Poland

H is for Hotel

Poland-eagle-150square

You may remember, when I started my personal A-Z challenge on Poland, I gave you the briefest of introductions to the Polish Alphabet?  Well, “h” is one of those letters that is very little used, at the beginning of a word, in Polish.  More often you will see “ch”, which is pronounced as in the Scottish word “loch”.  Thus “chleb” (bread- very delicious in Poland!) sounds a little like “Hleb”.

Are you following me so far?  When it came to choosing a word to represent “H” in my A-Z, I had few choices.  My first thought was “Historia”, but it would take a far better woman than me to tackle Polish history in a single blog post!  So, I had “Hiszpania” or “Holandia”- not very appropriate in a blog about Poland?  Or “huśtawka”- a lovely word that means “swing”; “hokej”- a game I was rubbish at in my schooldays, or “humor”- couldn’t we all use a little of that!

Dad with cousin Irena, on the swingseat (hustawka) on her patio

Dad with cousin Irena, on the swingseat (hustawka) on her patio

It was when I thought back to my first ever Polish lesson that the solution became clear.  I pounced with delight on the word “hotel”, leaping out of the text to embrace me.  Pronounced, of course, in the Polish way, but a familiar and welcome sight, never-the-less.  It is one of a dozen or so words that have been adopted into the Polish language.

To date, I have stayed in three Polish hotels.  I mentioned one of them in my post B is for Belchatow.  Because I am visiting family when I go to Poland, and am made very welcome in all of their homes, I seldom have need of an hotel.  When my husband, Michael, accompanied me, on the occasion of Krzysztof and Marzena’s wedding, we needed a little privacy, and opted to stay for a few nights in the Sport Hotel.  Large and central to Bełchatów, it made a great base for exploring the town.  But then, as now, my Polish was a little shaky, and on a sweltering hot day we were served piping hot soup with our breakfast.  Michael’s faith in my ability to negotiate the Polish language was severely dented.

Water features in the park at the centre of Belchatow

Water features in the park at the centre of Belchatow

Visiting family in Wrocław with my Dad, I again stayed in a local hotel, though Dad managed to squeeze in with the family.  Living in a 3-bedroomed flat, with 3 children, dog, cat and terrapin, private space is a luxury for my cousin, Wojtek and his lovely wife, Agnieszka.  Despite this, I have seldom met a happier, more close-knit family.  I could not have been made more welcome in sharing meals and family time with them.  Both work, but were at great pains to show me their beautiful city, and once I’d got my bearings, set me loose to wander, returning when I was hungry.  I’m not known for my sense of direction, so this sometimes took longer than planned.  I haphazardly changed trams and buses half a dozen times, and walked and walked till I found them again!  But a smile, a hug and a plate of food always awaited, before I returned to the hotel for the evening.  I never ate breakfast at the hotel- goodness knows what I might have ordered!

Wroclaw's colourful tram junction

Wroclaw’s colourful tram junction

You might know I'd squeeze in a boat or two

You might know I’d squeeze in a boat or two

Qubus Hotel, Wroclaw

Qubus Hotel, Wroclaw

The foyer in Hotel Jan Pawel on Ostrow Tumski

The foyer in Hotel Jan Pawel on Ostrow Tumski, Wroclaw

Super stylish Hotel Monopol

Super stylish Hotel Monopol

Agnieszka and youngest daughter, Kasia, on Hotel Monopol's rooftop terrace

Agnieszka and youngest daughter, Kasia, on Hotel Monopol’s rooftop terrace

Rooftop view from the Hotel Monopol

Rooftop view from the Hotel Monopol

My third hotel experience occurred in the small village of Poronin, in the Tatry Mountains area, and was the most joyous of occasions.  Not unlike a large Swiss chalet, the Hotel Weronika (don’t forget to pronounce the “w” as “v”) provided food and shelter for a huge gathering of us on the occasion of Adam and Marta’s Silver Wedding.  The setting was beautiful, and the hotel grounds provided lots of space for the youngsters to use up energy. (theirs, and ours!)  And then, in good old Polish fashion, we ate, danced and drank till we could do it no more.  Adam’s oldest daughter, funnily enough called Weronika, is getting married in May 2014.  What a celebration that will be!

View from our hotel gardens of the church in Poronin

View from our hotel gardens of the church in Poronin

I think that’s enough to tell you about my hotel experiences in Poland, for now. You can find more of the ups and downs of my reunification with my Polish family on my personal A-Z of Poland page.  Meantime, if you’d like to join in with Julie Dawn Fox’s A-Z challenge, the banner below will take you to the main site, where you can have a good look around.

banner4

Sunday Post : Concept

2012-dragon-logo-small1My weekend was a bit of a wreck, so my Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post simply didn’t happen.  But I had given some thought to the theme, Concept, and am feeling seasonal and a little nostalgic.

“So this is Christmas, and what have you done?”  So tragic, Lennon’s death.  Can you believe that it was 32 years ago?

I wonder what Christmas means to you?  My conception is the traditional one, the important factor, the boy child who was conceived.  “Unto us a boy is born, King of all Creation”.  Every Christmas my little wooden stable comes down from the loft, complete with nativity scene.

IMG_4793

Nativity scenes come in many forms.  The original is credited to St. Francis of Assisi in 1223.  He wanted the emphasis to remain with the religious significance of Christmas rather than materialism and gift giving.  These days, Christmas markets and all, I rather think materialsim has won.

I have heard of, though not yet seen, the szopka nativity scenes traditionally exhibited at Christmas time in Kraków.  They date from the 13th century, and include elements of architecture.  A yearly competition is held in Rynek Główny to determine the best.  That must be exciting!

Image of a szopka from Wikipedia

Image of a szopka from Wikipedia

Religion doesn’t play a huge part in my life, but I do love the carols at Christmas time.  “Peace on earth, goodwill to all men” seems like a good maxim to me.

IMG_1831

The wreath is in it’s traditional place on my fireplace, and the cards beginning to arrive.  My Polish family always send cards which celebrate the birth of our Lord.

IMG_1838

IMG_1841

IMG_1839

Why the Christmas tree?  The evergreen tree, which does not lose its leaves in winter, is regarded as the symbol of eternal life.  I have lots of “old friends” on my tree.

IMG_4781

IMG_4782

IMG_4783

And some beautiful hand made ornaments, proudly given to me by my Polish family on my first visit to Poland, though I’ve never been there at Christmas.

IMG_4787

IMG_4786

And, of course, topped by the angel made for me by my daughter Lisa.

IMG_4795

I wonder if Jake’s going to use Christmas for his theme next week?  If so, I’m ahead of the game, and that’s a first!

Do you have a concept you feel like sharing?  You’ll always be made welcome at Jakesprinters Sunday Post.  Click on the flying dragon logo to be transported there.

Related articles

Six word Saturday

6ws-participating-in-banner

Technology may have defeated me- again!

mrs-sparklys-ten-commandment-award_thumb1

I’m battered and bruised today!  Don’t be fooled by Mrs. Sparkly, though I am indeed grateful to Elisa of Autumn in Bruges for nominating me.  Truth is, I really need a bit of glitter to cheer me up.

In the main I’m very grateful to WordPress for hosting my blog.  I don’t know if it would ever have happened without them, as I am one of life’s technologically challenged.  This week I seem to have thrown a spanner in the works.  My photos all want to appear in thumbnail size, no matter how hard I try to resize them!  I have petitioned WordPress for help- I mean, where’s the joy in a thumbnail sized photo?  In the meantime, I’m limping through my Six word Saturday, “sans photos”.

What do I have to do to earn my sparkles?  Quite simply, answer ten questions.

1. Describe yourself in seven words:

Restless, discontented, inadequate, sunloving, hopeful, enthusiastic, moody

2. What keeps you up at night?

Worry, and WordPress- not necessarily in that order.

3. Whom do you aspire to be like?

Anyone who travels, for a living or for fun

4. What scares you?

Me, in the mirror on a morning!  And those awful dreams I have, thankfully rarely, where something terrible has happened involving a loved one.  I wake up in a cold, black fear and can’t shake it for hours.

5. What are the best and worst things about blogging?

Don’t get me started!  You lot, of course- my lovely friends across the world, and the doors that open that I maybe never dreamt of before.  You know the worst thing, don’t you?  Hmm- starts with the letter t and ends in ology!

6. What was the last website you looked at?

Never a dull day in Poland -one of the winners in the Expat Awards 2012, and a cracking blog I’ve since subscribed to.

7. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My discontented nature.

8. Slankets, yes or no?

Not really bothered.  My daughter bought me a lovely kimono one year.  I seldom wear it but it’s a bit like a slanket, I suppose.

9. What are you wearing now?

Jamas, but any minute now I’ll have to sprint for the stairs and get dressed or I’ll be late for zumba (again!)

10. Tell us something about the person who nominated you :

Elisa is another restless soul, like myself.  She is London based at present, and hasn’t quite yet worked out her future.  I know how that feels!  Do have a look at her Travels.

I’m passing a little sparkle on to :

Tay in Europe

Travel with Laughter

Simply Captured

All are joyful and beautiful blogs so do please have a look.  I’m off to fight with my photos again, but not before I give thanks to Cate at Show My Face, who has allowed me to whinge my way through this week’s Six word Saturday.  Click on the header or links to find out more about the challenge.  If you want to cheer me up you can click on the button below and visit some of my previous 6WS’s, which DID contain photographs.  See you next week?

6wsButton

G is for Grażyna

Grażyna is the daughter of Dad’s oldest living brother, my Uncle Włodek.  He lives in Zgorzelec, and this post just seemed to follow on naturally from that one.  Grażyna was born in Zgorzelec, but when she contacted me, one of the first of my 26 Polish cousins to do so, I was astounded to find that she was living here in England, in Norfolk, with her husband and 3 sons.  Jarek is a boat builder by trade, and has built his own beautiful little sailing boat, so whenever they can, they go sailing on the Broads.

Mariusz, learning boating skills from an early age

And having fun with younger brother, Arek!

Norfolk isn’t exactly on our doorstep, but it’s much closer than Poland, so we’ve had the opportunity to get together a few times.  They came to the North East for Dad’s 80th birthday, soon after he was reunited with his Polish family.  We went exploring Norfolk with them the following year.  And their visit when the Tall Ships were here in 2010 was a fabulous occasion never to be forgotten.

Alexander von Humbolt by Tony Dowson

Last night fireworks by Tony Dowson

We met up again in Zakopane, in Poland, for the occasion of Adam and Marta’s Silver Wedding.  That was my first opportunity to properly meet Grażyna’s brother Wojtek and his family, who live in Wrocław.  We had great fun entertaining the six youngsters in the hotel gardens in Poronin.

They don’t have too many opportunities to get together, but last year Wojtek and son Mateusz came to Norfolk to celebrate Grażyna’s two youngest boys First Communion.  We arranged then that my niece Basia, Wojtek’s oldest daughter, would come and stay with me here in Hartlepool this summer.  Of course, I got to stay with them in Wrocław first.  More than a fair exchange!

After the First Communion, Grazyna, Rafal, Mateusz, Jarek, Arek and Mariusz

Dad, the priest, and Grazyna’s family

So that’s how we came to be together again with Grażyna, just briefly, this August.  She came to collect Basia for her first visit to Norfolk, and return home to Poland. Our get togethers are always very emotional, but we have a lot of fun too.  We all love the sea and boats, and we have an excellent free museum, perfect for those not so sunny days.  The Museum of Harlepool was the source of lots of mirth, as well as painlessly imparted knowledge.

We went to the beach first, but rain stopped play

Not before we’d created the SS Polska gunboat though

So, the Museum of Hartlepool it was :

Father Mariusz and Father Arek search for suitable gowns for their mission

A nautical look might be better for Arek, affectionately known as “Blondie”

We weren’t sure if this was a good look, but Mariusz liked it.

And there was no way to keep Arek out of the act!

They were more themselves in a boat, of course

Grażyna is a loving and wonderful mother, and she makes the most delicious cakes.  She brought a huge carob cake with her this trip and it was gone in a blink.  She is also the most affectionate of cousins.

It has been a privilege and a pleasure to watch this new family of mine growing up.  If you’re not familiar with Dad’s story it’s told in more detail here.

This post is part of my personal A-Z of Poland.  The idea was Julie Dawn Fox’s and I am indebted to her for the opportunity to share my Polish story with you.  If you would like to join in, you can find the details on this link, or the banner below.

Z is for Zgorzelec and Zakopane

I expect some of you have heard of Zakopane, in the Tatry Mountains in Poland?  Zgorzelec, maybe not, but it is a town of great significance for me.  It’s the home of my Uncle Włodek, whom I was lucky enough to visit this Summer.

River Neisse links the twin towns of Zgorzelec and Gorlitz

Until 1945 Zgorzelec and Görlitz were one town, with a shared history.  Görlitz (or Gorlice, as it was then known) was founded in 1354 by German settlers.  In the 13th century it became rich due to its location on the Via Regia.  This former trade route is one of the oldest in Europe, and reached from Kiev to Santiago de Compostela.  The town became a cultural centre, led by mystic and theologian Jakob Böhme, who inspired progressive thinkers like Goethe.

I don’t pretend to understand the complications involved, but the town has since been part of Bohemia, Saxony and Silesia.  At the end of World War 2, which scattered families like my Dad’s far and wide, the Rivers Neisse and Oder were established as the border between Poland and East Germany, and the town was split apart.   The German part retained the name Görlitz, and the Polish part became Zgorzelec.

Riverside cafe in Zgorzelec

Riverside cafe in Zgorzelec

Peterskirche across the river in Gorlitz

I have to admit to a degree of fascination with this divided town, and I had never before set foot in Germany, so I was delighted when a visit to uncle’s home presented me with the opportunity.  I didn’t really know what to expect as I approached the Old Town Bridge.  Certainly not the 5-tier grain elevator, emblazoned with the effigy of a face and palm.  It was designed to represent an Artistic Image of a United Europe.

The grain elevator with its symbol of unity

The elevator and St. Peter and Pauls

The bridge itself was blown up by the retreating Germans in 1945, but has been replaced with a modern steel structure, reuniting the towns.  Peterskirche, or the church of St. Peter and Paul, is a mighty building, dating from 1230.  It is famous for its sun organ, depicting 18 suns among its pipes.

Old Town bridge and Zgorzelec, seen from St. Peter’s

The atmosphere changes completely as you step off the bridge into the cobbled streets of Görlitz, and are at once in “Bavaria” as I had always imagined it.  I pause to pick up a street map and my ears struggle with the unfamiliar sound of the German language.  A street festival is in full swing, complete with oompah music.  You can get a flavour of it from Collectibles, which I wrote for Jakesprinter’s Sunday Post.

Don’t you love the pastel colours?

And the eyes in the roof!

Such pretty architecture

In such wonderful shades

A sunny shopper’s paradise

But what a strange place to have a bath!

In any event, Görlitz was a delightful place to spend a few hours, and there was more to see, but the main purpose of my visit was to see my uncle.  Włodek’s wife Janina died just a few months ago, and it was the first time he had “entertained” on his own.  He could not do enough for us, and was proud to show off his domestic skills.  These included his homemade sour cherry jam, putting me to shame.

Dad (left) and Uncle

The famous jam, niece Basia, Dad, me, cousin Wojtek and his wife Agnieszka

After all that, Zakopane may seem like an anticlimax, but it definitely wasn’t.  I was there in September 2009 for the occasion of my cousin Adam’s Silver Wedding celebration.  Sadly I don’t have many photos to share.  You’ve guessed it!  I was too busy eating, drinking and dancing my legs off.

Zakopane at night, from Wikipedia Commons

Zakopane is known primarily as a ski resort but is extensively used as a hiking centre in the Summer too.  Just 20 kms south of Krakow, it sits in an area of national park and outstanding natural beauty.

I was there before the snows had arrived, but was happy to take the funicular railway zooming 1388 metres up Mt. Gubalowka for the panoramic views.  The top of the mountain is one enormous playground.  There are a variety of stalls selling woolly mittens, socks and hats, all in a riot of colours.  Smokey mountain grilled cheese can be washed down with grzane wino, heady local mulled wine.  Sideshows attract the young at heart, who can also whizz down the slope on a metal toboggan ride.  Adventurous types teeter in the trees on an aerial wire.  And all to a background of spectacular beauty.

If you’re interested my guide on http://www.simonseeks.com/travel-guides/zakopane-fun-snow__118121 will give you a more complete picture.  I’ll focus here on family.

Adam, wife Marta and a neighbour at the Silver Wedding celebration

The church in Poronin where their wedding vows were reconsecrated

Dangling among the trees (no, not me!)

Michael, me, Adam, and Lynne and George, who came all the way from Canada

So that’s me at the tail end of my personal alphabet of Poland.  Of course, I have a few gaps to fill in, but Julie Dawn Fox, whose idea this A-Z challenge is, doesn’t seem to mind.  And my lovely friend, Frizz, knows much more about Germany than I ever will.  The ZZZ Challenge is up this week so check that out too!  Click on the links or the banner below for more information.

Six word Saturday

Just as promised, a few photos

The iconic Ratusz (Town Hall), in the Rynek (Market Square)

And in close up

Ooh, look Mum!

Such a pretty square, even on a grey day.

Look up! Look up!

Oh did my legs ache when I got to the top of St Elizabeth’s to take this for you!

And this!

The Cathedral on Ostrow Tumski

Yes, I climbed this one for you too!

That’s Dad sitting down there under the yellow umbrella at Jan Pawla 2 Hotel!

The Cathedral up close

Remember the magical bridge from my last 6WS? This is how it looks in close up!

A peaceful spot on the River Odra

And a rather more playful one! I tested out that lounger. It works just fine.

Still feeling playful? Delightful Plac Solny.

And some more children having a good time.

Remember the Polish Eagle? This one’s above a bank.

The Oratorium in the fabulous University buildings.

The ceilings are wonderful- and don’t miss Aula Leopoldina

The dancing fountains at the Centennial Park

My lovely niece, Basia- more about the gnomes later.

I really have to stop now, but I took well over 300 pictures of Wroclaw.  I think you’ll agree it was worth it?  Tempted to visit?  You should be.  Sadly I can’t lend you my wonderful family but I had a truly great time and can’t thank them enough.

I should also thank Cath of Show My Face for the opportunity of sharing these with you.  Six Words?  Not exactly, but if you follow the links you’ll get the idea, and maybe join in next week.  See you then?  The button below or my 6WS page will take you to more Saturday fun.

Sunday Post : Collectibles

Having just returned from Wrocław with over 300 photos, you could say that I collect photographs!  However it’s wonderful of Jake to unexpectedly present me with the opportunity to display some of them with his theme for this week, Collectibles.

My uncle Włodek lives in the Polish town of Zgorzelec, snuggled so closely to the border with Germany that it has a counterpart across the River Neisse, in Gorlitz.  The two are one, but divided by language and a boundary.  On Saturday morning when we went to explore this curiosity, it transpired that there was a large market in process, and the following caught my eye.

Don’t you love this pottery?

Or maybe this style?

With a tealight? Delicious!

Motyli – butterflies.  I don’t know what they are in German?

Something more for the garden?

 

Or maybe him? He’s looking pensive.

 

While the horse looks patiently on.

I have to confess, I love pottery and spent happy minutes just browsing.  When it comes to collecting, though, my real vice is postcards.  I filled a suitcase with them, and when it was overflowing, decided enough was enough.  But I still gaze longingly at postcard stands.

So much “stuff” we collect!  One of my nieces came back to England with me and we were looking in the local museum yesterday.  The teddy bear collection was everybody’s favourite.  Winnie the Pooh and Paddington Bear -what would life be without them?

Many thanks again to Jake for presenting yet another opportunity to share my world.  I’m late this week (for good reason) but maybe you’d like to join in next week?  The details are all on Jakesprinters home page.

Six word Saturday

A week in Wrocław – lucky me!

Tumski Most (Bridge), Wrocław- from Creative Commons

On Monday, I’m off with Dad to spend a week in Wrocław. (pronounced Vrotswaf, for those of you who’ve been following my A-Z  of Poland)  I’ll be imitating the weather when I get back, and deluging you with photos, so beware!

While I’m gone, feel free to browse my Six word Saturday posts, and join in, courtesy of Cate of Show My Face.  Many thanks to her for being a great hostess. 

E is for Eagle, “elokwentny” and Edyta

It’s taken me so long to get around to my next Polish A-Z post, the letter E.  Lots of interesting things got in the way, but here I am- good to go!

Tapestry of the Polish and Lithuanian Coats of Arms circa 1555, from Wikipedia Commons

Isn’t this a beautiful tapestry?  I saw many in the collection in Wawel Castle in Kraków, but not this one.  You may have noticed that I use the Polish Eagle in the logo for my personal A-Z of Poland?  I thought I’d tell you a little about it.

Orzeł Biały – The White Eagle

The White Eagle is the national coat of arms of Poland.  It is a stylised bird with golden beak and talons, and wearing a golden crown, on a red shield.  What species of eagle it is remains the subject of dispute.  The symbol of an eagle appeared for the first time on coins made during the reign of Bolesław 1 (992-1025), and has been adapted many times throughout Poland’s tumbling history.  Down the ages it has appeared on shields, coins, ensigns and seals.

Through numerous partitions of Poland, the eagle has clung on, sometimes accompanied by the Lithuanian symbol, Pahonia.  After World War 2 the communist authorities of the People’s Republic of Poland deemed the crown “reactionary”, and had it removed from the eagle’s head.  Still Poland remained the only Eastern Bloc country with no communist symbols on either its flag or coat of arms.  After the fall of communism in 1989 the crown, of course, returned.

From the seal of Przemysl 2nd, 1295

Coat of arms from Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

Polish coat of arms 1919-1927

Coat of arms from the November Uprising

People’s Republic of Poland 1945-1989, without the crown

Current coat of arms, since 1990

There is a rather charming legend associated with the White Eagle.  Long, long ago three brothers, Lech, Czech and Rus, left their overcrowded village in search of a new home.  They rode for many miles, over mountains and rivers and through thick forests, till they reached uninhabited, wild terrain.  At the top of a mountain crest they separated, each taking a different direction.  Lech continued straight ahead, finally reaching a beautiful meadow, with a lake at its centre.

Just then an eagle swooped low and returned to its nest, high on a rocky crag.  As it spread its wings in the setting sun, the tips appeared golden and the bird purest white.  Enchanted, Lech declared that this was where he would make his future home.  He named it Gniezno, after the eagle’s nest.  He and his people built many houses.  They called themselves Polonians, meaning “People of the Field”, and flew a red banner with a white eagle over the rooftops.  Gniezno became the first historical capital of Poland, and Bolesław 1’s coronation took place in the cathedral in 1024.

A modern day view of Gniezno- a nice place to set up home?

Gniezno Cathedral by night (both photos from Wikipedia Commons)

Today the eagle adorns many public buildings, the reverse of Polish coins, and the shirts of the national football team.  Grateful thanks to Wikipedia for the selection of coats of arms and much of the information.

Elokwentny

There are few words in Polish beginning with the letter “e”, but one of my favourites is elokwentny, meaning, of course, eloquent.  It is my heartfelt desire to become eloquent in the Polish language.

Edyta

I think Edyta is a lovely name, and it’s one that I’d never heard of before meeting my Polish neice.  Remember the young lady with the rabbit, from my A is for Aunts post?  This is how she looked on Dad’s recent visit to Poland.

Growing up before my very eyes.

Once again I need to give credit to Julie Dawn Fox, whose idea the personal A-Z challenge is.  Do any of you want to describe your homeland, or a hobby or enthusiasm, by way of the challenge?  The details are all in the link or the banner below.

D is for Dobry (good)

The village of Poronin, on the way to Zakopane, Tatry Mountains

Dzień dobry  (good day or good morning) must have been the first piece of Polish I ever learned.  At the time I didn’t think about it too literally, being more concerned with how to say it. (dz is pronounced like the ds in odds, according to my text book)

It wasn’t until I came to say “good evening”- dobry wieczór– that I realised the significance of dobry, meaning “good”.   You have also dobranoc- “goodnight”.  Noc is night (pronounce the c as ts) and dobra is the feminine form of dobry.

Język polski, the Polish language, is Latin based and I knew I was starting to struggle when I came to do widzenia- “goodbye”.

From the text book:   dobry = masculine, dobra = feminine and dobre = neuter

So : dobry hotel (m), dobra książka (f) and dobre mieszkanie (n)

Good hotel, good book and good flat

In conversation, I kept hearing dobrze and dobra, appearing to mean “good” as in “ok” or “alright” but hadn’t a clue when to use which.  You’ve realised by now that I do a lot of head nodding and smiling, with a bemused expression, when in Poland.

Just to prove that I have applied myself a little, I thought it would be fun to do a Polish question and answer exercise, using photographs.

Co to jest? (What is this?)  To jest moja rodzina (This is my family)

Only a small portion of them, you understand!  Lynne and George, who live in Canada, were visiting the Tatry Mountains with us for the occasion of Adam and Marta’s Silver Wedding.  Arek is having a little fun with Lynne’s heavy handbag, containing the camcorder (out of shot).

Co to jest? (What is this?)  To jest Balon Widokowy (This is a hot air balloon- literally a “balloon with a view”

On the same holiday, Adam was keen for us all to take a ride in the Balon, soaring over Kraków from the banks of the River Vistula.

Co to jest?  To jest kościół (This is a church)

Older churches are very beautiful in Poland.  This one is similar in style to the one in Poronin where Adam and Marta reaffirmed their wedding vows.

Kto to jest? (Who is this?- spot the change?)  To jest Irena, moja kuzynka (This is Irena, my cousin)

I’m not going to get grammatical here.  Irena is my lovely cousin and the wife of Arek, who was clowning around in the group photo earlier.  They have two great youngsters, Robert and Weronika, and this is taken on their patio in Bełchatów.  Arek runs a market garden and they have a shop to sell the produce and seeds in the town market.  The handsome stranger is, of course, my Dad.  Click here to read his wonderful story.

Kto to jest?  To jest Jadwiga, moja kuzynka (Jadzia)

Me, Dad and Jadzia in her garden in Zawady.  I really am spoilt for lovely cousins.  Jadwiga and husband Andrzej have a daughter Ania and son Krzysztof.  Ania and her husband Hubert have a lively toddler Kinga, and their own self-contained flat in Jadzia’s home.  Krzysztof works in Reading with his wife Marzena.  We attended both of their weddings.

I guess it’s appropriate that Dad is heading back to Poland today and will see all of these and more.

I can’t complete this post without referring to my cousin, Dominik.  When I was considering the options for “D” he was heavily on my mind.  He died recently in tragic circumstances, still a young man, and his loss is heavily felt by the family.  Dad will be going to the cemetery to pay his respects, to Dominik and to all of the family who have gone before.

To end on a lighter note, has anyone told you about Polish cake, ciastko?  I need to say only that it is bardzo dobry– very good.  Bardzo dobry indeed.  Dad will be eating lots!

Polish cake. This is shop bought. The homemade variety is even more delicious.

Googling “dobry” (as you do?) I came across an artificially intelligent “chatbot” of the same name.  I could download him and just natter away, or even teach him simple foreign phrases.  I ask you- does that seem probable?  He’d be sure to prove more intelligent than me.

This post forms part of my personal A-Z of Poland, inspired by Julie Dawn Fox.  Follow the link, or click on the banner below, to read some very interesting posts from all around the world.  I may be late with my responses to any of you who are kind enough to read this, as I’m out of circulation for a week or so, but I will assuredly be back.  I just had to post it now because it was churning inside me.