Life is pretty busy for my Polish family, so when I was bundled into the car for a swift outing, between shifts of work, I didn’t know quite what to expect. Staying in rural Zawady, I seldom did. Language so often seemed to get the better of me.
With interest I gazed out of the window as we passed through our local town, Bełchatów, and soon after that turned down a path signed Zbiornik Wawrzkowizna. I know! Not the easiest place name you ever saw. Dad insists that Polish is simple. You just spell out each letter, slowly. Mystified, I followed, as we left the car in woodland parking. A complex of buildings sat off to one side, and a gate led to a small animal farm and stables.
My cousin, Jadwiga, smilingly explained that she sometimes comes here to ride, and pointed out her favourite horse. It was dimly lit in the stables, so I can’t show him to you. Soon though we were out in bright sunlight, beside a swiftly flowing canal and heading towards a vast expanse of water.
Nestled in amongst the trees were a series of tall, green Toblerone-shaped chalets, several of them occupied. A few youngsters lounged on the steps, idling the day away. It felt a little like ‘Center Parcs’ and I realised that it was, in fact, a sports and recreation centre. In Summer there would be an admission charge, but in low season it was free to wander, and we did.
It was wonderfully peaceful, with just the odd angler, casting a line. Fishing competitions are held here sometimes, and in high season there are kayaks and pedaloes for hire. A small child, well-wrapped up despite the warm temperatures, was digging in the sand on the man made beach. Her Dad hovered indulgently nearby. Looking out across the lake at a certain point it becomes impossible not to see what everyone takes for granted around here. Smoke rising from the chimneys of the power station that brought employment to this area. A blot on the landscape.
It’s rather sad, isn’t it? But no-one seems to mind. Jadzia had happy memories of distant summers, spent splashing around in those waters. And we had no time to linger. Her husband was off to work- at the power station, of course.
restlessjo 
What a pretty place. I agree that the last photo is kind of sad but I guess sometimes that is life. Poland looks lovely Jo.
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Hi Nicole 🙂 Back in the spam, hon 😦 Whatever is going on at WP?
I’ve seen some beautiful places. More still to come 🙂 Hope you’ve had a good weekend.
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😌
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you take beautiful photos, Jo! the countryside is just lovely and so peaceful. the power station is a necessity. 🙂
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Thanks a lot, darlin. 🙂 It’s true enough.
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More beauty, here, in the countryside, although I’m distracted (in a good way) by the language. How on earth did master typing the Polish words on your keyboard!
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I do a lot of copying and pasting from an online keyboard. Bit of a pain, really, but necessary 🙂 🙂
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I was beginning to think you were a magician! 🙂
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I’d magic instant Polish into my head if I was 🙂 It would be so useful.
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It reminds me of a beautiful place called Morro Bay near where we lived in California, right by the sea, a beautiful little fishing town, but just along the coast stood a power station, complete with those same chimneys. And the same there too, providing most of the employment for the area. Lovely to visit such a beautiful place with happy memories for your family Jo ❤ xx
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We have one right here on our doorstep in the UK, Sherri. A necessary evil? I’m not sure. But the Polish family love the place and Jadzia shared many happy memories of it. (as much as I could understand with my limited Polish 🙂 🙂 ) Big hugs, sweetheart! Good to have you here.
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I’m not sure either Jo…and I’m sure your ‘limited’ Polish does you great justice 🙂 Big hugs back lovely! xx
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A peaceful park for a nice walk and a reminder of what probably brought people to this place in the first place and helped create the park? It is always such a toss-up, nature and economy. I know what I choose, but I don’t have a family to feed…
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They do seem to try to alleviate the grimness of the plant. I’ve been much closer than this. They run guided tours of the open mine. I found it very strange but it’s a way of life, Liesbet. Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Such a beautiful landscape Jo. What choice do the residents have but to take the ugliness for granted?
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Ignore is probably the best policy. I’ve just abandoned bed making and rained off tennis in favour of talking to you xxx
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Oh, I am most honoured Jo!
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Desperate times xx
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😊
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You know, this made me wonder what Jo really stands for. For all I know it’s short for Jobiornikowiznik. 😀 I kid, I kid. It looks good when it’s peaceful, seriously. But the high season events sound really interesting to witness it all.
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I’m a low season person, Rommel, but I like a bit of sun. Tricky! 🙂 My maiden name was Szustakiewicz so you’d think I’d have a head start on pronunciation, wouldn’t you?
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What an idyllic spot, Jo; it’s too bad about the smokestacks, but as you say, I guess people get used to these things and become oblivious to them. Your time in Poland, other than the language struggles, sounds like it’s somewhat fairy-tale-like. 🙂
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It had it’s moments, Cathy! 🙂 There were times when I was a little like a caged lion, but in the main it was great.
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Oh, those Polish names. I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I can get them to roll of my tongue. This place reminds me of the small village in Wielkopolska where I once chaparoned a group of Polish teenagers at a summer camp. Lazy days of summer indeed.
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Hi Julie 🙂 I wish I’d been born with a Polish tongue!
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It’s difficult when employment rests on something like the power station 😦 Still a beautiful area of parkland though 🙂
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Quite a few of my family work there, Rosemay, so what can you say? 🙂
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Well you managed to show the pretty park too Jo whilst referencing the power station so that’s the best thing you could do 🙂
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Lovely place… Enjoy… 🙂
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Thanks, Lori 🙂 🙂
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I don’t think the plumes from the power station detract from the scene – although maybe at closer quarters it would. But, and I think we might have had this conversation before, I think industrial landscapes can be beautiful – especially if employment depends on them. I’m thinking of Consett, for example, and the devastation when the steelworks closed.
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I do know what you mean, Anabel, and if you remember my ‘moody’ walk on the Seal Sands a few weeks ago, I don’t mind industrial sometimes. Power stations and their potential fallout do give me the creeps though.
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Yes, that might have been when we discussed it before.
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Looks lovely, and good luck with those pronunciations😆
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Cheers Seonaid. I could use more than luck 🙂
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Another beautiful rural post, it does my farming heart good to wander through hear with you and your family Jo and when you said your cousin Jadwiga, rides around here it made it perfect for me I would love to join her on a ride. I do not mind the power station as without it life would be so different and far more difficult, no work and no power. Hope you are having a peaceful weekend.
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Thanks darlin! The Girls were here last night so my head’s a bit fragile and the laptop won’t start. Calamity! Can’t do much with my phone xx
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Hope you have the laptop going by now and your head is feeling better. Relax my friend and have a laid back Sunday
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Such a pretty place! and Polish is easy? hehe. I tried to spell each word slowly, just like what your dad said! but all what came out sounded like gibberish! hehe.
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I think he had the unfair advantage of being a native. 🙂 Many thanks for your visit. :
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