In the deep dark woods

We met Laetitia and Maurice at the highline festival, although our paths had crossed long before then. Their trip started in Greece and finally we met in Poland. We drove in convoy for a while, stopping to pick the plums that are in abundance this time of year. Before nightfall we reached our destination deep in the Sokoliki woods. Climbers over the years have affixed bolts to every granite tower and made these deep dark woods an unbelievable sport climbing Play Park.

Our days took a certain routine: In the morning, bags would be packed full of climbing and slacklining gear to be hauled into the forest. Lunch would be a Tupperware full of plums and dinner would be discussed at length before Dora and Laetitia embarked on some of the best van cooking ever. When it was cold enough we would light the log burner in the van and read until tiredness took a hold.

Words: Hugo Pullen | Photos: Dora Damian

Olesnica Urban Highline Festival

Stuck in Krakow waiting for a wheel bearing to arrive, a Slovakian friend told us of a highline festival happening that very weekend 300km away. We thought the van could handle another 600km on a noisy wheel bearing, so off we limped to Olesnica for some excellent times with the great unwashed.

Encamped in the castle grounds was an eclectic mix of circus folk touring Europe with their families in vans and a few familiar slackliners. In the evenings we were treated to upbeat bohemia vibes and dancing in the streets to polka rhythms.

Words: Hugo Pullen | Photos: Dora Damian

A warm welcome from Krakow's emergency services

A kind passerby decided to inform the local fire service that our van was on fire!

Krakow's emergency service turned up in full force: two police cars, two fire engines and one ambulance - all for a log burner that was a little smokey on startup. After our greetings and farewells from the emergency services we savoured the delights of Krakow, listening to klezmer in the Jewish quarter and jazz in a basement bar just off the old town.

Words: Hugo Pullen | Photos: Dora Damian

Auschwitz

My Grandma is right...

everyone should visit Auschwitz.

We visited both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II - the scale of Auschwitz II-Birkenau is incomprehensible. It is hard to believe the Nazi regime existed within the lifetime of our grandparents. It would be an easier pill to swallow had these atrocities been committed millennia ago but they are within living memory, and ought to be recounted to every generation.

Words: Hugo Pullen | Photos: Dora Damian

Lublin Urban Highline

 It's Highline time! Lublin is in full festive swing; high above the throng, highliners of all origins traverse thin webbing, accompanied by a chorus of clapping each time they take a leash fall. The lines are secured with large lengths of timber bracing the windows of the town court. For one weekend a year, the ancient building takes on a new role, losing its austerity as barefooted highliners pad around dressed in shorts and harnesses…

I soon sign up, slide out from the window, and stand for the first time on an urban highline.

Words: Hugo Pullen | Photos: Dora Damian