8^th to 18^th June 2003

Sunday: 8^th June

Flew from London Heathrow to Poznan via Warsaw, and met by Alina and Grzegorz (cousins). Dinner at their home (our base) in Pniewy along with Ciocia (Auntie) Benia and Maryla (see the Family Tree). Nine year old Karolina (front left) began the unlikely task of getting me to count from one to ten in Polish. I now can!

Monday 9^th June:

Driven from Pniewy to Podrzewie, Barbara’s Dad’s village, for a family party. It was great to walk the paths that Barbara’s Dad walked as a child. Lovely barbeque as the sun sets, and later I introduced them to West Indian calypsos – with Matilda and Coconut Woman being their favourites. Thank heavens for Barbara’s knowledge of Polish and her translating skills.

Tuesday 10^th June

Driven some 200 miles to Czestachowa (town of the Shrine of the Black Madonna and Child). Stayed overnight. This incredible pilgrims’ site is visited by thousands of people each year. Please click here to see and appreciate some of the lovely sites we saw, but captured some five years earlier by a Darrell Peck (linked with his kind permission of course).

Wednesday 11^th June

Followed group saying the “stations of the cross” and toured this centre of pilgrims. Went down the salt mines (Krakowskich Wieliczka) before going off to Krakow to view its ancient and marvelous cathedral and Palace. Had Polish ice cream and music in the square before driving off to the mountains of Zakopane some 200 miles away.

Thursday 12^th June

Took the cable car up to the Kaspowry Wierch mountain (approx. 2000 metres high) – and walked down (took some 6 hours). Got slightly sun burnt even though there was frozen snow on some areas of the mountain. Though the walk down took several hours, it reminded me of my track up to and down from the Blue Mountain Peak in Jamaica along with Peter Brady, Peter Afflalo (r.i.p.), Andrew Bell and others from St. Mary’s College, Above Rocks.

Friday 13^th June

Went shopping in Zakopane town and up the mountain of Gubalowka – the mountain from which the picture (left) was taken as we looked down at the ski slopes of Zakopane. Toured the town and bought few presents.

Saturday 14^th June

Set off for the Pope’s town of Wedowice (pronounced “Vidovichi”). Visited his local church and sampled his favourite cream cake in a restaurant just outside. Then visit to Oswiecim and Brzerzina (Austchwitz and Birkenau). Shocked and numbed by what I saw and read. The camps’ motto, “Work to be Free”, was a cynical lie as it actually led to death for the vast majority. Driven back to Pniewy by midnight (a round trip of almost 1200 km or 750 miles). Shared the driving with Grzegorz.

Sunday 15^th June

Mass in Podrzewie and then a great family dinner (about 40 people) from 3.00 to 11.00pm. Sang and danced and had a rousing melodious send-off by all at the end. Bouquet of 30 roses given to us in honour of our approaching 30^th wedding anniversary. Lovely gorgeous people!

Monday 16^th June

Spent the day in Poznan with Ania Narozna and Jurek Sikorsky (cousins), and met Ania’s Mum, Halina. Dined in a “posh” restaurant – Mynskie Kolo – known for putting on the Swan Lake ballet on its own adjacent lake. Stayed overnight by Ania and Jurek. Slept like a prince in a huge and most comfortable bed. Marvellous hosts, Ania and Jurek!

Tuesday 17^th June

Met up with Julita Narozna for coffee in the Hotel Mercusie: then visited Maryla Klinge and family (Barbara’s Aunt) in Szamoluty before returning to Podrzewie for farewell dinner at Auntie Benia. Birthday cake given to Barbara.

Wednesday 18^th June

Stopped by Ciocia Benia before being driven to the Airport. Tearful farewell to Alina Grzegorz and Maryla. Arrived back in London and stayed the night at the Holiday Inn. Thus ending one of the most exhilerating weeks of my life - thanks mainly to Ciocia Benia, Alina, Grzegorz and Maryla - some real beautiful people. Dziekuje (thank you!)

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