Neil Gits To Poland

I hadn’t been on a plane since May 2018 and the last time I even left England was a year later, briefly taking in North Wales and South West Scotland on one of my famous “Birthday Road Trips”, but with my son Nathan having got the travel bug as part of his studies at University, he decided it was time I got my passport out of the drawer again and arranged a surprise venture into Central Europe. I had no idea where we would be going until about a week before, all he told me was to keep the 23rd to the 27th January free, leave all the arrangements to him and we would be going to somewhere in one of ten countries !

We based ourselves in Poland’s second largest city, Krakow and spent two nights in an incredibly cheap room perfectly positioned for exploring the incredible medieval architecture of the historic Old Town. A bargain it certainly was, but some of its basic features, especially the shared bathroom were borderline fit for purpose, although we did have access to a fridge freezer, microwave and even a washing machine if we’d needed them. Bizarrely, there was also an old piano in the room too !!

In between two days & nights of taking photos of Krakow in the dark and the daylight, Nathan played his trump card and took us on a two hour plus coach trip south to Zakopane, not far from the Slovakian border – wow ! There was snow everywhere and with Poland traditionally keeping up their Xmas decorations until February 2nd as well, it looked picture postcard beautiful ! The town has several ski slopes and is a popular destination for Poles not only wanting to take part in that sport but also take a winter leisure break as tourists, so there was plenty to see, do and eat there – I had my first “Pierogi” , Polish dumplings with meat in a spicy sauce , very tasty but rather hot !

It was only in Zakopane that I took notice of any music being played on our trip, Jocelyn Brown’s “Somebody Else’s Guy” blasting out of one of the “food chalets” as I took a photo of a giant igloo. I am sure I will mention more fascinating moments in between your two hours of the good stuff this Monday from 7-9pm but it’s now time to get focussed on cvhoosing those tunes again – here are last week’s ones :

The Tunes – Monday 22nd February 2024

Kashif – I Just Gotta Have You (Lover Turn Me On)
Steve Arrington – Feel So Real
Chris Ballin – Endlessly
Linda Lewis – Rock A Doodle Doo
Linda Lewis-Remember The Days Of The Old Schoolyard
Preston Glass ft Tony Lindsay – Like Mama Always Said
Controllers – Just In Time
Everis – Come Home Tonight
Jacksons – Wondering Who
Isaac Hayes – Theme From Shaft
Glen Adams Affair – Just A Groove
Price-Bernstein Project – My Philly Girl
Margo Thunder – Expressway To Your Heart
Jim Gilstrap – Swing Your Daddy
Glenn Jones – Meet Me Halfway There
Johnny Mathis – I’m Stone In love With You
Soulrender – Drama Queen
Ripple 2.20 ft Keith Doc Samuels – If I Don’t Love You
Luther Vandross – You Stopped Loving Me
Detroit Spinners – Ghetto Child
Jermaine Jackson – The Pieces Fit
Booker Newbury III – Love Town
Weeks & Co – Rock Your World

Feel free to get in touch with your soulful request or just for a mention on the show – put a post on “The Old Gits Soul Show” page on Facebook, text (01268)833978 or message me via e-mail : [email protected].

The Old Gits Soul Show is broadcast LIVE from 7pm–9pm every Monday, repeated on Saturday evening from 5pm–7pm, on Gateway 97.8FM in Basildon & East Thurrock and available nationally via the Radio Player at Sky TV as well as online via www.gateway978.com You can listen on your smart speaker or your phone too … plus you can hear it again anytime you like via the “Listen Again” button on the Gateway website – just search “Cool Soul” !