Sunday 4 November 2018

Odds and ends

Early days of November (and the last ones of October) brought over Poland a wave of anomalous warmth (on the same time Western swathes of Europe shivered). On Friday (2 November 2018) November heat record for Warsaw was broken (high of +19.2C vs. +18.9C measured on 1 November 2001); on the next day temperature record for the entire Poland was beaten (+24.6C vs. +23.5C on 2 November 1968). Conceivably some local records might be beaten in next days, as the hot spell, after a short weekend break, is about to continue until Thursday, but I doubt record-high temperatures will be seen, as days are getting shorter and the current of warm air flowing in from over Africa is waning.

Besides, forecasters are getting it wrong in their short-term predictions too often these days. The climax of the “heat wave” in Warsaw was foreseen to fall on 1 November, while the next day was meant to be some 3 degrees colder; eventually it went exactly the other way round. Today was meant to be a sunny and warm Sunday with day-time high of +17C, in fact the capital has not seen a single sunbeam, but it drizzled all day, temperature failed to climb above +12C. I had planned to close the cycling season today (spent Friday in the office so could not make the most the +19.2C), but as it turns out, I probably enjoyed the last ride on 13 October 2018 (which saw the day-time high of +21.6C).

I pedalled from Bielany south along the Vistula. Infrastructure for cyclists on the western bank of the river is well-developed and on most sections pedestrians and cyclists have their areas separated. Plenty of people were out to lap up what seemed to be the last weekend of summer.

It was the second time I crossed Vistula using the cycling precinct built beneath the roads of Most Łazienkowski, the bridge rebuilt and revamped after the blaze in February 2015. Thumbs up for this passage letting the non-motorised cross the river away from the traffic.

On my way north, on the eastern bank I made stopovers on several beaches. It was past four in the afternoon, yet still many folks were hanging around and catching rays of low-shining sun. They knew some six months of sparse sunlight and chill in abundance would have to pass before the comeback of warmth.

Further north the cycling trail swings away from the river and runs on the embankment. It was ten past five and temperature markedly fell. The number of cyclists on that section also declined, though maybe these areas are not as popular, especially in low season.

Heading back to my dwelling (no, not home, home is in Ursynów or at my parents’) I cannot wait to move out of (for some reason I feel the temporary place of residence at best lacks a good energy) – the setting sun shines in my face. Next year I promise to take much more trips by bike north of Warsaw. By early spring the remont will have been over, the flat will have been furnished. Sweet dreams…

On the remont front, the builders have brought their tools yesterday and tomorrow works kick off for good. The living room is now full not only of construction materials but also of tools. As works move on, it will also be full of rubbish and each Saturday will start with clearing up (I prefer to do it myself and have builders focusing on their work).


Traces of rewiring are seen in the empty kitchen. The first works here, after flattening the floors, will be renovations of walls. Then tile laying should ensue thereafter. On Wednesday I found a guy who will do kitchen furniture to me – the last thing to be arranged to ensure things move on smoothly down the line ticked off.

The snap of the toilet and the bathroom taken three weeks ago, but inserted here instead of the one taken today, as today’s pic was too blurred (nothing has changed since then, sadly, but as my friend commented, kibel jest, można mieszkać). Now a bit of patience and it will be lifted from ruins and become a cosy place to live.

Life-wise, I am trying to lift myself from being down in the dumps (this is not the relapse of depression, but a combination of factors that brought together get me down), but circumstances resemble headwinds rather than tailwinds...

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