Wroclaw Flower Market

A shorter blog this week and another one away in Poland, but thankfully there was a little time when I could write this. If we think it has been hot in the UK, then welcome to Poland. As I run from one patch of shade to another with the sweat running down my back, I remember that the sun and my complexion don’t quite mix.

I arrived on Sunday and I have to say it was quite beautiful in the town square of Wroclaw. There were many scantily clad people of all genders, types and sizes, cruising around the square. I think in other countries it would be called ‘promenading’, in Poland it appears to be called 'afiszować'.

To sit in a restaurant, with a local beer and a plate of pasta was quite wonderful. There was a breeze blowing, and the local ‘traffic’ were all clearly enjoying the family atmosphere and the music playing in the background. It was nice to see the lack of pretension in the promenading and the number of kids joining in.

The strangest thing I did see was Captain America in full regalia striding across the square, complete with special shield and head gear. If you don’t know who Captain America is see below.

https://www.google.pl/search?q=captain+america&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB707GB708&tbm=isch&imgil=qEZ3CeYZD2Y3MM%253A%253B54ha5rprM5I1lM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fmarvel.com%25252Funiverse%25252FCaptain_America_(Steve_Rogers)&source=iu&pf=m&fir=qEZ3CeYZD2Y3MM%253A%252C54ha5rprM5I1lM%252C_&usg=__ADGvdegVHK6vMb3LB32owT2BNEo%3D&biw=1404&bih=747&ved=0ahUKEwj4o4uw0pjVAhXDJZoKHdjxAs4QyjcIrwE&ei=_gpxWfisIsPL6ATY44vwDA#tbm=isch&q=captain+america

Not the first thing I would want to wear in the sweltering heat.

On the edge of the square is an open-all-hours flower market – (you knew there would be a link somewhere). The picture opposite doesn’t really do it justice but there are several stalls all with huge amounts of beautiful flowers even on Sunday night, (when this picture was taken).

Polish has become the second most spoken language in the UK, I discovered this week. A recognition of the number of Poles who have moved across Europe in the past 15 years. But when you are sitting in the square here with such a nice relaxed atmosphere, you have to think, how can you compare the UK to this lovely place.  Krakow too is a fantastic place to visit, so why not give one of them a try for a couple of days.

Sweet Peas Go Wild

I can’t count how many times I have written on this blog, of one visitor or another being presented to me by my terrible twosome. But they do pick their occasion at times.

Going to bed last Friday after a hell of a week, and having forced ourselves to stay awake while we watched the final episode of something unmemorable we staggered into bed. The quieter of the two hairy monsters then appeared at our door, present in mouth.

One slight relax of the mouth and the critter was off, across the room and behind the furniture.

The usual ritual of finding a long length of something to fend it off, followed by manic thrusting in the general direction of it, (with a long length of 5ft cardboard tube in this case).

My better half is a miracle mouse catcher. While the big fat human is dancing around desperately trying not to get too close, the scrawny one coolly gets a pint glass, kneels down, and grabs the pesky long-tailed mouse into it. Whilst seemingly having the reactions of a well-oiled sick bag, my better half just lulled the critter into a false sense of security and then struck.

As the clock struck midnight I climbed into bed, feeling well protected by my mini mouse catcher.

Nothing Better Than This To Cool You Off!

On Sunday morning before I set off for Poland, we decided to stretch our legs with a quick walk around the local village. After a few minutes of walking we came across a lovely looking horse, done up in its best outfit, but not moving very far.

We walked up and approached it, expecting it to come past and continue. But it was transfixed on something.

“Lovely horse – what a beautiful coat it has”, my wife said.

“He’s a bit jumpy”, the lady said in a local accent. “Someone has moved the roof tiles and he doesn’t like change”.

It turns out that the horse is autistic. Now I never knew that animals could suffer that same sort of condition as us humans. Apparently, he goes out each day and his photographic memory and super attention to detail spots any change anywhere along the trail and he comes to a standstill.

Imagine, every day going out, and not knowing how long the ride will take and indeed if you will go anywhere or not. (This all sounds remarkably familiar – it sounds just like our lawn mower).

On Saturday morning, I jumped out of bed full of enthusiasm to mount my steed and cut the grass.

I filled it with fuel.

I pumped up the tyres.

I talked to it.

I positioned myself on the seat and started it up.

It purred, like a contented kitten.

I put it into gear and started to cut. 2 minutes later, a huge cloud of smoke was pouring from under the machine. With much frustration and lots of expletives, I stopped the motor and set off for my car ramps to get underneath it. I quickly discovered that the previously single fan belt was now a series of multiple mini fan belts, all of which were shredded and useless.

The grass stayed long!

I had to settle for weeding and cutting the borders. The sense of failure was palpable.

I looked up some weird and wonderful stories of this week. It is amazing what people will put on the internet.

Firstly, this link below.

http://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/2305/Storm-the-Dog-Saves-A-Baby-Deer-From-Drowning

I have two questions .....

How did the Deer get there in the first place?

and then ...

Did the dog really want to save the deer or eat it?

Now the second link ……

http://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/2301/-It-s-A-Once-In-A-Lifetime-Event-Wild-Lioness-Spotted-Nursing-A-Baby-Leopard

Now how cute is that?

Or ....

Is he just keeping warm for dinner!

Now the third link ……

http://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/2289/Cops-Respond-To-Complaints-Over-Slip-And-Slide-Join-In-On-The-Fun

When asked to comment officer Joe Jones said, “My station commander was very understanding, he asked me to get my head out of my wet butt and clean the latrines with a toothbrush”. 

Good to see that hygiene is important to the police force.

Whisky Galore

While I have been writing this blog, I have been sitting in my hotel room in Wroclaw. Behind the hotel is a river / moat and somewhere over there is a music festival. The heavy metal music has been booming out to the point that it has been quite difficult to hear myself complain.

But then like a bolt out of the blue came this next song. Not quite what I expected.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La4Dcd1aUcE

While in Poland and with an expert in the field, I recently visited Dom Whisky, a local puveyor of the scottish spirit. This bar had 1300 different bottles of whisky. A good number of which you can't buy any more.What a find! But when a single shot of some of them was £350, not  good place to linger for long.

Now there can only be one song to follow that!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyQ-tScuzwM

Have a great weekend!

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