I thought it was time I posted another photo so this is one of my favourites, taken when we went to Turkey a couple of years ago.


Recently we've needed a bit of a break so we went camping in Siverdale at the edge of the Lake District last Friday for 2 nights. Had a great couple of days and managed to wind down and chill out a little.


Back home and we've out out the date for Erika's uncle's funeral so we'll be back to Hungary next Tuesday, returning on the Saturday. Both Erika's brothers and their wives are going, along with her mother.

Perhaps setting off on Friday the 13th wasn't such a good idea after all!!!!
Problems with my car before we set off, flight delayed, extra cost incurred with hire car.
Everything was going ok once we got there until day 3 when my mother was taken to hospital with pneumonia! There were times when we thought we might lose her, they found traces of tb on her lungs. After about 4 days she started to get a little better. Her boyfriend spent most of his time at her bedside. She was released on Sunday and we picked her up on our way to the airport to go home. She missed soooooo much :o(
On the plus side we paid the outstanding balance on our house so we now own 2 in Hungary :o). The vendor and his family are wonderful people and offered us so much help while we were there and introduced us to a friendly Dutchman (who speaks English) in the village. Thankyou.
Upon returning we felt like we hadn't had a break (especially Erika) and are planning to ride over on my bike in July for the Hungarian Bike Week held in Sirok. A week long and 15,000 bikers! We can't wait.
Found out on Sunday that one of Erika's uncles in Hungary had taken his own life, aged 94. Then, yesterday, we found out that her closest uncle in Hungary also took his own life, aged 80. We will be going over for the funeral when it is announced.

Well, only 4 days to go before we're off to Hungary again!!!
Things have been pretty stressed here lately. I've just had 3 days off after a long stretch at work and Erika's been spending more time at her sister's than here. Her sister had to move from her flat to a bungalow on Saturday with only 3 days notice so everything's been really hectic. Only the last few items to move now. Erika's been non stop and really needs this forthcoming break.
Doesn't look like we'll be able to afford another car when we go over so we're hiring one this time round. Our main concern is paying for the new house in full then we'll sort everything else out when we go for good in September.

Erika's sister returned home last week after 10 weeks in hospital. It's hard work for Erika as her sister has no movement down her right hand side but with physiotherapy this should return.
I've been busy buying things for our houses in Hungary to decorate the walls such as mounted antlers and a racoon skin...the bargains that can be had on ebay!!
Our money's dwindling so we desperately hope that we can still move out there in September. The next step is to get back there in April and pay for the house in full, then we can move on with the work that needs doing. My mother and her partner are coming with us in April, they've never been to Hungary before so everyone is very excited.

This is our new house....deposit paid, completion in April.

Ok, ok, so it's been a while since I last posted!!
So many things have happened since December 2006!
Our 2nd house, as pictured previouly fell through :o( The seller decided he couldn't wait for our re-mortgage to come through and took the house off the market. I can't describe how dissapointed I felt (and still do).
On December 22nd I had the worst work day of my life, having to have Police intervention about 6 times and the Fire Service called twice. The final straw was having a brick thrown at me through a window. Consequently I decided I needed some time off work. Upon arriving home I discovered my sister-in-law unconscious on her livingroom floor, having had a massive stroke the previous evening (she lives about 100 metres away, at the end of our avenue). So Christmas was an emotional rollercoaster ride for myself and Erika. It was touch and go as to whether her sister would survive the first few days.
After many varied emotions Erika and I decided to spend a couple of days in the Lake District on January 1st and 2nd which did us the world of good. Erika returned to work on January 4th in a different roll and I returned on January 25th.
Since then we've returned to Hungary to search for another house, which we found, by accident, on Monday of this week. It's only 10 years old and is in a fantastic position for our needs, being only 12 miles from our intended work place in Eger and ideal for renting out to tourists during Spring, Summer and Autumn. We go back in April for a holiday and our plans are still on track to emigrate in September.

our 2nd house. Loads of land, 2 bedrooms, great views, so much potential.
Hungary is so under-valued.....hot summers, cold winters, fantastic scenery, cheap prices, warm friendly people who are very family orientated and a quiet, relaxed lifestyle.

our house!!!

1 bedroom, miles from anywhere. So peacefull! A world away from our day to day lives. Can't get there often enough.

Who we are

Paul Illand and Erika Labancz.
Paul, 40
Erika 42
Both work in childrens' homes in Preston Lancashire, overworked, overstressed and almost alcoholic because of it. lol.
Met 7 years ago working for the same company. Both unhappy in our relationships but didn't get together for several months.
Now bought our ex council house (for a bargain price), one house in Eger Hungary and in the process of buying another house in Eger.
Our plans are to move out to Hungary in September 2007. We have jobs lined up teaching English and can have a better lifestyle working half the hours!!!