Warsaw (Poland): Men Sleeping Rough

From a distance, all late spring, summer, and early autumn, I observed a small group of men sleeping in some bushes near a metro station in Warsaw.

From the mobile shot above, you can just about see a sleeping bag neatly packed up in a hard plastic bag under some bushes.  It looks like a man has 'designed' the bushes in such a special way to sleep under in his sleeping bag (and hard plastic bag cover).

On many occasions in the early evening, I passed this place and saw a small group of men having a grill and  drink there.  My point here is that this group of homeless and possibly alcoholic men seemed incredibly resourceful.  I wish them good luck for wherever they've moved onto for later autumn and winter.

Bury (Lancashire): Affetside

When I visited my hometown of Bury (Lancashire) in August, I finally got to see the Old Medieval (or even Roman) Cross up at Affetside:

It's commonly believed to have been a sign post or stopping-off place for medieval Catholic pilgrims on their way to Whalley Abbey.

Have just read that Affetside lies on an old Roman road from Manchester to Ribchester.

Was really impressed with the public toilet near the village green, it was incredibly well-equipped:

Of course, I'd heard about the old skull in the Pack Horse, so I had to have a look at it:

Had a pricey but must say fantastic pint of Real Ale called Royal Oak inside the Pack Horse which looked like a big food place.

Then a few steps down the road towards Walshaw, I passed this old, (non-) Congregational chapel:

A small handful of parishoners seemed to be faithfully keeping the chapel going:

Have just read that this chapel, which is said to date back to the mid-19th century, offers Sunday services for both Congregationalists and Presbytarians.

Warsaw (Poland): Finally Catching the Church

We were entering Warsaw after a trip to Eastern Poland last weekend when finally I got a reasonable shot of this church:

Have been trying to do this for a few years.

Kerry: Inch Beach

Couple of shots from the wonderful Inch Beach (where I had of all things, a wonderful salami pizza):

Of course, my friends were quick to remind me that Inch Beach is where parts of David Lean's 1970 classic 'Ryan's Daughter' were filmed:
 

Love 'Ryan's Daughter', it's so atmospheric.

Eastern Poland: A Wedding (Reception)

Was in Kolbuszowa in Eastern Poland for a wedding last Saturday:

At the wedding reception, the food and vodka were absolutely wonderful.  I took this picture of people dancing purely at random:

Leżajsk, this is one of my favourite Polish beers:

When it's on form, it kind of reminds me of a cross between a Pilsner lager (which it is) and an IPA.  Yeah, it can be that good.

Bury (Lancashire): Another Old Concert-Going Colleague

Went round to Wobbler's place in the East Ward area of Bury and ran into Mick who I hadn't seen in about 12-13 years.

Mick was another of my old concert-going colleagues, while mainly going to gigs at the Apollo; the International (I and II), and the Academy in Manchester (plus some Festivals such as Castle Donington; Milton Keynes; and Reading) between 1985 and 1996.

Eastern Poland: Misiek's Mother

We were in Eastern Poland over the weekend, and were able to quickly see Misiek's mother, Kayah: