Mapquest

If you are going to drive a miniature car - make sure you can be seen in a car like this.

"Top Down" Weather

I had to do a double take (one with my eye and one with my viewfinder) yesterday, when I spotted this convertible stopped at the Beale Street traffic light. Where am i?

Happy Monochrome Monday!

The Polish Fiat: Maluch

This tiny car is the infamous Polski Fiat 126p which was produced in Poland from 1972 up to as recently as 2000. It is popularly known as a 'Maluch' which literally means small one or toddler! Due to it's relatively low price it was the most popular car in Poland during the 1980s. You can still pick up a Maluch...and they are still very cheap (but maybe not so safe!!).

Antler Car!

For the past year I've been commuting to the small town of Inowrocław twice a week to teach. Although only 45 mins away this stretch of the road is always quite eventful. Parked in a layby one can see the strange site of a car with antlers lined up on its bonet. Come rain or shine, sleet or snow this car is pretty much always there. Guess the guy is a hunter trying to flog his wares to the public.

A few 100 metres further down the road, you can often see a prostitute waiting for trade. Believe it or not this is the main road to the German border and so traffic (and trade) is plentiful! Things are nothing like it was 5 years ago. Then there used to be a prostitute standing at any available layby. On an average day there used to be 6-7 standing along this stretch of the road. Now you can only find one. Guess the police have been cracking down on the Polish sex trade.

Waiting in Numbers

These new traffic lights are popping up around Toruń. With the numbers ticking down in seconds to tell you how long you have to wait - it really helps to combat impatient drivers and pedestrians. A nice idea!

day 43 - this birthday party brought to you by disney

Today finally arrived and since the boys still don't really grasp the concept of time, I think Ava and I were more excited than they were.

Today was the boys' third birthday party.



The theme? Cars.

And I had a lot of help. Big thanks to my mom for making the beautiful cupcakes, my dad for making spaghetti sauce and my mother-in-law for making the caesar salad. I can bake like a fiend and I am a decent cook, but I cannot make caesar salad to save my life. It's odd I know, but I just can't.

I also have to thank Checco for his help with the decorations because there is no way I could have done these cupcake stands from scratch on my own. And I have to say that the posters were sheer brilliance. I can't look at them without laughing my head off.









The party was a success. The kids had fun, the boys got spoiled and Disney profited big time. By the end of the party both boys were wearing matching Lightning McQueen leather jackets, rubber boots and riding Lightning McQueen motorized quads.

Man those quads are loud. Whose brilliant idea were they?!



At the end of the day, we're still working on etiquette. The cardinal rule of "Thou shalt not blow out the birthday boy's candles" becomes a bit blurry when there are two birthday boys (Owen left, Ethan right). Owen's candle was later re-lit so he could blow it out on his own.



From here on my shots become few and far between and snapshotty with the flash so I'll spare you. I had high hopes for some cool shots during the balloon drop but my camera died (oh Error 99 how I loathe you).

So overall it was a good day. We still have one day of the terrible twos left (humour me here - they could end right at three and I am clinging to that) and one of my little two year olds (Owen) fell asleep on me on the couch. I can't remember the last time that happened. What a perfect way to end a very long day.

Snowed In

I am sure new car dealers are hoping for a January thaw soon so they can move these new cars off the shipyard lot.

Winter Storm

Polish roads are treacherous at the best of times. This morning...they got even worse...what with the snow and wind.

A Sunset Drive

Driving through the Polish countryside during another beautiful September sunset.

Hit and Run

Looks as if some heavy car hit this concrete bollard and then just drove off!!! Not good!!

Abandoned

[click image to enlarge] I spotted this abandoned property in a parking lot off Wollaston Beach. There was a note on the dashboard soliciting help to restore this rusty heap of a car. Any interest?