BB 2014 Hungary

We joined with The Outside Capering Crew to perform as The Big Caper at the Sárvár Folklore Festival, Hungary, Sat 16 - Wed 20 Aug 2014

Nádasdy Castle, main venue for the Festival	Disappointingly short of white kittens inside	First performance on the outdoor stage in the Castle

Thanks to BA for turning a blind eye to our swords (though they weren't keen on us practising on the plane)....	... as the sticks just don't ring convincingly	Simon leading the teaching dance - Shepherds Hey - at the end the crowd wanted more!

Will and Mark getting on with their international fraternisation, this time with the party-loving Serbians ...	... and then with our ever-helpful interpreters, Adele and Réka	Next morning, after the service at the Calvinist Church (not the Lutheran one, Lawrence...)

We enjoyed coffee, cake, biscuits, and a knees up	Later on, we had a performance in the imposing Kossuth Square ...	... for which lots of the locals had turned out ...

... to be baffled by our Shooting ...	... more baffled by a Crew style Knees Up ...	... and completely lost when it came to Mazurka ("it's a children's game!", we thought we heard them whispering in Hungarian)

Later still at the Tinódi restaurant, there was a special menu of English food in our honour	We were asked to point the quickest way back to our apartments	Next day at the apartments, one of many outdoor practices

The Finale alfresco	Easy when there's no-one watching	Later, on the outdoor adult fitness equipment, Roy and David puzzle out how to make it go faster

Meanwhile, Bob and Shirley adopt a more genteel approach	Later still, we are taken to Zalalövö for another stage performance in a large marquee	Simon sweeping up BB's coconuts

Next day at the Spa water park, which ranks very highly on the list of bizarre performance locations ...	... as most of the audience were watching ...	... from the comfort of their own swimming pools

Undeterred, we ignored the various states of undress ....	... and tried to be careful ...	... where the sticks went

Bravely / foolishly we attempted Dance of Stance - only 2 injuries arising	That evening, we were taken to Batthyány Castle, Körmend, and had a birds eye view of the other performers before our own turn	The last day of performances, and the outdoor practice was rained off ...

... necessitating a practice in the apartment's corridor	But the weather cleared for the procession later ...	... during which you walk between spots where crowds have congregated, then do a short performance ...

... like a Mazurka	End of the procession (Nádasdy Castle) in sight	The start of the final gala performance, with representatives from all sides on stage

Simon (in his horse costume) had persuaded the mayor to join in the (4) knee crossing	Our gift from the Festival - a handy drinking vessel (once you've mastered it). Andy though mistook himself for an Everton captain lifting the FA Cup	And finally, we had some small gifts for our excellent interpreters Kata and Réka. Many thanks ladies, you were a huge help to us!