AN ERROR DOES NOT BECOME A MISTAKE UNTIL YOU REFUSE TO CORRECT IT

Bit of a chaotic yet delightful week away which saw us travelling more than’s fit for old bones and unnecessarily agonizing over work left behind in Białystok; but, with Dominika basking in the glory of bumping into ‘Kevin the Fireman’ in one of the many Irish Bars in Warsaw, then it was more than worth all the worry of being away from the studio and putting the body through just a tad more than’s healthy for it.

Who the devil is ‘Kevin the fireman’ though I hear you ask..! Well, Kevin, is a bit of a celebrity here who, being English, takes part in one of those reality TV shows where I gather, because I’ve got to say I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing it, he and fellow foreigners ‘compete’ in a word fest by showing off their competence in Polish prose and the like… Dominika’s favourite, Kevin is unbelievably fluent in Polish, but thankfully, because of a little dig from Dominika regarding my own inadequacies regarding the language, admitted in broad cockney how it’s taken him fifteen ‘blaady’ years of hard graft to get where he is today..!

Anyway, Kevin aside, and on our return the two canvases I began a couple of weeks ago revealed themselves as having nothing more but the hallmarks of ‘mistake’ plastered all over them.., not, I might add, from the lack of competence, but as this week’s useful break clarified, because they reflect fully the type of painter I simply don’t want to be!

So, all change once again it is then beginning today! This.., along with an agreement between Dominika and myself for change on all counts regarding our work and social lives alike, including the dreaded but necessary need for exercise which I began myself yesterday with my first run in nearly six months – I’m physically dying as a result today but mentally in much better fettle to face the fight ahead.

Last week then, if not a little over indulgent, was a tonic for the soul and did manage to clarify a lot of things regarding future plans. Combining a bit of work it was great again to catch up with a few old mates with visits to Poznan where we met up with Zbyszek and Wiola for three days at one of the lakes nearby to chill and ‘help’ Zbyszek get to grips with his new found fame as a now published novelist ;-) After a final day there shaking off two days of supping to get fit for Warsaw and the inevitable drinking sessions to follow, we set off on the five hour journey to meet up with Andrzej and Jasz, who once again kindly put us up for a couple of nights (this time in their currently empty new apartment which in addition to being big enough to house a fleet of buses, overlooks the whole city centre in a way which only really happens as backdrops in Manhattan style movies) before kindly posing for next year’s entry for the BP Awards.

After a great photo session which saw Andrzej and Jasz posing to perfection and the inevitable disappointment of searching out and finding lokal_30 closed again (underlining the fact that Warsaw might just have to be bypassed to get to where we’re going) we headed off down to Jazz Pub calling in at the Irish bar on the way first where Kevin lifted the spirits before Wisia would lift them further… You may remember I’ve mentioned Wisia, the ex super-model before… Now the owner of Jazz Pub, she remains one of the greatest attractions of Warsaw for both Dominika and myself alike, and although she refuses still to pose for shots, so remaining elusive regarding a desire to be painted, she did finally surrender to two or three drunken snaps as Dominika whipped out the camera :-)

Yup, a grand week had by all, but a week which was bound to remind one of one’s priorities. All hands to the pump it is from now on then, with a clear vision of Berlin beyond these wonderful fields of Poland!

HAVE PROMISED MYSELF TO AVOID TOO MUCH FOOTBALL TALK HERE

.., but one final word must be given to the lads who are Sunderland Association Football Club for rounding off a brilliant week by winning the Championship in such style to bring back the kind of pride which, for us long suffering supporters, we thought impossible just a year ago when we were the laughing stock of the football world.., being as it were then the worst top-flight club in history! Premiership here we now come however, and you Manchester Uniteds, Chelseas and Arsenals just better watch your rich arse backsides for we are definitely on the rise again :-)

Click on the photo above to view a little video made by one of our supporters - It certainly brought a tear of joy to this soft bugger anyway..!