Autumn truly revealed itself during our November 9–10 field trip, not through the warm golden hues on the trees, but instead with thick, gray fog covering the roads, landscape, and forest.
Our group had previously visited the watermill near Szőkepuszta, close to Libickozma, as part of our “Waters of Somogy” project. This autumn excursion continued with the same theme; starting from Nadalos, we hiked along the Koroknai water streams to reach another famous local watermill, the Badányi watermill, and the ancient ash tree beside it. Over the decades, nature has reclaimed much of the old mill, with only a few remaining wall fragments and fallen stone blocks to mark where it once stood. However, the ash tree, known from István Fekete’s novels, still defiantly stands, earning its title as both old and beautiful.
Despite the November chill, the autumn landscape inspired even the less cold-hardy members to persevere through the 10-kilometer hike. Afterward, the warmth of our accommodation felt wonderful, and we spent the time before dinner engaging in one of our favorite pastimes, board games. After a good rest, the evening program led by us university students began. We divided everyone into two teams for our Water Quiz. At various stations, participants completed water-themed tasks to test their knowledge. First, they had to list our county’s notable rivers, lakes, and watermills (including sites we would visit) and mark them on a blank map. Next, they dug up knowledge about boats and navigation, recalled key water-related events in history and geography, and identified literary and film works in which water plays an important role. Our younger teammates gave a spirited competition for the prize-winning spots, with the “better” team finishing just 1.5 points ahead. Both teams showed dedication, and all participants received a reward for their hard work. Afterward, we took an evening walk together in the mysterious nighttime forest around our lodging, capping off the night with stories of the day’s experiences.
Our plan to observe the waking forest at dawn was quickly set aside as we opted for a slower start to Sunday. After breakfast, we gathered for a unique tasting activity, sampling different mineral waters. Everyone tried to guess which major grocery chain each sample came from, noting any differences and preferences. Kozma Laci led the tasting challenge, with Radó Barni and Kovács-Nagy Saci close behind. This interesting activity led to a discussion on the composition and health effects of different mineral waters, the properties of natural waters, and, of course, the ongoing tap vs. bottled water debate.
We quickly reached a consensus that recycling bottles is essential, and environmental protection demands a shift in mindset today. This discussion transitioned into the theme of our next project trip, where we’ll visit mineral water factories in Somogy and explore related questions. At the end of our field trip, we took a shorter hike along the Aranyos Creek nearby.
We warmly invite you to view photos from our two eventful days in our Gallery
Sárközi Eszter