The Frozen Vistula

With temperatures reaching as low as minus 18 in the past few weeks...it's not surprising that the River Vistula is frozen! The third image shows a small pool in the middle of the River which the local birds have turned into a bath!

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 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 Waterfall of Ice

Well twp days ago we posted the photograph of the frozen River Vistula. But nothing compares to this shot...a frozen cascade of water!!! This is the old mill, taken through the window from the bar of Hotel 1231. The water is usually flowing freely but with the recent temperatures plummeting...has been frozen momentarily in time.

River of Ice

With the temperatures plummeting here in Toruń...the Vistula is looking very white indeed!!Here is a stunning photo sent in by one of my friends Ruth Harrison. You can visit her excellent blog about Poland "My Search for Real Poland" over at:

http://www.searchforrealpoland.blogspot.com/

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.

More from The Big Freeze

The Big Freeze continues to sweep across Poland. Went for a walk today...and my mother's hair actually froze solid!!! Now that's cold!!

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.

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!...