Królewski flis na Wiśle

Day one

The crew have fund themselves around 9 a.m. Boats around 12 a.m. Before 1 p.m. all on the river.

From “0" had started Ewa Ciepielewska, Grzegorz Bigaj, Adaś Kałuża age 12, Retman Mietek Łabęcki, The guide Janusz Sroka, Jasiu Nowak, Michał Nowak ,Jarek Skaźnik, Artur L. Zakrzewski. We start.

We don’t sing „when the dawns are getting up” because it’s late. But we sing other song, as dignified as the previous one.

We sail through floodgates. Everywhere familiar faces, since few years. After a storm came. But it crinkled us just a bit.

In Łączany we were welcomed by Czesiek Wójcik. A raftsman, age group 1928.

Since he was 3 years old, he was sailing on a barge. - Because there was nothing to do with me – he says about himself.

He talks beautiful about an old, raftsmen times. Unfortunately a twilight is coming and we have to say goodbye.

Only Grześ Bigaj “slipped into the water” and then we sleep.

Day two

The first floodgate in Borek Szlachecki and we are in Tyniec. We moor on the water tram stop (???).

Żenia and Bartosz are delivering us equipment from the River bank. And we are watching a little piece of history. No. THE HISTORY.

Here raftsmen were praying for a safe come back. Here they were treating the river seriously. As we do.

In Cracow on the Vistula rush as on station in Koluszki. The Police is almost shifting between various units.

This is how I imagine year 1836 when in the Cracow’s census between 35000 citizens of the RepublicCracow were 2500 raftsmen. of

We moor of course at Mrs Morawiec family place, on „Nymphs” haven – it has 50 years. Congratulations. The „Flis” group is saying goodbye to us with a raftsmen shanty „Hambavenach" and by Grześ Świtalski. It was really good. I’m saying goodbye to my wife and to Jacek, a son of Jaś, who had a terrible accident on another raft.

He reminded and scared us.

Tomorrow we go to Przewóz. Józef Ratajczak is joining us. In May he wants to sail alone to Gdańsk. Tomorrow a passage.

Goodnight.

Day three

This time we made Przwóz easily. So strange. We moor in Nowe Brzesko and for a while we go to the Secretary – Mr Fulajski.

We leave the correspondence in a fixed place. And then farther to Hebdów.

The church is beautiful. Prepared for the first communion. Six children are taking it. A table, a loaf of bread on it. As in the Upper Room. They will have a beautiful communion. Then further to mouth of Raba. Haughty peninsula. A fire.

Wojtek Taras is joining us. Goodnight.

Day four

Fog in the morning – called by raftsmen a wet-nurse. Even for 5 meters nothing can be seen there. We wait. It wasn’t warm but at 6.30 a.m. we are on the boats. We want to Gręboszow.

Jakób Bojko, an author of ‘Raft of the third king” from 1907 is from there. Unfortunately a mass had started already when we were mooring in Opatowiec. The monument of the Marshal is on the river bank. Here he was passing from congress from Galicia.

We go for a high mass. It is the 3rd of May. Moreover it’s a day of Saint Florian and “we are already friends with firemen”. Very hospitable. And village-mayor – Mr Barański and fire chief Mr Gwóźdź and Mr owner of the bakery (without black pudding I won’t let you go). We eat tamely. And now an interview with Mrs Wcisło from a ferry and we go to Nowy Korczyn. Doctor Radek, Ewa and Gaja are joining us.

Here an interview with another Mr Wcisło (Nowy Korczyn ferry) and one more Wcisło. All for ferry.

At least from three generations.

On the river bank after Korczyn and to sleep. Supposedly good photos in the city. Few kilometers and sleep. 

Day five

I DON’T LEAVE THE TENT. My son Adaś put his shoes on and went to see the world. I can’t.

There is silver frost and ice outside. I’m looking at the entrance from 5 a.m. to 5.48 a.m. Finally one jump to the bonfire. It’s warmer. Artur Ludwik at night moved his tent to the saving fire and happily survived as well.

On the boat the is a jacket, stiff from the cold. Breakfast and we leave. Before the afternoon Połaniec. Heat. Again ferry, which co-owner is another Mr Wcisło. An interview with ferriages, supply with the water from the source on the left River bank. The ferriages will show and further. To Sandomierz. There is a terrible heat. 

Finally we moor. Tadziu Prokop from „Maria” ship, Grześ Świtalski Hambavenach and under-mayor Marek Bronkowski took care about us.

We encamp on „Maria”. Surprise. We have an invitation to the pool with transport. After a shower we are different people. We watch the city by night.

Lamaneur left for one day. Tomorrow is a boatswains’ day. There is a little boat.

Goodnight.