Casual Car Club (CCC) with the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club (RREC) Polish Section, Warsaw, Poland: Excursion to Łowicz, Poland, on the Feast of Corpus Christi, 15 June 2017

Click on photographs to enlarge - far superior rendition

A rather spontaneous decision this one as the weather was glorious. A typical example of the nature of the Casual Car Club's philosophy of being laid back and relaxed concerning all matters connected with classic cars. Classic cars as part of a rich life experience. Enjoyment of driving the beasts is the name of our game - oh and eating and drinking well at fine venues during lectures on arcane matters of motoring.

In the early 1990s I had visited the town of Łowicz, which lies about 86 kms SW of Warsaw on the religious public holiday of Corpus Christi. The celebration commemorates the ritual of the Eucharist and is a reflection of the Maundy Thursday observance during Holy Week.

I thought I might repeat the experience after so many years. It is a highly picturesque religious celebration with ornate processions. The entire town dress in colorful folkloric costumes – one of the last flourishes of Polish traditional activities which are fast disappearing under the cultural leveling process that seems inevitable in the EU. This local event has now become part of international tourist itineraries to Poland. I knew many members were not at all religious but this event is really well worth a visit for the spectacular visual and Polish cultural aspects alone.

Four cars assembled outside my home in Mlociny on the northern border of Warsaw - a 1936 3.5 litre Bentley Sports, a Series II Jaguar E Type convertible, a 1989 Daimler Double Six, my 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and a 1973 C3 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

The spontaneity meant explanations for not arriving on time surfaced

'My alarm clock failed!'

'Must get some petrol.'

'A bit of stress at home with the kids.'

As this is a casual club everything was taken with a smile of acceptance at the charming foibles of human nature.

Before the afternoon visit to the town, in the morning we visited the Open-air museum of Łowicz's Folk Culture, the Skansen Ziemi Łowickiej. A traditional open-air lunch had been arranged there. We arrived an hour late for lunch but what of that?

http://muzeumlowicz.pl/skansen_w_maurzycach/

and

http://warsawtour.pl/en/161439.html

Below are some interesting pictures taken at the Skansen by Błazej Żuławski (BZ), Henryk Grocholski (HG) and Michael Moran (MM)

En route to the Skansen Ziemi Łowickiej

Henryk Grocholski from his Daimler observes passing cars with interest...

As is often the case with such events there were some CCC members unavoidably delayed. Below - filling in time during the delay.

Waiting for an E-Type

Skansen Ziemi Łowickiej

Leaving the Skansen Ziemi Łowickiej hopefully to see the procession in Łowicz

Refuelling stop en route to Łowicz

Wandering though Łowicz in search of the procession which we managed to miss, this being the casual nature of the car club. There is always next year and the purchase of a Phlippe Patek watch or Breitling Chronometer. Will it make a difference? Probably not....Anyway no tears shed although I noticed far fewer costumes on ordinary folk compared to 25 years ago - plus ca change.

An apiarist in traditional costume at his own stall in Łowicz

Various en route photographs

At the famous Catholic girls boarding school Gimnazjum Sióstr Niepokalanek

A dramatic incident in the afternoon

We were proceeding along a lovely rural road when the Bentley suddenly stopped. Drama! 'These Polish roads are very tough on cars!" was heard to drift on the wind. A bracket holding the nearside front cycle guard had snapped. Not a great issue but the cycle guard had to be removed as it was 'batting the breeze'.

When in doubt in Poland over a mechanical issue get out the hammer and give the problem a good thrashing!

We intended to have a cup of coffee on the way home at Pałac w Teresinie but unfortunately it was closed. Well it provided a good photo opportunity.

And after much chat about cars and further inspection of finer details, we reluctantly set off for Warsaw going our separate ways. In full Polish style the farewells and decisions about 'What next?' took around 45 minutes.

Some of us however agreed to meet for dinner and drinks at the Restauracja STREFA in ul. Pruszna. The Feast of Corpus Christi was still being celebrated even there....