Horizon: Zero Warszawa.

I've always enjoyed my brothers' random photo-challenges. Despite their apparent irrelevance they're a great way of changing the way I look at things. The devil is in the detail so to speak. So, as he was tucked away at home playing the latest Horizon games, I took myself off to the streets of Warsaw to track down my nine prizes.

An Espresso.

This should have been much more straight forward. But I'm not a massive frequenter of coffee shops. (Despite very much trying to do so!). Plus, let's face it, if you're going to find a seat in a bustling cafe, take off coats and gloves, you really deserve more than a mere espresso. So this is a cheeky win - for on the ground floor of my block lies MissMellow - a "pop up" version of one of Warsaw's finest boutique coffee and cake parlours. One espresso, bro, with cake - and a latter hidden in the wings to wash it down.

A Bus Stop.

Easy. Warsaw public transport runs like clockwork. Trams, buses and metro lines dissect the city with efficiency, fluidity and warmth. It's no surprise then, that there are literally thousands of bus stop signs. With that in mind, I cheated - and present here a delicious duo of signs, found out in the wild northern suburbs. Both are classic examples, enamel signs with the archetypal pictograms of "tram" and "bus". Simple, clean and reliable. Sadly, though, neither going in my direcrtion.

A Road Sign.

Given that these last few days in Warsaw have seen me smothered with the worst cold in years, my choice for road sign was simple. ul. Polna, 30/A - or, home, if you will. Battling against the wind, navigating the corner of Polna & Marszałkowska, I have never been so happy to see this sign: the end is in site. Time to breath a sigh of relief.

A Ticket Kiosk.

Warsaw is literally punctuated by kiosks. "Ruch" kiosks, to be precise. Ideal for on the go cigarettes, lottery tickets, magazines, fruit, flowers, tram tickets and Snickers bars... you get the picture. And so did I! This fine specimen sits forlorn on Ul. Marszałkowska - and I'm pretty sure just charged me double for 20 Marlboro Red! I felt too poorly to argue.

A Garage Door.

A bit of a niche category this. Most off street parking in Warsaw is under-building. Swanky Audi's and Mercedes sweep in out from under shiny apartment blocks.

Unless you head out - in which case you're much more likely to discover fine examples like this, where the traditional sous-sol version has been subverted and built very much above the ground. All mod cons, including electric door and confused locals watching me take the photograph.

A Fire Escape.

Need a fire escape? I got you. But, ahhh - this one is a little special. Not your every day, common all garden fire escape, this. This little beauty is attached to the rear of the concert hall of the Friendship Village in Northern Wola. This isolated spot, consisting of about 130 wooden buildings was originally created in the 1950's to house the workers building that Warsaw icon - The Palace of Science & Culture. Not unlike walking around a set from The Prisoner - fading, quirky and full of surprises.

Graffiti.

Don't let my protestations about Warsaw being calm and peaceful fool you. It's a city, like any other at the end of the day. As such, there is graffiti on most corners. Much of it refers to the war, and particularly the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. But it's also beautifully random and inexplicable. Speaking of which, I can't explain why I chose these as my favourite examples!

Ornate Ironwork.

I'm reliably informed that the lack of truly ornate ironwork in the city comes back to the war - when, like many cities, iron and other metals were plundered and stripped to make munitions.

With this tough reality in mind, imagine my delight when I stumbled upon this little beauty at Osiedle Przyjażń. The main Committee building showing off some rather dapper interior lighting.

**(Not so) Ornate Ironwork:** Ul. Osiedle Przyjażń.

A Corner Shop.

Fact: It is impossible to walk more than 200 metres in Warsaw without passing a Frog. (No cheesy jokes, please). Warsaw runs on Zabka (frog). They are known for their strategic locations to anyone, anywhere needing anything at any time of day. Zabka's rock, and they roll. Proper "fabric of the city" stuff. You're welcome.

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