The Journey There And The Journey Home

The journey there; by motorbike to Wrocław, dropping it off at Unikat 1/1 Motorworks for a new two-into-one exhaust pipe and pair of side-lights; and thence by train to Wałbrzych for local exploration (see yesterday's post) and back by night train to Warsaw.

So - the journey out...

The DW 710 heading west out of Łódź is an interesting road, followed along its way to Konstantynów Łódzki by a semi-rural tram line (below). Łódź's exurban light-rail routes are now sadly being trimmed back; this line until recently used to run even further out of town to Lutomiersk.

There's a quaint charm about a tram line that runs through fields and villages; below: between the main road and a field of corn, the tracks visible through the grass.

Near to where the line ends now (it was truncated earlier this year) in Konstantynów Łódzki stands a vintage tram, marking the historical importance to this area of its links to Łódź.

Below: onward towards Wielkopolska; still in Łódzkie province, this is the picturesque village of Rossoszyca, built astride a long pond. The wooden church of Św. Wawrzyniec (St Lawrence) dates back to 1783.

Below: more picturesque rural Poland; this is Grabów nad Prosną in Wielkopolska (as opposed to Grabów nad Pilicą which is in Mazowsze). Quite the film-set for a WW2 drama!

Onward from Wielkopolska into Dolnośląskie (Lower Silesia). Having dropped off the bike, it's time to change transport modes at Wrocław. I pop by the old Świebodzki station, now partially abandoned. A lovely old Ty-2 loco rusts away exposed to the open sky and vandals.

On by rail to Wałbrzych. Though there has been much new investment in Wałbrzych, there are still many signs of post-industrial decay. It's this mix that makes the town so fascinating.

The line just outside Wałbrzych. Built in the 1870s, it was originally intended to link Berlin and Vienna; the Austro-Hungarian authorities viewed the whole project with suspicion, and it was never completed. Still, there are some magnificent views (below)

Below: arrival by train at Wałbrzych Główny (as opposed to Wałbrzych Miasto, 6.1km away). Looking up from the Line A bus that links the two stations at the railway viaduct, with its underslung arches. 

... and looking down from the railway viaduct  From Wałbrzych Miasto (as opposed to Wałbrzych Główny), I'll take the night train back to Warsaw.

I bought my ticket home via W-wa Wschodnia, so I wouldn't have to be woken at 6am. Sleep on to Wschodnia, have a Scottish breakfast, and return to Jeziorki by Koleje Mazowieckie - that's the plan. I needn't have worried - my night train arrived three hours late. At some stage, a goods train on the line ahead broke down. I was vaguely aware of my train standing still for an awfully long time, but being in a sleep state this didn't bother me a jot. This view below of two communist-era murals 'advertising' (!) stuff - photographic film and wrist watches - that was unavailable anyway may soon become history as the plot in the foreground is being cleared for the construction of a new building.

Left: back in Jeziorki with two my small rucksacks, hard hat, explorer's kit and photographic gear. A thoroughly worthwhile three-day jaunt, lots of tales to tell. Once again, the klimat of the journey has been processed into my long-term memory; I already feel the need to return to Wałbrzych.

Bonus shot: an SM42 pulls an overhead power line engineering train, heading south out of Skierniewice.

This time last year:
Sandomierz - another outstanding Polish town to see

This time three years ago:
Food hygiene and lies as Russian foreign policy tools

This time four years ago:
Asphalt for ul. Poloneza (to Krasnowolska at least)

This time five years ago:
A welcome splash of colour to a drab car park 

This time six years ago:
To Hel and back in 36 hours

This time eight years ago:
Honing the Art of the Written Word

This time nine years ago:
Of castles, dams and brass bands