I was determined to get at least one bike ride in this weekend, rain or shine, unless it was truly disgusting weather. After a trip to the Hunyadi ter market for veggies and a langos, I saddled up on the cold overcast morning and took off for Romai Part. While it sprinkled a little, it never rained, and the bike lane was pretty clear of people. Contrary to the last ride, pubs and cafes were open regardless of the weather and I grabbed my well-deserved pohar of cherry beer at Fellini's on the way back. I met Chris, Nora and their dog Sam at the MDF market coming back into Budapest in front of the Komjadi pool. Back when I lived near Kolossy ter I used to shop there, but it has been many years. They have a good variety of products and I finally found a new pair of papucs for the pool, and bought a big bottle or raspberry szorp on Nora's recommendation. After the market we wondered over to the Hid Bistro for a beer and chat. In the meantime, Rich and Tara called, so after the Hid I cycled over to child-friendly Cafe Vian at Liszt Ferenc ter for a beer with them and the twins. Later, back at their flat, Rich cooked up an awesome brunch omelet with another beer to wash it down.

Unable to sleep late on Sunday, and wanting to work off the beers and langos from the previous day, I repeated the bike ride on Sunday, this time in the sun. I treated myself to a korso at Felinni's and read a bit by the river before heading home. Fellini had some very good music on, a lovely cover of the Sex Pistol's punk anthem "God Save the Queen," and it turned out to be a French band called Nouvelle Vague. I took the opportunity on the return leg to stop in at the Ramada-Aquincum Hotel by Arpad Hid and use the coupon I received through Expats Hungary for a free day at their spa (contact them for their free and useful expatshungary club discount card). I spent an hour or so lolling in their jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. It was friendly, and clean, and the jacuzzi had a manual start unlike some places where you had to wait for 20-30 minutes for the automatic system.When I worked at REC 22 years ago the staff received a couple passes and my friend Daniel and I used to go swimming there a couple times a week, but I had not been back since. In the changing room I overheard a funny conversation between a father and son in the next row about what animals live in the water and which ones are dangerous or not. As I was leaving, I was surprised to see it was actor Nemeth Krisztof from Baratok Kozt and his son.

All in all, a very nice weekend.