Krakowskie Przedmiescie, Warsaw

I provided maps, guide books and instructions for my stranded guests and left them to their own devices while I went to work. It was pointless them sitting around waiting for news of travel plans so they went off and did some sight-seeing and saw the city in mourning.

I hadn't managed thus far to get up to the Old Town since returning from my holiday, so I left the flat with the camera at just gone 11pm and returned at 1.30am. It was just amazing. The area in and around the Presidential Palace and Pilsudskiego Square was a hive of activity. Last-minute preparations were underway for the memorial service, with flowers and electrics and seating and barriers being installed and arranged. There were hundreds upon hundreds of people out; Young and old, able and infirm. The snaking queue to pass by the late President and his wife, lying in State indoors, were being looked after by an army of scouts and guides, who gave blankets and cups of coffee to keep them going. People spoke, but there was no noise. Except for the clink clinking of the extinguished or broken candle-vases being placed into waiting bins, as other scouts, guides and cadets placed and replaced the public's floral and wax tributes outside the palace. The stream of warmth from the candles, as well as the mild smell of them burning was palpable. TV crews conducted their reporting, coffee shops offered warmth and facilities - it was strange buying a latte at gone midnight, but it was just what I needed. It was all so perfectly organised with no pushing or shoving, no raised voices. A very very moving couple of hours.