Bits of Mine Lore

 This hay rick was for horses.  Horses were used in the mine until around 2000.  Since the mine is no longer in production because of the low price of salt, there are horses and cats no more.  Evidently the horses led long and happy lives down the mine because the mine was brighter than coal mines and also had fresher air and no dust.

The miners, too, worked hard but fought to get jobs in the mine - they were some of  the best paying jobs in the area for centuries.  While there was still the chance of a methane fire, collapses and accidents were far less common than in other mines.  Miners worked eight hours a day plus an hour to and from their duty stations climbing stairs.

 This is a rope making machine.  Ropes go bad in the mine in about six months due to getting impregnated with salt.  Miles and miles of ropes were needed for all the machinery.

 The mine is currently being stabilized with rod assemblies driven directly into rock.

 Glauber's salt growing on the roof.  The wooden beams show this was older construction.

 Salt blocks used to cut off passages in case of a methane fire.

 This is one of the fire doors they'd block off.  From this photo you can also see how wide and spacious the corridors are.  That door is fully six feet tall and three wide.

 Large cavern showing a very slow cave in from the wooden beams eventually buckling.  This is a process that can take centuries.

Salt impregnated wood.

Old fashioned supports.

Portaling

I am making some doors now.  It's progressing pretty well now that I've come to the lesser area of the side.

Finally Back To Temari

 I had started this temari way back at the beginning of the year and finally finished it this last week.  It's made with some overdyed pearl cottons that are pretty rare, and, because I had bought only one of each color, I had to be creative with its use.  It feels good to get back to temari.

Eating At Papryczki 5

After touring Wawel Castle, we asked our guide where she would eat lunch - and went there.  This was the place.  The second shot was the view from our table.  It was pretty and just off the main square.  As you can see, the meat and cheese tray was absolutely gorgeous and  tasted very good, too.  Look at the size of those capers!  Our pizzas were gooey and good and worth the wait.

Down The Mine - With A Camera

 We went down the salt mine in Krakow last year but didn't bring the camera.  This year, we did the same miner's route and brought it!  Andreas  took lots of photos of salty caves.  These are at the beginning of  the tour.

Little Diamonds

Filling in with little diamonds on the central petal.

Korean Krakow

 The Lindners were on a mission to find Korean food in Krakow, and they found a bibimbap place a couple of blocks from our apartment.  We went with them to eat.  It was run by a Korean woman with the help of a couple of young college students.  The food was good and Kathy said it tasted very very good and was close to what she makes.  It was good enough that we went back a couple more times while we were in town.  I got the chicken; Andreas got the bulgogi - beef.