So, what are you all up to?
 

This forum has really slowed down recently with hardly any new threads or input so I thought I'd start it rolling. As it's been so quiet you must all have some stories to tell.
We've been quite busy over the last few months. My oldest son came to stay for a month in February to clear his head and help out here. Then, my youngest son came to stay for 3 days to help with some auto electrical work.
We built a greenhouse, which has proved to be really useful. Done quite a bit of fencing work at the little cabin we bought 18 months ago. Ripped out the interior wall coverings there.
We also sold a car and bought an old motorhome so that we can do more travelling with the 2 rescue dogs that we brought back from Greece last October
We also lost 3 cats in 10 days in April. Unfortunately, they all died for different reasons and it was a terrible time as we'd had them all for more than 10 years. We've noticed that the cost of treatment for pets has skyrocketed and has really hit us hard, having spent over 1 1/2 million forints in the last 6 months.
I have to go back to visit my father in England at some point as he is quite ill but I don't know exactly when, how or how long for. By plane will be the cheapest and quickest , driving and car camping will allow me stay longer and going in the motorhome will mean we can all go but we'd have to sort something out for our remaining cats as they can't go in a cattery.
Our garden is doing well and we've had to fence off the veg patch to keep the dogs out.
There just aren't enough hours in the day.
I got my State pension sorted out and paid my class 2 voluntary contributions so at least I know I'll get a full pension when the time comes. We also filled in my wife's form but have yet to hear back from the IR.
So, what's new with you all?

Re: So, what are you all up to?
 

Past two weeks builders have been concreting the earth floor in the cellar, removing concrete previously put on the slope down to our garage and replaced with those diamond shaped slates to allow rainwater not to flood our garage, garage walls have been plastered, there were too many gaps in the brick work, we've had same diamond shaped paving layer on front garden and a small ramp down to the slope to garage for lawnmower, etc. Soon our plumber will fit a pump to pump surplus rainwater to the culvert, we've expanded the driveway over the culvert because it wasn't in alignment with the garden gates, next week or so we're having a new more secure garage door fiited (we never use garage except for storing garden stuff), new windows for cellar as they are cracked. Our old kitchen units will be installed in the cellar. I might move down there ... I sometimes think I've got five wives because they are always in the toilet, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and living room when I want some space!

Re: So, what are you all up to?
 

I posted a message about our possible boundary dispute.

Re: So, what are you all up to?
 

Thank you for replying. It certainly sounds like you've been busy around your place. I hope you've not been allowing the builders free rein to make their own decisions.
One of my friends is coming today to help raise the car port by about 30cm after I got the motorhome stuck under it when I forgot to lower the roof a few weeks ago. It's a pop top.
I also need to pop back over to England soon to see my father, who's I'll. I'm deliberating whether to drive or fly. Driving is more expensive, time consuming and generally a pain in the butt but does allow me more flexibility and a longer stay. I can also bring some things back with me. The last time I went over, I flew and my plane was cancelled. I was not provided with any accomodation overnight, didn't receive any compensation and had to spend a freezing cold night in Liverpool airport.

Re: So, what are you all up to?
 

Whilst responding to you post I was 'Timed Out' so got to retype everything!

I'm constantly forgetting my password for this forum so feeling frustrated!

Re: So, what are you all up to?
 

What have I done in the past few months? My grandson came over for a few days before flying off to Japan. No time to do much but we did venture over the border into Slovakia one day in search of a lake! When my son and DIL came over a few weeks later we packed the dogs into the car and went to explore the Tatra Mountains, using Zakopane Poland as our base. Magnificent scenery and the only downside was that dogs are not allowed on many of the trails. And a lovely surprise when my granddaughter came to join us, flying into Krakow and taking the bus to Zakopane.

I'm now in the middle of having my outside storeroom converted into a bedsit. I only have one bedroom and up to now visitors have had to sleep in the living room which is highly inconvenient. I'm keeping it very simple with a mini kitchen and shower room. The builders will also replace the roof over that area. Apart from that just the usually routine of walking the dogs, taking them to the trainer or the groomer and putting the world to rights! Life's good.

Re: So, what are you all up to?
 

Oops about the car port having an accident with your new motorhome. Around our village there's several car ports built quite tall to accomodate large vans used for various businesses.
If I was you I'd drive to England. Sorry to learn your father is ill. Driving would give you more flexibility. Luckily I've never experienced a cancelled flight.

We're expecting our first UK visitors in July and August. It will be a chance to revisit some places my wife's family took us before we moved here permanently. Sorry if I'm repeating we're heading to Tiszafured next month. The dogs will get the opportunity to have a swim! Hopefully, we will go away on some shorter trips or go out for the day. With all the home improvement projects we've done here it's been difficult to go away or plan ahead. The most annoying thing about taking the dogs is not all accomodation allows dogs or are totally unsuitable.

Re: So, what are you all up to?
 

Have you been to Dedinky? We've taken day trips there a few times. It's a nice drive for us and we like the scenery there. I want to visit in our motorhome.
We've also stayed in Zakopane, which was lovely, although a little touristy.

Re: So, what are you all up to?
 

The car port is now 35cm taller :) I just need to put a roof on it.
I'm still on the fence about driving or flying back to England. I drove last year and it's so boring on your own and I don't really have the time to take the scenic route. My wife would also like us to drive back down to Greece at the end of June, so that's a lot of miles in a short period of time.
Enjoy your time with your visitors. It's always nice to show people the real Hungary and not just Budapest.
It seems to be never ending for you, with your renovations. Hopefully, you'll get there one day. I'm still waiting for that day 18 years later :D

Re: So, what are you all up to?
 

Why not fly to UK and spend some time with your Father? Self catering accommodation is not that expensive these days and you could stay a week that way at reasonable cost.

I did this several years ago to visit my own Dad. The years just fly by of course and also because I had lived abroad for quite a few years, that was my reasoning. We had the occasional visit whilst on holiday in UK but it's not quite the same. Quality time, talking about old times and other stuff, enjoying a meal together....It's priceless.

Both my parents have passed away now. It's a strange hole in your life once it happens.

After that you could plan a holiday in the camper with your close family.

Re: So, what are you all up to?
 

The next month the garage door will be replaced and two new windows for the cellar (they're both cracked). We've still three internal doors to replace.
Sometimes I think driving on your own is better than having the wife in the front passenger seat. Before we had dogs when I felt sleepy I'd open the driver's window a little and my wife would complain she was cold so back up it went. When we got our dogs my wife would tell me to open the driver's window so the dogs get some fresh air! 🤣.
A road trip to Greece is something I'd like to do. Over the decades I've been to alot of the Greek Islands, once island hopping for three weeks and two weeks. Didn't book accommodation in advance and always found somewhere. The two weeks included hiring a Fiat Panda in Crete for three days. My wife doesn't drive anymore so I'll have to think about whether I'm up for it.

Re: So, what are you all up to?
 

My wife would really like to visit family back in England so we were thinking of driving over with the dogs and making a bit of a road trip out of it but she can't go for a few weeks due to a series of hospital appointments. Last year I drove over on my own in May and spent almost 3 weeks withy father and then flew back for 3 days in November. Driving over meant that I could spend longer there as I car camped so didn't need to pay for accomodation but the cost of ferries and fuel was higher. I will probably end up driving, I can do it in 2 days at a push. It would give me chance to bring back some of my father's possessions. I don't have a good relationship with my brother, in fact, we hate each other, and everyone who knows him says that when my father passed my brother will empty the place and take everything, knowing that I can't do much about it. Hopefully, my wife and I will be able to make another trip back there in a few months.

Re: So, what are you all up to?
 

We did the trip to Pelion last September in 2 days but did the return journey in 1 as we brought our 2 dogs back from there. Another long and seemingly never-ending trip and expensive, due to the tolls. We had hoped to take the motorhome but the Greek government have really clamped down on motorhomes and camper vans this year and are issuing lots of €300 fines for not parking in camp sites. Some people have even been fined for parking in supermarket car parks whilst doing their shopping!

Re: So, what are you all up to?
 

I'll certainly have to do some research on tolls if driving outside Hungary. I know a couple who drove around Romania two years ago so I can ask them roughly how much they spent in total. I haven't visited the south and west of Hungary yet but have been to Keszthely.

Re: So, what are you all up to?
 

Flying means you are there in a couple of hours without the stress of driving. If you add up all your costs and then reckon in the cost of accommodation I reckon it would be close.
Regarding your Dad, I presume has has made a will..that would determine things like who is entitled to his belongings should he pass away. Your brother can't just do as he pleases.
If there is no will then it becomes more of an issue. Good luck.