Post-holiday catch-up and back to real life!

So here we are in September, my fab holiday to Poland via the Baltic coast seems a dim and distant memory now... but I've actually transferred pics from my little camera to the PC and am hoping the pics on the SLR are much better as I didn't take that many with my little Lumix! Oops.

So here is a snapshot of how my holiday looked:

 

A stop off in Bremen centre to see the sights, including the very famous statue of the Bremer Stadtmusikanten (The Town Musicians of Bremen) - I remember this tale from the book of fairy tales I had as a child, it was full of fairy tales that aren't that commonly known in Britain but were great none the less!

 

Next up the view from the lake of our hotel in Schwerin, complete with hot air balloon. Really wish we'd had time to venture into Schwerin itself and its amazing castle - maybe next year as this hotel was definitely a highlight and one to revisit!

 

The reason we didn't stay long in Schwerin was so that we could get to the island of Rügen and in particular Sellin and it's wonderful pier! Another blistering hot day....

 

At the Amber Palace in Poland they had all manner of photo-worthy sights, including a lovely lily pond where at long last I managed to catch a lily pad in full bloom!

 

It was so hot at the hotel when we arrived, the sky was really hazy so no blue sky pics that day... but it was sweltering!

 

After a brief stop by the sea we got to Gdansk - the hotel was perfectly positioned on the river - amazing views, never had anything quite like it. But when we went out for our evening meal I totally fell in love with this lampshade at the restaurant. They had photo transferred imaging on the chairs, walls, etc. of traditional Polish/Gdansk artwork/sights - including Kashubian needlework, I really think Ikea needs to get producing this lamp shade, it would look perfect over the dining table.

 

Gdansk at night - an amazing place, the city doesn't seem to stop, lots of street musicians, lots of looking up at architecture, lots of yummy smells - the sights just go on, and on...

 

One of the views from outside our hotel from a tour boat, that former warehouse is now a nice hotel over the river, not sure they had air con. like ours did (a total blessing when the temperatures were in the mid 30s!).

 

Oh and how could I forget the cake? Many cake-tasting exploits this holiday... yumyum.

 

Quite fittingly for this year we made a visit to Chopin's birthplace in Żelazowa Wola. Beautiful grounds and thankfully it was the perfect weather for wandering - not too hot for a change, only the high 20s!

And there we are... back in the UK...

 

Back to my garden where my Italian beans had finally appeared and were ready for harvesting (they tasted most delicious on Sunday and I had some tonight with my tea).

 

Room made on my dining table for a couple of new purchases - I love the blue and dot pattern of Boleslawiec pottery... I also have a little milk jug and salad/fruit bowl to match. But I am still holding out for the huge vase we saw last year but didn't buy!

 

Also that jug is the perfect excuse to take advantage of buy 1 get 1 free offers on flowers. Nothing quite like some glads to make an impression!

 

And it looks like I'll be on a watermelon diet this week... not that I'm complaining. I bought a small one in Sainsbury's yesterday (nothing compared to the 5.3 kg one I lugged from the shop to my auntie's in Poland!) and chopped it all up ready to eat at home and work. Best enjoy it now while it's still seasonal. :o)

And aside from that?

I managed to read 15 or so books - yes still in regency romance land... and speaking of, I'd best get back to the current one. ;o) I am sure the obsession will end soon!

Comments

[lorry]

Beautiful photos Nat! looks like you had a great Holiday. :-)

[Holiday Letters]

You have should me some great places to visit this summer. thank a lot! For sure you changed my calendar alerts!

[Tree]

oh it looks wonderful, what a magical holiday you've had. Love your blue and white pottery jug - I'm a bit of a jug-a-holic myself :)

[Kathy]

Wow, what a fab trip - the pics look wonderful - the cake looks raaaather delish!
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