Lower Silesia is a completely new area for us. This year we went there for the first time and now we know that it wasn't the last time. We were there for a week with our children who need changes and attractions all the time. We decided to do something new every day. However, if we had been there without the children, we would probably have done different things. For starters, we went on hikes to the Szklarka and Kamieńczyk Waterfalls, Jurassic Park in Szklarska Poręba, a crystal glass factory called Julia, and Chojnik Castle. For me, the best thing was an attraction which, to my astonishment, cannot be found in every Tourist Guide: The Colourful Lakes, lately recognized by National Geographic Traveller as one of the new seven wonders of Poland.

Any careful visitor to the Szczecin and Wolin Island area has had a chance to see the Emerald and Turquoise Lakes. In my opinion however, their actual colours have been at odds with their names for some time, and the leaves which lie on the bed have caused the azure to be less and less visible. There is no such doubt when it comes to The Colourful Lakes. Their colours really significantly differ from typical, clear tarns, although I think that everybody can see different colours from those indicated by the names.

The Lakes are situated in Rudawski Landscape Park near Wieściszowice village. Four of them lie on the slope of Wielka Kopa. Back in the XVIII century a pyrite mine was situated here. In the XX century the extraction of this mineral ended and once again mother nature came into power in this place. The mine excavations were filled with water, creating picturesque lakes where the colour comes from the chemical structure of their walls and beds.

My children love muffins. This year to give them joy on Children's Day I prepared fluffy, moist muffins with rhubarb, a crunchy crumble topping and lemon icing. They were excellent and everybody, not only the children, liked them.

My children (on the off-chance) saved a couple of the muffins for later and left them for their packed lunch. It is fortunate my children are so far-sighted, because the rest of the muffins disappeared in a flash.

Ingredients (12 muffins)
dough
250g of flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
half a teaspoon of baking soda
150g of brown sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla essence
250ml of milk
60ml of oil
1 egg
a pinch of salt
crumble topping
40g of butter
80g of flour
40g of caster sugar

It is common knowledge that strange cravings are the preserve of pregnant women. You don't need to be pregnant to want to a few things at the same time. There are two kinds of dishes which you may prepare in this situation: salads and baked goods. You may prepare surprising and yummy meals with products which seemingly don't go together. Try to experiment and maybe you will create something special. At worst you will make a dish "with an interesting taste" (this is what we call less successful culinary experiments in my family).

Today I mixed fresh spinach leaves and green asparagus spears with fruit: juicy pomegranate and sweet blueberries. Add poached egg or pieces of hard-boiled egg if you want to make a more filling dish. This salad is an excellent proposal for a light dinner on a hot summer day.

Ingredients (for 2 people)
2 fistfuls of spinach
a bunch of green asparagus spears (about 12 pieces)
half a pomegranate
two fistfuls of blueberries
4 eggs
salt and pepper
dip:
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of honey
1 tablespoon of water