Walking on Water

After a night of crazy dreams for both of us and a lazy Saturday morning we got the 1 o'clock bus to Balatonfured.

I was really happy that the lake was still frozen and hadn't as another blipper put it, turned upside down. L said it was 20cm thick and the whole lake was frozen. That was really hard to get my head around, that's one big piece of ice!!

There was a little bit of water on the ice rink in the harbour but thanks to my new boots it wasn't a problem for me. L on the other hand was suffering from wet feet all day, bless him. Walking on the frozen lake was a brilliant first for me. We didn't skate just walked/slid around. I liked being twirled round by L in a balerina style. Such a child! A funny highlight was two girls holding on to their dad's coat, skating along in a line declaring that they were going to Siofok (on the opposite side of the lake).

After a mug of hot wine we went for a walk along the pier. Tihany reflected on the ice looked great. As did the ice sailing and a lot of coots with one fishing cormorant.

Then I tried to feed the ducks. Much to L's amusement only 3 ducks were interested in my bread while a small child opposite was attracting about 100. I blame his fancy rye bread. He did make me laugh though with a story from his childhood. He went to Venice when he was 5 and tried to feed the pigeons. Though because he was scared of the pigeons, he ate the food so that he wouldn't have to feed them.

We went back on the ice and noticed a few dead fish. L assured me that they had died before and not because they got trapped in the ice. After a walk and another trip on the ice, we went to go and have cake.

We went back to the lake and had another walk. The ice was getting wetter and wetter with a lot more cracks but was still fine to be on. Saw the ducks again and L noticed 2 kissing. They even looked like a heart. We decided to go and have some dinner. The restaurant was lovely with lots of varnished trees as decoration. I had cat fish with pasta, turo and paprika sauce. L had chicken with plums and potato doughnuts. It was delicious and well worth the long, to and froing argument/discussion it caused. I also decided we are a much better couple than the one who spent the whole time watching the big tv.

After dinner, we went to get the bus. Turns out, that bus didn't exsist so went off to try and waste 1.5 hours. Went to a hotel and looked at lots of memorial plaques in the closters, the spring and back to the lake. Walking on the ice in the dark was a bit more scary. But we were safe enough as only 2 metres from the edge. Also the water/snow on top had all frozen with the evening temperature drop, Went to go and see the giant snowball that had been made on the ice and the sleeping ducks. I'm sure they must have been freezing.

Bus home, after a perfect 9.5 hours it's time for wine and bed.