Kórnik

We have been travelling quite a lot and have been very busy, so I have not had a chance to update the blog. :)  This will soon be remedied.  A few weeks ago, in the middle of "Golden October" we went to two towns in west-central Poland in search of archive materials for Doug's dissertation.

The pictures below are of the town of Kórnik. There is a small castle that looks like a mini version of the Leeds Castle in England and a wonderful arboretum and lake surrounded by a public park.

The Kórnik castle was first mentioned in writing in the 12th century, and again when it was expanded in the 1426. The local lord commissioned the church in 1437.

The arboretum was created in the middle of the 19th century by the castle and town's benevolent owner Tytus Działyński. Today it is owned and maintained by a historical foundation and houses a branch of the National Archive.

Danger and I spent our time in the arboretum, walking around the lake, reading and napping in the sun on the castle lawn while Doug did his research in the castle's library and National Archive.  This is the life!

"I jumped over this log AND ran through it!"  ~Danger

This educational poster is titled "Let's help the Chestnuts!" 

There is some sort of pest that has been hurting the chestnut trees in Europe.

I thought that my parents would like this poster. :)

Myrtle beech and Basswood trees 

Common oak

 More educational boards about the types of nuts and seeds the trees produce

Types of nuts 

 Basswood Alley

Lipa trees.  Also known as basswood or "Bee Trees"

Fun fact:  the Polish word for the month of July is "Lipiec", which comes from the word "Lipa."

Guess what. This tree is in full bloom in July, and attracts bees that make the ever popular miód lipowy, or basswood honey.

I think that if we ever have a child, that we will plant a basswood tree in his or her honor.

 This tree made me a little homesick!

Japanese walnut tree

 One of the bridges across the moat to the castle

 I'm the king of the castle!

Walking through the town of Kórnik, right outside the castle 

 The statues guarding the entrance to the castle.  A big dog and a big wild boar!

A very friendly kitty we met on our walk around the lake.  

She later showed up outside the castle's gift shop and cafe, begging for a handout.

The church in Kórnik 

 A beautiful day for a walk around the lake, which was right across the street from the castle entrance.

A great morning to go fishing 

 Mistletoe infestation

A good morning to work in the garden. This man was very happy to talk to me and Danger, and did not speak any English.  He spoke some Italian, as he said that he fought during WWII in Italy and stayed there until being sent back to Poland.

Taking a new path is fun and may lead you to unexpected places!