Entering Warsaw was not nearly as fun as crossing the border. The sat-nav kept trying to put us on a road that was closed for construction and I managed to drive through a construction zone and on to the bike path while Keith laughed. We did get our picture in front of the Stadium, but that is on his camera. So, here is a shot of our intrepid hero in front of the Kings residence with our helpful guide.
It was a long slog to get from Warsaw to Lodz down the new E30. It is still only half complete, so traffic in both directions share what will be the west bound lanes. Most sections of the roadway for 100 km or so are walled in with steel panels or green snow fencing 5m tall. It is like traveling through a long hallway where the sky is visible, but not the surroundings. Truly mind numbing in the monotony. It may be faster than the old route, but give me the old road with some views.
As our map did not have a city view of Lodz, we had to rely on the sat-nav to guide us to our hotel. Since it repeatedly tells us to turn left, when we can see it has to be to the right, or when it seemingly randomly changes the directions, we were both a little skeptical when it took us to this road:
It did lead us to the hotel a sort of cross between Hansel & Gretel and Hound of the Baskervilles. Situated near a small lake at the end of another dirt road, it sits deeply in the woods with a wrought iron gate. Maybe I read too much Brothers Grimm as a child, but I also have seen a lot of horror movies where one shouts at the screen: "Don't go in THERE!"
The artillary gun sits rather incongrously near the tidy house and riding stable. From behind the largest Great Dane I have ever seen, we weren't so much greeted by the lady running the place as it was more like she could not understand why we were there. Speaking no English, she mimed that there were no rooms available, in spite of Keith repeatedly pointing at the online confirmation. After quite some time she relented and found two very charming rooms on the upper floor, reached by climbimg a staircase build by some one with very short feet and a penchant for vertical ascent.. I had to twist my feet sideways to get a toe grip on the stairs. The walls are covered in game trophies and antlers, and I half expected to see a spot reserved for "American Tourist".
DInner was had at the nearby grill/bar/camping goods shop. A nice local beer, some perogies and a bowl of tripe soup.
