Mushroom-Shaped Pillars in Lublin

When on the eastbound coach, I couldn't take my eyes off the mushroom-shaped pillars in Lublin coach station:

I thought they were amazing.

Waiting for the Coach East

Having got to the metro station at the National Football Stadium, we waited for the coach east, with some strange-looking things across the road catching the eye:

 Also had a quick look at the train track which led to the football stadium itself:

Coming Across Kępa Potocka Park

 A few weeks ago, we chanced upon Kępa Potocka Park in Warsaw:

A big part of this park seemed to follow the path of a canal:

And, during this time, the temperature was up in the 20s, with all the spring blossom being out:

Sadly, for the last couple of weeks, the temperature has dropped dramatically.

An Hour in Powązki Cemetery

 A couple of week ago, it was 26 degrees Celsius in Warsaw so we sought the shade of Powązki Cemetery:

Shortly after entering, we were greeted with some incredible sculpture work on the graves:

Everywhere you looked, there was something interesting to see, so my camera went into overdrive.

Trying to capture the Catholic atmosphere of the place:

Initially focusing on the statues of Christ:

Then, the many statues of angels:

There were literally angels everywhere you looked:

Plus statues of Our Lady:

And house-like tombs of the dead:

And in the leafy monumental shade, we heard the sound of a violin being skilfully played, I could recognise the Classical music but not name it.

After a well-spent hour, it was time to leave, to re-enter the sunlight.

Powązki Cemetery dates back to the late 18th century and is well worth a visit, providing some kind of relief from a too hectic, modern world.

A Warsaw Business District

 A central business district in Warsaw.

Somewhere near Rondo ONZ if I remember correctly.

I hadn't been down here for a good few years.

So I was surprised to see many high rise buildings competing with each other for the skyline.

It was quite a sight getting out of the metro station.

A Walk to the Bridge and Great Art

In Warsaw, I had a nice short walk to a bridge that carries the trams over the river:

And saw a tram just about to cross the river:

Before reaching the bridge, I saw some interesting art:

 

As can be seen, the art fitted in with the natural environment perfectly.

Four Concerts in Five Days (Widowspeak, Ghostly Kisses ...)

My friend, Wobbler, was over in Warsaw from Bury (Lancashire) last week so we did four concerts in five days, starting with Swedish (Jazz Rock) band, Tonbruket, at the Pardon To Tu:

This was a fantastic evening of incredible musicianship, with the final tune, Balloons, bringing the house down.

 The day after, it was across the river to the Hydrozagadka, to see American Indie/Dream Pop band, Widowspeak:

This gig had a wonderful trippy feel to it with some great guitar outros, especially The Drive, of course.

First came across Widowspeak on the Seattle-based KEXP programme and knew that I had to catch them live, they're just my kind of band.

Nice shot of Wobbler and Widowspeak vocalist, Molly, below:

 Then, the next day, it was the turn of Ghostly Kisses from Quebec at Warsaw Hybrydy:

Really enjoyed a nicely varied set, including the more famous tunes like Where Do Lovers Go? and The City Holds My Heart.

After a day off on Saturday, it was up to the Progresja for Godspeed You! Black Emperor:

The classic opening tune Hope Drone was accompanied by some new tunes and the majestic Sad Mafioso.

All in all, this was a wonderful clutch of concerts to have caught, have seen Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Ghostly Kisses before, and it was really nice to catch Widowspeak and Tonbruket for the first time.

Through March to April

 We're now through March and into April, being hit by beautiful spring and even early summer weather.

Towards the end of March, I got to see Mother Mother at the Stodoła in Warsaw:

This was a really good concert, Mother Mother kind of remind me a bit of the B52s.

As they have loads of well-constructed, melodic tunes, such as Bit by Bit; Sleep Awake; Verbatim etc.