Hungary by Catriona - fifeaircadetsconservationgroup

The journey began at a time unknown to man, everyone was excited (and ever so slightly asleep) as we headed for the airport. There was a slight panic when I realised my suitcase was 3kg over weight but it was soon fixed and energy was restored with a large amount of Haribos. The flight seemed to last forever despite our several games of eye spy but eventually we arrived in Hungary. After many buses, metros and trains we arrived at our hostel in Bukk National Park, it was a lovely building next to some ponds in the village Felsőtárkány.

Work started early the next day as we got given bikes and began the long cycle to our worksite. The cycle seemed like it was never going to end as it was 11 kilometres up hill in the heat. The first day of work was erection some information boards as well as clearing a small area of path and painting directions onto some trees for the pathway with the help of Lazlo who was great but slightly difficult to communicate with however he did managed to teach us about some protected flowers. The freewheeling downhill on the bikes did seem to make the pain of going up worthwhile though.

We were all tired and the weekend came for a thankful rest. Saturday we were given a tour around the local town of Eger by János from the National Park, he showed us around the cathedral and local fortress. In the afternoon we were around to roam around ourselves visiting the local shops and lots chose to go swimming. My group chose to go to the indoor swimming pool and the compulsory swimming caps caused great amusement among us all.

On Sunday János took us for a walk up higher in the National Park, it was hard work in the heat but the views were incredible, as well as the wildlife, we saw an enormous beetle/scorpion type sitting just at the side of the path. We got an old fashioned train back to the hostel which would have originally been used for carrying timber. Monday came and to be honest the rest didn’t make the cycle any easier but at least I could feel myself getting fitter. Today our group was making a 700m path through some woods using matics and spades to clear the route. Some of the stronger ones had the unlucky job of moving large tractor tyres up a hill which turned into a bit of a competition. The weather was great and we all had fun, especially when we saw how good the end result had turned out. The journey began at a time unknown to man, everyone was excited (and ever so slightly asleep) as we headed for the airport. There was a slight panic when I realised my suitcase was 3kg over weight but it was soon fixed and energy was restored with a large amount of Haribos. The flight seemed to last forever despite our several games of eye spy but eventually we arrived in Hungary. After many buses, metros and trains we arrived at our hostel in Bukk National Park, it was a lovely building next to some ponds in the village Felsőtárkány.

I can’t say I was exactly looking forward to the second day and the thought of cycling up what seemed like a mountain but off we set and once we reached the top I guess it didn’t seem so bad anymore. We spent the day building and clearing a new path through the woods, we got to see some animal homes and traces of recent wild boar. We put up another information board while under attack from some type of moth creature. We met with the others who had been working further up the hill and cycled back down to the hostel. That evening we went for an explore around the village but except the swing park (which gave us great fun) there wasn’t huge amounts to see and the local dogs didn’t seem to appreciate our company too much. We were all tired and the weekend came for a thankful rest. Saturday we were given a tour around the local town of Eger by János from the National Park, he showed us around the cathedral and local fortress. In the afternoon we were around to roam around ourselves visiting the local shops and lots chose to go swimming. My group chose to go to the indoor swimming pool and the compulsory swimming caps caused great amusement among us all.On Tuesday we were able to go back into Eger and go swimming again this time in the outdoor pool. Everyone had great fun, unfortunately despite all the warnings I forgot to put extra suncream on throughout the day and suffered for it quite badly that evening. We got the chance to visit some local caves on Wednesday, they were amazing inside and even had a few plants growing in them

Thursday we travelled to Budapest so most of the day was spent on trains and everyone was relieved when we got to the hostel. That evening we explored Budapest in groups and tried some of the local restaurants.

The next day we all went round Budapest seeing the sights, such as the Parliament, in the morning then being left to entertain ourselves in the afternoon which for my group was mainly running around trying to complete our Hungary Quiz, even asking the Parliaments security guard who the prime minister was. After what seemed like climbing 1000s of steps we visited the palace in Buda but by the time we got there we were all too tired to really appreciate it I think. On Saturday the majority of us decided to visit an Aqua Park, it was so much fun with loads of pools and flumes. That evening we all went out on a boat trip along the Danube river which was a great way to finish the trip. There was lots of dancing and everyone had a good time. Overall the trip was amazing, we all had fun and learnt a lot about Hungary’s culture and environment as well as making new friends.

Love Catriona

Scott and I working on a new nature trail in the heart of the Bukk National Park

Heading on the train to Budapest, Gavin, Heather and myself.

Left to Right - Louise, Chris, Grant, Glen, emily, Duncan, Sarah-Jane and myself