Poland – Wandering Miner

Once I had finished my trip around Norway, I had a flight directly from Oslo to Wroclaw- where my brother and parents stay. This was in July 2022 – considering this post is occurring years later!! It was time to visit them again after last seeing them as part of my trip around the world in 2018/2019. The plan was to spend a little time with them, then maybe travel around a little around parts of Europe that I hadn’t been- but I had 2 unplanned months before I would head off to Iceland and Greenland.

My parents had been engaged in looking after my youngest niece full time prior to her going to nursery school. So, it was three adults against one little 18month old- so much attention!! 😊

What we had planned though was a family trip to “Mazury” (Masurian Lake District)– the lake district of Poland. It is in the northeast of the country. So, this was myself, my parents, my brother and his family. We hadn’t been on this type of family excursion in -I don’t know- decades?!?! Everyone was understandably nervous to see how we would all go in getting along for 10 days!

I flew up with my sister-in-law and the kids -to help her out- while the others drove two cars up.

We were walking distance from a smallish lake and my brother intended to kayak and do swimming training for his upcoming Ironman Triathlon in Gdynia in August 2022. We were also planning to do some day trips to explore the towns around the lakes.

All these plans were good, but the weather was a bit average- rainy. So, we stayed home for a couple of days- just some walks while it wasn’t raining. I thus had a fair bit of free time and decided to see what was in the European market in terms of its dating pool and installed an online dating app on my phone and started chatting to a few guys. I know you’re wondering why I’m sharing this but it becomes very important later – though not much later – hahahaha!!!

Our plan was to go to Mikolajki (popular town in the district) in a couple of days – when the weather cleared up. Until then – home bound – I kept chatting to online guys. It should be noted that the place we were staying was just a few holiday homes outside of a tiny village -pretty far from most things . The closest big town was Olsztyn – about 45min drive away.

I started chatting to a guy – on Monday afternoon. On Tuesday morning he asked me what I was up to- which was nothing due to weather – and he asked if it was ok if he came to visit. I said sure- but the next day we were planning this trip that would mean we would be closer to where he stays, and that might be easier. The 1.75hour trip one way didn’t bother him and so he said he would see me that afternoon. I was not really believing that this would be the situation -just get unmatched as what happens often and then not see the guy ever… but later I got a message stating that he was on his way. I was in shock but now had to own up to the parents as to what would be happening. My mom was excited I had hit the online dating scene again and my sister in law asked when I even had time to go online between looking after the kids. My dad was excited – but weary and my brother was like -sis you’re crazy!! I messaged said guy to check if he wanted to meet the family or we just run off and go somewhere , do something , considering meeting the family was a bit bloody soon , when we hadn’t even met! He was agreeable to the introduction -so everyone waited with bated breath.

You might be wondering who can take off in the week and meet up with a random woman – well he could as he was off on long term sick leave after a work injury.

As far as first-time face to face and family meetings went -it was crazy enough- with the kids and parents and my brother and his wife going off to do some grocery shopping. The kids got attached and chatted away and was hard to get them back to playing I the garden when the weather cleared. We had a bit of time alone and decided to go for a walk in the forests around Olsztyn. It was very pleasant and a good way to walk and talk. Burgers were on the menu for dinner before the trip back home again.

He said he would head back home after dropping me off but ended up staying and having tea and chatting to the rest of the family – good to know the stories he told them and me added up 😊.

Considering the “baptism by fire” meeting of the family I thought it might be a bit too much to deal with and that would be that … BUT apparently not- and we met up at Mikolajki the next day again. Walked along the lake as we caught up some more and all of us family split for a few hours to do their separate things.

It was during our chats that I asked him if he wanted to come out to Lithuania with me for a few days- as this was my plan- to travel from up north here through Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. He can’t- he has appointments- he has physio… etc etc and the car was a bit on its last legs– I was like no worries- you do you and I will keep on going as per original plan (using public transport). However, towards the end of the day he said- give me until tonight and I will decide if I take the first few days of the trip with you… I was both excited and scared … this is madness!!

When he got home that evening, he messaged me and said that he would take me to Vilnius- the capital city of Lithuania. Thus we started making plans -that my parents would drop me off at his folks and on the way we could do some sight seeing together before they left me on the rest of my journey.

In knowing this guy for less than a week- not only would I now be meeting his family, but the parents would meet each other too – I just laugh at the speed of these encounters as I sit here writing and thinking through these events again!

My parents and I dropped my bags off and picked him up and we went around the region- with a focus on Hitler’s bunkers known as “Wolf’s Lair”. This included a huge complex of bunkers, barracks for army personnel, airports, railway station and water & electricity supply. The security included minefields and huge hectares of forests in the area. It was in this complex where Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg attempted to take Hitler’s life in an explosion. He only got minor burns. The Germans attempted to destroy the complex before fleeing after the war had ended.

We grabbed a lovely fresh fish lunch and then went off to meet his mom- as she had invited us for coffee. We met up with her at work she looks after a house run for people who have both physical and mental disabilities. It is beautifully run house and has wonderful people living there. It is very small scale- with less than 10 people at a time. It was great to meet them all and see how well they had been doing since they got some stability in their lives. Wonderful to see how everyone’s hearts were open to helping.

Apparently- as I was told later- my dad and his mom shared a moment of both liking the partners we had picked out … early days there folks!! We then headed to a minor Basilica (Święta Lipka Sanctuary / Sanktuarium w Świętej Lipce), in English known as the Holy Linden) that we wanted to see- where there happened to be a wedding taking place- so we slid into the back to listen to the organs- which were amazing!

To save some time for my parents, his dad came to pick us up from the Basilica and the parents thus met his dad too- as did I of course for the first time as well… and my parents and I went our separate ways!

Went back to his place and got a chance to unpack as well as to have a bit more of a chat with his Dad- a lovely man too! He prepared us some snacks and carried on chatting. So as not to decrease any momentum we went to meet his grandparents who lived nearby. I gave them both a hug and called them Granny and Grandpa -as we had an instant connection. When his Mom came back she prepared some dinner and then we got to know each other a bit more. His sister was away for the week so I stayed in her room and would meet her in a few weeks.

It was this evening, when everyone had gone to sleep and we were watching some TV, that he said you know what Jo… I will take the whole trip with you – moved appointments around and we can leave on Tuesday – as in a week after we met 😊. We had 2 days or so to gather camping gear for the both of us, make some semi- plans, pack and go!

I spent most of my time in Poland with my niece, parents and family as well as planning my NZ hike. However i did squeeze in a visit to a lovely Palace.

On the way to my cousins wedding we decided to stop by a nice palace in the area that was recommended by family friends. It is near the town of Rogalin. More in depth history can be found on their website here.

It has been in the Raczynski Family for many years now and includes gardens, forests and some of the oldest oak trees in Poland- some being national natural monuments.

The EU has provided funds for the restoration of the palace and its interior. Inside there are beautiful chandeliers and crafted ceramic fire places in each room and the most magnificent restored library! The library also exhibits a golden/wooden exhibition box where newborns were presented to the public and shown off officially to friends.

There is also a coach house with many forms of transport as they changed over time.

The painting gallery contains many great works of art including a wall sized painting of the famous Polish artist Matejko.

In one of the wings of the palace there is a reconstruction of 8, Lennox Gardens, London SW1 – this is the address where Edward Bernard Raczynski, President of Poland in exile, spent 26 years of his life.