Snookery Travels - Hungary

Hungary

Travelling to Hungary, was something I was rather looking forward to.  I hadn't been there before, so everything was going to be new, even the language!!

One of the B&Bs in Germany where we stopped overnight

It took us 3 days of travelling to get there by car.  First we took a boat from Portsmouth to Le Havre, then we travelled on through France, Germany, Austria and finally Hungary.  Chris did an amazing job with all the driving which was around 2,000km altogether.  For me I always have my faithful bag of crochet with me to keep me occupied.

Székesfehérvár - Venue

We arrived first of all in Székesfehérvár, in time to check that all the scripts were translated correctly.  We were staying with a brother and sister whose parents were missionaries.  They spoke good English and they helped us with the translation. 

We met the cast, had rehearsals and the three performances went really well.

Our next city was Budapest.  Wow what a city. There is so much to see here and the architecture is amazing.  

Budapest - stayed in a rented apartment 3rd Floor!

View from the apartment - Budapest

Budapest - Venue for drama

The venue the drama was being performed in, was in an old university campus, which is now being used for the arts and has many musical events and concerts here each weekend for young people.  This is where the second church we were working with worshipped each week, and it was in one of the concert halls we had the drama.  The hall was packed each night with many giving their lives to the Lord.  

During our time in Budapest we had the opportunity to sightsee, which was a real treat and to learn some of its history.  

Hungarian Parliament

It was very cold here, very different from the cold we experience in the UK. We saw so much in Budapest, it was a fantastic time and something we will always remember.  As the light faded, it seemed to change every few minutes while the lights all over the city came on.  It gets dark early here in the winter, 3.30pm and they are one hour ahead of us too.

A tour round the Parliament Building was amazing

The Parliament Building was amazing.  From the outside it looked like a fairy castle, especially at night.  Inside it was beautiful, much of it covered in gold leaf, paintings and statues.

A Tour Bus that goes on land and sea!

Hero's Square

There was so much we were able to see, I can't put all the photos up on this blog, but it was a great experience.  They have a fantastic Christmas market here too, and we were told that it is one of the best in Europe.  Even the lights were different from the UK too, so pretty.

























Our final destination was in Miskolc, a small town compared to the last two.  Just a small church, but like a very warm loving family.  Here we had a room upstairs in a small business where many of it's employees were members of the church.

Chris talking to the cast through an interpreter

The cast were excited as we met them, something new to get involved in.  Each night the church was full, with many visitors.  The cast did a great job and at the altar call we saw many people come forward.

Altogether we saw around 200 people give their lives to the Lord during our time in Hungary and we give God the Glory.

Our time in Hungary finally came to an end.  We met some amazing people and made many new friends, it was sad to finally say goodbye.  But we had to get back to the UK, as Christmas was getting nearer and we knew we had a lot to do to get ready.

And so our journey back home again began, retracing our steps as it were and staying at the same B&Bs too.

In Germany we were the only ones there at the B&B, it was such a blessing to us with a wonderful breakfast spread and a beautiful sunrise to watch.

Finally we got home Saturday 12th December at 7am Portsmouth Harbour, not far from home. 

Nana's Crafty Christmas Makes

Christmas Crafts

Snookery Craft Stall

Preparing for Christmas is always something I love, especially when it comes to making Christmas decorations as well as other crafts.

I had decided to do quite a bit this year, especially as we were organising a Christmas Fayre during November.  But despite my good intentions, in the end I didn't get enough time, as I was also preparing to go away with the Ministry to Hungary for a month.  However, the Fayre went really well with about £2,000 raised for the Church Building Fund.  The atmosphere was really lovely and we had a lot of favourable comments, which was encouraging. 

Christmas Present Tags

Little Gift Bags

 

Mini Crocheted Stockings

Here you can see some of the different things I have made this year.

Kids Christmas Cards

Chris' 60th

Part 1

They say that being 60 is the new 50!!!!

Well maybe, people do seem to be more active today than when my grandparents were that age.  I guess there are more opportunities today than ever before and people do live longer.  But despite not ever wanting to reach your 60s, it does have a habit of catching up with you eventually. I think as you get older time does give you the illusion it goes quicker.

This last September my husband reached this mile stone and so it was one of those occasions to celebrate with all the family. After many discussions of what and when to get together, we decided on a meal at a carvery at mid day. With little ones and a great grandad who is 92 and goes to bed early, it seemed to make sense. What a lovely time we had too. Feeling very blest being a nana.

Part 2

This was the view we had over breakfast

Our second part of the celebration was a lovely treat for just Chris and I.  We travelled to Wareham where we had lunch and a trip up the river there.  Then we went on to Poole Harbour, which was absolutely beautiful and the weather was lovely and warm.

The hotel we stayed at for just one night, was at the entrance to the harbour and the views were stunning.  

It was quite a posh hotel and the food was just amazing.  

The following day as the weather was so sunny we decided to make the trip to Brownsea Island, which is located in the middle of the harbour.  This is run and belongs to the National Trust.  We had never been there before, so it was all new to us.  We caught the ferry and as the island wasn't very big, we were able to walk round it in a few hours.  I was especially pleased with myself as I was in a lot of pain with my shoulder and managed it all OK.  

Brownsea Island is one of the places in the UK, that still has red squirrels and I had so wanted to see one while we were walking round.  I had prayed about it earlier in the day, asking the Lord if He could arrange it.  Initially we could see them high up in the trees and many people were trying to take photos of them.  In the end we decided to rest a while on a bench, quietly taking in the views of the harbour by ourselves.  It was then I noticed out of the corner of my eye something moving.  Sure enough, a red squirrel decided to check us out and came right up to our feet.  What a treat and we were even able to take a few photos.  What a wonderful answer to prayer. 

I shall remember this trip for a long time, it was extra special.