Page 21 - police world Edition 1 2013
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Police World
Vol 58 No.1 2013
21
Upl fting
Experience
in Poland
We hadn’t considered a summer holiday in Northern Poland until we
met Bugoslav Wilk, a member from Section Poland, during an IPA trip
to Germany.
Bugoslav, affectionately known as Bogdan, invited us to
visit his home in Mragowo - which is in the Masurian District of Poland.
My wife Anitra and I together with Moyra Richardson, another Thames
Valley North member, accepted the invitation and travelled to Poland to
stay with Bogdan and his family. Also staying with us were Karl and Doris
Ruckelshauss from Grunberg, Section Germany.
Our first outing saw us on the Elblag Canal. We boarded the boat at
Jelenie and before long arrived at the foot of a grass incline. We were
surprised to see that canal didn’t continue in front of us. But noted that
we had docked into what appeared to be a railed off enclosure. Shortly
after, a bell sounded and the whole structure, including our boat, moved
forward and we were hauled by rope up the grass incline. When we left
the water we saw that we were held in a cradle. Up we went to the top
where once again we were in the canal and set free to merrily go on our
way. This happened another three times. It was an amazing and unique
contraption.
Our next visit took us via narrow gauge train to a barbecue site where we
had a lunch of smoked carp and catfish - which was surprisingly
delicious. Bogdan was aware the I am a rail enthusiast and insisted that
I help the driver. So, I had the honour of riding with the driver on the way
back. It was a lovely day and included our first sight of some of the many
lakes that make up the Polish Lake District.
The water theme continued as it had been arranged for us to go
kayaking. Bright eyed and bushy tailed we arrived at our starting point to
be confronted by four kayaks. After some discussion as to who should be
paired with who - we set off. Despite direction issues, we navigated three
rivers and four lakes and began to wonder when we would arrive at our
destination.
“Let’s make it to that island in the far distance”
, said
Bogdan.
“Is that where we finish?”
, we asked.
“No we have to go back to
the mouth of the last river”
, he replied. We decided that we had gone far
enough - having covered 13 kilometres so we headed home weary but
having enjoyed our experience thoroughly.
Our last full day was spent on a lake steamer. It was beautiful and it was
obvious why the area is known as ‘the lungs of Poland’.
Finally it was time to take our leave of Mragovo. We had been royally
looked after by Bogdan and his family.
During the visit we had time to beautiful old towns, the Wolf’s Lair,
Hitler’s main bunker during WWII, stunning castles and fascinating
police stations. We had a lovely time thanks to Bogdan. Marta, his
daughter, came back with us as we agreed to host her for a week in
England - to help her with her English. The week she spent with us
centred mainly on
sightseeing in London,
Oxford, Windsor and the
local Milton Keynes area.
We can thoroughly
recommend a trip to
Poland and if you have
an IPA contact there all
the better. We will
certainly return some
day in the not too
distant future.
John Bull
, Thames
Valley North branch
Are we nearly there yet?
The group at the ‘Wolf’s Lair’
IPA Members Offered
30% Discount
at
Hotel in Crete
The Chania Region of Section Hellas has announced
that IPA members can save 30% during the summer
months (1 May to 30 October 2013) at a family hotel
in Crete.
Information and Booking:
E-mail:
Internet:
An
Extra
Pair
of
Hands
It has become
something of a
tradition for
Northumbria
branch to hold
their summer
BBQ at the home
of branch Chair,
Allan Young.
Everything was
arranged days
before the big
day. Even the
lawn games were
dusted off in
preparation for fun to come. On Friday evening there was a weather
warning on local TV. Severe rain and high winds were forecast...
The event organisers were concerned so they made enquiries to see
if anyone locally had a spare tent they could borrow.
Allan Young, his wife, and a kind neighbour ended up extracting the
local scout group’s small marquee from under the village hall stage.
Allan Young said “
We managed to get some sort of skeleton erected
but it was obvious that we needed more help. Two young lads took
pity on us and stepped in to help out. After one false start, pulling on
the wrong canvas, we managed to find the right one and suddenly it
looked like a tent. It even had windows in the side. About 11.30pm
we managed to erect what we all decided was definitely not a ‘small’
marquee.”
The next day, sixty members and the chefs performed miracles on
what turned out to be the hottest day of the year! The marquee did
have some use though, as people used it to shelter from the sun -
such is the unpredictability of British weather.
Branch members enjoying the good weather
At Allan’s home in Rothbury
Branch
Event
