It has its lengths

Day #26

Tuesday, May 26th.

From Jászkisér to Balmazújváros

Country: Hungary

A farmer actually stops by in the early morning; otherwise, everything is quiet, and I’ve slept well.

The packing goes quickly, as there are fewer clothes to move around with the temperatures. Since I need to restock on oatmeal, I only have one bag to manage. Convenient, I put it on the credits side.

What I do have is a bit of breakfast.

It consists of a saved bun and dates that Dave bought, which I’ve been carrying around with me since they are soft.

Otherwise, it can be a mess, but stuffed into the bun, it works very well, and I’m glad to have them.

The landscape features beautiful monotony.

On one hand, there is good progress.

I’m using the aerobars more and more as I get used to them and as the paths allow, and off I go.

Plus, the light packing means less missing supplies.

Equipped with 2 liters of water, I move forward.

And a few gummy bears.

I have to, as it takes a while to reach the next place with a shop.

It's helpful that during the day there are only half the elevation gains between Mönchengladbach and Amsterdam, just like the favorable wind.

After the first kilometers on the country road through the fields, I turn onto a dike and stay there almost all day.

And with that, today, they remain true to me, a part of EuroVelo 11.

Passing by colorful fields of poppies and something in purple.

And always straight ahead. And straight ahead. And a turn. And straight ahead. And straight ahead. And straight... And ...

The Tisza Lake forces me to take a break and pause.

Then I can finally do my big grocery shopping. Good thing the weather is so nice; I’m having trouble closing my bags properly.

One should always go grocery shopping with an appetite, or something like that?

With now full bags and bottles, I continue, as once in motion, the weight doesn’t matter with the route profile.

The maximum I have to climb the dike is the height of feelings.

Along the river Tisza (also all the places I pass are named Tisza...) it is beautiful.

Even if it goes straight for many kilometers again and again.

And it stays undisturbed, a generally beautiful route, so I’m glad to have chosen the northern arc, which one of my guides recommended.

If you’re already choosing the lowlands.

I also believe I traveled more kilometers today than I’ve seen people.

Along the way, I actually encounter someone whom I would describe as a light packer due to their small amount of luggage, a fraction of my bags.

Someone is always traveling somewhere.

Lunch comes generously when I find a nice spot by the river again.

During this time, I finish the last report and see a nice email from umdiewelt.de, the site where I originally wanted to write my reports, in which they explain and apologize.

Very considerate.

It is, after I’ve left the river, very spacious and rural again, with only a few scattered farms.

Huge herds of cows stand on expansive pastures.

I pass by a flock of sheep driven across the fields by the shepherd.

The shepherd dog stays in the shade and has a view of everything from there.

Or thinks about its life.

I think about my potential sleeping place, but first, I have to cover a few more kilometers to leave the nature reserve I’m still in.

Shortly after the corresponding sign, I find a wide strip of trees that I deem perfect.

As well as a colony of crows that lives here.

And crows caw.

And in what volume they converse.

In the best case, they exchange only the latest gossip and will eventually settle down.

Meanwhile, I’m looking for two suitable trees for my hammock.

And I hope all the time that with the darkness, finally, peace will come, otherwise, I’ll only have my earplugs left.

Which I packed mainly for potential dormitories or concerts.

They must have enough by now; it must be stressful for them too.

I’ve already resigned myself to the fact that my tarp will be completely dirty shortly after my arrival.

Therefore, that will be set up first.

It remains, complaining is unnecessary; we have to adapt together to the situation.

At least for one night.

With the darkness, I finish my dinner and disappear into my sleeping bag, just as the crows have also calmed down, and I can doze off to the chirping of the crickets.

Song of the day:

Iron Butterfly - In A Gadda Da Vida (Heard three times, and the day is over)