Again, I believe I need to write in English since several of my new Polish friends along my way won't understand Swedish.
21 April
This fourth time in Poland since the start from Gdansk in September 2012 I flew to Warsaw Chopin Airport and after short while looking for maps in the Central station I took the train to Tluszcz (approx. where I ended my previous walk last September). The Batory hotel was excellent, friendly and really value for money (B&B 105 Zl).
22 April
The only map I could find was, in the gas station across the street from the hotel, a standard road map for the Mazowiecki region leaving much detailed information out. However, looking for the right exit from this town Tluszcz a grandfather, Henryk, and his little grandson David suddenly came in my way and pointed out and accompanied me accross a small ditch
and then I was on my straight way through the fields and into the woods far from traffic noise and life danger.
Most forest from Gdansk to Warsaw have been forests either sparsely grown with fur trees or
with hardwood like oak and beech. Inbetween and along open fields is lush vegetation and the sheer greenery
Soon the dirt road becomes more stable and the next village is near.
In Mianse there are grounds fenced in waiting for investors - here, though, no sign SPRZEDAM - For sale.
Street signs are common and remind of Poland's catholic legacy, here of one of the national heroes or church icons, Stefan Wyszynski, cardinal, archbishop and pastor primas of Poland (1901-1980).
Normally, five kilometers take an hour to walk but this first day without a proper i.e. detailed map it took more than one and a half hour. Starting not until 10:30 a.m. the body called for bread and water in the nearest store - SKLEP, not to mix up with CHLEB which means 'bread'. But you can be sure to find chleb in every sklep...
Poland is a land of horses, like Sweden more for pleasure than for farming but sometimes like outside the village of Franciszkow, I met these beautifully dark horses, like twins, and after a brief 'dzien dobry' and a handshake, the Friesian (?) horses with the man continued.
Soon after, a white stork landed a few meters from the road, fully occupied looking for frogs and other food stuff did not bother about me on the road.
In the green, a insignificant creek formed its way between willows.
But for me not so insignificant, when I realised that I had left my rubber boots at home.
This was not the end of the day or even the beginning of the end - it was the end of the beginning. More hours of walking before reaching Stanslawow.
