While most people like to go swimming at Lake Balaton in the hot summer months, I prefer the other seasons, and even then I prefer to go hiking in the surrounding mountains.
Some of my friends are still working in Balatongyörök in the off-season and have less work, so they could find time to accompany me on a short but beautiful hike. Although the weather was not the best, I was prepared with raincoat, rain pants and boots.
The local conservation organisation organised the hike on Saturday, which consisted of stopping at different points and answering 2 questions. We chose the larger circle, with 18 checkpoints and 36 questions, some of which were guessing questions, asking for local history, dates and names.
We were able to answer the science questions quite well, although we got a few things wrong. The female mosquito does not live for 14 days, but for 2 months! Well, for me, until I knock it down!
The route was just under 5 kilometers, through a varied landscape. We even entered a quarry, although it was part of another, smaller circuit.
We also found mushrooms, which are edible, but we did not pick them. This is the "wood ear" mushroom, a favorite in Chinese cuisine. It may be delicious, but I have no appetite for it, it is very slimy.
Black pine is also present here on the hillside. This specimen has a total of five branches. The fifth is covered by the other branches.
The sumac here has a beautiful pattern and colour.
Here, too, karst scrub covers the rocks, just like in the Vértes and the Velence Hills
We are approaching the Batsányi Lookout.
We could not see very far because the mountains were covered by rain curtains. Even the silhouette of Badacsony was fading.
Houses are like little Lego blocks on a crumpled green carpet
St Michael's Chapel with Lake Balaton and some sailboats.
We are approaching the Bél Mátyás lookout
Pine trees are dying here too
Juniper berries are ripe
Moss points to the north.
Color cavalcade of sumac
Which bird is which size?
View from the Bél Mátyás lookout
A fishing pond
The storm has reached Badacsony!
I could hardly take pictures in the lookout because the rain was blowing on the camera lens. I had to wipe it all the time.
After the lookout, we touched few points and moved quickly. We entered the village at the "Sunshine House".
The hike was completed and everyone received a medal. Our day was not over yet, we visited another site, but I'll write about that tomorrow.