Jelenia Gora Pt 2

Thursday 19th Jul: VIP Day - Terry's birthday, texts/facebook/emails sent. As Terry is working all day we decided to put ourselves through some 'sympathy rigours' and visit Breslau (Wroclaw). Unfortunately the only way to get to Breslau is by back tracking 'THE' road with detours - yes they are still there and the road has not got any better, Linda NOT impressed. Managed to negotiate our way to Bolkow and then it was a breeze to get to Breslau and be introduced to some different city type roads. The delights of cobble stones, tram tracks and pot holes made for an interesting passage into the centre of Breslau, but it was well worth it. Mr TomTom did us proud and took us right to the rear of the main square, where a very nice parking place awaited us, Neil's luck. We arrived just about lunchtime and when a small rain shower had started so we just had to try the local cuisine - we spent a very pleasant lunch hour on the covered patio of a local hostelry with - yes, you have guessed  Daisy being the centre of attention, we are starting to get complexes. Linda had a very large and tasty cheese burger (NOT McD's) which had the beating of her with some fries left and Neil had a beautiful piece of salmon with accompanying vegetables - yum yum and just the job to give us the strength to see the Town & Market squares, the Raclawice panorama, the University and general town centre. Like Dresden most of Breslau was destroyed during WW2 but is now almost completely restored to its former splendour - which now even includes a Guinness Bar! 

Rynek Square Breslau

Town Hall Breslau

Just Hanging around in Breslau

Raclawice Panorama Breslau

Breslau University

Another good day with lots of sights to remember with nice sunny 28C weather.

Friday 20^th Jul: Feeling a bit weary after Breslau so decided to have a Linda style ‘mooch day’ and recharge the batteries – enjoying one’s self is really tiring. We completed a bit of husbandry in and out then relaxed for the day with books and films – bliss. So many things missed and to catch up on, Neil has read more books this last 2 months than over last 2-3 years. Not too bad a day for weather – sunny and 21C, with a threat of rain and lower temperatures at the weekend then hot, hot days next week. Will probably pick a cool day to take a trip through to Prague as Daisy will suffer if we go next week during the high temperatures, she is really doing well and copes (just about) with this strange lifestyle – leads, built up areas, loads of people and the weather - still insists in lying in the sun on the very hot days though.

Saturday 21^st Jul: More exploring of the local area with another visit to Karpacz and the Karkonosze Mountains – nice casual day with lots of spectacular views and interesting roads. Sunny day with a bit of cloud and 22C, starting to forget what temperatures below 20C feel like. 

Karkonosze Mountains

Karkonosze Mountains

Sunday 22^nd Jul: Looks good for the weather/temperatures so off we set for Prague, decided to attack from the front and went through and over the Karkonosze Mountains – well worth it. We seemed to be climbing up bendy/twisty roads for ages, up on the top (about 1050m) there is a mass of more hotels, ski lodges and ski lifts – both sides of the border. Had to stop at the border for our ‘vignette’, all major roads in the Czech Republic are toll roads monitored by electronic sensors so you need a sticker for the windscreen (must admit by the time we get home we may not get to see out of the windscreen for all the stickers) – a quick 268 Czech Koruna (12 Euros) into the Czech economy and then on our way. A bit of a problem finding suitable (safe) parking in Prague but eventually got the car into the Palladium Shopping Centre car park - no problems we thought, see later. WELL Prague was fantastic, what a beautiful, scenic and historical city - lack of and reluctance to further repeat the same superlatives unfortunately does not do it justice. With so much to see in only a day we had to prioritise what we could achieved and decided on the Old Town Hall, the Charles Bridge, the Prague Castle/Palace and the Jewish settlement (oldest in Europe), which turned out to be a very challenging and tiring schedule.

The Palladium Prague

Town Hall Square Prague

Just do not mention the STEPS to Linda, what with most of the streets being cobble stoned her ankles took a real pounding - it was then we met the 220 steps up to the Palace (not mentioned in my brief so earache received). Not to be defeated Linda made it to the top and the scenery was well worth seeing - Prague spread out before us.

THE STEPS Prague

Prague

Prague

Linda in Prague

Prague Palace & St Vintus Cathedral

   

A wonderful but tiring day with more ammunition for our complexes - an American was heard to say 'That is a really beautiful dog' and we were stopped by a German who wanted to photograph - yes you have guessed DAISY! Most admit she did marvellous all day but was fading by the time  we got back to the car. PROBLEM - car perfectly safe but not one entrance that allowed dogs in it, how to get to the car? After a full tour round the block we nipped down the car entrance way and collapsed into the Jazz. A slow 'toottle' back to Jenelia Gora with Daisy snoring in the back and that will be classed as our Czech Republic visit for this tour. Mostly sunny with a few little showers (nice cooling effect) and 21C.

Monday 23rd Jul: Most definitely a recovery/lazy day and catch our breaths. Lots of post visit discussion (THE steps) and the consensus that Prague is well worth a visit by anyone, beautiful city, nice people and relatively easy on the wallet. Sat around/out in the sun for most of the day just watching the world go by. Sunny with 25C.

Tuesday 24th Jul: A quick shopping trip and look around the town then down to touching base with folks back home - just to reassure them all is well, not to rub it in that we are still 'dreaming'. The hot weather started today with lots of sun and 30C.

Tesco's Jelenia Gora Poland

Jelenia Gora Town Hall

Wednesday 25th Jul: Unfortunately we have been forced to make plans for movement and site bookings - basically due to the toll system we have to predict routes, times and pay for them plus with the high season having started we need to pre-book sites to ensure we get a pitch/s. Not ideal but necessary. So out came the maps, laptop and we had lots of head scratching. It would be too easy if every country had the same toll system that could be booked/paid for centrally with that country getting the resulting payment, especially as we are supposed to be one Europe with masses of electronic technology! Rant, rant rant. Lots of hot air to go with the sunny/light showers 31C day's weather.

Thursday 26th Jul: With all the emails and 'e'payments sent we just need the systems to work - fingers crossed. decided to have a slow do nothing day as the temperature very quickly climbed to 33C, phew.  

Jelenia Gora Pt 1

Thursday 12th Jul: Housework day - YUK, has to be done. Started on the inside and gave everything a clean and polish then spruced up the outside and did a bit of preventive maintenance checking - oil levels etc. Found a few minor type jobs that needed doing before becoming major problems and got them completed between the odd shower and thunder storm on a cooler day of 21C.

NB: Since leaving the shores of the UK we have not seen or spoke face to face (not including Skype) to any other Brits so we were rather excited when we saw lots of UK registered cars and the possibility of some catching up on things - wrong, it is UK based Polish workers here on holiday. Guess we will have to continue speaking to each other - not much fun for Linda.


Friday 13th Jul: Much against the dreaded date we did not stay in bed but decided  to go for a day in the mountains, just had to have a look at the well advertised winter sports venues and see what the scenery is like from 'up top'. The trip up was fantastic with beautiful views around every corner, initially we headed for the centre of the ski resorts, Karpacz and had a bit of a wander around the town - totally orientated around winter sports but still very touristic for the summer. It must be very picturesque with the snow on the ground, all the ski lifts are very tastefully blended into the landscape and needless to say there are plenty of large hotels with all the facilities - in fact some just like small resorts in themselves. We followed the road along the top for a while, skirting the Cezch border before heading down through the Karkonoski National Park, small twisty roads that must be fun in the winter - even with snow chains. Total suprise when we came upon a Honda Goldwing and Harley Davidson group outing (riders from all parts of Europe), there must have been over 100 very smart and well presented bikes all in procession just cruising along the road on thier way to the top of mountain range. We just had to pull over and watch these wonderful machines go by, we of course got lots of waves and two tone horn acknowledgements. Sunny spells with a bit of overcast but still pleasant and 22.

Outskirts of Karpazc

Hotel Golebiewski
Karpazc

     





Saturday 14th Jul: Decided that the RV needed a slight move about, just to keep everything loose and moving so whilst the site was quiet (only us and 2 others left) we set about a mini pack up, move and setup - keeps our hand in. The site owner had a small panic attack as he thought we were leaving but once reassured he took the chance to cut the grass of our pitch whilst we were on the move. Had a quick shopping dash to replen the essentials, no not wine, milk, bread etc. Did some possible route research - WOW the tolls/vignette costs are extortionate, will have to choose our roads carefully or pay 'loads of money'. Lovely surprise, our friends Tom & Pat from Blackbrook Skype'd us and it was great to catch up on all the gossip. We did notice that our future weather forecast looks like those Brits are sending over some of their wet stuff - you can keep it! Must admit most of the people we have met have said that the weather in their countries (Denmark, Holland, Sweden) has been bad this year. Today was a bit overcast with sun in the afternoon and 25C.

Sunday 15th Jul: Thanks UK we have got the heavy rain, bouncing off the concrete - can not do much in this weather (even Daisy refused to go out) so it is a lazy day with an attempt to Skype family. Some success and got to speak only to Australia, Hull, Canada  for short bursts between the atmospherics. Had to mobile it to Portglenone as the cloud cover came right down.

Monday 16th Jul: Had to take the opportunity of some decent weather before our turn with the rain comes again so set off for Dresden - back into Germany (Linda needed another currywurst). It was not a forgotten visit, we just had planned to see Dresden from here as it is closer to this site. Good journey there and for once the TomTom was spot on the ball so we could easily park up and not have far to walk to our visit itinerary. We had been looking forward to seeing Dresden and were not disappointed, they have done wonders in reconstructing the place after almost 75% was destroyed in the war, all having been done tastefully and in a most sympathetic way. Once again so many historical buildings which totally mesmerised us whilst walking around, so much so that our time wizzed by and it was soon time to head back to Poland - a very good visit which we both thouroughly enjoyed and appreciated. Weather held out for us and was sunny and 21C.

Bruhl's Terrace
Dresden

The Royal Palace
Dresden



Frauenkirche
Dresden

Semper Opera House
Dresden

Tuesday 17th Jul: Woke up to UK weather - RAIN, certainly looks on for the day so it looks like a lazy film day so dug out J Edgar for a looksee (very good and can reccommend it). Although it rained most of the day it was still 21C.

Wednesday 18th Jul: Come on now! This is not on, more rain. We did get some short dry spells (during one, Neil took Daisy for her walk and managed to get soaked in a thunderstorm - drip). Just moounched around for the day, tried to find ways around the toll roads, caught up on some correspondence and watched some more films. Still quite warm at 22C.
    

Move/Jelenia Gora

Thursday 5^th Jul: Move day – completed final pack up and readied ourselves for the performance, true to form most of the site turned out to see the beast move off its ‘tiny’ pitch. Even though I say so myself I think we did very well, no damage, no contact and fully (both vehicles + trailer) into the car park at the gate within 20 mins – it would have been quicker if we did not have so many so called ‘helpers’. All systems ready to move by 11.30am and set off for Poland. Had a bit of lunch, a tiddle break for Daisy and a power nap for Neil before searching for an overnight park platz.  We had intended to overnight in Germany but due to the lack of suitable places found ourselves at the border before we knew it! GOODNESS the roads (so called ‘main roads’) in Poland are ‘different’ – the worst so far and apologies to County Galway who we awarded the title to last year. We did find a nice pleasant and secure stop point at Ilowa (32km into Poland) where we spent the night for only 20 zolty (about £4) after entertaining 2 very nice Polish policemen. They regularly check the truck drivers over here and they came and had a chat with us and to if possible have a ‘look see’ at the RV – very impressed and thought it was a house on wheels both physically and financially. Had a really nice evening meal which was followed by a spectacular storm, it was not just Daisy that was nervy. The rest of the day had been a bit overcast and 29C.

Aha a cup of tea!

        Our overnight pitch.                                                                           Stormy!

Friday 6^th Jul: After a nice quiet and restful night we set off for Jelenia Gora at about 8am. No improvements on the roads and we had another bone shaking 35km of travel before the road improved and then we made it to our turnoff in a more comfortable manner, however we were then introduced to Poland’s A roads! Once again different, and with loads of trucks coming the other way it was a bit hairy in places, certainly NOT helped by various detours (due to flood damage) onto B class roads  which we will let you imagine the state of. Finally pulled into the site at 11am and started to set up in blistering sun and 37C weather. Different type of site altogether as this one is on the outskirts of the town so subject to those urban peculiarities but is very convenient for the town and the places in this area that we wish to see.

Auto-Camping Park

Jelenia Gora, Poland

Saturday 7^th Jul: Guess what? Another major thunder storm during the evening, with bucket loads of rain, which had disappeared by the morning – another not a good night for Daisy. Finalised our site admin and familiarisation and explored the shops – biggest surprise a TESCO’s. We did notice that things here do seem to be much cheaper – Linda filled up 2 big bags of groceries and spent less than £15, Neil noticed that diesel is £1.00 a litre and vodka £6.00 a bottle, may stay here a while. The site is very compact but still manages to fit in chalets, a few statics for hire, a tent area, a touring camping area (where we are) and a secure car parking area for the locals (they seem to have fingers in lots of pies). At least it is a fairly pleasant hard standing site with access to water and drainage – our pitch, car, trailer, electricity, WiFi and water is 72zl (zloty), which is about £14 a night  and that is in the peak season!

Sunday 8th Jul: Weather a bit cooler/less humid so time to get the walking boots out and investigate the local countryside - very nice, a bit Alpine ish with lots of villages nestled in valleys at the bottom of the foothills near the Karkonoszy mountain range which straddles the Poland and the Czech Republic border. The town of Jelenia Gora takes its name from the region of the same name and translated means Deer of the Mountains . Daisy of course thoroughly enjoyed having some new countryside to scoot around. The weather took a bit of a turn and quickly rocketed up to 31C and sunny so we cut short the 'walk about' and spent the afternoon relaxing - yes more!

The outskirts of Jelenia Gore                                                            Karkonoszy Mountains

Monday 9th Jul: Just had to walk into town and see the sights; not a wasted expedition as the town was very historic, quaint, scenic and pleasant to walk around. The town is much bigger than we expected and is a busy little place, we of course played the tourist and photographed all the landmarks. Unbeknown to us before coming to Jelenia Gora the town/area was hosting the 1st stage of the 69th Tour of Poland bike race and today was the setup day, with avengance. The race takes over the whole town and all the streets quickly became closed and barriered for the race - oh! excitement. We of course decided to have a 'day at the race' tomorrow and found out that the race goes past our site (we can watch from our pitch) and finishes 200m up the road. Needless to say with the race comes all the entourage and everywhere was a mass of support, PR and media vehicles and hoardings nice to watch loads of work being done by other people on a sunny 27C day.

           Jelenia Gora                                                                                     Town Hall

                                                                                                                 Jelenia Gora

Tuesday 10th Jul: Race Day! The early morning races were for the amateurs and young riders - very entertaining as there were all sorts and standards of entrants doing a 40km circuit from the town into the hillside and back to the town. If the financial value of the amateurs bikes are anything to go by the professional race will have 'loads of money' worth of kit. Lots of build up to The Race - the professionals start at the next town south, Karpacz, and then do 4 x circuits (179km) and finish just up the road, of course most of the big names are at the Tour de France but there are still some good riders and we pledged our support to the Sky team seeing that they have had so much of our cash in the past. A good sunny/showery 23C day with lots going on, loads of new people met and some free entertainment.

          'Jockey for position.'                                                                  'Leaders of the Pack.'

        

Wednesday 11th Jul: The trouble with eating is that you eventually need to go shopping again, so off to TESCO, Kaufland and Lidl we went, actually  with things at these prices the shopping is not too much of a headache. As if by magic all the traces of yesterday's bike race had disappeared (apart from some of the rubbish still needing picked up)  so all roads were re-opened. Sunny day with 25C, the last few days have been a bit cooler/more comfortable so they have not been so draining, the forecast is for a cooler spell - I cannot believe that we are feeling cold when it is in the low/middle 20's, looks like we have acclimatised. 



Wusterhausen Pt 1

Saturday 30 Jun: Decided to relax a bit and explore the local area with Daisy leading, so after a bit of shopping and housekeeping off we set. Very nice area, lots of woodlands with walkways through them and access to the lake is very easy for those who wish to swim – not Linda. Slow going as it was a very humid day with 26C and lots of sun so a bit of ‘ray’ catching was called for, do not want those ‘rusty’ people in England to be darker than us.

Untersee at Westerhausen

They get everywhere these pesky ducks

Sunday 1 Jul: 5 weeks into our adventure and it still feels as though we have just left the shores of the UK. Terrible night, we ended up sitting up with a very frighten wee girl (Daisy) through a monster thunder and lightning storm – it was really something else and easily compared with those out in tropical parts we have visited. A bit tired so had a lazy day, I know another one, and watched some films - The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel being the pick of the bunch. Did a bit of visit planning and decided it was time to hit Potsdam and see the changes to one of the main east/west frontiers and also get to see those former highly forbidden and ghastly Soviet secret service enclaves – must also go fully over the Bridge of Spies (Glienicke Bridge) and see if I can swap Linda. Dull with some sun and 23C but more pleasant due to last night’s storm.

Who is a pretty girl then.

Monday 2 Jul: Early start to meet up with a tour bus (hop on hop off), the only way to see and get to know about everything without crashing the car. Started at Sanssouci Park – WOW  spectacular a good example of those days when differing early Prussian royalty competed against each other in decadence, opulence and general one up mans ship. Any arguments or disagreements and they just built another palace in between wars. Had lunch in Potsdam Baroque city centre whilst gazing at the Brandenburg Gate – no not THE gate but a smaller imitation version, apparently Fredrick the Great had some of Berlin’s features replicated in their so called summer residence area, Potsdam. Continued the tour and visited the former ‘nasty’ areas - amazing to see all the former Soviet spy centres and execution/holding/torturing buildings – all now having been given back to the families who had them taken from them in 1945. The former Prussian/Soviet barracks have been converted by the government into OAP’s (sorry mature persons) and student’s accommodation and like most of the other former buildings they are listed/protected.

The New Palace
Sanssouci
Potsdam

The New Palace
Sanssouci Park
Potsdam

The Orangery Palace

Sanssouci Park

Potsdam

Sanssouci Palace
Potsdam

The tour was well organised and of course resulted in a first for Daisy - a ride on a bus, she had no problems as long as see could sit on someone or a seat and fortunately as the tour was not very full this was possible.

Daisy's first bus ride.

Potsdam has a nice town centre with plenty of places to eat and drink outside, unfortunately this attracts little birds which Daisy thought would be good fun to play (?) with so she was quite vocal.

Had to pose at the kliene (small) Brandenburg Gate. Got back slightly shattered but had a completely enjoyable day with some sun and even the odd shower which did not dampen our spirits – 21C.

Tuesday 3 Jul: Long awaited return to Berlin with lots of eagerness and in trepidations on what we will find, of course the removal of the borders/wall will have made a massive difference but we were hopeful of some memories being still there. Same format as yesterday with a Hop on hop off tour bus booked to start from Kurfurstedamm Strasse, took a very interesting tour as far as Checkpoint Charlie – noticing that Berlin is very busy city and resembles a building site in places with lots of renovations of the old east sector and exploitation of the old no man’s land. Checkpoint Charlie was very disappointing with rather naff tourist attraction type displays however it still evoked memories.

The 'naff' Checkpoint Charlie
Berlin

Back on the bus for a grand tour of the city centre – masses of shops (all THE names) especially the KaDeWe, freedom gifts from the western countries, more building work with some rather spectacular modern buildings to complement the refurbished historical buildings. In places some of the wall had been retained for historical and display purposes with lots of memorials to those who suffered during the occupation. Daisy was thoroughly enjoying herself as we were on the open top deck of the bus and with the wind blowing through her ears everybody, including the tour guide was making a fuss of her.  

Coming Together Symbol
(locally called 'spaghetti')
Berlin

'And the wind in my ears'
Berlin

Got off at the Old Museum on Unter den Linden with a quest to find the old east German ‘the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ eventually found the place which has now been converted into a memorial for ALL people who have suffered during troubled times, called The New War Memorial and has a sculpture of ‘Mother with dead Son, replacing the military tombstone – very tasteful and poignant.

The old Tomb of the Unkown Soldier
(now The War Memorial)
Berlin

Mother with dead Son sculpture
The War Memorial
Berlin

We decided to walk the short distance to THE Brandenburg Gate to enable Linda to see the ‘sights’ and whilst in the area we took in the Reichstag (German Parliament Building).

The 'Real' Brandenburg Gate
Berlin

The Riechstag
Berlin

Back onto the bus as we had seen all that we wanted to and the 'plates of meat' were getting a bit hot. Of course we just managed to fit in a typical Berlin Currywurst at the road side before heading back to the car and Wusterhausen.  We had a good day but it was certainly an eye opener and another tick on the ‘bucket list’. A bit overcast with sunny periods and 23C.

Wednesday 4 Jul: Pre move day so lots of sorting and pack up work but all done in slow time - we are still on holiday you know! We did our movement review and had all things in hand until another 'bloody cararan' took the pitch we had planned to use for our reversing out move - back to the drawing board. Made out our route itinerary and visited the bank to get some Polish 'dosh' - wise people not adopting the Euro. So we were ready and willing, just had to perform tomorrow - bet we have lots of spectators. Sunny day with 27C so a few beads of sweat was spilt in packing away.