After the best ever breakfast so far on the trip, at the Art Hotel, Wroclaw. We paid up and the 70yr old butler carried and loaded my bike bags then.... hugged me and the rest of the team, as a sign of recognition for our pilgrimage, that's what we put it down to.. Europeans!?
We cruised out of the city slick streaming (drafting) a local who was doing 35kph in flip flops (thongs) !! Then we cut to the back roads, after advice from the locals, absolutely not to continue... we continued and found a bridge under construction, we shimmied past the work men and then had traffic free few miles. Passed into Brzeg outskirts where we heard a shout "Oih English" he heard us talking and was an English translator - who then gave us his card and a cold can of beer to wash the dust
down. The town of Brzeg (where the two little boys were shot in the book) we partook of Christmas beers and good food. More wonderful lanes, Forrest tracks and field paths we came up to the first of many cobbled roads which shook up our beer & brains.
Others we met Mr Rusa (65 years old) who cycled with us to point us in the right direction, the local drinking team at our refreshment break and the giggly girls who sent us off in the wrong direction.
We rolled into Lambinowice bang on 7pm (as arranged) oblivious to the 93KM covered all feeling happy and chilled. We are now at the Stalag VIII museum where we are staying for the next two nights.
Ron's got a big day tomorrow hence my waffle. Polish TV and the "surprise" I am sure he will update you then.
Cheers Antony (navigator & interpreter!)
Welcome to "by Jeep To Freedom" ride. I have been part of the Fatboys now for 5 years and have ridden far and wide around the world with them. Follow us on our journey through Europe, retracing the war time experiences of my late father Woolf Blint, of the 6th Commando unit as told in his book "By Jeep To Freedom".
Hello Antony
ReplyDeleteRon's sister here. I am just reading a column in today's Age titled "Letter from Wroclaw" which I'll keep for you all. Amazing to read anything at all about Poland but truly coincidental as you are all there now. It describes the city's unique attractions as the 150 gnomes dotted within Wroclaw's Old Town - not just a piece of whimsy but a tribute to a dissident group using them as a weapon of ridicule against Poland's communist regime in the 1980's. Enough history. Can't wait to hear what Ron's surprise is....Are you really staying in a museum tonight????
regards,
Avril
Ant; did you find the bakery at Brzeg??? I guess not or I'm sure you would have mentioned it!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading about the events over the next couple of days. Sounds like you are all really getting a lot out of the ride? that's great. Cheers
Ha ha, thought the author had changed... Sounded like one of your prattles Ant!!!!!
ReplyDeleteNice to know you can still pull... 70 year old men and giggly girls ; )
Enjoy your time in the museum, hope the filming goes well, and your 'piece-to-cameras' are of a satisfactory standard for my hubbie!
Take good care, and lots of love,
Katie x
(Just Katie... Home alone as boys are at Grandmas till Tuesday... Will I survive???)