Zbiornik Wawrzkowizna

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

90 comments

  1. I looked through these pictures wondering why I can’t get photos as good as this, then read back thought the post 😀 Great photos, Jo. I tried to say “Zbiornik Wawrzkowizna” out loud by slowly spelling out each letter and I think I got it right 😉 The Power station may be a blot on the landscape, but it’s the life-blood of the town (like the sugar mill is in our town) 😀

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  3. Locals really know how to share their home towns. What good fortune you are almost a ‘local’, with so many family members to lead you in the best direction. And, maybe they have a power plant, but it doesn’t look like they are a tangle of polluting freeways – everything is a balancing act, right?

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  4. Jo I suppose it is a double edge. The power station provides a living for people even if it is unsightly. The countryside is gorgeous. I love your Dad’s idea of how Polish is easy. 🙂

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  6. What a nice place to ride, lucky Jadwiga, would you ride if you had the opportunity Jo? Am I seeing the remains of a rope bridge, I’m on mobile so can’t be sure ?

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    1. It’s a climbing area/ropewalk for the youngsters among the trees, Gilly. Not my finest ever shot 🙂 I’m a bit uncertain around horses, and of course they are well aware of that.

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      1. I’d love to be able to feel confident but I think you have to learn while you’re young. When I was in my early thirties I was thrown and that blew any confidence I was gaining!

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  13. Yes, it is disturbing, and I know it first hand as I live right in front of one of these. Maybe that can explain interesting patterns of my windows. Beautiful landscape in your photos, Jo.

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  14. Beautifully constructed, with the sting in the tail. And beautifully photographed too, even the last one. Weighing up environment and employment is never easy. I love all that water.

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