GUEST'S GALLERY: The Snowballed Wall

Image courtesy of Pete Tunnicliffe

Winter brings snow; snow brings snowballs!! Here is a really artistic shot taken in the Old Town of Toruń by our guest photographer Pete Tunnicliffe.

Snowballs can be fun, but they can also be really annoying. Two nights ago, as I was travelling by bus from Toruń to one of the neighbouring villages...a group of young Polish yobs suddenly threw snowballs at the side of the bus. A bit of harmless fun perhaps? Not when one of them had a rock inside which shattered the side mirror! The driver suddenly made an emergency stop and was physically pissed off! Needless to say the yobs ran away like a bunch of cowards! Probably afraid the driver will tell their mummies!! After all...everyone knows everyone in a Polish village!!! ;-)

Zamek Bierzgłowski

The main gate

The oldest preserved sculpture from Prussia

The courtyard of the main castle

View from across the moat

Zamek Bierzgłowski

14km north-west of Toruń, you can find the village of Zamek Bierzgłowski. Situated in picturesque countryside, the village itself has a grand population of only 490 citizens. The main draw for tourists is the castle (zamek) that the village takes its name from. This is one of the oldest Teutonic castles still exisiting. Originally, it was the seat of the Bierzgłowskich commanders and was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. In 1860 it was rebuilt in a Gothic style.

Although it doesn't strictly resemble a castle (there are no fairytale turrets) it is still a fascinating place to visit. The main castle which was the home to the commander is surrounded by outer buildings and a moat (which is now dry). Despite years of rebuilding you can still find original work. High above on the north wall of the castle you can find artwork depicting a rider on horseback accompanied by two knights. This is the oldest preserved sculpture from Prussia and believed by many historians to be one of the most valuable works of medieval ceramic art.

For the active fitness fantatics there are several marked walks around the area including a 38km walk called 'The Trail of Martydom of the Polish Nation'. This takes you fromToruń through the Barbarka forest - the site where the Nazis executed hundreds of Toruń citizens.

The Assassination of Mr Mouse by the Cowardly Mr Cat!

Welcome to country life...and the sometimes cruel acts of nature. A mouse which had been rummaging around our cellar for the past few days (eating our potatoes and nibbling into our electrical wires) was caught at last. It was then let out for its run to freedom...but unfortunately landed straight into the paws and jaws of our waiting cat. Such is life I suppose! TDP was there to witness this incredible event.

The Village Bus

Like in many countries...VEOLIA Transport runs much of the country's public transportation system. Every day Veolia buses interwene through Poland's country roads bringing people from A to B. This bus is heading from Lułkowo a small village 10km north of Toruń. Captured at 9am yesterday taking commuters to work.

When nature calls...

This is a village toilet in Poland. Ok...to tell you the truth, everyone now has modern flush toilets installed inside their homes. However, not so long ago it was a different story...and as you can see some of the outdoor ones are still in use!

Polish Postbox

As you can see here at Torun Daily Photo, we completely forgot about yesterday's special 'mailbox' theme. But no worries...to compensate for our lapse here is a brand-new image of...a Polish postbox. This one is in a rural village 9kms north of Toruń. Post here is only delivered once 5 days a week, and most of the villagers have to walk to the postbox not only to send their mail but also to collect.