As I brought the seedlings inside from a day out in the sunshine, to tuck them up as the nights are still cold, it struck me that I have President Putin to thank for the handy crates that are the new vogue around the villages of Poland.
With the onset of sanctions and worsening relations between Poland and Russia one of the main export markets of the Polish farmer dried up and apples and carrots were among the fruit and vegetables that no longer had a stall to go to.
Unlike Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstalls ‘War on Waste’ program on the BBC last year, where mountains of vegetables were discarded, the EU stepped in and redistributed the surplus foodstuffs around the villages. Large crowds gathered as the articulated lorries pulled up outside community churches (the favoured distribution point) Having a van we became distributors ourselves as we dropped off crates of apples to our neighbours. And at the end of it all we ended up with 10 crates of apples and three sacks of carrots, great food for us, the goats, the rabbits and no doubt the pigs if we have anything left before we take our next set of piglets.
On passing a tractor the other day with a trailer load of potatoes in crates, I commented that it was unusual to see potatoes in crates in Poland, as it’s normally sacks. Gosia said yes, but now everyone has free crates!
Thank you Mr Putin, we have something to put in now, but if you don’t mind can you give Crimea back?
Winkos: a straw bale building adventure in Poland 
Excellent article, I enjoyed the read. I am going to reblog this one for you.
Thank you!
A most interesting post Eddy.
Cheers Vinnieh!
Anytime Eddy, I enjoy going through your blog. Most entertaining. Any time you need movie recommendations, mine is open.
Between you and Pete I’m well set up, if only I had some time to read never mind watch all your posts 🙂 But I know where to go when I need to find a good review, cheers!
You’re welcome anytime Eddy.
Lovely posts u have
Thank you!
Hi Eddy, we’re going tomorrow for a cycling trip close to your place, so maybe we’ll have a chance to meet?
Hi, I have just replied to you by email 🙂
At least you got some crates from Putin. I doubt the Ukrainians would have spared you any…Nice to have a seasonal update, Eduardo.
Love to all in Poland, Pete. x
Cheers Pete, just make sure you vote to stay in the EU, I’m not sure such an offer will ever come round again without the money from the UK 🙂
All the best
Poland sounds like a crate place to live!
They seem to carry it off ok 🙂
What is Crimea?
Russia annexed Crimea from Ukrain in early 2014, leading to the ongoing conflict today. Sadly I doubt Russia will ever give it back, nor will the fighting stop anytime soon, but we can hope.
That’s looking on the bright side —
You have to.
cleverly cutting.
Nobody has the sack: isn’t it crate?
😀
Just as well, unemployment is already high 🙂