New bike seats

Cemetery, dr Franz Kafka , Zizka hill, bar on top, storm, dogs, lizard, gothic church, walk to river, swans,storm at night.

    We found a little adventure. Pretty whipped right now after a day of hot riding. But things are looking up after a shower and the prospect of a nice dinner.

    Yesterday was pretty routine, our day spent mostly with the dead. We toured the Prague cemetery out in the east part of town. Found the grave of Franz Kafka, along with many other famous Czech heroes. I wanted to find the largest horse sculpture in the world, so we looked into it by visiting Zizka Hill. Or so we thought, until we arrived at the top of the hill in a rainstorm and spotted the giant cement horse about a half mile away. 

    Hustling into a garage sized building, to get of of the rain, we found ourselves inside a small bar, and ordered two Kozel drafts. The bar was more than full, with people along with seven or eight dogs, and an iguana type lizard in a bag next to us.

    In the middle of last another t-storm blew through, this one dumping hail. So things were a little damp when we started out with our new friend, who kindly rode with us for a couple of hours to guide us out of Prague. Things were simple until she left us to take the train back home. But not soon after she left we became lost at a muddy dead end, only to take a few more wrong junctions. At each impossible choice we would stop to ask for help. Using sign language only. Our Czech is minimal. We know ano, ahoy, and most. So we wave the map and start a painful process. But all the people are patient with us, and there is no reason they should know a word of  English

    Karlstein Castle finally appeared, and we took the tour, learning about King Charles and his wives. Back in the saddle for Beroun, where it took us an hour and three or four tries to find a room. I'm writing next morning from the Ostrovo Hotel, located on the river. Kids are playing outside our window. Beroun is a very pretty town, and the countryside along the ride has been as green, hilly, and perfect as it could be. No wonder this area has been fought over so many times. 

    We plan to make Plzen tonight, if all goes to plan. The new bike seats should make for an interesting day.