Saturday 26th May, Prague, Czech Republic
When I booked the flight tickets I failed to realise the time we’d have to get up in order to get to the airport. So, yes..it was another early morning – getting up at 2.30am…any point in going to bed you ask?! Of course…there is always a need for sleep!!
So, we get to the airport and check-in is a breeze (not a repeat of Barcelona thank goodness!) and we get on the plane and have front row seats – I’m talking about the front…I can see in the cockpit and everything!! What I expected to see where the pilots beavering away, ensuring everything was OK…but NO! I see them huddled over a bin bag of sweets and crisps, making the terrible decision of what to eat on the flight!! I was waiting for the bag of goodies to be passed down the plane, but alas, we went hungry!!
We landed in Prague airport at 11.30am (after the flight was delayed for over an hour – obviously they got crumbs somewhere important!) and took a bus into town to meet Jeannie, Mark, Caro and Andy. We then dropped our stuff off at the hostel…now, this place made the Quality Inn in NY seem luxurious! (No curtains and pillows stuffed with tapioca pudding!) But, it was a bed and it was cheap! We spent Saturday seeing Charles Bridge (and rubbing the brass doggy for luck) and walking up to Prague Castle, which wasn’t very castle like really! We also
saw St Vitus’s Cathedral and the Royal Palace. I did manage to get a photo of the guards, although I am sure if I hadn’t moved they’d have walked over where I was standing, squashing me flat! J though this was very amusing!! We had dinner in a nice-but-dark restaurant (yummy food) where J was served up half a rather large duck!! We then went to ‘Pub 1’ for drinks, trying out 12 different Czech shots between us – most of which were foul!! After that we went to the Irish pub and played ‘G’day Kylie’ and the ashtray game. My fave was G’day Kylie, with M taking it to the extreme with his drooling Helen impression!
Sunday 27th May, Prague, Czech Republic
After a rough nights sleep (thanks to the French students in the rooms near us - do they have to make so much noise!?!?) we headed back into Prague centre and took a walk around the Jewish Quarter and River area towards Petrin Hill. We took the funicular to the top and then M, Carl and I went up the observation tower (Eiffelovka), which looked like a mini Eiffel Tower, but wobbled more than the Paris version! All of us then went into the Mirror Maze which was very 
cool and the hall of mirrors, most of which made me look like a dumpy midget (see photo!) We also found the Church of St Micheal (a wooden church which was moved from the Ukraine valley when it flooded) and M decided he wanted to flood the steps with a waterfall Braniac style! (by cutting an empty bottle in half!) We had dinner in a cheap place and had a set menu (150 Kc) and they were the tiniest portions EVER! I could have eaten 2 of the set meals and still had room for more! It was then back to Pub 1 for a couple of drinks, then to a takeaway for more food and then to an English Pub (I know, in Czech and going to an English pub - terrible!) for a few more drinks before heading back to the dive, sorry, hostel on the tram. Luckily the French students had left so a much better night was had by all!
Today Caro and Andy flew home and J, M, C and I began our trip round Czech. We headed south and stopped at a town called Tabor. Having found a handy car park we thought all was well until we tried to park. The ground was so bad it looks as if a meteor had hit! Thanks to M's driving skills (and J, C and I holding our breath!) we managed to park and wander towards the main square, which was very pretty. We then headed out and found a rather full-flowing waterfall! Lots of rain then?! We then went back to the main square for a much needed cuppa - pronounced cherny chi - black tea, with mleco - milk (or Malcolm as M would say!) It was then of to Cesky Krumlov (CK), which was a long drive. Cesky Krumlov was very picturesque even in
the rain - and was actually my fave town in Czech. We had lunch and then J, C and I went for a wander. We walked towards the castle, past the ‘bear pit’ (yes, bear pit, a pit with bears in – I kid you not!) and had some lovely views of the town. We then decided to stay at CK the night as it was quite a trek to our next destination. CK is pension city (fyi - pensions are like guest houses in Czech, not money when you retire!) We stayed at a lovely pension up the hill from town (M used his bargaining skills to get us a good deal) and had a lovely meal in the evening. We did try to see the circus but arrived too late – there were no times on the posters so we had to guess when it started…and we were wrong! M did manage to drive the wrong way round a roundabout tho! (In his defence it didn’t look like a roundabout and it wasn’t busy…and he very politely waved the person round who was going the right way!)Tuesday 30th May – Telc, Kutna Hora and Litomerice, Czech Republic
We set off to our new destination today. After loading the car we set off… the wrong way down a one way street!! There were no signs until we’d done it! So, after turning round we drove around trying to find a way back to the main street. When we did M tooted his horn in delight (ooh err!) and scared a local man half to death! It was so funny – he jumped like a puppet on a string! The image kept us laughing for hours! We arrived in Telc at lunchtime and ate our lunch (which was sneakily made at breakfast!) According to M’s book Telc is “Perhaps the most photogenic town in Czech.” This could have been the case if they hadn’t been digging up half the roads in the town, including the main square! We walked towards the river and saw the water chateau. On the bridge M did a risky photo of us all by balancing the camera on the bridge…we all look a bit tense in that shot!
Our next destination was Kutna Hora. Our trip there was mainly to see the Kostnice (ossuary) in Sedlec where a church is decorated with the bones of 40 000 people (like chandeliers, bells
etc)…sounds nice huh! Unfortunately the town itself was pretty scummy and we couldn’t find the church in the town, and we had very little time! Then we realised where it was and it was too late! Rather than stay in scummyville to see it the next day, we decided to crack on and head to our next destination. We arrived in Litomerice as the sun was setting, making for some good photos! The main hotel we spotted was WAY expensive and it took us a fair while to find a pension. M used his bargaining skills again to good effect! After settling in, we headed into town and ate in an underground restaurant…yes…in the ground…like a cave! It was so cool! And probably the best meal in Czech! The waiters were friendly…and helped us with our Czech pronunciation!Wednesday 31st May –Litomerice, Terezin, Trepice and Dubi, Czech Republic. Meissen, Germany
Our breakfast was served in our room today…more meat, cheese and rolls, but with some interesting pate! The man on the lid is putting a rather large sausage in his mouth…enough said! We had a wander round Litomerice during daylight before heading to the neighbouring town of Terezin. A bit of a depressing town really, but it was used as a WWII jail and Nazi-run concentration camp. We visited the Lesser Fortress and the camps prison barracks. It was quite interesting, but the best bit was spotting a family of otters outside. We watched then through the window for a while before some stupid kid came along and crept up on them, scaring them off. So we decided to get our own back by making spooky ghosty noises. He did look a bit worried, but I think he saw me…I didn’t look very ghost like in my green jacket!
From Terezin we headed to the Czech/German border, having one last meal to use up our Czech money! We drove to Trepice and drove about and then left, deciding it was too much like Luton and not Czech enough! Dubi was the last town before the border and we spotted a restaurace on the main road and went for it! It was definitely a locals place – no English menu here – just Czech and German! We managed reasonably well with my Prague guidebook having a few foods in and we knew a couple of things in German! So after filling our stomachs, and emptying our wallets we set off to the border.
A funny thing happened then. Driving on a road in the middle of nowhere we had the lovely surprise of seeing a few of prostitutes posing in what I can only describe as sheds!! They were prancing around in lacy panties and one of them beckoned to M. Perhaps they wanted some action with J too as she was sitting in the front!! Well, that gave us something to laugh and marvel over!
It was then across the border. Bye bye Czech, Hello Germany!
We headed to Dresden, but as time was against us, it was a drive by only! Our next destination was Meissen, a very pretty town. We wandered about seeing the sights and the views. We were recommended a pension called Pension Orange which was on the way out of town. By the time we went out for food, most places weren’t serving! Luckily we found an Italian place…not exactly German Cuisine!
Thursday 1st June –Naumburg and Quedlinburg, Germany
I am not good at foreign languages. I had a funny incident happen this morning. I was about to go and have a shower and was just going to go into the ladies when the lady from 2 doors down came out and started gabbling away in German. Now, my German is practically non existent, and after about 5 seconds I realised she spoke no English either. She was trying to tell me something, pointing to the ladies. So I said “shower” and did a shower like hand gesture and she nodded. Then she gabbled away about something and I had no clue. Looking blankly at her she then disappeared into her room only to reappear with a shoe. So, she started pointing at the shoe and at the shower. My brain put shoe and shower together and came up with ‘you have to wear shoes in the shower.’ I know. In my defence, it was early! She nodded, thinking I understood and went off. I stood there like a muppet before deciding that can’t be what she meant and headed to the showers. As I was about to open the door a guy, who must have been her husband came out and gave me a sheepish smile before vanishing. So, she was pointing to a shoe…her husbands shoe…so he was in the shower! Makes sense now…kinda!
Our first destination was Naumburg, a pretty medieval town. We stopped in a pub/café for food and as the menu was only in German, the barman tried to translate for us! We all had soup, which was very yummy. We then wandered around the town, looking at the pretty squares and streets and seeing the Dom’s of St Peter and St Paul. There was actually a bit of sun too! Lovely!
Then it was off to Quedlinburg, which was quite a drive. Quedlinburg is a ‘true gem’ apparently, 
and was very pretty. Lots of cobbled streets and half-timbered houses. We saw the Rathaus (Rat-house!), Schlossberg (castle) and the Dom of St Servatili. We had a much needed cup of tea in a rather dodgy looking café. After a bit more wandering time was getting on so we decided to get some supplies ready for camping. All was well until we realised we’d purchases sparking water instead of still. Oops! And Yuck! We then went back into town and found a Greek restaurant. We were served an Ouzo each to start (which we made Carl drink…yes all 4!) The food was great and the waitresses friendly. We were just about to leave when 4 more Ouzo’s arrived! J and I had to have them this time as 2 of them were different and ‘for the ladies.’ Luckily it was better than the normal!
Then it was towards the Hars for camping. This journey took longer than expected as there seemed to be no campsites anywhere!! We eventually found one but it seemed closed for the night. The barrier wouldn’t let us in, but he semi-attempted to squidge through the gap between the barrier and the box. I had visions of us getting stuck and having to explain why we were stuck there in the morning! Luckily M gave up and parked up. We had a walk around the campsite to find somewhere to pitch the tent. En route M took us down a grass slope where I almost fell on my bum and puddles, which I managed to stand in and get wet! In the end we pitched over the fence from the car…and it was FREEZING!
Friday 2nd June –Goslar, Germany
We decided a lazy day was called for today. Today was SUNNY and WARM! Shock horror! So we lazed in the sun, played boules, had breakie, lunch and lots of cups of tea!
Mid afternoon we decided to visit a nearby town called Goslar. It was another pretty town and in the main square a band were playing. How cool! We had a chilled out wander seeing various churches, narrow streets, streams and a watermill, waterfall and monastery. We had dinner in a restaurant near the watermill. The food was yummy and the portions huge! We were all in a jokey mood, being crude and silly. Ma said he had a big bone and liked a good portion. I did a good impression of BA Baracus ‘I pity the fool who has a starter’ which was funny at the time! Anyway, it wasn’t until we were about to leave when we realised the bloke on the next take understood English! Ooops!!
Saturday 3rd June –Hemer, Germany: Conny and David’s Wedding
After getting up very early (6.30am – on holiday!) we packed up the tent and left 2 minutes ahead of schedule! A first!! Our destination was Hemer for Conny and David’s wedding! Having given ourselves ample time, or so we thought, we arrived at the hotel when really we should have been leaving it to get to the church! So, it was super quick getting ready and off! Andreas came with us to help with directions. Luckily the church was closer than we thought, so we were not late! Phew!!
It was a lovely wedding, with the ceremony being partly German, partly in English but with a translation. We even attempted to sing the German verses to the hymns, to our own amusement! Conny looked gorgeous too. We then took a bus to the reception, which was a fair trek. On arrival we had drinks outside followed by tea and cakes (yummy!) We spent sometime outside chatting, listening to live music etc before going in for the meal. The speeches were not traditional English ones: there was a song, a quiz and a speech. In the evening there was music and we did some county dancing, which was quite funny! The cake came out at around midnight and had sparklers! Very snazzy! Sadly we didn’t last much longer. We called a taxi to go home, but were then annoyed as some good music came on!! A very enjoyable day and experience!!
Sunday 4th June –Dortmund Airport, Germany and home
J and M took us to the airport this morning. We were quite happy to be left there, assuming that we could occupy ourselves for the 5 hours waiting time. But alas, when we entered we were in for a shock. 1 shop (small. Everything in German). 1 café. A squillion travel agents! Bum. I have to say, I was very happy to get back to the UK after more than 5 hours in that airport!!
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