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. I am always amazed and impressed at your energy Jo, not only to visit these places but then to write them up so dynamically. Any secrets you care to impart? I could sometimes do with a few percent of your energy levels!

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      1. We were much more fortunate, Jo. Did the missing handbag further complicate getting a replacement passport? I assume all your other ID was in it.

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      2. It was a panic stricken few hours backwards and forwards to the consulate and a photographic studio, but we did manage to get a replacement AND catch our flight. 🙂 🙂

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      3. Rich had a camera stolen in Valparaiso, Chile, a couple of years ago, and it really wrecked our last few hours there. Even so, I’ve done my best not to let it spoil my memory of what is a wonderful place.

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  7. What an adventure a lovely surprise to go walking with you all. You had so much fun I had to chuckle at the thought of you both scrambling around the railings. Lovely photos Jo, what an interesting city. I’m struggling to catch up with everyone after just a week away. But pleased to be back in the fold again. Have a safe trip on your next leg to the Algave

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  8. How lovely to meet with blogging pals and spend a day out in such an amazing place – and of course, great food too. Thanks for linking to my walk Jo…always love hanging out with you, whenever possible, despite my longer and longer absences. Have a wonderful time in the Algarve. A few weeks and we’ll be off to our ‘Italian Job’ 😉 Big hugs dear Jo xxx

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      1. We won the holiday Jo, in a prize draw after our visit to the Royal Albert Hall in early April! Still pinching ourselves. Oh how lovely, Tuscany is very high up on our list for another time, how wonderful for your neice. Thanks Jo, you take care too, means a lot to me to keep in touch 🙂 xxx

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  11. I’ll tell you, Jo, if you take any vitamin supplements, you’d be the one to advertise an endorsement! You have seemingly boundless energy for adventure! This must have been such a fun time with friends and fellow-adventurers. I really enjoyed your delightful photos. And it sounds like you have several days of activity lined up to follow. Lovely!

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    1. I know that it’s been a strange week when I wake up with my head full of Polish phrases, Debbie. It would have been more useful to remember some of them while I was in Poland! Yes, I had a wonderful time, and how lucky I am to have such friends and family. Thanks, darlin! 🙂 🙂

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  13. I was disappointed that in our own Polish adventure last year, we had so little time in Warsaw. What we saw consisted mainly of ugly Communist era social housing, yest we got tantalising glimpses of so much more. We’ll have to go back …..

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  14. What an adventure! Sounds just a perfect day out, even if it was tiring. Home before the Algarve, or straight there?

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    1. Back yesterday evening, Mari. 🙂 🙂 Spent some time with my son and partner in Leeds. Then I’m off to Lisa and Nottingham this Thursday, home Sunday and fly to the Algarve on Monday. All a bit manic- in a good way!

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    1. I checked back with your post a few times, Marion, but opted to travel in on the Modlin bus, which dropped me off outside the Palace of Culture. I gather there is some disruption on the westbound trains- new lines or some such. We had a great time together, thanks. 🙂 🙂

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    1. We had a great time together, Suze. I’ve met both Meg and Gilly before- one in Lodz and the other in Birmingham. This time was definitely different, and as you say, a lot of fun. 🙂 🙂 Thanks, darlin!

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