Jo’s Monday walk : An adventure with Gilly

The raw energy of a city is compelling, even if a little intimidating.  Riding into Warsaw on the airport bus, my eyes were on stalks, collecting impressions on every side.  Such a bustling, modern city, the buildings twisting and turning to point to the blue sky overhead.  Anxiety was swept away by excitement.  I was here!  And I stepped from the bus into the warmth of Meg’s arms, those lovely eyes twinkling at me.  All angst was neatly deposited in Meg’s backpack- my tour guide for a day, found!

Turning from her momentarily, the beaming smile of Gilly reached me from across the square, as she descended the steps of the Palace of Culture and Science, arm in arm with her friend Lindy.  Gaggling like geese, we blindly followed Meg as she led us from the centre to a restaurant.  Puzzling over the menu, we laughed when the wicker basket of knifes and forks arrived, bearing chopsticks in an elegant green wrapper.  My efforts to eat my noodle laden broth produced more smiles, along with the slurps.  Two thirds of the way through our meal, a mighty crash of thunder and coin drops of rain pounded our table.  The wide, creamy umbrellas over the tables were scarcely adequate.  More merriment and we scrambled indoors.

In no time, the sun was blazing through the open windows again.  Meg was recovering from a heavy cold, and starting to wilt a little, having been tour guiding all day and shown the ladies lovely Stare Miasto in the morning.  Lindy was struggling too, which left me and Gilly to get up to mischief.  Arrangements were made for early next morning, and Meg deposited us at our hotel.  A swift cuppa, and it was time to hit the streets.  Already it was 6.30 on a warm Warsaw evening.  Fortunately, Gilly was not at all critical of my reckless tour guiding style.  Of course the bus would take us to the river!  And so it did, with just a little walking involved.

The road stretched ahead, seemingly endless, the traffic buzzing past, the architecture varied and interesting.  On the horizon we could see a stadium, which we knew to be on the other side of the river.  Praga was not advisable after dusk, I was informed, but reaching the river the greater challenge was to get down to the riverside.  With the agility of a monkey, Gilly swung around the barrier and scrambled along the bank, hand over hand along the railings.  I followed, more sedately, concerned for my pretty, navy city shoes.

Nobody seemed to notice, and I was immediately at home, with a young crowd blithely enjoying the throng of beach bars, deck chairs and food stalls.  Boats bobbed serenely, while overhead trams clanged past and bikes dominated the footpath.

Appetising smells beguiled my nose, but a drink seemed more pressingly urgent, in the sultry evening air.  Dusk was beginning to fall, the warmth felt heavy with insects and an awareness that we were far from home.  How to get back on the bridge presented something of a challenge, but I dared a few words of Polish and waved my arms at the bridge.  The two young men politely gestured to where the steps were hidden.  Gilly and I agreed that we would not have chanced it after dark.

What else?  Hop another bus to take us nearer to the centre, a little judicious food purchasing and a bit of naughty jay walking.  Subways can get tedious, can’t they?  But please don’t tell.  I’d hate to be in trouble with the authorities.  The bottle top on my cider didn’t look promising, but it did unscrew.  I had no spoon for the delicious yogurt though.  Collapsed in my room with just my diary for company, I really didn’t care.

I hope you enjoyed our adventure.  I really didn’t intend to post today, but realising that next Monday I will be on my way to the Algarve, and that I have a fine collection of your walks ready to share, I thought it best.  Meantime, I’ll be off to see my daughter in Nottingham on Thursday.  And yes, I did manage to get those tickets reprinted.  Thank you all for your concern.

Where will we find Lady Lee this week?

In the country

A treat or two in store, from lovely Sherri.  Anyone else get to the Bash?

Surprises, Diana’s Dresses and the Annual Blogger’s Bash 2018

A bargain ‘two for one’ from Anabel, and both just a short walk apart :

The Kelpies to the Falkirk Wheel

A glimpse of ‘that’ wedding and lots more food, from Jackie :

Beer Money

When Sue shows willing, you simply have to sit up and take notice :

A stroll around Chartwell

‘Join the fun!’ says Jesh.  You know you want to :

Rounding up May

Suzanne delights me with fossils, shells and a little Autumn gold :

A walk to Shelly Beach

The end of Autumn

Calvi and Honfleur- two of the most scenic of places, shared by Drake :

Backdrop but scene too

The sunny side

Remember my lovely rhododendrons?  Eunice has found me some more :

A quarry walk with a difference

And Carol turns up some interesting treasure of her own :

From Trash to Treasure

How do you think of New York?  Jane’s wonderful photos show us it’s calmer side :

Hudson River Ramble

And a wonderfully scenic hike with Cathy ends in tears, but don’t worry- she’s ok!

The Mt. Sanitas hike in Boulder, Colorado

Not too very sure when I’ll be posting again.  Life does seem a little hectic.  Meanwhile, enjoy the sunshine, thanks for your company, and I’ll visit you all as soon as I can.

127 comments

  1. You and I would get along just fine on the road! I always have to get out on foot soon after arrival, and I rarely know exactly what I’m doing that first day. Somehow it always seems to work out. It’s double fun when you have a friend to drag along (or vice versa)!

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    1. I’d only ever seen the river at a distance, Lexie, so that was a definite target. I had intended to visit the observation tower at the top of the museum but Gilly had already been up. She said that visibility up there was restricted but I’m looking forward to her photos. Later I discovered that the ticket office closes at 5.30 so I was too late anyway. I only had a few hours with the ladies before moving on to my family and it was precious time. 🙂 🙂

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  10. It sounds like you had a grand adventure with the ladies all around, Jo. You and Gilly carved out your own cheeky adventure too, the next day! What fun. Have a great time visiting Lisa in Nottingham and then heading to the Algarve. You have a great summer all charted out. 🙂

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    1. Me and Gilly went walking in the evening, Cathy, and the next day Meg accompanied me to the bus station, out on the edge of Warsaw, to make sure I got to my destination with the family. It really was great all round. 🙂 🙂 Thanks, darlin!

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  12. What a lovely day. I liked Warsaw even though I found it tiring on account of the fact that it is so big and there are long walks between places to visit. (Metro extension not complete in 2014) in 2015.

    We were there in February and stayed in a hotel opposite the Palace of Culture…

    They decorated it in Soviet Red for Valentine’s Day.

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    1. I remember seeing that somewhere Andrew. I never did get up to the observation tower and it was a lovely clear day. Gilly tells me it was all caged in on account of potential suicides. Honestly I wouldn’t have jumped x

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    1. Tall Ships are at Sunderland mid July, Sue. It’s Mick’s 65th and we will be home but I can’t offer you a bed. From September it will probably have to be Portugal and you might not like me xx

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  17. Oh, I love seeing familiar places made unfamiliar by different eyes. You’ve done Warsaw proud. You know, in seven weeks I didn’t get to the river. Crossed it a few times, but I was wiped out when it was scheduled. I’d loved to have joined you and agilly – although scrambling may have been beyond me. Take it easy – sounds as if you’ll need a dose of the peace of the Algarve.

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    1. Had lunch with James before heading home yesterday. Washing and organising food here today but currently watching the washing dry and answering comments. I should spend some time with the husband between flitting about. There was a more sedate way to the river but it was longer. I loved your company and it was so kind of you to escort me to the bus station. You looked much better that morning and I’m left with the happiest of memories xxx

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    1. Thanks a lot! I was only in Warsaw once before, for 6 hours, while my dad was still alive. We did a tourist tram ride and the Stare Miasto because it was easier for him. I enjoyed my return. 🙂 🙂

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