Watch out! Rainbow is in the town!

In last week we were surprised by the first rainbow in Gdynia this year. All day it was rainy. Then just about 18 p.m. the Sun appeared and made for us this beautiful colourful ribbon. :) Together with Wanda we ran like a crazy with our cameras to the Boulevard to take some photos before the rainbow disappears.

Firstly, Basia (my flatmate), saw the rainbow in the window in our kitchen and then I took the first photo. So as you can see, every day we have a possibility to act as football supporters, because there is a primary school’s playground well-visible from our windows. :)

Wanda also has taken some photos. :)

If the end of the rainbow wasn't somewhere on the sea we will go there for sure to find the pot full of gold and any others precious things - just like the old legend tells. :))

Memories of winter.

Today I have for you some photos which were taken during this winter. I thought that it will be nice to upload tem before for a few month there will rule pictures full of Sun and colours on this side.

*Boulvard covered in snow.

*The Sea Towers and almost frozen Sea.

*Hungry seagulls which probably are looking for your sandwich. :)

*Sand with snow or snow with sand at our local beach.:)

*Park next to my block of flats – it is popular among children to sledge from this hill.:)

Magic of the 21st March. :)

In previous entry I’ve written something about astronomic spring. Now I am going to explain it. As you know Poland is located in the northern hemisphere, which means, that December, January, February and March are winter months. Winter is known in Poland as a cold and dark season, because e.g. in December the Sun comes down usually at 4 p.m. Days become shorter and shorter since 23rd September (it is September equinox) till 22nd December which is usually the shortest day in a year. Since 22nd December (winter solistce)days fortunately become longer.:) And in 21st March is "March Equinox" and days still are prolonging. :) This is why this day Is called in Poland “a first day of spring”. People are waiting for it, especially students at schools, because it is also a “truant’s day” – a lot of students illegally look for spring’s signs away from schools.:)

There are some customs connected with first day of spring. Firstly, the most popular in the whole Poland is the one in which you have to burn or drown a hand-made doll (usually made of straw). This doll’s name is “Marzanna” and it is a symbol of winter.

Those people took care of their Marzannas and weared them green t-shirts. :)

Secondly, Gdynia’s local custom is to watch the sunrise from the top of Orlowo’s cliff. Watchers gather there at about 5 a.m. and after the sunrise they burn Marzanna at the beach or they drown it in the sea.
In my school annual tip to Orlowo is organized in order to take part in welcoming spring. I took part in this event twice, but this year I had some problems with getting up so early, thus my friend Wanda went without me. And this is why the all photos from this event are taken by her.:)

Views from the top of the cliff. :)Lights in the distance are from Gdansk.

The pier in Orlowo.

The sunrise we waiting for. :)

Cliffs and Gdynia in the background.

The man who was fishing at 7a.m. Maybe he was looking for a gold fish?:)

But at the evening we took part together in burning Marzanna at the beach. The celebration was organized by a group of young people from Gdynia – they made a big Marzanna and firstly transported it on limousine’s roof, than they got the doll off roof and carried it over their heads, so we followed them.

Sentence "ŻEGNAJ ZIMO" on number plate means "FAREWELL WINTER". :)

When we got to the beach we burnt Marzanna. :) It was a nice day.:))

The first signs of spring!

Even despite the fact that calendar spring have began on the 21st March, I came up with an idea for this entry just yesterday. So I have taken some pictures of flowers for you.:) Unfortunately, I missed the opportunity to take a photo of some spring birds when I was in my hometown for Easter ( in Gdynia I always see only seagulls and pigeons), but I hope you will enjoy the photos however.
Of course the most obvious signs that winter is leaving are melting snow and ice’s pieces on water like in this photo below which shows the ice floating on the Baltic Sea.

When the warmer sunbeam reach the ground the Galanthus nivalis (Polish “przebiśnieg” which means “to push one’s way through the snow”) starts to grow . This photo was taken by my friend Wanda because I…

I only faund these which are just about to shed. :) Important – this plant is endangered.

Next species of flower which also appears quickly is Crocus – one of the most beautiful flowers in the world in my opinion! I planted some in my garden two years ago. :) But this photo is also taken by Wanda. :)

Narcissus jonquilla –my favourite species together with crocus! :) I love this yellow colour – it is so optimistic, isn't it? :)

Hyacinthus is nice, too, and is usually available at florist’s at the beginning of March as a bulb in a pot. It often first spring flower in houses, offices and classrooms in schools.

Other flowers worth attention are (except that they are little and nearly invisible):
Muscari botryoides – Polish „szafirek” what means „ a little sapphire”.

Scilla siberica – I’ve just learned this name today . Before I used to call it simply „bells”. :)

But not only flowers inform us about the spring coming but also trees and shrubs are so kind to show their small green leaves and buds. ;)

Forsythia Vahl – shrub which embellishes the most of gardens not only in villages, but also in cities.:) this one grows next to block of flats where I live in Gdynia.

Probably the most popular signs of spring in Poland are willow’s buds which Poles call “bazie” or “kotki” what means “kittens” because they are so fluffy. :D

Gdynia’s council tries to help the nature and make the city look more vivid, thanks to this it is not difficult to find in parks and flower beds next to pavements tulips, daisies and pansies. :)

It is enough about plants for today, now I want to introduce a stork to you – a symbol of Polish nature. This bird usually flies to Poland in April so it is also connected with spring. :)

Cranes are the birds which also come to Poland in April. They have unique, very laud screech which would always let me know that winter wouldn’t come back when I was a child! :)

And how you recognise spring?
:)