TV-Program about our Hungarian Town

Christmas

Well your Lazy Blogger just got lazier, this is my first this year :)

Anyway, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2016

Your Lazy Blogger

The next trip.

Back in Finland, farewell Hungary for a while.

Budapest Airport

The planning for the next trip to our Hungarian cottage is well under way.
During autumn and winter our friends will build a new fence around our plot. We'we made a model of what we want, but because all of the slots are of different measures our master need to be creativ in how he's implementing our wishes.

Fence models

The boards we already treated with oil, about 700 meters all in all.

View from our gate, our friends houses

Also during the autumn our friends arrange that the wall in our middle room will be treated so that we can paint them when we return. After that I'll have to lay the floor with laminate. After that our so called summer room is in turn, there is wall fixings panels and new floor material.

Garden work started, but long from ready.

Outside my wife will start to make the garden, bushes, flowers and trees. We'we already ordered a fair amount of soil that will be delivered ready for us when we return.
There is lots of other things planned also, but I wont list them, because every time there is many planned things that wont be done and many things unplanned done.

Your Lazy Blogger.

The last evening

Today we have made a lot of preparements for the upcoming winter, and for what needs to be done while we're away.

During the evening our friends came to visit us because they are at work when we're leaving, we went through all things that is needed to do before we return. We also had a nice evening chatting with them and excanging emails for the coming contact keepings. Also when they came we didn't had the the usual Palinka shot, instead we suprised them with Finlandia shots, they told us that in Europe Finlandia is like Mercedes, very expensive.

Next time we will need many things, soil for the garden and lots of other things to continue our renovations, our friends promised to take care of these things.

We will leave home for a while and return later to continue the restaurations of the house with the help of our hungarian friends.

Your Lazy Blogger

Unplanned works.

Yesterday I started to make new doors to our so called garage, that later will be converted into a place for our grill and outside sittings in the evenings, a new roof is needed but it need to be made at our next trip. The old roof has to be taken away and the beton under it also, here we need help from our hungarian friends.

The old garage doors

The new doors before the oil threatment

The old so called doors was absolutely so bad as they can be. Here is a photo of the old ones, and the new ones made of the local standard wood, they will be a lot better looking after we've get them painted with oil.

The new doors after the first oilpainting

I also got the pantry almost ready, and my wife started to put things in, mostly decorations, and tomorrow all the missing lists will be in place.

The pantry before it's getting filled with stuff

Tomorrow we're invited to our hungarian friends for lunch, and after that we'll continue to prepare the house for our winterleave, a few things to acqiure for our workers for all the jobs they will do during the winter season while we're away.

In the next spring we will get most of the rest workings done.

Your Lazy Blogger

Finalizing the pantry.

Today I got most of the pantry finalaized, a few lists missing, but should be in place before we leave. Tomorrow I'll install the cabinets for the misiss to store different things.

The lists missing.

If time is enough I'll try to make new doors for the garage, and maybe also also a new port from the street into our garden.
This is a short update, more later on this blog and our other blog http://velhola-unkari.blogspot.fi/

Your lazy blogger.

Wood for the fence.

Last spring we went to check the availibility of wood for our fence, we were shown excatly what our need were.

Two days ago we ordered the needed amount and got it transported home to our address, but later when we where measuring what we got we found out that our order of 20X100X5000 mm was a so called standard that had nothing to do with reality, and we got wood with the measurements ranging from 95-110 X 20-30 X 5000. All screws already bought needed to be replaced with new screws with different lengths, about 1000 pcs. Looks like the Hungarian standard is between 18-29 cm thickness and 95 to 110 width.

Second from left is our new fence model. First one is the old, and the left ones is the streetside that will do for now.

Thats not all problems, the hanging places on the pillars are not on the same heights so we really have to make compromissions to make a fence that is about what we want.

We have about 1000 meters of wood to paint with oil, one third already done, and if the weather stays good all will be done before we leave.

Today I went to Debrecen to BauMax to get more planned wood that I need in the pantry that I hope to have ready before we return to Finland. Our living room won't be ready during this trip, and we hired a person to do the job after we have leaved back home. During the next trip we only have to do the paintings and laying the new floor

Your Lazy Blogger.

When it's raining it's pouring...

Today we finished the planning of our pantry, because we could not do anything outside during the raining. We also had an invitation to our housekeepers for lunch that we accepted, the lunch was very good, both Mr and Mrs are very good chefs especially with Hungarian food.

If we have time tomorrow we'll go to Debrecen to find some planned wood that we need to finalize the pantry. As surfaces, we use parts of the old furniture that we bought from the previous owners. The old furnitures colours fit with our plans.

In the afternoon we'll continued sawing bits and pieces for the fence and also oiling them, there is also some paintings to be done inside, but we save them for rainy days.

The upcoming sunday we also have an invitation to lunch at an other friend couples home, so we have to make our invitation for both familys to our house in the next spring, we're runing out of time during this trip.

Your Lazy Blogger.

PS. When time permits, I'll post new photos.

Velhola Hungary 2014

Hi to all my readers,

Havn't writed for allmost 15 months, way too much to think about with our summer house in Hungary.

Our restauration of our house that we bought 2012 is continueing at a steady pace. We have the kitchen ready, and during this trip our livingroom and pantry will be ready. We need to get the paintings done and the new floor done

Today we have ordered material for our fence, about 1000 meters of wood, and screwes that our employed persons will need for making our new fence around the plot later this year after we have leaved for the winter. The wood needs to be cutted into the correct measurements and also oiled before we leave back to Finland, so we have a lot to do for now.
Next sunday we're invited to dinner at our friends house, and we're thinking about to invite them the next sunday after that, we're desperately trying to find a good Hungarian receipe for what to serve to our friends. We want to surprise them with something Hungarian...

We are lucky to have a very reliable family living in the neighbourhood taking care of our house while we're not present at the site. We also have all modern equipments including burglar alarms and videosurvaillance connected to local alarmcentrals and our own monitoring systems just in case somethings happens.

Your Lazy Blogger

Renovation!

Well now the first phase of the renovation in our vacation place in Hungary is done.
During ten days we got all the utilities contracts, gas, electricity, sewage and so on transferred to us. We also got the renovation of the kitchen allmost ready, next time we only have to get the kitchen cabinets fitted to their right place and a few smaller things to take care about.
If everything goes according to our plans we'll be able to spend our hollidays in Hungary starting 2014. Ok it will allways be some small approwements to be done, but the same is true with even a small holliday cottage in Finland.
Our intension is to preserve as much as possible of the hungarian athmosphere is our house, the only exception beeing the kitchen. We also accuired the furniture of the seller, most dated back to the 50's, our intension is to renovate all of those and use them in the house.
During our days in our house we also got to know a lovely couple living next door to us on the opposite side of the street, they had previously helped the formar owner in various things on the property. We made an agreement that they will take care of our house while we're not there. We also installed an alarm system just in case.
With the help of the local county authorities we also got our internet up and working in no time, enabling us to stay at our house for a bit longer times, because we can handle our work from there.
During all our stay at the house we had a lovely help from our translator couple living nearby, without their help all things would have taken a lot longer time to get done, thank you Maria and Arpad for all your help.

Your Lazy Blogger

It's done!

I mean the deal, we finally found a vacation place in Hungary. After about 5 years of following up what's on sale, we stumbled upon this house.

The house is located in a small village called Egyek, at the edge of the Hungarian Puszta. The village has about 5500 inhabitants, there is only basic services a few shops, a healthcare station, two guesthouses, a pub and a restaurant with limited opening hours. There is also a railroad station from were you can reach the neighbouring town of Tiszafüred in 10 minutes, or the second largest town in Hungary, Debrecen in about one hour.
Both Egyek and Tiszafüred is close to lake Tisza and the Tisza river. The National Park of Hortobagy is also close.

Tiszafüred is a known termal bath town, and there is lots of activities for tourists during summertime. Termal baths, termal camping, fishing and hunting only a few to name.
In both Egyek and Tiszafüred are many villas and apartments to rent for tourists.

During the spring we will do some small improvements in the house, nothing big, mostly improvements to the kitchen, and other small things. We will try to somehow keep the hungarian atmosphere, but a little bit adapted to what today's people are used to. This project can take some time, because we can't stay very long each time we visit yet, but after a few years we will stay for more than a couple of weeks each time we visit, extending our summer compared to Finland, our childrens familys will also have access to the house for their vacations.

By the way, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2013,

Your Lazy Blogger

Finding a vacation place.

Velho and Velhotar has long been looking for a vacation place of our own a bit south from Finland . Now we may have found it.
During the rest of this week we will be visiting Hungary to have a look at a property, and if everything turns out right, even buy it, we will let you know before the year end.
The place is a house built 1950 and renowated lately, the house is 100 square meters, and the plot is about 1200 square meters. The house is about 7 miles from a known bath resort town, only a few minutes by train.
From the Budapest airport about 100 miles along highways.
If the deal is done, we will post pictures and a more detailed description later.

Your Lazy Blogger,

Where has the summer gone?

Just yesterday it was spring, and we just got back from our Italian vacation, and now it's almost winter.

Our summer has been a bit splitted, working and taking care of our own house in the southern of Finland, but we have also been participating in taking care of my in-laws property in Ikaalinen 200 miles north from us, also helping in the task of my mother-in-laws moving into an apartment in the center of Ikaalinen, leaving more responsibilities for her childrens familys to take care of the house in the countryside.

As a member of many family organisations boards, I've also have had lots of meetings and speaking sessions to attend during this year, a few bigger meetings upcoming before the yearend.

The last of our previuos generation, my mothers brothers wife passed away lately, and there is also a few things to take care of before the year changes.

Velho and Velhotar also just recently got their eyes on a suitable property for our pension days down in Hungary, a country we have learned to love, the property is about 2000 miles south, so we expect that there is a bit warmer, and a bit shorter winters, how about half a year south, and half a year up here in the north. Well it's a dream, we havn't got any answers from the seller yet, but maybe next week. Up here we are used to get answers at once.

Your Lazy Blogger.

Nine days without...

Piccolo Antonio

...phone and Internet, that's holliday. Neither didn't work at our previous villa in the mountains but at this one they work now and then.

First week we were five persons spending our time in Sant Agata sui due golfi on the Amalfitana costiera in Italy. Celebrating a few birthdays, seeing relatives and eating good Italian food. The last evening in Sant Agata we all went to a local "Ristorante" with our Italian relatives for an evening of good food before we continued to our next location.

The first week we had very good weather, a little cloudy in the mornings, but then sunshine and around 20-24 degrees Celcius.

Santa Maria di Castellabate

This week we spend in Castellabate on the Cilento coast of Italy. What a scenery we have from our villa on the hillside! You can see the Thyrrenian sea and the smaller part of Castellabate called Santa Maria di Castellabate on the coastline belowe us. Above us there is the old town from around 1020 AD as the area has been inhabited since Upper Palaeolithic times. In early medieval times, the current part of Licosa was a base of the Saracens, who were defeated here in 846 by a coalition of the Duchy of Naples, Amalfi, Sorrento and Gaeta. The history of the current Castellabate is tied to Saint Costabile Gentilcore (St. Constabilis), fourth abbot of La Trinità della Cava. In 1123, the same year in which he was elevated to the position of abbot, he started construction on the Angel's Castle 1123, which afterwards became entitled to him. His title gave the village its present name: Castrum Abbatis, Latin for "the castle of the abbot". His abbacy lasted until 17th February 1124. His successor, Simeon, completed its construction and helped the inhabitants.

Kirsberry flowers

Today Castellabate is a typical south Italian town with about 8000 inhabitants living on tourism and agriculture. Castellabate's cuisine is based on local products: wine, olive oil, cheese (such as mozzarella), garbanzo beans and salami.

This week we will continue with good food, but also explore the area better. Here are many historical places like Agropoli and Paestum, let's see what we have time for to see.

Castellabate seen from San Marco di Castellabate

Your Lazy Blogger with wife and brother-in-law.

Velho on the road

Lasse & Henrik Mangs. Photo by T. Nikus 2012

Yours truly has once again been on the road, speaking about digitalization of material of interest for genealogists, this time in Korsholm, Vasa.

The one day event was arranged by both genealogy Associations in Vasa. The amount of visitors was about 300+, and on the speach sessions average around 90 persons. In my point of view, the numbers are excellent when thinking about how small area of minority language persons is in question.

I also spoke about our Calamnius and Holm familys, both on the lecture and at different occations later. I'm happy to say that I revived many genealogical contacts, and got a bunch of new ones to deal with.

I also got a lot of new reseach material, but due to lack of time havn't checked it out yet.

Your Lazy Blogger

We've got a new president.

This morning was the coldest so far this year at Velhola. 10:00 in the morning we still had -31C, and even at noon it was -29C, but at 21:00 in the evening it was only -9C, so we are clearly going towards the summer. Well maybe not that fast, but anyway.
Here are a picture of our summer terass, the table have been cleaned from the snow once, but now there is about 50cm of snow again, and for the moment more is coming...
Today it was the second round for our presidential candidates in the election. Both candidates have had a very good campaign and are very equal. Unfortunately my candidate lost and the other one made it. I still believe we got a good president, this is democracy. Congratulations to Sauli, and Pekka please be available again after six years.
Well these are the short news from your Lazy blogger for this time.

Hyvää Joulua - God Jul - Merry Christmas

Hello my readers,

Your lazy blogger is just as lazy as you could expect, so I make this entry as short as possible.

I only want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year with this picture.

Your Lazy Blogger

Autumn

Sadly summer is gone, we're way into the autumn, near it's end.
A weekend when both Velho & Velhotar are at home, so today we've beeen doing a lot of work in the garden and around the house before the winter comes with a suprise, with snow and cold weather.
While outside today, I also had my camera with me, and snapped a few photos, one attached.
Now we're waiting for next spring, two booked events, first "Sadoin sähkökitaroin" (a hundred electric guitars) at the Savoy theatre in Helsinki on march 3.




Later in the spring our Italian vacation, seeing friends and relatives in a bit warmer climate!

Your Lazy Blogger

The web is 20 years today

As you all know I'm the lazy blogger, so to prove it I simply link the next news for all of you to read:-)

http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/06/the-internet-is-20-years-old-today/

Your lazy blogger

Two milleniums!

According to the story, about two milleniums ago, a good guy was crusified because of his speachs about humanity and caereing about the people you're living with.
Last saturday we experienced the same, a person we all cared about was beeing buried with the nearest relatives present.
He was a good father for the children, but also a good father-in-law for the ones that married or otherwise stepped into the family.
We all miss "Lauri 'Lasse' Mäkelä" from the bottom of our hearts. Our wish is that he have reached a better place, and is thear waiting for us when our days are ending, if we only can live according to the same values that he did.

Your Lazy blogger.