Transylvanian Adventures - Return to Apold 2019
Back to my second home!
It all feels like a dream now…. it’s just over a month since my trip back to my second home. The eleven day stay was sadly over all too quickly. We had a wonderful time catching up with friends and eating and drinking far too much!
Instead of driving straight to our destination of Sighisoara, we spent a night in Alba Lulia, an incredibly interesting place and it was here that the union of Transylvania with Romania was pronounced on December 1st, 1918. It was a fleeting visit, but I’m glad we stopped off and wandered around for several hours. There was also a brilliant ice cream café!
Arriving in Sighisoara, at our usual hotel, Alte Post, we were made really welcome. It’s a wonderful little rustic hotel, serving delicious Romanian food. Having a sweet tooth, most nights, I couldn’t resist the ‘Papanasi’, doughnuts filled with soft cheese, smothered in sour cream and sour cherries. Yes, I put weight on, but how can you resist?!!
The irresistible ‘Papanasi’
One of the hi lights of our trip, was a visit to Sally and Jim Turnbull at their home and business in Saschiz, just a short drive from Sighisoara. Their business, ‘Pivnita Bunicii’, translates as Grandma’s Cellar and they make and sell an appetising range of jams, chutneys, cordials and now, Kaspers Elderflower gin. I’m quite partial to a gin and came away with a small bottle to sample. The elderflower harvest was well underway and it was interesting to learn the process of turning the flowers into cordial.
Jim explaining the elderflower harvest
Another fun morning was spent with Stephen McGrath, a freelance journalist living in a village in Transylvania. With his family, Stephen is busy restoring a Saxon village house to its former glory. Husband Brian came in useful and helped to move the huge old oven from the house into the barn.
Two strong men moving the old stove
We always have a few special days with our dear friend Johannes, a Lutheran priest and apparently, I’m now his new sister! He invited us to a special church service in the village of Pruden on Whit Monday. Refreshments in the garden followed. We spent a scorching hot day with approximately eighty guests, in a stunning setting, eating and drinking. Platters of cake weighed down the tables, along with homemade lemonade, wine and coffee.
As usual, every day turned into an adventure and a memorable occasion and we can’t wait to return!
Wonderful feast in Pruden