We are definitely moving into the countryside now, rather than an urban landscape. Still in Hungary, but the Danube has a few more twists and bends with sand on its banks.

The water level is low for this time of the year, meaning a steep climb up the gangplank for this mornings excursion.

First up was the Bakod Horse Farm, with some Magyar horseman demonstrating their skills and equipment.

They trained their horses to lie flat on the plains and ‘disappear’, with much use of whip cracking, but not in contact with the horse, thus training them to the sound of gunfire.

Grey longhorn steer, 2 in hand farm carts and a town carriage with 4 in hand were driven enthusiastically around the arena.

The finale involved an impressive display of 9 in the hand with the horseman atop the last 2 horses. You would definitely need flexible knees and a good sense of balance to do this.

Our extremely knowledgeable and personable local guide filled us in with the local agriculture; barley, wheat, poppy and sunflower, are grown in this fertile area. Indeed its name can be translated to “ in the middle of mud”. A short drive took us to Kalocsa Cathedral, set in a beautiful old town but with reminders of its Russian occupation until recently.

The Italian baroque style was in complete contrast to its surroundings, with the pink and white interior giving a much lighter appearance than some other Cathedral’s recently visited.

We were treated to a 20 minute organ recitals. The Angster organ was in maximum airflow mode! The sound was overwhelming and woke everybody up. Another great morning, time for lunch at the Aquavit Terrace and an afternoon on our balcony enjoying the passing scenery as we transit into Croatia