Mums & Tots Newsletter

December 2004

WELCOME and a big ‘HELLO’ to any newcomers to Warsaw.  We hope that you will be very happy here and make many good friends through the Mums & Tots network.  Hope you enjoyed the snow and don’t forget those winter tyres!  A bumper Christmas Newsletter!

 

Activities for Warsaw’s Mums, Tots, Bumps & Babies

Mondays – All tots up to 3 years.  For the first two weeks in December the group will be meeting in the Pre-Nursery at the British School (ul. Dabrowskiego 84/90) from 9.30am to around 11.30.  In the New Year we will be back at mums’ houses (usually 10am until midday) and Sarah Brett our coordinator for this group is currently looking for mums to host from February next year.  Laura Spindler is responsible for liaising with the British School Pre-Nursery and we hope to continue our relationship with the British School in the New Year perhaps with an afternoon session for mums and tots.  Look out for details in 2005.

 

☺Baby Music is also back at different mums’ houses on a fortnightly basis.

 

Tuesdays – There are two options (the first being the most popular at the moment):

 

*      Kangurek play centre in the Old Paper Mill, Konstancin from 10am.  Open to all ages but more suited to tots.  As well as your children being able to run around and let off some steam, part of the morning is also dedicated to a singing circle and arts & crafts where the little ones can show off their artistic talents! Aga Strojna-Rasche is our coordinator.  The play centre charges 12zl for the morning (for Mums & Tots members) or you can purchase a discount card costing 100zl for 10 sessions. 

 

On Tuesday December 7th (for those of you who have signed up) there will be a Father Christmas at Kangurek who will give out presents to the children and there will be a few nibbles for the children to eat.   Mums should bring a labelled present for their own child (up to 50 zl) with their child’s name clearly printed. If you haven’t signed up but would like to attend, please contact Lindsey Wislocki.  We may be able to accommodate you!

 

*      Stonoga play centre, ul. Zielona, Piaseczno from 10.30am.  A number of mums have started meeting at Stonoga.  It is smaller and usually quieter than Kangurek but makes a nice change and costs 8zl for the session.

Thursdays - Mini music for tots up to 3 years takes place in different houses between 10.00 and 12.00 on a voluntary basis.  Cecelia Cienska our mini-music coordinator is currently looking for hosts for February onwards.

Fridays – For mums-to-be and mums with their babies (generally under 18 months old).  The group meets at a different mum’s house each week between 10.00 and 12.00.  Our coordinator is Carina Borin Percy.

The schedule set out at the end of the Newsletter has details of who is hosting and when, along with a list of those responsible for the various arts & crafts sessions at Kangurek.  Full contact details of the co-ordinators and our hosts can be found in the mums & tots contact list.  Please email postmaster@mumsandtot.com if you need a new contact list at any time.  Feel free to contact the appropriate coordinator if you would like to host – go on it will be fun!

 

News from the Mums & Tots Group

 

People News

As you all know Prew and her family will sadly be leaving us this month and moving to Chicago for their next posting.  On behalf of the Mums & Tots Group, the Editors would like to thank Prew for all the fantastic work that she has done for the Group, for providing such a warm welcome to those newcomers who contacted her and last but not least for being such a good friend.  Over to Prew…

 

     “After 5 great years here we will be very sad to leave. We have shared trauma and joy with lots of you and made many very special friends here. This was our first overseas assignment and we are going to find the 'leaving' much harder than the 'arriving'. I know that the mums-and-tots group will continue to thrive with such enthusiastic mums running it and I will be a regular visitor to the website to see what you are all up to! Please keep in touch - our new email address thebowtells@hotmail.com. If anyone happens to be in the Chicago area PLEASE CALL IN! Love to you all! Prew & Tom, and John, Suzy, & Ola Bowtell”

 

Baby News

☺☺☺Congratulations to Jelena, baby Marko Jakovljevic was born on 15th November, at 9:10pm weighing 2725g and measuring 53cm long.

☺☺☺Congratulations also to Clare, baby Otto Christopher Thomas Schneck was born on 7th November, at 11:15am, weighing 7lbs 4 oz and measuring 55cm long.

☺☺☺Congratulations to Marc and Sharon Fischli on the safe arrival of Luc Constantin, born Friday 3rd December weighing 3.68kg and measuring 56cm.

 

Mums’ (and Dads’) nights out

These are monthly socials to give us the chance to get together without babies and children. The next night out for the mums will be on Wednesday 8th December, 8pm at Banja Luka, ul. Puławska 101 (tel: 854 0782) and will be a farewell to Prew.  Contact Tracey Bull to confirm your place or for more details.

 

The Book Club

There will be no book club meeting in December.  The next meeting is on Tuesday January 11th and the book to be discussed is Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller.  Everyone is welcome – if you are interested in coming along call Jess Mulligan on 0693 041085.

 

Note from Aga

The PRO BONO Foundation supports orphans and children having a very difficult life situation. The Foundation supports on a regular basis 5 orphanages from the Warsaw outskirts and from the Masurian Lake District (one of the poorest regions of Poland).  Every year we organise a Santa Claus Day and Carnival Balls for our orphans.  In the beginning of December we receive letters written by orphans to Santa Claus describing a present they dream to get for Christmas.  We distribute these letters among people of good hearts who would like to make the kids happier. 

 

If any of you from Mums and Tots would like to join our action (it is not too late!) and prepare gifts for children from Olecko Orphanage in the Masurian Lake District (boys and girls aged 7 – 18, PLN 50 – 100 per child) please contact:  Aga Strojna-Rasche (home: 855 4250, mob: 0604 497000) or email agastefan@eircom.net or Monika Kamińska (home 766 3259, mob 0606 642952).

 

Useful Info and Top Tips

 

Publications

*      If you want to keep up to date with what is happening in the news and if you miss having a newspaper to read, try the following publications which can be delivered to your door.  You might get the news a little bit late but at least you will be in the know eventually:

*      The Week, a digest of British and foreign press; costs around £65/year

http://www.theweek.co.uk/front_website/index.html

*      The Weekly Telegraph, the best of the daily & Sunday Telegraph, £72/year  www.weeklytelegraph.com

*      The Guardian weekly, a digest of The Guardian, Observer with pieces from the Washington Post and Le Monde. Around £50/year http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianweekly/0,12598,,00.html

 

*      A reminder of the useful Warsaw publications:

*      New Warsaw Express (the English language newspaper emailed to you weekly, free of charge; subscribe by sending an email to local@new.com.pl)

*      Warsaw ‘Insider Magazine’ (8zl, monthly. Home delivery, 33zl /6 months), or at http://www.warsawinsider.pl). This one is probably the most useful for details on restaurants, cinemas and restaurants and generally what is going on in Warsaw.

*      Warsaw ‘In your Pocket’ (5zl, bi-monthly, or free from some restaurants/hotels)

*      Warsaw Voice (10zl, weekly. Delivered 128zl/6 months, see http://www.wvmarketing.pl)

*      Free Poland ‘What, Where, When’ & ‘What’s Up in Warsaw’ monthly and bi monthly from hotels, American Bookstore, etc.

*      Contact International Business Voice The British Chamber of Commerce produces a free bi-monthly English Language magazine. (To subscribe contact Anna at media@bpcc.org.pl or phone 654 5971).

*      ☺☺☺The Visitor a monthly free guide in English and Polish available in many of the hotels and restaurants in Warsaw.  It has some great tours to try out with your visitors including one covering historic Warsaw and another on the squares and parks.  Also has a website – see below.

 

Websites about Warsaw/Poland

*      A reminder of the various websites about Poland and/or Warsaw

*      Warsaw Voice website, www.warsawvoice.pl 

*      Address listings only, What’s Up in Warsaw www.whatsup.pl

*      Official Polish Government site, www.poland.gov.pl

*      www.poland.pl in English and www.polska.pl in Polish, port for all internet information about Poland

*      Cultural events in Poland (English) www.culture.pl

*      Official website of Warsaw http://www.e-warsaw.pl (English)

*      General tourist information at http://www.explore-warsaw.com and http://www.warsawtour.pl and http://www.explore-warsaw.com

*      http://www.warszawaonline.pl/ events, restaurants - Polish only

*      ☺☺☺The Visitor website – www.thevisitor.pl

 

Useful Info and Top Tips - Continued

 

Going Out

 

*      For theatre, opera, concerts check out www.ebilet.pl for most upcoming events and on line booking. Or tel: 622 0060, 9:00-17:00hrs.  See ‘Bit of Culture’ listing below.

 

Shopping

 

*      Christmas (or Happy Holidays) cards

     These can be bought from the following:

*      Lyndsey Esling (see advert at the end of this newsletter);

*      UNICEF shop at the Blue City shopping Mall (Al Jerozlimskie, 179);

*      The British School has on sale a set of 8 Christmas cards (designed by some of the students) for 20PLN;

*      Smyk and Marks & Spencer;

*      The English Playhouse, Laura is selling packs of Holiday/Christmas cards – 30PLN for 12 cards.  Pop into the English Playhouse, ul. Płyćwiańska 14 (off Idzikowskiego).  For more details of the designs – www.handinhandarts.com/afwcard.html.

 

*      Alternatively, Clinton Cards will send direct to the recipient with your personal message – www.clintoncards.co.uk.

 

*      Another supermarket – the upmarket Bomi is doing on-line shopping! www.bomi.pl , hit ‘zakupy w internecie’ to start shopping.  Haven’t tried it yet – if any of you have , we would like to hear from you.

 

 

 

Holiday destination

 

*      Only about a 2.5hr drive north up the Gdansk road is Ulnowo Guesthouse.  Set next to a lake on a small farm it is an ideal spot for a weekend getaway.  It is very child friendly and has lovely welcoming hosts.  It also has fantastic facilities including a playground, swimming pond, tennis court and video and cd collection available for your use.  With its proximity to the lake and fabulous food, it is an ideal place all year round.  For more details check out their website at www.ulnowo.com or if you would like to speak to one of the mums who have been – contact one of the Editors.

 

A Selection of Christmas Recipes

 

Here are a few of our favourite Christmas recipes…

 

Glittering Star Biscuits

 

These look great hanging from a Christmas tree and it’s something you can make with the kids if you feel like being a super-mum.  Or if you want the end result to look more professional maybe make these once the children are in bed!

Makes 35-40 stars, ready in 1 to 1.5 hours

Ingredients

Biscuits

300g plain flour

a pinch salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp freshly ground pepper

100g unsalted butter

100g dark muscovado sugar (or any brown sugar if you can't find muscovado)

2 large eggs, beaten with 4 tablespoons of runny honey

 

Icing and trimmings

250g icing sugar

coloured balls/ sprinkles / ribbon

 

 

1. Combine the flour, salt and baking powder, cinnamon, cloves and pepper in a processor. With the motor on add the butter and sugar then, slowly, the eggs and honey though don't use all of the liquid if the dough has come together before it's used up. Form the dough into two discs and put one, covered in cling film in the fridge while you work on the other. (You can freeze one half of the dough to use another day if you like)

 

2. Heat the oven to 170c/150c fan/gas 3. Have ready two baking sheets and line with baking parchment if not non stick. Dust a surface with flour, roll out the disc, also floured, to about 5mm thick and cut out stars using 7cm star cutter. Re roll and cut out more, setting aside the residue from this first disc well covered while you get on with rolling out the second. When you've got both sets of leftover clumps of dough, roll out and cut out again and keep doing so until all the dough's used up. Now take a small icing nozzle and use the pointy end to cut out a hole just below the top of each biscuit. A straw works almost as well.

 

3. Arrange on the baking sheets and cook for about 20 minutes: it's hard to see when they're cooked, but you can feel; if the underside is no longer doughy, they're ready. Transfer them to cool on a wire rack.

 

4. Make up the icing with cold water so that's it's pour able from a teaspoon (beware - a very little water goes a long way). Ice the cold biscuits using a teaspoon (the tip for dripping and the back for smoothing) and scatter with coloured balls and sprinkles. Thread ribbon through the holes once the icing has set.

 

Suet free mincemeat

 

As suet seems impossible to find in Warsaw, why not try this suet free recipe for mincemeat taken from Nigella Lawson's How To Be A Domestic Goddess. The extra apples make up for the lack of fat by keeping everything tender and moist.

 

250g dark soft sugar

250ml medium dry cider (or apple juice)

1kg cooking apples or sharp eaters such as Granny Smiths

1/2 teaspoon mixed spice

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

250g currants

250g raisins

75g glace cherries roughly chopped rind and juice of 1/2 a lemon

90ml brandy or rum

 

In a large saucepan, dissolve the sugar in the cider (apple juice) over a gentle heat. Peel, core and roughly chop the apples and add them to the saucepan. Then add all the other ingredients except the brandy or rum and simmer for 30 minutes or until everything looks pulpy. Take off the heat and when it has cooled a little stir in the brandy or rum. Stir into sterilized jars. Makes about 2kg.

 

Sage & Onion stuffing

(Delia Smith recipe)

 

110g fresh white bread, crust removed

1 tablespoon parsley

1 heaped tablespoon fresh sage leaves

1 appple, cored and quartered

1 small onion, peeled and quartered

2 chicken livers (optional)

225g minced pork or pork sausage meat

1/2 teaspoon powdered mace (optional)

Salt and pepper

 

Add the bread to a food processor and process to crumbs. Then add parsley, sage leaves, apple and onion quarters and process until everything is finely chopped. Next add minced pork or sausage meat with the chicken liver if using and the mace and seasoning. Process until thoroughly blended. Place in polythene bag and place in fridge until needed.

 

Aussie Pavlova - a favorite for a summer Christmas!

 4 egg whites

1 cup castor sugar

1 tablespoon cornflour

1 teaspoon white vinegar

300ml carton thickened cream

2 teaspoons vanilla essence

1 tablespoon icing sugar

 

 Cover oven tray with baking paper, mark 18cm circle on paper.  Beat egg whites in small bowl with electric mixer until soft peaks form; gradually add castor sugar, beat until dissolved between additions. Fold in cornflour and vinegar. Spread meringue inside circle on prepared tray.   For best results do not squash or flatten mixture but shape side up and in towards the centre, like a mound.  Make furrows up side of pavlova using small spatula, level top. Bake in very slow oven about 1.25 hours or until dry. Turn oven off, leave to cool in oven with door ajar. An hour before serving, beat cream, essence and sifted icing sugar until soft peaks form. Fill pavlova with cream mixture, and decorate with fresh fruit of your choice or grated chocolate.  (serves 6-8)

 

Pavlova can be made 4 days ahead

Storage - airtight container

 

The Christmas Bazaar

 

The Bazaar held on the 18th November at Karczma “Od Lasu” in Konstancin was a great success with lots of mums in attendance.  If you couldn’t make it or if there were some presents or items that you wished you’d bought we have set out below contact details for some of the stall holders.  Happy shopping!

 

*      Arex (Folk Art Gallery)  Offers traditional folk art as sculptures, wooden boxes, leather gifts, hand-painted Cracow chests and holiday ornaments – ul. Chopina 5B, doorphone # 50, backyard entrance.  www.arex-folkart.pl, arex@pro.onet.pl, Tel: 629 66 24.  I bought some beautiful angels, a Father Christmas and a wonderful nativity scene.  Definitely worth a look at their shop for beautiful Christmas decorations and traditional gifts.

 

*      Kasia Witak  Lavender gifts and scents, Christmas decorations, Christmas jam.  Contact her on Tel: 754 11 42, Mob: 0505 416 007 or email – kasia_witak@wp.pl.  I bought a wonderful Lavender Bath pack which has lavender bath salts, bath milk and body scrub, a great present … for me! (Melissa)

 

*      Nowa Szkola  Educational toys for children.  The 2004 brochure and website (all in Polish) has an amazing selection of toys, puzzles, nursery furniture and climbing frames/slides.  www.nowaszkola.com.pl.

 

*      Peter Puławski (Grand Cru) Many of you are already regular wine buyers from Peter, but if you are not check out his website at www.dobrewina.pl or contact him direct on Mob: 601 320 530 or by email - peter@grandcru.pl.

 

*      Ceramika bmw  Colourful pottery that largely contains itself in the Polish pottery tradition – angels, cats, dogs, fish, flowers, plates, flowerpots, dishes & teapots.  Would make fantastic gifts.  There is a gallery at Sierzchów, Akacjowa 21, 05-533 Sobików, Poland (check with Lindsey Wislocki on the journey time).  www.bmw.art.pl, (has details on how to get to the gallery) e-mail - ceramika@bmw.art.pl.

      

We have telephone numbers and some e-mail addresses for most of the stall holders at the bazaar, if there is anyone that you would like to get in touch with – please contact one of the Newsletter Editors or Kasia Witek.

 

Tips for Christmas

A few tips for presents and the big day….

☼ According to Poland What Where When, the top 10 Christmas gifts from Poland are:  1) Amber, 2) Crystal, 3) China from Bolesławiec, 4) Sweets such as E. Wedel chocolates, Ptasie Mleczko (chocolate coated marshmallows or chocolate birds) and Toruń gingerbread 5) Modern jewellery, 6) Lace (today the most renowned hand made lace comes from Koniakowo), 7) Linen 8) Porcelain 9) Modern Art and 10) Alcohol (Żubrówka is undoubtedly the King of flavoured vodkas).

☼ Don’t forget that many of the large hotels (Hyatt, Sheraton and Marriott) will deliver a cooked turkey for you on the big day with stuffing and gravy!  Just give them a call to arrange.  Gingerbread houses and gingerbread tree decorations available at the Hyatt. 

 

December Events and Key Dates       

 

1

 

 

*      World Aids Day – Wear your Red Ribbon in support

2

*     Dads’ Night Out at the Paparazzi bar from 8pm (a farewell to Tom Bowtell)

4

*     Hash Scarlet Ball – at the Bristol Hotel

5

*     First day of Hanukah

6

*     Dzien Mikolaj/St Nicholas’s Day (when you wake up look under your pillow or check your shoes.  If you’ve been very good, you should find a gift left there by Sw Mikolaj)

 

8

*     Mums’ Night Out at Banja Luka at 8pm (a farewell to Prew Bowtell)

 

9

*     British School Christmas Social Event (for parents) – ul. Limanowskiego, 15, 7pm.

11

*     British School PTA Christmas Fayre, 11:30am – 1:30pm, ul. Dąbrowskiego, 84.

12

*     Traditional, Family Christmas Carol Service 5pm.  Anglican/ Episcopalian Church, Res Sacra Miser Chapel, Krakowskie Przedmiesćie 62 (on your left as you leave Old Town).  All welcome.

14

*     British School Carol Service 7pm, ul. Limanowskiego, 15.

15

*     British School last day of term.  (School re-starts Wednesday 15th January)

*     Last day of Hanukah

 

17

*     American School last day of term

19

*     Community Carol Singing, 5pm.  English speaking Catholic Church, ul. Radna 14.

21

*     Winter Solstice (when our hemisphere tilts farthest away from the sun, and therefore the daylight hours are the shortest).

24

*     Wigilia/Christmas Eve

25

*     Christmas Day, Christmas Day Holy Communion at “Res Sacra Miser” Chapel at 10am.

 

26

*     Boxing Day

31

*     New Year’s Eve/Hogmanay/Sylwester

 

A Bit of Culture, Film, Music & Magic!

 

*      December 3-11 (except 6th), it’s the one that you want, Grease returns to the Roma Theatre. In Polish but you’ve seen the film so easy to follow. Terrific production.

 www.teatrroma.pl

 

*      December 7th, Diana Krall, one of the most popular jazz artists of today will be playing at Sala Kongresowa (Palace of Culture & Science) , 1 Defilad Sq. from 7pm.  Tickets are selling like hotcakes! (Tel: 627 1700);

 

*      December 8th, Old heavy metal bands never die; they just end up on tour in Warsaw.  70s rockers, Nazareth, play Stodoła club, ul Baterego 10, Tickets 90PLN,

http://www.emuzyka.pl/koncerty

 

*      December 8th & 9th, Illusionist David Copperfield will be in Poland.  On the 8th he will be in Katowice at Spodek, 35 Korfantego and on the 9th in Warsaw at Sala Kongresowa (Palace of Culture & Science), 1, Defilad Sq (Tel: 627 1700).

 

*      December 11th, 12thMoscow City Ballet, Sala Kongresowa (Palace of Culture & Science – Tel: 627 1700).

 

*      December 12th Great Christmas Carol Gala concert, performances by children’s choirs from Poland & abroad, Teatr Weilki, National Opera tickets:   http://www.ebilet.pl/szukaj.php?t=o&oid=28

 

*      December 15th, 19:00 Special concert of Carols, Warsaw Philharmonic Choir Ticket Reservations: 55 17 149 (10 am - 3 pm), bilety@filharmonia.pl

 

*      December 24th, ‘Wimbledon’ opens at cinemas in Warsaw.  It’s a British comedy.

 

*      December 31st, Gala Concert, National Opera, tickets 198-330PLN Sylwester Gala Jazz Concert, Roma Theatre, ul. Nowogrodzka 49, tickets 290PLN, Sylwester ‘Melodies of the World’ classical concert Sala Kongresowa, Plac Defilad 1, tickets 78-220PLN. Tickets www.e-bilet.pl

 

*      At the National Opera in December, Stanisław Moniuszko’s evergreen The Haunted Manor (1st); followed by his Halka (3rd) the first ‘great’ Polish opera; Madame Butterfly (2nd); the buffoonery of Ubu Rex (4th); the children’s opera Mister Marimba (5th, 4pm – all other operas 7pm); Tchaikovsky’s Queen of Spades  (19th & 21st) In ballet:  Balanchine and the Muses, (5th) Romeo & Juliet (11th); Nutcracker (10th, 22nd, 23rd)  (www.teatrwielki.pl).

 

*       Through December until the 31stExhibition “The Warsaw Uprising as Recorded by insurgent Photojournalists”.  Though not a photographic chronicle of the Uprising, they constitute an enourmously important picture of insurgent Warsaw and its population, Home Army soldiers and the civilians supporting them.  The Warsaw Historical Museum, 28/42 Old Town Sq., Tue, Thur 11am – 6pm, Wed, Fri 10am-3.30pm, Sat, Sun 10.30am-4.30pm. 

 

 

 

Polish Corner

 

Christmas Eve, 24th December, is known as Wigilia in Poland.  The Wigilia Meal is traditionally a meatless meal and often alcohol free as it completes the fast that awaits the birth of Christ.  The waiting or vigil (Wigilia) culminates in the sharing of the Oplatek, the sacred white wafers, much like those used for Holy Communion.   During the exchange, good wishes are expressed. This is the most emotional time of the holiday for the Polish family.  Those who are no longer alive are particularly remembered at this moment.  Presents have been left by Santa and family members under the Christmas tree, which is put up and decorated on the 24th, not before.

 

The Wigilia Meal starts when the first star appears in the sky, symbolizing the star of Bethlehem, and requires a special traditional table setting and a festive menu of traditional dishes, usually 12 dishes to represent the 12 apostles. The Wigilia table is set with a white tablecloth under which is placed hay. The hay and cloth represent the manger and the veil of Mary, which would swaddle the infant Jesus. The family's best china and crystal grace the table, as this is a sacred night. The dinner is generally followed by singing of carols and culminates in the whole family attending Midnight or Shepherd's Mass.  Tradition also dictates that an empty place be set for an unexpected guest; in memory of ancestors or perhaps for Jesus himself. This is in keeping with the old Polish adage, "Gosc w dom, Bóg w dom." (A guest in the home is God in the house).

 

Carp is a favourite, in the same way that turkey is for those in the UK.  In the days of short supply, it used to be that the fish was bought early and fattened at home, often in the bath! But today you will see in the supermarkets pools brimming with carp up to early afternoon on Christmas Eve, so it seems unlikely that this still goes on.  It is considered good luck to take a fish scale from the Wigilia dinner, wrap it in a piece of foil and keep it in your wallet for the next year! 

 

Dishes eaten might include: (1) Carp in jelly, (2) herring in oil with onion, (3) carp fried with mushroom, (4) sour herrings in vinegar (5) Noodles with cabbage and mushrooms, (6) pierogi with cabbage and mushrooms (7) Mushroom soup with noodles, (8) beetroot soup with uszka (little pierogi) (9)Noodles with poppy seed and raisins, (10) poppy-seed cake, (11) pierniki (ginger) cake, (12) yeast cake.

 

Phew, who needs turkey! ■

Source: http://acweb.colum.edu/users/agunkel/homepage/polxmas.html

 

Classified Ads

 


Please note, inclusion of an advert in this newsletter does not imply endorsement of goods or service by the Mums & Tots Group

 

 

Cars for sale

Toyota Yaris 5 door Red colour 1.0 litre MMT (Multi-mode Transmission - automatic + manual with no clutch), 68 BHP power
High end model. Airconditioning continental winter tyres, only 5000 km driven. No accident.  Unique automatic and manual transmission without clutch option which works great in all conditions. CD/RDS Radio music system (4 speakers) standard Toyota. Electronic locking, automatic windows (front), power steering, Child lock doors, split back seats for more storage, adjustable front seats, rear fog lamp, etc. High end additional security alarm system. Bought 1.5 yrs back at 49000pln, selling for 35000pln.

 

Opel Astra II Comfort model 5 door, manual gear, 1.6 litre 100 BHP, Silver colour.  Only 28500 Km driven so far, serviced every year and no accident ever while driving. Has Airconditioning, Tape/FM+AM radio music system, 6 speakers.  Continental winter tyres. Electronic locking, automatic windows (front), power steering, child lock, split back seats, fully adjustable front seats, front + rear fog lights.  Bought 3.5yrs back at 60500pln.  Selling for 30000pln.

 

Contact Jaya Singh at 0600749577.

 

 

 

The Bowtell’s leaving sale

Having been posted to Chicago we are having to sell some of our electrical appliances that won’t work over there – and also some other bits and bobs.  If you are interested please call Prew Bowtell on 602 451 955, or e mail us at thebowtells@hotmail.com

 

Phillips 32” Widescreen TV 2,000 pln (was 4,000 pln new)

 

Thomson 24” Widescreen TV & cabinet 1,000 pln (was 3,000 pln new)

 

Sky Digital satellite receiver & dish 1,000 pln (was 3,000 pln new)

 

Mobile phone aerial (good for Konstancin!) 20 pln

 

Cannon i550 inkjet printer 200 pln (was 700 pln new)

 

Warm air humidifier x 2 100 pln each (were 300 pln each new)

 

Cold air humidifier 200 pln (was 500 pln new)

 

HP CD Writer Plus 8210e (USB) 400 pln (was 1500 pln new)

 

Epson Inkjet Printer Color 600 100 pln 

 

Mothercare Children’s car seat (from 9 months plus) 150 pln (was 600 pln new)

 

Little Tykes Red & Yellow Car (outdoor – ‘cozy coupe’) 50 pln (was 300 pln new)

 

Assorted Children’s Videos (in English) 20 pln per pack of 5

 

Children’s Ikea expandable bed (wooden) 200 pln (was 600 pln new)

 

Mini electric chopper & blender (with bowl - great for baby food) 30 pln

 

Electric juicer (citrus) 30 pln

 

Electric juice extractor (veg & apples) 30 pln

 

Meat Mincer (with sausage maker attachment) 50 pln

 

Waffle Maker 30 pln

 

Items for Sale

If interested in any of the following items marked * please contact Jaya Singh at 0600749577.

 

*VHS Player/recorder

Panasonic, Black, 4 head VHS/VCR, Pal/NTSC format, 2 scart for all systems connectivity, setup menu, full timer recording across TV Channels, SP/LP/EP recording type with recording menu for across channels. Full function VHS/VCR. Very high speed variable forward/rewind (3 hour cassette in 1 min!!!). Full function remote.  Bought 3.5yrs back at 1200pln Selling for 400pln.

 

*Sony Music System (amplituner, CD player, cassette deck, Radio) - Sony NV - 5 speaker 2 component - Titanium colour.  Bought 3.5yrs back at 2500pln.  Very good condition, selling for 1000pln.

 

*DVD Player - Panasonic S75 Titainum colour.  Progressive Scan. Formats played - DVD/ SVCD/ VCD / CD / MP3 / JPEG / WMA/ CD R+W disc plus more. Full DTS + Dolby Digital Surround 5.1 channel home theatre setting player with adjustments for various TV types.  Bought 1.5 yrs back at 1200pln. Selling for 500pln.

 

*Chicco car seat bought 2yrs back for 400zl.We would like to sell it for 250zl as we are moving out.

 

 

English Language Teacher

UK qualified teacher, native speaker offers language tuition at all levels.

Żoliborz area, telephone (022) 839 5579 after 18:00.

 

Angielski

Native speaker, pedagog udziela lekcji, korepetycji, konwersacji.

Żoliborz, proszę dzwonić po 18 ej telefon (022) 839 5579.

 

Car for Sale

Rover 75 for sale. 18,000 km only. Immaculate condition, met blue, sand hide, 2.5 litre V6, satellite navigation, colour tv, electric windows, electric heated seats, cd autochanger, electric privacy blind, parking sensors, alloys, summer and winter tyres, on UK plates but to Polish lhd spec. Before our purchase, car was on Rover press fleet. PLN 59,000. Contact iccb@cmck.com for further details and pictures.

 

Pushchairs for Sale

Chicco Pony stroller in great condition, weighs only 5 kg, dark blue 400 zl
Maxi Taxi with car seat 400 zl
Call Katia Roman-Trzaska 0501 09 3691

 

Creative Decorating Courses

Making things is one of life’s great pleasures. Apart from beautifying your own surroundings it is also very satisfying you can also make original gifts for family and friends. A series of workshops will be held in Mokotow including: traditional decoupage, stencilling, gilding, colour wash, sponging, distressing, antiquing and basics of mosaic tiling.

Fees 100PLN/class. Mornings 09:15 – 12:15. Contact Wendy, 844 9061

 

Apartment for Rent

Ursynow, Warsaw

80 metre apartment located in a modern new building, 2 bedrooms, fully secure apartment, enclosed garden and playground.  Bathroom with tub and shower, washroom, dishwasher, balcony, garage (secure parking space above ground and 1 secure parking space underground).

 

Nr. SGGW (agricultural university) and near Metro Imielin, good access to main roads.  Close to fitness club, supermarket, stores, buses, drugstore, post office, cinema (Multikino), schools, swimming pool, parks (Wilanow Palace, Natolin Reservation, Kabaty Forest).

 

Rent 3800 PLN or best offer; Available 1 January 2004.  Contact 605 091 888.

 

 

 

▲ Handpicked Caucasian Firs (Nordmann) ▲

▲Delivered and put up in your home or office ▲

▲ All tree sizes available ▲

 

 

www.christmastreesdirect.com

 

or call Peter Krasiński on: (0604)49.88.88

 

 

 

Christmas Trees Direct from

Landscape design and maintenance

 

A part of Pro Relocation Sp.  z o.o., ul. Kaniowska 41,01-529 Warszawa Nip: 521-30-92-939 Regon: 016218732


Greetings Cards

Lyndsey Esling sells UK manufactured greeting cards, gift-wrap, notelets and Christmas cards etc.

There is a wonderful, varied range to suit all tastes at very reasonable prices. Some items are available for immediate purchase, whilst others can be ordered from the catalogue.

 

Lyndsey is having an 'open house' every Wednesday morning from 10am until 11.30am so please come along and see for yourself. You are more than welcome to bring a friend too!

 

Greetings cards from £1 each (or 90p when you buy 10 or more)

Boxed Christmas card packs from £2.50.

 

For more information call Lyndsey on 642 7130

Furniture shop

Wherever your home is, you want it to be the reflection of your soul.  It has already been a year since we opened our Artshop “Meble wyjatkowe” which we have created for those who seek something unique.  Handpainted old and new wooden furniture for your living/dining room, bedroom or nursery, one of a kind in its form and design, made to suit every kind of interior.  A gift for every occasion.  We will make your personal dream come through.

 

You are welcome to come and see us on Monday through to Friday from 11am to 7pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm at Wilanow, ul. Wiertnicza 112, telephone (22) 885 25 78, www.artmeble.pl

 

 

 

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this month’s Newsletter.  Please remember that this is your Newsletter.  Send us anything that you think might be of interest to other mums, particularly if you are a newcomer.  Your comments are always welcome.  Your thoughts and ideas should be sent by email either to one or both of us - Melissa (andytov@msn.com) or Sarah (brett@globster.pl).

 

 

☺☺☺☺Have a great Christmas/ Wesołych Swiąt /Happy Holiday where ever you are and all the very best for 2005!☺☺☺☺

 

Mums & Tots Schedule

(Anything marked TBC – please look out for an e-mail with details)

Toddler Group (Mondays)

(Organiser Sarah Brett - brett@globster.pl)

For the first two weeks in December this group will meet at 9.30am in the Pre-Nursery at the British School, ul. Dabrowskiego 84/90.  In the New Year the group will meet at a different mum’s house each Monday from 10am until midday.

 

6th, 13th December          British School

20th, 27th              No group (End of British School term)

3rd January            Melissa Tovell (As the schools will not be back, older                                                         siblings also welcome)

10th January          Sarah Brett

17th January          TBC

24th January          TBC

31st January          TBC

 

Baby Music (Mondays – fortnightly, 10am)

(Organiser Dora Rechnitzer – docika@hotmail.com)

13th December               Insa Grady

27th December                No meeting

10 January            Kate van Schuijenburg

24 January            Siren Knudsen

 

Kangurek Craft Programme (Tuesdays 10am – 12pm)

(Organiser Aga Strojna-Rasch – agastefan@eircom.net)

7th December                 Visit from Father Christmas

14th December               Morag Milligan

21st December               Christmas Decorations

January craft hosts      TBC

 

Mini Music (Thursdays 10am – 12pm)

(Organiser Cecelia Cienska - Cienski@neostrada.pl)

9th December                           Cecelia Cienski

16th December                         Lyndsey Esling (no mini-music on the 23rd or 30th)

6th, 13th January            Beata Drozda-Keim (Mokotow)

20th, 27th January                   Pavla Harry

 

Baby Group (Fridays 10am – 12pm)

(Organiser Carina – carinaborin@hotmail.com)

3rd Dec                  Siren Knudsen

10th Dec      Barbara Koehncke

17th Dec      TBC

January dates        TBC