As the wetlands ice over

Last visited in February last year, the wetlands between Ławki and Gabryelin have frozen solid (six nights well below zero); even though today, the thermometer showed +1C, I assessed the ice as being easily thick enough for exploration. First steps must always be cautious. The slippery surface is more of a worry than thin ice (although flowing waters, such as the Czarna river just across the railway line, have not iced over). Crossing ice means balancing curiosity with prudence.

Below: looking north towards Sułkowice, dead trees, their roots flooded, ring the wetlands' perimeter. Electricity the only sign of civilisation.

Below: fallen trees line the wetlands' edge. The forest beyond – as do the wetlands themselves – belong to state forestry enterprise, Lasy Państwowe. 

Below: a northbound Koleje Mazowieckie train passes between Sułkowice and Czachówek Południowy…

Below: …and the reverse view from the somewhat grimy windows of the southbound train rushing me back from Czachówek Południowy to Chynów.

It's a strange feeling, looking down at the ice – the multiplicity of animal tracks and the complete absence of human footprints. The wetlands can be covered by ice thick enough to walk on safely maybe for several days once every other year (certainly not the case last year), somehow the urge to explore among other folk isn't that strong. And I must say, I'm rather glad.

Below: having come off the ice, I'm back on the unasphalted road between Ławki and Gabryelin, in the distance Czachówek Południowy station. Here, the railway line spreads out, with four through tracks and a siding; there's an electricity substation and level crossing. And a good grocery store (Chorten) at which I top up with some fresh fruit & veg.

Below: returning to asphalt, and the edge of the village of Ławki. Classic Polish rural architecture – single story dwellings, with barns and garages to the rear. All is quiet and still.

Bonus shot – the new bridge over the Czarna river, in the snow.

This time two years ago:
On ice – on thick ice

This time five years ago:
Kraków in winter

This time six years ago:

Jeziorki mid-January catch-up

This time seven years ago:
On ice

This time eight years ago:
Tweeting and blogging

This time ten years ago:
The sad truth about the pavement for Karczunkowska
[The useless twats in the town hall still haven't built the fucker - except the volume of traffic has increased tenfold since the S7 extension opened.]

This time 14 years ago:
A haul of wintery wonderfulness

This time 15 years ago:
Optimal way to work?

This time 16 years ago:
Highest point in Jeziorki 
(photos of the Rampa before demolition)