amazing few weeks.  

Who would have thought a month ago what was ahead for us?

New experiences, new friends, new routines.  

Will Portsoy ever be the same?

Back to auld claes and porridge.

# day 37 holidays - Bothy Day Oot

Dr Anne double booked today.  It was also the Bothy Day Oot.  The volunteers went to Old Deer, Aden Park and the Mintlaw Resource Centre.  Dr Anne and Roger joined the group for supper at The Lodge, Strichen.