We present the story of Jacques Overwijk, who decided to settle in Poland with his Polish wife Uszi. Mrs. and Mr. Overwijk live in Inowrocław, but in summer they move to the lake Osetno (north-eastern Poland, Warmia-Mazury region), where they run a small, quiet camping, enjoying there the freedom and space.

Jacques:

When I met my present wife (a Polish one) in the Netherlands, she told me that for 9 years she owned a piece of land in a small village Osetno in Mazury – nearly 2 acres with lots of woods. At our first visit in Poland together we went there to have a look at it. In my eyes it was like a big desert and my first thoughts were at that moment: “sell that shit!”.

The second time we were in Poland we visited this place again and this time I changed my mind. We travelled by a camper rented in the Netherlands and we stopped for some hours there and then I realized that the area was very nice and quiet, one could only heard the birds. That was a great experience!

The third time we were there – in our own large touring caravan – in the middle of the winter. This time we came to the conclusion that this is a very special place that offers fine rest for mind and soul. We saw only 3 or 4 cars per day passing by on a distance of 200 meters and this is how the idea of establishing our vacation chalet there arose.

We exchanged the touring caravan for a chalet and started the work on it with the help of a local farmer and his old “ursus” [a popular Polish tractor].   First we mowed the 2 feet high grass, then built a barn and ordered water- and electricity installations, which was quite a chore, but the result was a growing joy!

The first thing we built was a little house for the St. Mary figure that was already 30 years with my wife and is very dear to her. I needed time to get used to it as in the Netherlands it is not practised, but now I have to believe in her supernatural power because the following happened: we have always told each other how nice it would be if people came here to stay in tents or caravans, that could be sociable and we would enjoy to share this place with other people.

And a miracle happened! The little chapel for Mary had been just finished for one hour and Mary stood in her own place, we sat together drinking café when a couple walked up to us and asked if they were allowed to come and stay for a weekend with their tent. That was quite a coincident, so we said: of course you are welcome, but we have no attractions for children. Fortunately that was precisely the intention of these people who wanted their children experiencing something else than watching TV or playing the computer, mostly learning from nature, which is exactly what we support. So this people came and attracted another three couples and their tents with them. Super but we had to build quickly another barn with toilets and cooking facilities and also a spot where people can stay if it’s really bad weather.

To us it is a dream comes true! Also some Dutch campers have stayed with us and that is a great joy. It is exactly what we want, and we also hope that this will be continued and more people come and stay with their tents, caravans or motorhome with us.

Poland is extremely beautiful with an incredible nature and is not expensive country to Dutch standards. The architecture is amazing; you can see many beautiful buildings, lovely villages and meet nice and friendly people. In short, Poland is the holiday destination of choice.

Uszi and Jacques Overwijk

Address:
Camping Osetno, commune Biskupiec,
13-334 Osetno 16, (Mazuria) Poland,
website: Camping Osetno,
Tel.: 0048 728 259 309.

Attention! Jacques and Uszi let the poorer families with children to stay there for free!

On August 2015 Renata and Han visited the campsite