Overland to Scandinavia and more! Spring 2017

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

Suwałki to Kątno

Our intention was to head for a place called Stare Jablonik but when we arrived at the Agroturystyka campsite it looked like a building site, so we found a much better campsite in a place close by called Kątno!……
Meanwhile here are the pictures from the road trip to get there…….

As we went past this, we thought it was a number of allotments for vegetable growing, but it turned out to be a place where you could have a small patch of land, put your caravan on it and then go there for a weekend, week or whatever, but it was not a campsite as such, as only local people could use it!.....









A church with a very large spire made of wood, as we got a glimpse of the lower part as we passed by that was brick…….



While this wooden tower had a very large Storks nest on top that looked like a strong wind would blow off it was that high!......



This tree lined road went on for a long way!……



Not sure who this was!......



Lots of fields of Poppies over here!..….





Children’s Nursery with a welcoming ‘Big Man’ outside!……



As we entered the outskirts of this large town……



The traffic was very heavy all the way through and the roadworks were a bit ‘hairy’ in places……







A ‘Bendy Bus’ who nearly got stuck when the traffic lights changed!......



Road widening with a new bridge, as you ‘wiggle’ in the yellow traffic lines getting through and under the bridge!......



Then after finding out the next campsite was like a building site, we headed off to Kątno and a different one having looked on the GPS for an alternative with pictures of the alternative later……



While it was an extremely hot day today over here, we woke this morning to the sound of thunder followed by very heavy rain! Looks like it’s here we go again!……

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

A day in Ostróda

Firstly a few pictures from the campsite in Kątno!……
While a few campers arrived after this picture was taken, it was a very quiet and peaceful campsite for our stay……



Reception & Bar/Restaurant……



The view down to the fresh water lake which was very clean and used by a number of the locals for swimming and fishing……



Cabins for rent on the left on the campsite……



As I got down to the lake I then saw some of the wildlife that was there, including these young Coot’s…….





We then set off for a look around the nearby town of Ostróda!……



Having found a parking spot our first stop was the Castle which was one built by the Teutonic Knights!......



As I managed to enlarge the English description..….









The town’s Library was inside this Castle which was rather novel……





As the temperature was climbing rapidly we found this doorway under the wooden stairway leading down to a Café and as soon started going down the drop in temperature made you feel like you should have brought a fleece or thick coat!.......



Inside the Café was quite authentic with handmade wooden tables and chairs that ‘wobbled’ as all the legs did not sit on the floor at the same time!......



As we settled down to enjoy a ‘White Rose Petal’ drink where you only drink the liquid via a straw, and a piece of ‘Castle Cake’ both of which were very nice, especially the drink as it was very refreshing!......



As we came out of the Café and back into the heat of the day we then saw this door that was halfway up the wall on the inside of the Castle……



Then it was off to the lake and some very strange wooden carvings along the promenade!……









As we then passed this mural of ‘George and the Dragon’!......



Feeding time for the Ducks and Swans……



An Al Capone Gallery of Prohibited Alcohol? No it was just a shop that sold only alcohol and there were quite a few around the place!......



One of the main roads leading away from the lake……



A difficult picture of a church due to all the foliage surrounding it……



Inside the church……



While the church has its own radio station!......



While in the church grounds is a statue of a young Pope John Paul II……







Time for lunch, while the restaurant came recommended from the Tourist Office as making the best ‘Pierogi’ in the town which is the large plate in the next picture with the 2 halves of radish on.
The ‘Pierogi’ which is a typical Polish dish are pastry shells filled with either meat, vegetables or fish and were quite tasty……



Lunch was followed by a short walk to settle things down, and a visit to a supermarket for a few items while on the way we passed this other church that was all locked up so it was back to ‘Flamenco Red’ and then back to the campsite….



While on the way back to the car park we spotted this! Part Exchange was however out of the question!…….



Back on the road tomorrow to Elblag for our third objective on this trip, which consists of ‘Sailing through the Grass’…….

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

Ostróda to Elblag

Very short trip today from Camping Kątno to Elblag so not many pictures……
However after a bit of research we found that a new road is being constructed between Gdansk and Ostrada and is reputed to be the most expensive road construction in Europe, as it is costing €100,000/Meter and the cost is being met from EU ‘Funds’!......

Some of the road is already made, but you are not allowed on it, like this section about 6 miles from Camping Kątno as we head towards Ostróda……



While on the right of the ‘Civil Engineering Cabins’ in the middle of the next picture is a light brown ‘expanse’ which is the ‘new road’ and a substantial part of this construction is having to be raised in height and substantially strengthened due to ‘problems’ with the subsoil……



As we get to a new bridge again under construction while the road part of the bridge is at least 2meters higher than the ‘Old Road’ running alongside……





Significant strengthening of the bridge as it crosses the river…….



With Mobile Construction Cranes working on pontoons fixed in the riverbed……



The straight line across the next picture was the height of the new road again from the ‘Old Road’ as we made our way through all the construction going on……



While having then travelled a further few miles we got onto the new completed section to find that it was only a dual carriageway, with ‘Porta Loos’ in the rest areas!......



Still it wasn’t much further to the city of Elblag and ‘Elblag Camping’ where we have stayed previously..….

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

Elblag

As we arrived early in Elblag it allowed us to get set up and head off into the city as the weather was rather nice……

The campsite entrance……



Inside the gates……



Next it was off into the city as we come to the main Post Office……



On the right of the picture is the ‘Old Town Hall’ in the new part of the city……



Next was this rather strange shaped church…….





Inside the church……



A very lifelike sculpture/statue of John Paul II ......



While outside on the other side of the road was this small outdoor market..….





As we could see the ‘Shining Dome’ on the top of this building while the rest was obscured by trees, we set off to see what was lower and if it was open?
It is just being built, so no further did we get!…..



So it was back to the Old Town and the Market Gate……





While just outside the Market Gate is The Young Journeyman’s Baker plaque and the story of what he did……



This was him……



The main street from the Market Gate……



Saint Nicholas Cathedral of which you can climb the Main Tower nearly to the top at 97meters!......



The plan of each of the floors inside the tower as you go up…….



The views from the top around the city……









Time to take the Spiral Staircase back down the first section……



While the Bells are rung, they do not allow people to climb the tower near the time of ringing, thankfully!......



The Muzeum in Elblag which is being totally refurbished using an EU Grant, as are a number of other buildings in the city……



Clearly the people who applied for the EU Grant, missed this little Fiat driving around the town offering financial credit!......



The ‘Church Path’ which after passing under the arches leads to the cathedral……



The Old Town Hall……



A rather colourful building opposite……



While this huge monument made of pieces of metal welded together was in a small park opposite to the Town Hall…..



It took quite some time to find out what it was and why it was there as no information was at the base of the monument.
The Tourist Information could not help except from a postcard they took the Polish words and translated them to tell us that it was ‘Country Rebirth’!
The Muzeum also had no information about it, and it was finally the El Gallery who from a picture told us that it represented the first 100 Years of Polish History at which point the country was re-born!.....
That took 3 hours to find out!......



The front of the Old Town Hall……



Lunch time…..Anyone for Pizza?......



While we indulged in this. Which is a cold waffle in a holder with a scoop of ice cream and pieces of fruit.
Sounds nice but the cold waffle did not go well with the rest of the ingredients, and was overall a bit of a let down……



While a stroll along the river bank after that let us see Mama Duck and her brood of ‘5 Little Uns’……



While the Old Trams keep running along the rails……





Interesting sign over a restaurant, but we didn’t stop……



Tomorrow, hopefully we go ‘Sailing through the Grass’!......

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

'Sailing over the Grass'??

I made the reservations for this ‘Boat Excursion’ around January of this year and found out in an email that due to a ‘problem’ on the canal with one of the ‘Ramps’ it was only going to be possible to go ‘Up’ the first one, ‘Sail through a small section of grass’ then into a wide section, turn the boat around and come back instead of going through the 5 Ramps and then coming back to Elblag on a minibus/coach.
So as the canal was completely closed for refurbishment 2 years ago when we came we ‘bit the bullet’ and decided to ‘go for it’ on the reduced trip……

The model of the canal in the Museum in Elblag showing the ‘Winding House and Wheels’……



Then looking the other way along the model showing the Ramp & Boat Cradles……



With finally a picture of one of the boats in the cradle……



As we were in Ostroda and the person I had been making our reservation with was based there we called in on the off chance to say ‘Hello’ and we met up, which was nice.
Then 2 days before our trip as we were then in Elblag I received an email offering us the chance to go on a different boat at a different time for a lightly longer trip involving ‘2 Ramps’! The reply went back ‘Yes please’!……

So as our new time of Departure was 08:30 instead of 09:15 we made our way to the embarkation point at 07:45 to find people already getting on board.
We were then told our tickets were ‘Not Valid’ for the 08:15 trip and we would have to wait for the 09:15!
So we took one of the boat crew across to the office to sort out the ‘problem’ and the office OK’d our tickets, so we went back to the boat and got onboard, as the ropes were hauled in and we set off……



It was only then that I found out that there was as far as the crew were concerned ‘No 08:30 boat’ and their trip was 5 hours and 1 Ramp!!…….
So as we were ‘stuck’ we just settled back and watched the scenery float past as we were sitting below the water line ‘Down Below’ as we saw the campsite roll past!......



Then this ‘Old Tub’ on the ground alongside the canal……



The ‘Lower Deck’ were all the seats were allegedly ‘Reserved’ if you believed the notice on the ‘Upper Deck’ which was packed until it started raining!……



As we continued along......



While up front in the ‘Lower Deck’ you could open a large window and have a decent view up the canal! Which I made note of and thought that it could come in ‘handy’ later!!!..….



Going up to the ‘Upper Deck’ it was impossible to get a good view……



As we came onto a very shallow and wide expanse of water we could see all kinds of birds including a lot of Swans…..



Looking back……



Looking forward through the wheelhouse……



Then I spotted the ‘Ramp Lights’ so it was time to get back downstairs to the ‘Lower Deck’ and get by that window!!!……



There we are nicely in place with one arm helping to hold up the rather heavy window as we came into place for the ‘Cradle’..…





Easy does it as we manoeuvre into place!......





Then seeing the guys feet through the window who is on the ‘Cradle’ we know we have made it and are being tied off in place……





Then the boat engine is turned off and the Wheels and Wires start to haul the boat in the cradle up out of the water and onto the ramp……



As we get onto the bottom of the ‘Ramp’ the other cradle comes into view at the top!......





Quick trip back up top and looking back I can see the Blue Wheel turning as we make our way up the ramp, but at more of a ‘Snails Pace’ than a ‘Sailing Pace’! ......



As I then look down between the Cradle and the boat……



I then see the ‘Cradle Wheels’ while the Grey strip of Metal going over the wheel at the bottom of the picture is the BRAKE, and I did wonder if the Cable SNAPPED would we go a hell of a lot faster back down the Ramp or would the Brake come on and stop us in place?
Thankfully we didn’t get to see as we made it to the top!......



Well onto the Ramp now……





With the next section of the canal up ahead we had ‘climbed’ a height of 30 metres……



As we then continued a bit further along…..





We get to the place where people can disembark, but not from this trip……



We then turned around in a wide section of the canal and made our way back down the same ramp to head back to Elblag......



Passing the winding wheels at the bottom of the ramp, as the boat floated free from the cradle, the engine started up again and we headed off along the canal……



One think that fascinated us on both the outward and return journeys was the water lilies in the canal……
As the boat went past they would gradually disappear under the water and reappear a few seconds later!…..
It was quite difficult to catch the effect with the camera, but here goes…..

All above the water as the boat approaches……



Going down!……



Gone!......



Same again on 1 Water Lily……
There it is……



Going down!……



Gone!!……



Thanks to very poor communication from the office in Ostroda the boat we should have got on was the 09:15 and not the 08:30, which would have given us a 6 hour trip and the 2 Ramps as a Coach Party got off at the second ramp and the boat came back with just 8 passengers on it......

Last day in Elblag tomorrow, so will have to wait and see what we find!

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

Our last day in Elblag

We set off this morning looking for a café to get a nice cup of coffee and possibly a slice of cake, but being Sunday and even though it was after 10:00 we only found a Café/Bistro open, so after the coffee was consumed with a small piece of cake, we set off on a stroll around the city and firstly spotted this nice doll in a shop window in National Costume……



With not much else going on in the area we were in we headed back to the campsite and then spotted a lot of people going into the GE Energy Factory, so we wandered over……



The found ourselves going around different parts of the factory as each year they hold an ‘Open Day’ in which visitors are welcomed at the gates to come in and have a look at what is made by the company in this location!……
So off we went……..



First ‘Engineering Shop’ was this one which makes what are called ‘Rotors’ for Steam Turbines using very large machines……



To make ‘Rotors’ like this one......



That go through different processes when finished……





After which they have what are called the ‘Blades’ fitted, which one of the men who worked there explained how it was done in perfect English for each blade until they came to the last blade to go in and because of the space it was quite a difficult job to get that last Blade in! So I asked about using a sledge hammer and we both laughed......

The ‘Blades’ are the parts that look like a ‘BIG Fan’ going around the ‘Rotor’ if that makes sense?



This Rotor has some very BIG Blades fitted……



While the Customer is..….



As we got to the end on that section we could see completed items ready for packing and being sent all over the world to places such as India and Finland as well as that one to Serbia…..

While turning the corner we then saw a large Steam Turbine assembly in its casing……



From there we moved into another ‘Engineering Shop’ that manufactures the ‘Blades’ that are fitted to those ‘Rotors’……



With different machines in a very clean environment producing a variety of different Turbine Blades for different applications……



One of the processes to make a ‘Blade’ is called 5 Axis Milling……



While these two rectangular pieces of metal ‘Block’ will be shaped by special machines..…



As the machine ‘cutter’ coming in from the top of the picture, is taking metal from another rectangular ‘Block’ that is horizontal across the picture. While the ‘cutter’ is rotating at a very high speed as it cuts the metal and shapes the Blade……



One type of machined ‘Blade’......



While her is another type from a different machine……



While over in the Quality Control lab, this large ‘Blade’ is being checked by a special machine to ensure its dimensions are correct……



While the ‘Blade’ in the next picture took a machine 11 Hours to produce, and will be used in a Steam Turbine in the Nuclear Energy Industry, some of the smaller ‘Blades’ are made in just 45 minutes……



Here are a few of the different ‘Blades’ made for different customers and applications……





As we then went into a third ‘Engineering Shop’ we see large metal casings that are the outside body of a High Pressure Steam Turbine……



While outside are a few waiting to be sent to their customers......



While if anyone is over in North Carolina they might just know where this one is going to end up!……



Being an Ex Engineer I found the visit very interesting while my good lady also said she enjoyed seeing how the parts and the applications came together, while the employees were very helpful in answering my questions and if they could not then they would find someone who could!……

Next stop was back in the Old Town and a little event with a few marquees that were craft stalls, while there was this display of how to use old pallets to make tables and seats!......



While this little marquee was offering home cooked items for sale……



Sadly just then the rain came back again, so we had to hoof it back to the campsite rather quickly!......

Back on the road tomorrow while the next place is a campsite near to the city of Gdansk and hopefully some ‘exploring’ of the city and surrounding areas!......

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

Elblag to Gdansk

Up, packed up and on the road by 08:30 this morning for the trip over to Gdansk along what turned out to be a very LARGE section of that rather expensive Dual Carriageway Road that is ‘under construction!……

Under the first new bridge we go……





As we passed this place all we could see inside the fence were large models of animals that some people put in their gardens. Not sure if his business will be hit when the new road is finally completed!……



Another new bridge!……



The ‘soil’ which looks quite ‘sandy’ waits to be pushed back into place......



Concrete mixing facility with a number of ‘Mixer Trucks’ waiting to be loaded up……



The ‘square’ frames in the middle of the next picture are ‘moulds’ used to make a square block of concrete that will sit on top of a 4 meter reinforced round length of concrete that is sunk into a hole in the ground……



These are the Drilling Machines, making the holes for the reinforced round length of concrete to go into .....



While close by are the round reinforcing ‘tubes’ to go into the holes after which the Concrete Mixer Truck comes along and pours liquid concrete down the hole!……



Then after that the square concrete block is placed on top which seems to be the way the engineers have overcome the unstable subsoil ‘problem’!..….



Another concrete manufacturing facility at the side of the river as a new bridge is built…..



Storage yard for the civil engineering firm……



Pedestrian tunnel as the new road goes over the top……



While a little bit further on again is yet another new bridge……



As we finally turn right and leave behind all the construction heading for ‘Gdansk Port’ and a turn off next to ‘Stogi’..…



As we then spot this small plane up on a stand outside a transport company!......



Interesting and completed bridge just before our ‘Off Ramp’ towards ‘Stogi’......



As we then get onto the ‘backroads’ to the campsite and find ourselves now looking out for Trams!……





As we have arrived early at the campsite which seems to have ‘2 names’ (One is ‘Camper Park 114’, and the other is ‘Przy Wydmach 114’) we are hoping to get out to have a look at a place called ‘Westerplatte’ which is not very far away from the campsite, but more of that later……

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

Our visit to Westerplatte

Having got set up on the campsite……



We then set off for…….



Which over a period of time as the sea dropped silt into the area……



Was transformed into……





The on 25th August 1939……





Then on 01 September 1939 this happened……



And Westerplatte became the place where WWII started, while the British First Lord of the Admiralty predicted it before it happened…..



While the bombardment from the Schleswig-Holstein had no effect on the concrete & steel heavily reinforced barracks that held the Polish Soldiers, the day after the barracks was attacked by Stuka Dive Bombers with the following results!……





The barracks name on the part of the door that was left after the bombing…..



The barracks after the bombers raid……









The memorial to the Polish Soldiers who were in the barracks during the bombing......





With the destruction of the barracks and the number of soldiers who had died or been injured while conditions in the barracks for the soldiers became totally unbearable……







While then after a total surrender of the Polish Army the following took place……





Another cemetery dedicated to the fallen at Westerplatte……











As we then make our way to the main memorial up on the small hill……





Then turning around while at the memorial we see the following large letters at the edge of the field in front of the memorial……



The translation is:……

‘No More War’

While on 1st September 1939 WWII had started……

Hopefully tomorrow we can get into Gdansk and have a look around the city……

[XCovlov70]

Sorry for the delay in getting updates loaded.
I am having serious difficulties uploading pictures to Photobucket, while requests to their Support section over the last 2 weeks have gone unanswered!

[XCovlov70]

Overland to Scandinavia and more!
Spring 2017

Our visit to Gdansk

Coming into Gdansk then remembering a significant piece of what is now history which was the list of the 21 demands of the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk made on 17th August 1980 (YES 37 Years ago!!!) made during the sit in strike that commenced when an lady overhead crane operator whose name was Anna Walentynowicz was sacked.

Lech Wałęsa eventually became leader of the SOLIDARNOŚĆ Trade Union movement that by carried out a peaceful protest for freedom and human rights that was eventually recognised……

We then set off for a visit using a Tram from just outside the campsite that took us nearly all the way there…….



As we get off at the aptly named Tram Stop, which cost us 0zl for our tickets as anyone over 70 years of age qualifies for free travel on the Trams & Buses, but you need to take some proof with you as you are not issued with a ticket!.....



We turned right and there in front of us was the European Solidarity Centre……



The monument to the fallen shipyard workers erected in 1970……



As we pass a memorial to the some of the shipyard workers who lost their lives during the struggle……



Then continuing we come to the Shipyard Gate Number 2……



As we enter the ES Centre we see this plaque……



And alongside a picture of the historic signing of the agreement……



Parts of the inside of the ES Centre……





The Observation Deck on the 6th Floor…..



The view out one way over some of the shipyards……



While stopping off at the second floor we see the entrance to the office of Lech Wałęsa who still comes to visit……





With a couple of exhibits on the ground floor…….









Then with our tickets in hand as the Exhibition opened at 10:00, we set off back to the 2nd Floor, and entered a replica of the way the shipyard workers came in……



The overhead crane of ‘Anna Walentynowicz’, as the ceiling is covered with the safety hats of the shipyard workers, and the original Plywood Boards that have the 21 demands written on them are also on display……







As I then spotted this ‘Queuers’ Psalm’……



Up ahead is one of the vehicles along with the riot shields used during the time when Marshal Law was introduced on December 13th 1981 by General Wojciech Jaruzelski……



Then in front of the vehicle is one half of the gates from the entrance of Shipyard Number 2 that were smashed open when another vehicle rammed them……



While hanging from the ceiling are the work clothes and safety helmets of the 9 Miners shot by the Police and Army at the WujekCoal Mine in Katowice, Poland, while they were still underground……



With the names of two of the miners……





Then we see some of the ‘Printing Presses’ used during the struggle……



While on the floor is a genuine opposition printing press built by Bronisław Sarzyński from things like washing machine parts!......



While a bit further on is a room which has been set up as the one used for the ‘Round Table Talks’ as the regime was forced to compromise……



We spent over 2 hours going through the exhibition and could have spent much longer had we read all the information on display, but if you go to Gdansk and it’s raining then this is an excellent and well laid out venue to go to……

While then making our way back to the city centre we pass the Bibliotech……



Over a bridge and we see these two small tributaries coming together……



As we heard the ‘Croaking’ of the Frogs, we looked down into the water and there were two of them, one green and the other brown and bigger one in a shallow section of the water……







We think this sculpture is of a man who plotted the stars and their constellations……



As this was the wall he was looking at, sadly obscured by the trees that have grown……





The Indoor Market……





Inside the ‘basement’ is in two halves, this one we think shows what remained after the place was literally flattened during WWII, while the other half is now occupied by meat stalls……



While on the ground and first floors are clothing, shoe and souvenir outlets……



Then outside are the fruit and vegetable stalls……



While not far away is this chap keeping an eye out for invaders……



More in the next update……