Posts by mos

mos_sed

22 Feb 2008

UK, Ireland / Most appreciated gifts from UK to Poland [2]

I have a friend in Poland who has selflessly assisted me with a variety of stuff over the years. I have got to know his family (Wife + 2 daughters Ages 21 & 18) as well and on my next trip would like to bring along gifts that will be appreciated by them. As for my buddy, he's ok - we'll share a couple of beers.

I would like some advice from the Polish perspective on what kind of gifts Polish families would appreciate from, say, the UK. The last thing I want to do is show up with any old tat because I'm lousy at these things.

Thanks in anticipation.

mos_sed

17 Jun 2009

Travel / Best German transit city for Krakow [6]

I live in London and I need to move a large amount of personal stuff from Krakow to the UK. Van rental options are much better in Germany than Poland especially for the size of van I'm considering so the current idea is to fly to a City in the eastern part of Germany (obviously where the low cost airlines fly to directly). I would then pick up a hire van to drive to Krakow. Then, back all the way to the UK with the stuff and then to again to Germany to return the Van.

From which German City is better to drive to Krakow in terms of the best road network? I have had a cursory look at the map and can't choose between Berlin & Dresden. Any other suggestions welcome.

Thanks in anticipation.

mos_sed

18 Jun 2009

Travel / Best German transit city for Krakow [6]

Thanks VM

Just an update. Thanks for the suggestion above. I hired the van in Berlin and it was a breeze travelling down to Krakow. There was a bumpy section of highway just into the Polish side of the border but I welcomed it as a break from the monotony and it kept me awake and alert. The Polish highways were superb thereafter although there were some lane closures between Katowice and Krakow.

Owing to a faulty fuel sender (said to be common with Iveco Daillys), my van actually ran out of fuel somewhere between Wroclaw and Kotowice. No emergency phones and the carhire company (in Germany remember) could only mobilize a local breakdown service that sounded like it was coming all the way from Zakopane! No-one appeared to be stopping either so I clambered the small wire fence that separated the highway from a country track, walked about a mile and a guy in his Opel Vectra gave me a lift fo the nearest garage some 10 km away even though this was a diversion for him as he was going to visit his baby son in hospital. For that generoisity of spirit, he left with my prayers and I hope his son is much better. At the fuel garage, I bought a fuel can and filled it with fuel, had lots of coffee and Red Bull, flirted some with the pretty attendants whilst waiting for the taxi they called for me. The entire episode added some three hours to my journey but it was good to get off the beaten track and experience some South Poland friendliness.