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Published: June 25th 2017
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Geo: 48.9744, 14.4747
"Don't underestimate Europe".....! These words were said in wisdom by Cathy back in 1994 after my first ever week in New Zealand...........Europe......bah!.... full of oikes and really boring....I piped back in reply. "The scenery is rubbish as well .......far better to sit on a plane for 24 hours".....I retorted.
She was right and distance is not always proportional to enjoyment!
TIME CHECK: 0600hrs. After a busy night of dumpling and sausage fuelled dreams I am up and grinding coffee beans..........
Down below in the Square (which claims to be the 2nd largest in Europe), I spot brightly dressed Oriental Tourists in pork pie hats snapping each other and naturally themselves on their Samsung phones.......they contort into silly postures in front of the fountain and wave at each other taking photos of.........guess what........each other..........making stupid gestures.......at each other!!!!
Last night (Sunday) we were treated to a massive thunder storm and the weather forecast for today was grim. This morning I double checked the BBC forecast.......it's looking more promising.....I then check the reliable "HOLIDAY WEATHER WEBSITE"..........where every day the sun shines because you are on holiday.....and it is looking even better.
BIKES!; We set off on foot in search of the Caverna Lanna where we
are to pick up our "SUPERIOR" cycles. "Jitka" the owner is a dusky Czech lady in her late 20's with high cheek bones and good English but with a slight cigaretty vapour trail. After 15 mins of form filling we are presented with crash helmets, maps, padlocks and our rather "off road" looking cycles.
A quick circuit around the car park and we "wooble off" along cycle route "12" in the general direction of Hluboka situated on the Vitava River some 10km to the North. We whizz past fields and keeping close the River.... about 40 minutes later we arrive on the outskirts of the Town. There is a fantastic Castle on the hilltop that was built to mimic Windsor. Cycling on the flat is fine but as soon as a moderate hill appears it is a different story! We pedal around town and stump up-to the Castle.........by this time the saddle seems a little smaller and harder......perhaps the 4 day hire package was ambitious!!
We head back to Cesky on route 12 past all sort of local life. Suddenly, Cathy squeaks out.........Ostrich! What????????.......in a nearby field where a local man in shiny shorts is over-cladding his mobile home in some sort
of a wooden structure..... we spot a long neck bobbing over the fence. Never one for missing an opportunity, Cathy dismounts and heads towards the man. He is delighted with her interest and procures a stale bread roll for the bird.............who proceeds to "neck it" without chewing!!!
Back in town we deposit the bikes and tour the superb old town on foot. It is virtually unspoilt by tourists..................more to follow.
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katie.jenks28
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Lovely little villages! I only hope that isn't Neddy trapped in the wall as you raced to get to the Lesbi show Jonathan............