Polish Vodka?

Good to meet you Fredrik during your visit to Cymbiosis. And those shots of the electrical storm over Krakow were excellent.

Regards,

Dear Peter and Roger, It was lovely to meet you both, and you can see from that vid why I really did not sleep before my return journey started. The storm was on the Polish TV new when I got home...

ATB from fredrik

Some Photos taken up at Ciche [something lie Tsiche, with the "ch" sounding as in Scotish Loch] where the Wedding was. I hope you will forgive me not posting what are essentially private images of individuals, but a sense of two twelve hour parties following a Roman Catholic Wedding may perhaps just be imagined.

Fredrik meets a lovely Polish female at my friend, Pawel's house beforehand!


The Hall where we danced for two nights in a row till it was getting light!
Notice the two men in traditional mountain dress.

Proper dancing!


Now onto matters musical, and the Orchestra:

At the Church:

And then becoming a real dance band.

And finally my dormitory!

Six beds including one couple and two girl, but no one batted an eyelid.

ATB from Fredrik

A week in Poland for Fredrik.

This was my second visit to Poland, the first being to see Frank F and his wife Anna in Warsaw last November.

I flew on the same flight as my onetime work collegue and friend Rawel W- from Birmingham BHX last Friday at about 8 am, and had not slept at all the night before. On landing we were met by his mother and cousin at Krakow, Balice, Jan Pawla II airport, and drove for four hours easterly to Jaslo, where Pawel's mother provided a beautiful soup and meat lunch, somehow out of more or less thin air within ten minutes of arrival! Polish food is wonderful. Just time for a shower first!

Pawel then took me to another of my former work collegues, and friend in a pub! [Where else]. Javka and I spent four pint's worth of drinking time going over how our lives were trolling along. Then Pawel returned with his lady, dropped off Javka, and we set off on what proved to be a five hour drive to Ciche, which is not so close to Zakopane, even though it is the closest biggest town! This is in the deep south near the Slowack border in the Tatra Mountains. It rained so hard we got horribly lost as you could not even see the road signs such was the darkness...

Krzys and Renata [Groom and Bride] waited for us somewhat worried, and then went off to there respective quarters in the next vilages away. Then came out the beer till some crazy hour...

2 pm next day saw me preparing for a 4 pm Wedding Service. I actually was not quite 100% for the only time in the week, but the first hair of the dog saw normality return!

Thes service was the very first time I had been in a Roman Catholic Church. The organ was too loud, and the Priest perhaps not the greatest singer, talent wise. It was mostly a sung service, though blessedly no hymns! No sermon, no mumblings. I did not know the responses...

Then followed two nights of the best party I have ever known. The secret is to eat and eat, drink and drink, converse and converse, and dance till you ache. That way you have a great time, and a lovely time. The first night I went to bed at 5 am, and at seven Krzys and about half a dozen other came into my dormitory, singing:

"There's only One Giorgio Johnson,
There's only One Giorgio Johnson, One giorgio Johnson...

[Damn, my real name is out: For the record it is George Fredrik Fiske Johnson, and I am going to soon forget my semi-alias, I think!]

They must have woken everyone in the place up. I have never been so complimanted.

The second night was even more relaxed and I stayed till the end at just after 5 am... No words will really describe the fun. I hope some other pictures emerge in time which I can use. Mine were almost all of individuals, and I would not want to offend by posting what are essentially very private though not in the least offensive [even if very funny] images.

Moday afternnon at 2 pm everyone went there separate ways having cheered Renata [who was also a work collegue] and Krzys off. Pawel, his lady, and I set of for Jaslo again. Only a three odd hour trip this time, and at 10.30 pm for delivered me to the bus station to catch the Warsaw [not] express [30 mph max]! No seats. At 4.45 am we did the double take.

2.15 pm I was in Warsaw on what was a very uncomfortable trip. I sat in the second row, and the front seat had been moved back to allow for a disabled person to occupy it. My knees were touching the back of the seat and I could not get to sleep for any length of time, and got to Warsaw absolutely tired out. Then on to Frank's place to fetch a venerable LP 12 TT for servicing at Peter Cymbiosis!

Stayed a night, and caught the train to Krakow at 11 am, to a nice room in a University hostel, which was very clean and suitably quiet.

Two nights there allowed for a full day of lazing around in this most lovely of cities. By now broke, I was extremely economical with the beer. Thrre pints a day max! [Johnson, you bloody liar, comment from the back row!].

Back home now, recharged emotionally, and absolutely knackered physically! Also literally stoney broke.

Would I do it again? Of course. I have never had such fun! I intended to go, even if it was literally the last thing I ever did. I mean that. Some of the people there are people for whom my heart aches on parting. I mean that. I love some of these people like nothing I know. I cried a bit on the plane home, simply knowing that some of my friends were still away. Wrong. I cried till I had a headache the rest of the day. these people really understand what kindness is...

ATB from George Fredrik

Post script:

I tried to eliminate the typos, but I have to admit that the Vodka came out an hour ago!

In Krakow, I found a city with a history older and more remarkable than Oxford or Cambridge. I walked through the University that educated Marcin Coppernicus, and also delivered a choice of grand concerts for the evening. The main candidates were a Bach concert in the Church of Saints Piotr and Pawel near the Wawel [Royal Castle, from Krakow was the Capitol of Poland] played by Absolwents [graduates] of the Music School, and one where the great English Violinist Ida Heandel was playing Mozart, Bach and Wienawski. Sadly I chose this one and it was aweful...

Enough said, but I also found the concert was not in the Philharmonic Hall, but in a Synagogue in a distinctly rough and dark part of town. I got lost in the maze of narrow dark streets, but found my way out. That was the first time I have been in a Jewish Temple, and it was most beautiful, but most people were being picked up in cars. I had the strole home!

Apparently this part of town is famous for its "night-life." Yikes! Not my idea of night-life.

Also in the afternoon I was enjoying the Main Square, and was transfixed by three accordianits playing mostly Bach... Playing it more beautifully than I have ever heard Bach played before. I mean that. I bought two CDs of them, well the two leading players, who ought to be at the top of the tree. The depth of musical talent is amazing. I found that out last Autumn also...

I got back to my room safe and sound, and then came the most amazing storm. Lightning that produced continuous thunder for three quarters of an hour. The road to Balice [Balitse] Airport was strewn with fallen tree and branches. Never seen anything like it...

Dobre Noc, from George Fredrik

PS: See the bottom of the previous page for some photos. none in Krakow unfortunately. I had run out of film...

PPS: I also visited the British Council. I hope this may yet be the begining of me actually finding real work in a land I could just as well as I wish I could love good old England. But as Pawel said of England, "It's f+++ed, mate! You go to Poland. You will find a welcome there. You might even find a wife" Perhaps my next Polish wedding might be my own!

Related thread from last November.

Link

History has a lot to teach us, and never more than now. George Fredrik

Hi Munch,

The timing of my visit next Sunday to re-set up Michael B's system is really handy!

Mike and I have had this arranged for some weeks now, as I'm flying out to see Joe in Hong Kong from Gatwick later in the day, and Mike is kindly running me up to the airport to save me time and parking there. It's great when Forum members help each other out like this. However, collecting and carefully transporting a box across Poland, and getting it back to the UK really does take the biscuit! My part in all this is very simple......Nice one Fredrik

Kindest regards,

Peter

PS. Munch, Mike's happy, so I'll send you details in the next day or so.

Been on another mission today. I set up my now gone SBLs, and even I realised that I didia better job with the sealant than ever before. the gaskets survived due to Fairy Liquid, and I used less sealant than previously, so it looks very neat from the outside. Nice firm seal...

Unfortunately no NACA to allow for a test, but the result will be very nice. Well Im hope so...

On top[ic I am finishing off the second half of my bottle of Vodka brought from Poland on Friday...

Dragon Boating in the morning. I don't want to be be too good!!!!

George Fredrik!

Exactly a week ago was the better part of the second night's party. It seems hardly credible now that I had such fun, and appreciated it at the time as well! My goodness I have beeen priveleged... George Fredrik

Dragon Boating!

GO!


Very even race:


Victory by 1.10 seconds!


Phew!


Quite enough of that:


I hope these pictures convey something of the event! Bennets Bulls 2 was fourth overal out of forteen, which is not bad for a scratch team. Apparently most of the others had been practicing, which surely is not quite cricket.

Our team got no medals, but we did get a bottle of wine each for being the team that raised the most sponsorship. About £900 from spomsorship raised by the paddlers! Local and not so local charities benefit.

A great fun day, and quite the way to discover how fit we were. This was our third race. We did slightly less well in our fourth paddle in the semi-finals, and put in our worst time getting eliminated in the process...

Fantastic day, and splendid way to get wet! Polish photography rather good as well.

ATB from George Fredrik

Dear Munch!

Yep. Nothing under cover about it: George Fredrik Fiske Fiske Johnson.

I am very proud of my Norwegian half, and for years it has seemed an excelent alias, but I am getting too old for remembering to sign off as Fredrik anymore rather than George!

ATB for now, George

For Bob, SJB and others here I like very well:

I was getting very close to finishing in the Forum. I went to Poland last week and am much happier, but I also decided the need for a semi-alias was past its sell by date. Either people took me as I am or not, and I actually considered registering [with permission] under a new bi-line.

But no, that would be a cop-out. I asked Adam if I could simply revert to my real initials which at least show - as posted above for munch - how the alias and reality interleave!

By the way, for those from the Hifi Room peering in here, this is a lovesly thread and the last two pages cover my recent time in Poland and a bit since!!!

Kindest regards from George!

Good luck to you George and thank goodness you didn't finish. Whether you post as Fredrik, George or GFFJ the forum would be all the poorer without you.

Best regards

Mark

Hello George,

Well here I am by kind invitation and nearly blind from reading nearly ALL of this fascinating thread.

All blessings,

Bob

Every woman at the wedding eh....

Dear Bob,

If you read all of it, then you have had a long journey! The first page is rather funny. It proves the need for learning, subsequently done in the matter of drinking Vodka! I was fully up to it on the three day Party last weekend! I realised looking at the photos [all taken on the first official day of the Party after the actual wedding] how far gone I was. I was convinced that the photos would be splendid! Only the first half observed such basic details as the vertical and focussing! The Party's second day was even more fun!!!

I am bringing a bottle of Vodka to a viewing of the Video with the Newlyweds this Sunday, so the fun is not over!

Kindest regards from George

On Monday I won a bottle of Lindemans' "Bin 10" Merlot [2006], which was nigh undrinkable on opening, being so Tanic, but has matured into something rather special with the air getting to it!

I am a Bordeaux man myself, and goodish [or to my mind drinkable without a crashing head next day] Claret is not not so hard to find.

I also like the White, Rose, and Red Vins d'Angelvin [Central Loire Valley], having stayed in Angers years ago for two weeks. Not so weighty as the Clarets, but very enjoyable, even without food!

Sunday will see a post wedding meet up and a reversion to the wonders of Wyberowa!

Kindest regards from George

I am currently drinking a Moldovan Merlot - a novel experience for me - and it is also rather tannic but not undrinkable. I tend to drink from a glass with a large bowl or to decant the wine and this aerates it quite nicely and tones down the fiercer examples on offer, but also allows the better ones to develop nicely.

On the subject of spirits I came back from the French Pyrenees last weekend and brought back with me a beautiful bottle of 21 year old Armagnac.

I had discovered this last year when on holiday in the Gers region and had to make the excursion to obtain another bottle.

The tasting experience at the vineyard was worth the visit on it's own, starting with the wine, then the Floc de Gascoigne aperitif and finally working up through the different ages of the Armagnac. This culminated in the Vielli which was the 1977 vintage and the one I brought home. The bouquet is so fantastic that it is at least 75% of the experience just to jab your hooter into the bowl and inhale deeply for as long as possible.

I think I'll round off tonight with a snifter to celebrate my impending ARO ownership tomorrow.

Regards

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Chillkram:
I think I'll round off tonight with a snifter to celebrate my impending ARO ownership tomorrow.

Mark,

Something to really look forward to I'm sure.

Regards

George.

quote:

Originally posted by GML:

Something to really look forward to I'm sure.

The Armagnac or the Aro, George?!!

I've just been sniffing the stuff for the last 15 minutes!

Bloody hell it's sublime!

I just remembered I also brought back a bottle of 1973 Armagnac that I bought from a local market stall. Not as nice as the '77, less caramel, more citrussy and not as smooth, but still very nice indeed.

Mark

Dear Mark,

Sniffing! Try sniffing good Wodka at minus 18 degrees! That cold it actually shows its character. Then knock it back in a shot glass followed immediately by a nice quarter pint of apple juice from a separate glass. Any pure juice is good. That is the way to do it. Good Wodka should be kept in the freezer. Only rubbish Wodka will freeze at that temperature!

The nicest general Polish Wodka to be found in UK, and it is relatively cheap, is Wyborowa, but Absolwent [means graduate] is also splendid. Zybrowka is slghtly yellow and and has a stem of Byson grass in the bottle. Byson still roam wild in Poland. This requires good company to be enjoyable in my experiance. Polish Bols is respectable, but somewhat bland. Sobiesky is nice...

Very fine but not available in UK is Pan [Mr] Tadeusz, which is sharper than Wyborowa, but not like some, containing added razor baldes!

Best taken in good comapny, and do not go to sleep on a stair-case waiting for a bathroom appointment. You may roll over and not feel the imminent death when you fall down the stairs completely out of it! Go to bed: you will not be ill. [The story of my fall is found earlier in this thread!].

Last Saturday and Sunday at a really beautiful Wedding in the Tatra mountains were the best [two times twelve hour] Wodka sessions which I have beeen on. Well not Wodka but Spiritus which is 90% proof not 40%, so I think I have learned how to do it by now! It makes people very pleasant and kind if taken with juice! Don't buy Spiritus unless you trust the source, as some of it is made from industrial alchohol! The real thing is made the same way as Wodka and will not hurt you if taken with respect...

ATB from George!!

Dear George

There is a large Polish community hereabouts and many Polish stores. We already enjoy many Polish beers in our house. I'll keep a lookout for the wodkas you suggest.

Finest regards and good night

Mark

quote:

The Armagnac or the Aro, George?!!

Mark,

Both, but not necessarily in that order.

Has the Aro arrived yet you lucky thing? keep us posted, maybe a picture or two as well.

George.

It has arrived. I've just got in though, George so I'll be setting up and listening to it tomorrow. And pics will definitely follow.

One things for sure, the armagnac and the Aro are both fantastic, but together....!

Mark