@Bhavna

I have written 2 long stories this week and sent them to the Forum. However, they do not seem to have arrived. Can you throw any light on this please? Its hours of work.

Yes, I have been twice to Hungarian National Folk Dance concerts in Budapest. Once, with my daughter who came all the way from the UK. Unfotgetable.

@CynicI

Is it possible to send photographs for publication with articles, please?

Best wishes Ken.

Whilst living in Transylvania for thirty years, high in the beautiful Carpathian mountains and forests, one of my most beloved possessions was my big beautiful ceramic stove. This would take an hour or so to heat up, before throwing out an immense amount of heat, hot and warm all day and most of the night. It could easily cope with outside temperatures of minus twenty degrees centigrade or more.

But first, there is a lot to learn. The art of starting a fire from scratch, the best kindling wood, which kind of logs to use, how old they should be, and how to store them inside and outside the house. During autumn, collecting sacks of twigs from the forest, to start the fire. You learn by experience, it takes a long time. Years.

The Bible tells us that a wise man toils all summer preparing for the winter. And so it is. Woe is he who does not have enough logs to last until spring, especially if for cooking too. If you run out, never ask your neighbours for some of theirs for they dare not take the risk. Now the foolish man is in big trouble.

Inside all of us is a primitive love of fire to provide warmth, safety, and protection from wild animals. I attended several survival courses whilst in the RAF. One of the first things you are taught to do after a remote crash, far from safety, is to make a fire. This raises the morale of survivors like nothing else. It is also a beacon of hope.

And so too it is with ceramic stoves, the most beautiful of which can be found here in Hungary from in simple homes to great palaces and museums. The sight of a roaring fire and burning red-hot embers knocks modern household radiators for six. You feel impervious, invincible to the snow and ice outside, snug warm and safe inside.

They also make great toast!

Next time Part 2.

@Marilyn Tassy Hi Marilyn, I always enjoy reading your fascinating, amiable and interesting stories, filled with wisdom.

I also believe that travelling is one of the greatest educations in the world. We can all benefit from you.

Noroc, Ken.