Cold in Berlin: My First Gig of the Year

 Brilliant first gig of the year, catching Cold in Berlin at the VooDoo Club, Warsaw on 21st February:

First time I've seen Cold in Berlin and was massively impressed:

Loved every song in the set especially White Horse and Love Buzz (Shocking Blue tune). 

Was also massively impressed with Datûra:

Will have to get more familiar with this band, they were brilliant.

Was also nice to catch Dead Tahiti early on:

And decent beer at the VooDoo Club too:

Had only been to the VooDoo Club, a kind of friendly Goth haunt, once before, about 20 years or so ago to see Jarboe (ex-Swans).

Cabbage Stew and Other Meals

This meal was brilliant: my wife's cabbage stew, fried egg, and potatoes, just the thing for a prolonged cold winter.

And the next day, cabbage stew with black lentils which worked a treat too:

And a couple of my own, more simple meals, starting with baked beans and white cheese with buckwheat:

 And buckwheat mixed with sweet potato and sweetcorn, topped with yellow and cottage cheese:

It's been a long winter and these inexpensive meals have been invaluable.

Marymont Metro Station: Latest Abstract Art

 Passing through Marymont metro station, Warsaw, the latest abstract art on offer:

I'm the exact opposite of an abstract art person but this stuff did catch my attention.

It kind of reminded me of the month-long snow that would confront me when I got outside.

Exercising in the Snow

Throughout January, it has pivoted between zero and about -12 degrees.

So I've found myself exercising in the snow:

Offering great catharsis for being on the computer most of the day.

The bench is useful for leg stretching exercise:

Always feel rejuvenated after visiting this place.

The snow is an added bonus, of course.

Snow Man Lighting Up a Town Hall

 Close to Christmas, this Snowman came to light up a small town hall in Warsaw:

He came with several friends including a big reindeer:

A small deer:

And an angel getting ready for Christmas:

The Snowman and his friends made the place look and feel a whole lot better.

A Christmas Manger and Two Christmas Trees

A wonderful manger that I came across in a Catholic church in Warsaw.

The manger took me back in time as I recalled singing Away in a Manger at St. Joseph's Junior School in Bury, Lancashire.

 The church also had two big Christmas Trees near the High Altar:

It's nice to see Christmas being treated seriously, of course:

Yeah, it was nice to attend Mass on Christmas Day.

Wonderful Christmas Eve Meal

Mushroom and cabbage pierogi (dumplings) with fried onions on top, a wonderful Christmas Eve meal this year.