Lake Balaton in Hungary is 77kms long and Kevin Murphy has swum the length of it, writes Robin Hunter. The Hungarian Swimming Association organise an annual 5.2 km swim which normally attracts about 10,000 swimmers so this year the Stickfast Laners (George Cselko, John Luckhurst and Dani Lobo) decided that, as part of their English Channel relay preparations, they would participate, inviting their "Manager" Robin Hunter and guest Alan Mitchell to join them.
Two days before departure the event was postponed due to a very inclement weather forecast with 40mph winds and thunderstorms. The Serpers, being used to just about any weather conditions, decided to go anyway. And just as well. The weather was perfect, the conditions ideal and so, instead of 10,000 swimmers, there were just five. Dani and George did the full 5.2k plus another 1 for good measure, John and Alan did 3.5k and Robin had a leisurely potter of 2.5k including being molested by the Lake Police who thought he was drowning!! The next day, after a very wonderful Turkish Bath (one of the highlights of a trip to Budapest and, incidentally what a beautiful city it is) we spent some time in a 50 meter pool on an island in the middle of the Danube. It puts London to shame as on this one 3km island there are two of these fabulous pools.
All in all a weekend to be memorised and to be repeated. Since George's father is Hungarian and George speaks the language we were very well looked after, including some excellent transport, courtesy of the now long departed Russian invasion force (see photo).
(Robin Hunter)
