The Storm

Well it was only a moment of time. On Saturday evening there was a big storm over Toruń...and now the heatwave has gone. In its place we are now back to temperatures as low as 6-8C! Roll on summer!

Keeping Warm

Warming up at a Toruń bus stop!

Our thermometer only a few minutes ago!

With temperatures currently as low as minus 18C, one is certainly feeling the cold here in Poland. To help combat the cold, Toruń (and am sure other Polish cities) have resorted back to a technique from the communist past. At various bus stops around Toruń there are literally fires burning to help warm up those waiting for a bus. A great idea...though can't see it catching on in the UK. Not very health & safety!

The Standing Job

With temperatures as low as minus 15 today and expected to plummet to even minus 30 next week...I do feel sorry for these guys who paid very little to stand for hours in one spot holding an advert pointing to a local restaurant.

More Snow!

OK...at last we can say Toruń is in the depths of winter. It's currently minus 2 and there is a crisp blanket of snow covering everything. With temperatures expected to drop further...expect the snow to stay a little longer.

The Revenge of Mr Frost!

Strange things are happening here in Poland. After a couple of weeks of blistering hot weather, Mr Frost comes a long with a sting in his tail!! Last night, temperatures plummeted in Toruń to a shocking minus 7C! Down south in Wrocław there was even snow! All this in May?! Sadly the frost has destroyed our fruit on our trees which means that this year we won't have any apples, cherries or walnuts. It also means that the price of apples will soar this year in Poland. All because of one night of damn frost!!!

The Two Suns

This morning, Toruń (as it often does) witnessed a wonderful glowing sunrise. Helped by the clear skies and the ridiculously low temperatures (currently minus 19C!). It'sa new dawn, a new day...and I've got 12hrs work waiting for me (including teaching over in Inowrocław).

Temperatures Plummeting!

As I type this, it is currently minus 17 outside and dropping. Only 2 weeks ago I was sunbathing by a pool in the Canary Islands and now I'm wrapping up with as many layers as possible. Funny, how things have changed. Last week, Poland was experiencing strangely mild weather with plus celsius and green fields. Now we're back into Arctic territory.

Temperatures Falling Again

Typical...apparently, the weather was quite mild whilst we were away in Tenerife. However, now that we're back in Poland the weather has dropped again into minus figures! At least there is no snow at the moment.

The Big Freeze

It rained a little in the afternoon of Christmas Eve and then yesterday the temperatures dropped again...creating very dangerous icy conditions. Going to midnight mass on Christmas Eve was like having to cross an elongated ice rink! Aside from the dangers...the big freeze has also managed to conjure up some incredibly beautiful images...especially as all the trees and plants froze solid!

Waiting in the Cold

This poor guy stands for hours and hours simply holding a sign advertising a local bureau de change. And with temperatures as low as -16 you have to feel really sorry for him.

Brrrr...It's Cold!

This is the statue of Wacław Kowalski (aka Kazimierz Pawlak)...one half of the legendary Polish comedy duo Kargul and Pawlak. They were very popular in Poland during the 1970s and 1980s. The statues stand side by side...in all types of weather! Bet he's feeling cold! ;-)

A Snowy Sill

Following on from yesterday's post...the snow just keeps on falling here in Toruń. You can see just how much has fallen by looking at our window sill...which has about 14cm of snow on it.

The Snow Keeps on Coming!

Well the temperatures have really fallen here in Toruń. Two nights ago it was a record low of minus 28 degrees celsius! Today the temperature is a little warmer (at minus 15!)...but now the snow is beginning to fall again. Here is a close-up shot of the cathedral taken just a few moments ago.

Frozen Footage

This security camera high up on a local Toruń bank is rendered useless thanks to the shockingly cold winter we are currently experiencing. Glancing at my thermometer the temperature outside right now is minus 13 degrees celsius. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!...

Snowed in

This sums up the winter wonderland that Toruń is currently enjoying!

All in the Name of Charity!

Yesterday, the whole of Poland united together for the 18th Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomoocy, a huge annual event that helps raise money for sick children. Toruń was one of the host cities meaning that we had live TV coverage beamed from the old market square...and many wild and wonderful events. These ranged from getting as many people to stand in a heart with balloons to some crazy folks who ran around town in nothing more than some swimming costumes. And yep...Toruń is around minus 8 at the moment with loads of snow! All in the name of charity!