I understand 'nasty little bar steward' a neat way of putting it, haven't heard that one before but I don't get the connection about 'Wroclaw. Poland?'
Anyway, I bought myself a Sea to Summit blow-up pillow a while ago and its served me well, a bit expensive at the time, it was an impulse buy, something I rarely do. I use a soft Thermarest pillowcase over it which makes the comfort of it even better. Oddly though, I have no recollection whatsoever as to where I bought the pillowcase when I bought it or did I buy it at all? In my mind, it just seemed to appear from nowhere.
I also own a Sea to Summit flexible bowel and when its time for sleep I just put all my clothes in the bowl and put my pillow on top. I just like that little bit of extra head height. In the morning I just put the bowl full of clothes directly into my rucksack so I know exactly where they are when I need them. This bowl is so useful, its a real jack of all trades!