Days 40, 41 & 42 – To believe, or not to believe – is that the question? . . .

Since man decided it was better to stand on his own two feet, he has constantly searched heaven and earth. Hoping to find the answer to the greatest mystery. What is the meaning and purpose of life?

From basic cultures, through to today’s so called advanced civilisation, religion and belief systems have been paramount. Shaping the hearts and minds of individuals and whole societies. Whether you have faith in the power of an unseen God; a golden statue; a stone circle, or none of these, one thing will always remain true – it’s how your belief affects your principles of daily living that is important. As St James clearly points out, “Without good works, your faith is an empty vessel” . (I paraphrase here)

Current day Poland, and its people, have shown what can be achieved. With a willing mind and a heart of love. 1.5 million fleeing Ukrainians can testify to that truth.

With around 90% of Poland’s population Catholic, it’s faith is openly demonstrated.

For over five kilometres, stretching between two villages, road side bunting catches the afternoon breeze.

We pass a busy co-ordinated gang. Men hammer wooden stakes into the ground. Stringing cord between each one as they go. Women try to keep up. Unravel and attach rolls of coloured small triangular flags.

We think it’s part of the ongoing Corpus Christi celebrations, that may also tie in with the local First Holy Communion week-end.

After three consecutive days of travel, we’re currently pitched up at peaceful Camping Clepardia, a few kilometres north of the beautiful old town of Kraków.

Previously, Saturday’s overnighter at Camping Rafa, is short-lived. Its pretty lakeside beach marred, (IMHO), by a ‘launch’ jetty for the local in-crowd of jet-skiers. Roaring engines and an overpowering air of kerosene, do nothing to encourage our sunbathing hopes. So, one night it is.

Pretty – smelly

Sunday sees us move on to Camping Bakow. Hopes high. Website indicates a large pool, swimming lake and nature. A lovely open site; great facilities and a sunny pitch.

The lakeside entry cordoned off . . .

We walk out around the lake – take a welcome leg stretch. Check out the nature. An invisible cuckoo leads us up the path. A duckel of relaxing ducklings scuttle out into the water. Get their flippers wet, for fear of being trampled. A silent surreptitious statue of a heron on the other side bides time. This tree fellow below, caught with his pants down perhaps?

He’s either having a stretch, or thinking about ‘Do Windy’ . . .
Edible sulphur polypore AKA chicken-of-the-woods bracket fungi – we resist a tasting.

Hopes get dashed on the rocks – the 50metre Olympic size swimming pool will be fully operational by the time the Polish summer season commences in July. It’s flamin June and hotter than July, for heaven’s sake.

A near miss . . . we’d have stayed another couple of nights if it had been full.