Bilina time again (And other places)October 2023
Friday 13th
The taxi arrived at 5.45 and half an hour later I joined the stag and hen parties which were off for a weekend's jollification in Prague. Never seen so much drink sold on a two hour flight.
Met by Helena and John we went off for lunch at a shopping centre with a plane spotters terrace. After pork chops, chips and salad we set off for Bilina and a new, for me, hotel.
The Karolina is a step up from Bezovka and it doesn't have the Fawlty Towers feel. Cosy little room with bathroom. Advised to rest I messed about till 4.30 when off I went for supper at the Patkovs. By 7.30 I was back trying to get something to watch on the TV. not even MASH in German.
At least I have a book to read.
Saturday.
Karolina has a comfy bed but does not do breakfast. This is because there is no staff member on the premises overnight. Furthermore the front door is locked and guests are requested to lock up if they leave early.
So I went to the Patkove residence for breakfast.
At 10 am we were picked up by the headteacher and the Chicago lady. Off we went for a few miles to Hrobcice, a village with a mayor. The young lady mayoress showed us round the local mansion which has been renovated. Dating back several centuries it fell into disrepair under the old regime but with a government grant the place is now fit for weddings and conferences.
We were given a candle as a souvenir, mine is summer flowers.
Renovated after years of neglect under "the old regime."
On we went to Patek. The mansion there had once belonged to the Lobkowitz family who also had several castles in the Czech lands. The displays, mostly dining tables, included Wedgewood plates.
Visit over we went to the nearby Helen pub for lunch. Cheese, a bit like brie, salad and potatoes.
Onward to Peruk to visit the ancient but much loved oak tree. Long ago a member of the royal household was passing by, spotted a beautiful girl washing her clothes in a well and took her off to be his queen, even though he already had one.
Patek's equivalent of Sycamore Gap
There was a museum of Czech village life. Lots of ancient farming implements and machinery plus domestic utensils, including poss sticks.
Next stop on the tour was Paneski Tine, home of what looked like an unfinished cathedral. It boasted a magic spot where, when you stood in it, you felt energised. didn't do much for me.
Unfinished cathedral, not a ruin. And a watchful nun
And finally Louny, a sizeable town. Strangely deserted for a Saturday afternoon but we found room for cake and coffee. And squeezed in a visit to St Nicholas's Cathedral. Very ornate carvings round the altar.
St Nicholas Cathedral, Louny
Sunday 15th
After breakfast at the Patkoves we went shopping at LIDL. Then Pavel trotted off home leaving Helen and I in the cold (8C) waiting for Mary and her husband. On their arrival Helen trotted off too. The remaining three went to Mary's flat in Most for lunch and then headed out to Marketa's cottage in the village of Ochihov ( I think).
After a chat and cake we drove out to a deciduous forest for a walk. Through the wood we went and when we were half-way across a field the heavens opened so we turned back. Back at the cottage it stopped raining of course. We went into the garden to admire the apple tree and the tall wall nut tree. The wind got up and the wall nuts came down, quite hard on the head too.
Marketa's cottage
Back in Bilina for supper and back to Karolina.
Monday 16th
Breakfast at Patkovs then into school. Only two sessions, both with sixth forms. They were quiet and few questions. Boys asked about soccer, who did I support. Girls asked about languages! Then they woke up and asked why we left the EU.
Back in school again
Went to Albert supermarket, supper at Patkovs, a kebab and Budweiser, the real Czech beer, not the American imitation.
Back to Karolina
Tuesday 17th
Back to school after breakfast. three lessons of conversation with a range of students. Sessions 1 and 3 went well, discussing films, sport, books, English language. Chelsea and Arsenal seem popular!
After lunch in the canteen (meatballs and pasta) went with Daria and her daughter Lucy to the Riding school. I now know how to catch the horse, brush it down, put on a blanket, then the saddle and a different bridle. Steps to help little people to mount and off Lucy went on Tango, retired racehorse.
The centre also had a llama, a kangaroo, some jolly piglets, rabbits, goats and geese.
Afterwards the horse was rubbed down , given a coat and walked back to its field.
A day with the animals
Went on to Teplice to buy treats for horses at Decathlon and finished the day at KFC.
Wednesday 18th.
Three chats with children in the morning. Last one very good. Films, computing, prices in UK and Czechia, and religion.
Lunch in canteen then a walk to Kyselka for a pint of "unfiltered" lager. Went down well, especially the price at about £2
Supper at Patkova household again and back to Karolina.
Thursday 19th.
Busy morning in school, four lessons which equates to three hours. Good questions, similar to before. Lunch in canteen again, breaded chicken and potatoes. Walked to Karolina and had a pint of Bernard, an expensive £1!
Back to Patkovs, light afternoon tea.
Went to Blankas for tea then back to good old Karolina.
Friday 20th
Two lessons in the morning with younger ones. Good bunch, one loved walking.
Lasagne in school canteen then off to Lazne Msene for the weekend. Smart resort Hotel but I wasn't happy with RIP over the door. Apparently its a reference to the place many years ago when a chief Czech stopped and said. "this is the place lads." And they settled.
Given a wrist band to wear to stop people free loading, dinner in a large hall with lines of tables, like being g back at school with better food.
Cosy little room for one and NZ v Argentina on TV.
Saturday 21st
After breakfast we had a walk through the woods in the area. Warm morning it was more than pleasant, sunshine, leaves falling, conkers on the ground. Back at the spa a coffee and Becherova, herbal alcoholic drink.
Early lunch as the ladies were off for yoga and meditation.
2pm sirens went off!!! Nobody seems to know why. I was looking out for Russians.
Evening trip to Prague. Parked in the suburbs, metro to town square and went to a string quartet concert in a church. Mostly themes from films, I recognised Once upon a time in America, the Godfather and A Fistful of Dollars.
Sunday 22nd
After breakfast we set off for the town of Litomerice. The town had a large central square, typical of Czechis, colonnades and several medieval buildings. The place is home to the top Czech Bishop and not surprisingly, as it was Sunday, the cathedral was holding a service. We looked in, very ornate of course. Close by a smaller church was also having a service but it was an Orthodox one. Also very ornate.
After a walk round the city walls and cake and coffee in a cafe with a model of the town we returned to Lazne Msene for lunch and the trip back to Bilina.
And on Monday I came home.
A few more;
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