The first entry........................

Well, after starting off by saying there is no travel plan after a look at the wall chart in my office I can see trips to Mozambique, Algeria and France (2) and Kazakhstan on the work front this morning - all trips to be completed before June when there will be a trip to Australia. Later in the year we could have Namibia (again) and Liverpool and a bit more of Africa.

However, I did just have a great weekend in Krakow, Poland with my old school chum Chico (Vlademir Ceglowski) so perhaps I will begin the story there with few pictures of the beautiful (but cold and snowy) city in which Chico, and his friend Iwona, have a second home; well two actually as there are two apartments and guests get to stay in one super studio flat on the same floor as the main apartment.

The trip began after work on Friday 20th February when I caught the overnight sleeper train from Vienna WestBahnhof to Krakow. Nice single cabin on the Polish train; comfortable bed, wash basin, free souvenir towel and a breakfast pack comprising a bottle of orange juice, 2 bottles of water, a croissant filled with chocolate spread and a Mars bar! The train left on time at 2215 but was delayed for a couple of hours in the mountains of the Czech Republic so dawn came up to find me not in Krakow but looking out at a snowy Polish countryside.

My first view of Poland - in the snow!

So about 2 hours late the train reached Krakow at about 0830. Chic very kindly met me and we took a gentle stroll through the snowy streets and sunshine to the flat, about 15 minutes or so.

The flats are very modern and comfortable and the location is excellent. Inside the line of the old city walls and then only metres from the main square. The town is full of cafes and bars and restaurants so brunch was not a problem. There are also museums, theatres and interesting sites by the score, The flats are on the top floor with the green windows in the picture. The main square is at the far end of the street, not very far.

The main square, no snow in sight.

A stroll around the city cente was very interesting, not least because all the snow had been cleared and taken away so the square and environs were clean and dry- and no horse droppimgs from the carriages, unlike Vienna where that is a common hazard when walking in the main squares. The carriages are much the same as the viennese ones.

A carriage - just like Vienna

We wandered around to see one of the orginal university buildings, including a look inside at some of the equipment Copernicus developed . I had forgotten he was a man of Krakow as was Pope John Paul II.

The university courtyard and an instrument for sun movement plotting.

You can see a bit of snow around in the yard , and more on the main road where I snapped I and C walking!

The whole trip was great and we ate very well at modest prices, Good beer and wine and vodka. Definately a place I will visit again.
Thanks Iwona nd Chic and next time I'll make sure there are leaves on the trees!