It was a beautiful morning and I woke up after a good sleep – it had been a very quiet night here in Poleski National Park.

We packed up sandwiches and got on our bikes aiming for a circular bike route around the park and to see some birds. It was a bit hot so we were hoping the birds might not be in hiding. The park is a Ramsar site – internationally recognized for wetland birds. 

After going through a village we came to a crossroads where there was a historical war graveyard. It was from 1939 when Russia and Germany invaded after make a pact that they would take over Poland and divide it. The gravestones were for the Polish border guards who died trying to repel the Russians. 

We then continued up the bumpy, sandy track which was a bit difficult to maneuver on at times. We went through a forest then a clear area. 
I saw a dead snake on the road.

Then cycling along a minute later I saw one alive – but luckily it was trying to get away.

We saw some reeds but couldn’t see any actual water in a lake. 

The signage was a bit cryptic – as it has been throughout Poland. We eventually came to a tarmac road. I thought we should previously have turned left but Glenn wanted to go down the road. So off we went down the tarmac road now on the north side of the park. It took a while until we found a bike track back into the park. We went through forest and then the road was between a marsh and a field. There was still very little water to be seen. We found a covered table and chairs where we stopped for lunch. 

We then continued and eventually found the track we had started on. Glenn went back up the track to see if he could find some lakes and birds . We went back towards the campsite. 

We had a closer look at the gravestones and information boards. This area has been contested between the Russians and Polish for many years. The Russians wanted in back. 

Lisa and I continued home and stopped to have a closer look at a crop we couldn’t recognize with a big leaf and pinkish flowers on top. Lisa thought it was tobacco – and when we looked it up she was right. That explains all the electric fencing around it. 

We then got back to the camp. We were hot after all our exertion so we had a dip in the pool – or more like a quick plunge for me. The temperature was 18 degrees – a big contrast to the air temperature. Lisa managed to stay in longer. Sean came back from the shop and jumped in – and then out. I caught a snap while they were both in.

Glenn got back a bit later with some good photos.

We chilled out with our 0% beers that we are all enjoying – as good as the real stuff. The zero beers at home are nowhere as good so we need these ones imported. 

The plan was to toast kransky sausages on roasting forks over the fire pit later. Unfortunately a storm came over and destroyed our plan. 

We had sausages inside instead with mashed sweet potato and sauerkraut. It was very filling. It was then off to bed with a full stomach.