2011-8-13 Sat.

2011-8-13 Sat.
 Warsaw uprising !

The Poles have been subject to enormous massacres from all sides.
Nazi Germany, Soviets, communists. They have a great will to survive but

Warsaw was levelled by the Germans while the soviets stood back and then

made false promises of help.
The solders and civilians of Warsaw fought bravely but were overwhelmed.

The Child Scout symbolizes the courage of the youth of Warsaw. 'While the

'hero's monument' shows the great strength of the soldiers during 'The Warsaw Uprising" which alas faled against overwhelming odds with the germans determined to squash the attempt to breakout.

The Old Town was systematically destroyed alongwith its Jewish



an access point to sewers



inhabitants.(300,000 people were sent to death camps)
The Old Town was restored from town records and with large donations from  all around the world.

2011-8-12 Vilinus to Warsaw via marijampole

Rained again in the night so damp leaving but as usual it soon

warmed up and was fine. Have to head west to Marjipole as the

straightline route is thru Russian Belaruss which we don't have letter of invitation or a visa.

Rolling country ripe for

harvesting when the paddocks and grain dry a bit more. Of course we are in crane country so all eyes open for a nest, and one with

chicks. The locals must help the birds as the pole platforms are

braced at the top as the nest are bid and I suppose could short

the power wires otherwise. I'm driving first thing this morning so

have to train my mechanic to have his camera in his hand and look

for the perspective shot, good lighting and shutter speed. He did OK like I drive OK.

 We crossed into Poland at an old border

crossing where the trucks still require inspections. We changed

our Euros into Zlotys enough to tide us over. We see some nests

but no birds on top and then head for Augustow a lakeside village

with market square and Catholic church bleassed by John Paul II.
We boiled the billy outside the undertakers room while they washed

their cars and then loaded this enormous megaphone into the lead

car. Perhaps the client's family is deaf or the crowd will be

large ?. We spied this shelter beside a house in town.

Not a lot of traffic on A16 but we do pick the trucks on E67 as we

get closer to Warsaw.

Now we spot so birds on the nest so roar off the road to park. The

others follow suit while a truck brakes and goes around us. Three

in the nest.

We now start to see hay balers and headers, rakes trailers etc

hard at work.

The country is very catholic with crosses and little santuaries on

the roadsides everywhere.
We had a major wait approaching some roadworks but it seemed worse

for those coming from Warsaw as they were going away for the

weekend with their canoes and racing bikes on the roof. Some were

towing caravans.

 Very much like at home. We battled our way in

with the GPS behaving better than it did at the start of the day

especially when I followed a learner bus driver off the

expressway. We also saw a lot of learn to drive cars from a local 

business.
 

2011-8-10 & 11 at Tallinn-estonia to Vilinus in Lithuania

2011-8-10 & 11 at Tallinn-estonia
Had a rest day in the St Olav Hotel, a deceptively large hotel.

Tremendous rain outside, so good to be in.
Then walked up the hill to embassy row, who wouldn't want to be a

diplomat here. Quaint old village, gateway to Scandinavia and

Russia and Europe.
Everyman and his dog cluttering up the streets getting the pic.

The light wasmuted as the sun was hiding behind a big white cloud

which wasn't moving.

Then, I saw this 'madona', a shop assistant having a few moments

to herself, with a pensive look of ignoring the horde and leaning

on a wall, a memorable face, so no photo, a redhead too !.

Next morning Thursday we leave for Vilinus in Lithuania, passing

thru Latvia. Torrential rain, making streering difficult as the

flooded road hides the wheel tracks made by the trucks very deep

and causing aquaplaning.

We come accross an accident and think there's a car there

somewhere, traffic banks up for miles and not helped by roadworks.

serious agriculture in the region, modern equipment and silos and

grain for miles too.Much of the heading is done and now ploughing

in the stubble.

Stock trucks seen along with local Constablary doing their thing.

The countries here have three languages and currency so difficult

to read signs and pay bills.
We bought fuel before we ran out as no stations for miles, and

then visted a local motel/aeroclub with a small display of

fighters. We notive a small walled cemetry close by but didn't

visit. These lowland are made for war, flat and many copses.

We saw cows grazing but realised they were tethered. Later on they

were roaming behind a hiway perimeter fence.

Found our way into Vilinus down a large hill and accross the



river. The old town where we had tea had great food and lighting



Pigs to market



got you !

on its buildings. the local plods on those wheelie things.

2011-8-9 in Helsinki Finland - Tuesday

2011-8-9 in Helsinki Finland 9 hours behind NZT
Once again in the pursuit of science am I rooted from my slumber to travel the seas.At least breakfast on board was good, although $18.
Had a bow view and steamed in the big H for a bus tour with commentary.


 Had lunch in a food market before escaping onto a local ferry for a trip around the Harbour.

Sebellius Monument, very popular and subject to 10 coaches of tourists, sadly it wasn't musical.

Met a lovely Morrocan woman on holiday from France, as well as some Poms and aussies.
Arrived back exhausted and had a small soup (thank you Ross) then into bed to read a book.








Helsinki



Islands in the harbour

The lonesome warrior



The Sounds ?.



swing bridge

2011-8-8-stpeterburg-tallinn (Russia - Estonia)

2011-8-8-stp-tallinn

We left St P by heading west, the GPS couldn't resolve its own issues and eventually found the Tallinn sign (major Ferry port).

Past the Brandenburg Gate ?.

Department stores. high rise, spec houses and into the country, twolane roads so back co-driving from the left seat but truck traffic fairly busy so not a lot of passing.

Had lunch and last fuel stop before border, miles of trucks parked up waiting for access to border,

could wait a week to get processed, 'all in their own good time' !.

So we spent up large on chips, burgers, lollies and car accessories which didn't work and passed down the queue for acceptance into border crossing zone. nasty road spikes and barriers to negotiate, but we're in and get the vehicle cleared first and then us, all pretty boring really for all concerned but quick, russian efficiency, and a lessening of red tape, the Chinese could learn heaps. Remember there are few border checkups in Europe. Many people only carry ID and no passport.

On entering Estonia it is noticebly more modern, the EU contribution to roads is obvious, 50 & 90 Km/Hr, lights 24hrs.
110Km/Hr signposted on motorways.

Wind farm being constructed, note blade missing!.

 Then a modern city gateway to Europe and Scandanavia.

one to go

Then we entered the ancient enclave of historic Tallinn, cobbled streets, walled city, bavarian houses etc, town square, singers, bier houses, bicycles etc.

Euro financed road

modern Tallinn



Old Tallinn






2011-8-7 rest st peters-sunday

2011-8-7 reststpeters-sunday Day 2

No 24 was again lucky and took me to the Naval Museum.
Alas, it was a bit dreary after the Artillery Museum which had far better lighting and displays.

The weddings or brides continued to pass accross the park opposite so was entertaining, although some of the grooms seemed a little drunk, mind you sunshine and champers can have that effect.

The parks and fountains are a great asset to the city, walking promenades everywhere.

The church was piled and built on a swamp and has survived the millenia without damage from subsidence or revolution.

Wandered off to the ballet theatre to book Swan Lake. Yes, check the ticket, date and time OK and then a spint back to metro and home to shower and change.
All to no avail as turned down wrong street from metro and got a bit sweaty getting back to theatre and nearby cafe but the waitress helped me and all was well, a beer and cabonara later and the world smiled.
Swan Lake.
Initially it seemed the troupe was a little tired but as the music soared and the the black and white swans came to life or died it was quite spine tingling. The clarinetist was magnificent playing the theme. The storm scene was spectacular as was the costumery.

Then a quick sprint back to the Moscow on the no. 4 Metro, last one for the night.

Early Russian Voyages