Doomed snow

It could never last. The overnight snow was a welcome sight, but yesterday's weather forecasts all predicted that the weekend's cold snap would disappear quickly. By the afternoon the temperature was up to +3C; rain fell and washed the snow away. But a few shots from this morning captured some of the fleeting charm. Our Nissan needed some tinkering with the electrics (main beam doesn't work), so off first thing to the mechanics on ul. Baletowa. Under the bonnet, bit of head-scratching and diagnosis, try this, try that - et viola! the lights are working again. "How much?" I ask. "Well, nothing. But remember us when something serious breaks." You bet guys! How's that for service! After years of being ripped off by Warsaw's Nissan main dealers, the local mechanics on Baletowa are excellent.


Above: ul. Trombity at 8:00am. Thermometer reads 0C.

Although the family's all back, it's still ferie, the Polish school holidays (It's worth me reminding our UK readers that in Poland, as in most of mainland Europe, there are only two school and university terms, not three. The two-week ferie break marks the middle of the school year.) Much of Warsaw is holidaying in the mountains, increasingly abroad. Below: ul. Puławska is never this empty at 9:30am! Snow disappearing fast. It's raining.