Pension Samohel - Riesengebirge Rokytnice nad Jizerou

... tasty.

Our trip through beer land at an end, we climb into the van to go to the Koneprusy caves. They are living caves with three levels but we can only visit 2 levels. Lots of steps, around 500. My legs are quite irritated that I went through the whole cave. Thought to give my hip some rest today by going on a tour. Opps. Forgot walking in caves is never restful for arthritis.

Fun day

... I would - as they were pretty impressive, but then you all know how to use google!!


We then had a tour of the fermentation tanks and details of the vital ingreadients (water, malt, special yeast and bacteria...). The tour concluded in obvious fashion - with a taster straight from the keg, poured by the most photographed man in Plzen!!

Today we went to the Pilsner Urquell brewery in Plzen. Pilsner, the type of beer, originated here, where Pilsner Urquell was brewed from local crops and local mineral water. The tour was awesome. We saw the traditional brew kettles and the modern ones, as well as a very modern new packaging plant. We also tasted some unpastuerized beer directly from fermenting barrels.

(76 miles) Slowing ourselves down has really helped us go longer while feeling like we are riding less. Today we entered the Czech Republic and found out that the roads are not as nice and little towns are run down. It's interesting the change. Everything is much cheaper here as well. We find ourselves dodging potholes more and eating out more. However so far I have taken less pictures ...

... They are all great guys. It turned out that they were playing at another place in Prague the next night so I happily accepted the invitation. I was blown away by the performance on the second night. The venue was much better, so the sound was great and there was more room than at the bar at the "Clown and Bard". These guys are truly great musicians. It is hard to pinpoint there style. I wouldn't classify under one category, they are a terrific blend of rock ...

... they wouldnt change in to many euros) so I ate more and bought the cutest shoes! Little Ked-like flats. Its funny because just before i was thinking about how impressed I have been with myself, surviving off the same clothes for 6 weeks. I was thinking taht it will be a good start to me mionimalizing things in my life (a new goal of mine) when I get home. Then I saw the shoes... haha! I guess it will be a work in progress... I canīt believe I only ...

Arrived in Karlstejn on the "City Elephant" train at 1.20pm and walked 2km to the Karlstejn Castle. Went on the 2.30pm English tour of the castle which took about an hour. No photography allowed inside the castle. Took in the views over the town before walking back to the train station and catching the train back to Prague.

... morning bus ride, and I had to hold the driver as Clare (how should I say)utilised one of the bus stop bins. I don't know how I managed the 3 early starts on the trip of 7.10am, 5.30am and the last day at 5.40am so easily, as I'm not a morning person, but needs must. I'm getting habituated to a lack of sleep and am worried I may never be able to sleep in again! It's a relief to have the tour over in that way. Roll on England and a week to cathing up with old friends. ciau

... is cheap when you buy tickets, easy to get around, gorgeous, parks to hang out in, castle, views, churches, amazing squares, secret secluded little courtyards, and more. So even though some things have bugged me, I would recommend this place to everyone. This country is really amazing and might be one of my favourites so far. So there you go. Think that's about all from Prague for now. Might write once more before I leave on Monday. Got to get up EARLY tomorrow so take care. Night!!

... she is going to bring a bigger bed for the Klugs, who will be here next Saturday. She also said I don't need your help with bringing in the new bed. She also decorated our door and hall for Christmas, so we have no complaints. She has had the water fixed, so we can count on hot water. We're talking about a trip after Christmas; there was an article about big savings, but the trips are limited and they are for a weekend; we wanted to stay longer. So now we are thinking of ...