Second day of riding - 23.7 miles. mostly on bike paths but some on roads. Many people bike here, so drivers are used to and considerate of riders. We rode along a dike for some time. Again heard a Cukoo bird, but did not see it. Stopped for tasting of Palinka - a very high end schnapps - All the fruits used are grown in Hungary - we were supposed to taste 4, but we ended up tasting 5 - 40% proof - Wow. Blueberry, sour cherry, Apricot and raspberry were the Palinka - the 5th was pineapple and is not consider palinka as it is not grown in Hungary.
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| Bottles of Palinka and their championship ribbons. |
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| The owner pouring one of the tasting of Palinka - Remember 40% proof. |
This is me at the border of Slovakia / Hungary - no need to show your passport - Just cross over. This is the EU sign on the top and the Hungarian flag below it. There are agreements between most European Union Countries that you can pass from one to another with no passport checks. 
The Slovakian flag from the other side.
Tuesday 5/12/15 - On our next leg - the Picnic lunch
We are lined up and going down the road. Many fields being farmed. They are ahead of us by about 6 weeks oin growth. Can't identify it all, but they have had the first cutting of one of the grains. Others are up and growing well. Saw soy beans. Flowers are also in full bloom. 
Van stop along the way for water refills and snacks - yes that is a police car - He just happened to stop next to our van/trailer- he was actually after another guy who pulled over for some moving violation. 
This gentleman was in the park where we were having our picnic lunch. as you look at the memorial statue below - he is in it. I should have taken another shot as he is right behind where I a sitting. This memorial is about the tearing down of the communist wall. For Hungary - it occurred at this spot and this gentleman was one who helped to take that wall down. He knew some english - but one of our guides help to relay the rest of his story. He was very happy to have his picture taken with me. His wife also took the picture with her camera for them. 
A visit to the city Sopron - This wall has been built and added to on three different occasions over the years. It is a pivotal city for Hungary - they voted to stay as part of Hungary rather than become part of Austria.
The City water tower.
Pulpit in the Blessed Mary Church, Also known at the Goat Church - as the story goes, this land was once grazing land for Shepards - This Shepard had his goats grazing and this goat kept pawing at the ground until he dug up a pot of money - much money. Th Shepard being a a religious man, gave the money to the church to build this church. This is also a church on the route for the annual pilgrimage in honor of Mary.
Ken and I along with 4 others took the long route home today. We did a total of 40.6 miles which included hills and a head wind. The other 12 took a van back to the hotel for a sit in the thermal pool.
I saw this field and had to take a shot - the yellow flowers is a field of Canola - Yes planted to be cultivated. The white grows wild and it Chammomile - the red/orange of course are poppies.
So goes the day - for Tuesday - All for now.
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