On the road again

Hi everyone,

We are writing this from Cesky Krumlov a beautiful little town south of Prague where we have settled for four days after five days on the road.

After we left Krakow, very reluctantly, we headed west and our aim was to spend these few days exploring the more obscure areas of Poland and the Czech Republic. Well, it was wonderful. We love both these countries and the more time we spend here the more enthralled we become.

Probably the highlights of the five days on the road were Olomouc (pronounced Olla-moat) a small university town in central Czech Republic. It is like a mini Prague without the tourist. Why the tourists haven't discovered this place is a mystery because it is an enchanting place with loads to see. From Olomouc we headed south and ended up on the Danube River in Durnstein. Now those of you who know us will have heard the story of how once we lobbed into someone's house and sat down and asked for wine all the time thinking it was a restaurant. the guy gave us two glasses each before he told us it was a private home. This was in Durnstein and it is a picturesque village set right on the Danube. We had an apartment here where when we looked out the window all we could see was the Danube flowing by. It was great. The next day we drove about 60 kms along the river and then up over the mountains back to Telc in the Czech Republic. Loved Telc as well. We have seen many little towns with gorgeous squares and very explorable old cities. Telc is high on the list of favourites.

After visiting a couple of Czech castles we finally reached Cesky Krumlov. It is a very pretty place but is overrun with tourists and is one of those places primed for tourism. We have spent the last couple of days exploring the town and having a drive down the river. Tomorrow we are going canoeing. today as we were driving along the river, I swear the whole population of the Czech Republic was in a boat on the river. We have just come home from having a Bohemian feast which was very very tasty. The food here has been sooo good, the beer really cheap ($1.20 for .5 litre), the people very friendly and helpful and the countryside astonishing.

There is thunder claps outside at the moment. We have had a beautiful sunny day today - here's hoping it's the same tomorrow for time on the river!!!