Today was going to be stinking hot — 37° and some! — so we decided to put off touring Sighişoara, and instead to leave Caming Aquaris (with its swimming pool), hit the road, and travel somewhat westward to Hunedoara, where there is a castle that should be somewhat cooler inside. The drive would be warm, but at least we would have the van's cooling to keep us a little more comfortable. So this is what we did!
The drive was interesting, as usual, with plenty to see on the way. It was hot, but not too bad in the van.
... well-kept villages ...
... friendly traffic lights ...
... a scene from Hitchcock's 'The Birds' ...
... more strange highway encounters ...
... haystacks ...
... well-kept villages ...
... friendly traffic lights ...
... a scene from Hitchcock's 'The Birds' ...
... more strange highway encounters ...
... haystacks ...
... interesting dwellings ...
... cows finding respite from the heat ...
... and, always, interesting churches
We finally got to Hunedoara, where we found the car park for the castle. We decided to go down and have lunch before we started into the castle. We found a lovely little restaurant, with hanging baskets of flowers outside and — more important — a misting of cool water spray to keep the patrons comfortable.
After lunch, we went up to Hunedoara Castle. This is a very typical steep-roofed Transylvanian castle. The rooms inside were so medieval it took your breath away — especially in the Dieta Hall (Meeting Hall, or Council Hall — nothing to do with eating regimes!) — and the Knights' Hall.
Inside the chapel
In the Dieta Hall
Inside the chapel
In the Dieta Hall
Renovated work in the courtyard
The Knights' Hall
The same shield was on one column and in the floor
Like many tourist sites here, they make a big thing of the history of torture, but guess what — we won't! Oh, and by the way, if you check out the Wikipedia link above, you will read that "In February 2007, Corvin Castle played host to the British paranormal television program Most Haunted Live! for a three-night live investigation into the spirits reported to be haunting the castle. Results were inconclusive." — why are we not surprised!
After exploring cool interior of the castle for a few hours, we went back to the van. It was still hot, so we went into Hunedoara where we had seen an avenue of lovely shady trees, where we parked for an hour or so until the day started to cool down. Then we set of towards Alba Iulia, which we planned to explore before returning to Sighişoara. We stopped short, on a highway stop in the A1 — this place was new, and had a very good toilet block, with a permanent attendant, so it was one of the cleanest we have come across!
Distance driven — today, 176 miles ( 283 km ); to date, 23,656 miles ( 38,071 km )
Gertie looks very alone in that place. I loved the castle. The reason you were not surprised was of course because you knew the spirits were on strike because they were not offered union rates to appear on film. The castle was surprising really. I agree with you about the walls. But 1870s was no long ago really- too recent for mediaeval walls! The countryside looked lovely but there definitely was a heat haze. Don't go to China-the toilets there are generally disgusting and you have to rack your used paper for collection and recycling my friend Margaret told me!!! Parts of the inner courtyard of your castle seem to have a Moorish look about them architecturally. Was it cooler within castle walls where shadow falls?
ReplyDeleteThe little side trips in blue I make are fascinating. Thanks for including them. I guess I'll be the only PhD with a wikipedia reference (which of course was not referenced at all!! Never mind. My dictionary is not up to neoliberalism! Will have to invest in a new one one day. David and Nick got together and transformed my little quarter of the lounge into a much better work area. I now have two desks with a swivel chair between that I can use: one for this work and the other for other work. It's really great since I prefer to be here working away with my twelve lever arch files and books at hand. It's great. I just trot over to Uni for library, sessions and copying and also to say hi to my many friends in academe. They all seem to have recycled over to Flinders from Uni SA and RAH. Loved the muso roped off and playing the troubadour's lutes. You looked very comfortable having your coffee at Costello's Warrren. Was Abbott around? They must have just seeded or furrowed the paddock of starlings I think. No hats on the haystacks-just as well on a hot day. the housing did look odd, but I think he was lucky to have a house! I thought the traffic lights were lovely-so did Jay. So where are you off to next? Have fun and be safe, Love Cathy and all. ps Astral is still in hospital. They think she might be lactose intolerant, anyway the test should be back today, Brydie is on meds to help her lactation and babe is on top up formula as well, but happier at the breast apparently. The midwives at Flinders are doing all the right things I gather and Brydie has regained her lost confidence! Good stuff,