Saturday 6 May Siofok - Ersci, 94 km,

Another (mostly) sunny day through rural Hungary in the height of spring! Lots of greenery and flowers along the way, which was very enjoyable for those who spend the better part of the year in the city. Thanks to the help of many local Hungarian runners, this was a comfortable day for us.

In the morning we had the chance to test the quality of the water of Lake Balaton, as the place where we stayed temporarily ran out of water. We then washed the car with the Balaton water, and as the car looked really shiny afterwards, the general conclusion was that we could safely give the Lake Balaton water the official World Harmony Run Certificate of Quality.

En route from the lake towards Budapest, in the small town of Polgardi, we were met by a group of enthusiastic little children, who joined us for a few kilometres.

Under the eyes of the statue of a Count and the former Prime Minister, who died in the Hungarian Uprising of 1956 against the Russian occupation, we said goodbye and gave refreshments.

On the way Frank and Roberto stopped at a local refreshment station and got some water out of it this time.

In the next town, Szekesfehervar, a representative of the town and school spoke warm heartfelt words that made it clear that he well understood and shared the ideals of the World Harmony Run.

Though the Hungarians treated us with tasty lunch bags, some runners must have felt a little hungry still. They met a group of people on the side of the road, who had huge pieces of cake on plates. That was enough reason for the runners to stop, expecting a reception of the World Harmony Run taking place in Gardony. But alas, no such luck. World Harmony Run, a piece of cake?

The handball club of our next meeting at Martonvasar has a bright future, as their energetic children members showed. The children liked the Run so much they kept going and going with us.

The principal of the school at Martonvasar beamed with joy when we asked him to run with us.

He was so eager and set a admirable example to his students and to us all.

Children escorted us to their mayor of Ersci for a reception starting at 17:51 hrs. Our Hungarian hosts know how to plan and organize. They put the exact time even on the poster!

With the memory of the cakes still in their minds, and obviously craving for sweets, a few desperate runners, whose names hopefully will remain a secret forever, attacked a chocolate machine in the city of Ercsi which barely survived.

Shortly before the end of the day, and the meal that was prepared for us by the kind people of Ercsi, we were at last overtaken by the "official" Hungarian World Harmony Run car - a reliable Trabant. According to its owner, who became visible after he removed the number plate from behind the window, the car was in excellent shape, and ‘yes, definitely faster than a runner.’

And now the team has grown to six, as our Czech friend Petr has joined us. The International Team is getting bigger and we can all feel that the momentum of the Run is building.

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