The long summer holiday

This summer has been pleasantly long. Other than June's heatwave (unpleasant, it must be said), the weather has been nicely balanced and without extremes. Some rain – still not enough (my apples are small for mid-August), few sweltering nights, plenty of sun. And daily walks. Join me then for a brisk tour of the manor...

Below: where the asphalt ends. Gmina Chynów has published plans for laying down new asphalt on ten stretches of local road... but not here. Fortunately. The dirt-track leading off into the orchards and forests beyond will remain unhardened for some time to come. And the lane on which I live will continue to see only local traffic.

 

Below: Waypoint One - the first point along my journey where I have to decide: turn left for Grobice, or carry on straight for Machcin? As orchard yields to forest, the smell of pine resin makes itself felt.

Below: Waypoint Two – a left turn (along the grassy track) takes me past several orchards into the centre of Grobice (and its one shop); going on straight takes me into the dark forest and Machcin beyond.

Below: one of the Canonical Prospects. Heading up towards where the track forks for Grabina (straight on) or Adamów Rososki (bear right).

Below: leaving Adamów Rososki. Love that sky, those clouds. Orchards line one side of the road.

Below: horse, Machcin. Reminds me of the horses painted 17,000 years ago in the caves at Lascaux.

Below: the border between Adamów Rososki and Jakubowizna. A dark cloud slides in moodily from the west.

On the way back home. I enter the forest from the south, crossing the boundary between old, abandoned orchards and the pine plantation (left). The air is cool and apple-scented, unbearably beautiful; this soon gives way to the smell of pine resin. A hare crosses my path.

Bonus shots from the past week: Below: Michalczew station, two stops down the line from Chynów.

Below: Czech-built, Czech-registered Atec 122 Zephyr 2000 ultralight aircraft overhead. 

Below: trackside views... a Warsaw-bound Koleje Mazowieckie service has just left Chynów station. A modern Polish-built NEWAG Impuls multiple unit (so much more comfortable than the modernised EN57s that share duties on this line).

Below:  two minutes later, and here is the back end of the przyspieszony ('accelerated') limited-stop service from Warsaw to Skarżysko-Kamienna being pushed along from the rear by a Polish-built PESA Gama 111 locomotive. It is slowing down as it approaches Chynów station.

Back home to feed the cats and kittens. Here's Dorian, doing OK. Wave to the folks, Dorian...

This time three years ago:
More about Walking and Health
(The definitive meta-analysis that proves more paces = better health outcomes)

This time four years ago:
Older, wiser – more credulous?

This time five years ago:
Powerless in Jakubowizna

This time six years ago:
Kilometres of new asphalt for Gmina Chynów 

This time seven years ago:
One man went to mow
[out with the scythe on the działka]

This time nine years ago:
My father's penknife and airport security

This time 12 years ago:
Post-holiday detox diet starts today

This time 13 years ago:
Cycle ride up and down the S2 and S79 before they open

This time 14 years ago:
Kraków and back in a day by train 

This time 15 years ago:
Fountains by the New Town

This time 16 years ago:
Old-School Saska Kępa

This time 17 years ago:
The land, the light

This time 18 years ago:
Rainbow over Jeziorki

This time 19 years ago:
Previously in Portmeirion