




July 3, 2025 – Jezioro Siemianowskie to Policzna – 59 kms – Wokół Starej Jabłoni
July 4, 2025 – Policzna to Klepaczew – 70 kms – Agroturystyca Wypoczynek nad Bugiem
July 5, 2025 – Klepaczew to Neple – 55 kms – Dom nad rzeką
Gordon: No, this blog isn’t about a pestilential waterway in Poland. There is actually a river called the Bug, though the pronunciation is more like Boog. As well as being the longest river in eastern Poland it forms the border with Belarus and Ukraine for hundreds of kilometres.
Our first contact with the Bug was not that positive. As we were leaving the town of Mielnik, two kilometres before our destination accommodation, we saw a sign indicating that there was a ferry ahead. “Oh boy, we get to take a ferry” Ruth exclaimed excitedly. She was right, we did get to take a ferry, but not that day, because it only runs three days a week.
We went back into town and with the assistance of city hall staff we arranged for accommodation in a very nice hostel. Amongst the few other guests were a trio of border guards working on the nearby border with Belarus. Poland has constructed a five metre fence along much of the border, and posted thousands of military members and border guards along it. Because it is a Schengen border, significant EU funds have been provided. The border guards assured us we would have no problems proceeding on the Green Velo as long as we had our passports.
During the first half of our journey in Poland we visited a number of ethnographic museums, which generally consisted of older homes transported to a central location and filled with period artifacts. In our current traverse of the far east of Poland we feel that we travelling through an extensive open air museum. Many of the homes are century old squared log structures, with lace curtains, painted decorations, and beautiful floral borders. On occasion we get to stay in one, as we are this evening. It is charming.
Other than a few sandy stretches, the Green Velo has been a great route. It pitches us past interesting towns and historic sites. Yesterday it took us to the Holy Mountain at Grabarka, the leading Orthodox pilgrimage site in Poland. During a cholera epidemic in 1710, someone experienced a vision suggesting that the residents of the town should trek to and remain at the hill near Grabarka. They were saved from the epidemic (possibly because they were no longer drinking contaminated water in town) and a pilgrimage site was born. Pilgrims bring and leave crosses, with the result that the sanctuary church is surrounded by a forest of crosses, some more than a hundred years old. The site also incorporates a healing spring. We filled our water bottles and we haven’t had cholera since.
This morning we were able to take the ferry across the Bug. Although the crossing is only about a hundred metres, it took a while. The cable ferry has no power and a crew member works it across the river levering on a tool that grabs the cable. The crew member said it’s hard work, as evidenced by the bandages he had an each wrist. He was pleased when Ruth told him he looked like Rambo.
Speaking of pleased, I’m delighted to say that today is our wedding anniversary. Ruth and I have been together for 35 great years. Happy Anniversary Sweetie.






















Ruth is as cute as a bug (haha) leaning against the wall of your house at golden hour. And Gord is a lucky man. Happy anniversary!
But I’m not sure telling someone they look like Sylvester Stallone is a compliment.
Fantastic pics. Hot weather. And bison! “Don’t pet the big fluffy cows.”
A fine journey.
xoxoxo
Thanks Neil. I am indeed a lucky man.
We haven’t actually seen a bison, but the Polish are very proud of the four wild herds that are out there. They appear in municipal and regional emblems, and one of the popular brands of beer is named after them.
It has been a fine journey, probably consistently better than we expected.
Ah shucks Neil!
Fabulous pics on a fab trip. Truly off the beaten track. Very much enjoying your blog. Happy Anniversary.