Prague!

Hello (for the last time sorry!),

Didn't post yesterday - we had a day of doing not much as it was our last day in the house. We did pop down to Decin for the last time and got the inside tickets so we could do the water slides as well as swim.

Today, we got up early and cleaned the house before making our way to Prague so we are closer to the airport tomorrow. When we arrived we had a cheeky Starbucks which was lovely before going to the appartment we are staying in - absolutely lovely!

We then had a spot of lunch before heading to the boat tour. We went on a one hour boat tour on the river giving us a great view of all the sites as we don't have long so we're making the most of it. It was great but very hot (according to the lady at the reception these are the hottest days ever recorded for the Czech Republic with Saturday being the hottest!). We also went on the famous bridge in Prague - Charles Bridge which was beautiful.

Done the blog a bit earlier today as we are heading out for cocktails up the TV Tower (dubbed as the second ugliest building in Prague!!, to a bierkeller and then for a meal. We're completing our fabulous holiday in style!

Tomorrow we are squeezing in a segway tour of Prague and a few more sites before catching our flight back to the UK so don't think I will be able to manage another post :(

Thank you so much for reading and commenting on the posts - it's a great part of the holiday which I love doing!

Lots of love Neve xxx

(P.S. I've also included a couple of pictures of the house we were staying in)

Bad Schandau - Germany

Hello,

We've had another brilliant day!

We started with a walk which was lovely. It was a bit cooler today but still very hot compared to England (about 28°C) so it was great weather for a stroll! The walk led us to some huge rocks which had steps between them leading to a very picturesque view over the forest below so definitely worthwhile.

We then went to the spa in Bad Schandau which was fantastic! There was a huge outside swimming pool which was beautiful as the trees were all around the outside - not a bad place for a quick dip! My personal favourite part was a salt water, hot pool inside a big dark room. The salt water meant it was really easy to float and on the ceiling calming pictures were projected. There were also underwater speakers playing relaxing music which you could hear if you floated on the water and put your ears under. It was brilliant and I don't think I've ever been so relaxed (perhaps not including yoga!).

To add to our already brilliant day we then went out for a meal at a lovely Italian restaurant followed by a FREE ice-cream!

A fantastic day, thank you again for the comments! Love Neve xx

Dresden

Hello again,

The blog is back!

Today we went to Dresden which was great! We started by going up the Frauenkirche (the church in Dresden) and getting a beautiful view over the city and it's surroundings. It was lovely to get some fresh air - city style - and be able to see the main sites of Dresden.We were then going to go inside but there was a wedding so we had a drink outside followed by a trip to the shopping mall for a bit of relaxation (Neve and Mum style!). I picked up a skort (skirt/shorts) from Hollister (that dark shop in Guildford, Nanny, not sure I've seen one in Merry Hill, Grandma?) and Euan got a top.

We then went back to the church and had an audio guide inside which told us about it's history. It was the church that was demolished in WWII and then left in rubble for over 40 years. A little bit of history and a little bit of shopping - perfect!

After a drink and ice-cream in the 'trendy' part of the Dresden we came home for dinner. Then we sat outside as it has been a bit cooler this afternoon after another scorching hot day. However, don't be fooled into thinking that this was relaxing as soon Dad, Euan and I found ourselves in a huge water fight with each other. I personally think I should be the winner but that is subject to much debate!

A fantastic but exhausting day well spent. Thank you so much for the comments - we love reading them! Love Neve xx

An Invisible Cyclo-bus?!

For the past few days in Usti me and Dad have been trying to find the number twenty cyclo-bus (and failing) so after today's trip down the huge hill and to the bus stop to wait for bus we have come to a conclusion that it doesn't exist.So we decided instead to cycle to the lido in Decin the bike ride turned out to be very very hot (41 degrees max.) We had some funny incidents along the way including a photographer asking to take a photo of us by the river in multiple pose such as taking a selfie and building a small triangle of rocks! The article is on record low tides and we are still at a loss to what she meant unfortunately the paper cant be accessed by internet :-(. To help us stay on top of our hydration on our way back Mum kindly and accidentally bought us some gassed water! but we gratefully drunk it as we cycled up the big hill 2.5 miles! In record time of 8 minutes and 40 seconds exactly equal to our previous one earlier on in the day and only 2 seconds of the first one we did on Tuesday.

Here are some photos I have taken.

Euan

Filling in post!

Hello,

Since being in the Czech Republic we have been to a lido in Decin which has been brilliant with the weather being so hot. We have actually been twice (three times including today) which just goes to show how much we like it there. Inside there are a few water slides which Euan and I loved as well as a lazy river and swimming pool. Most of the time we have been outside in the huge 50m pool swimming and having fun.

We also went to Tisa where there are huge rocks (a bit like the Czech version of the Stonehenge) which we walked through. It was lovely to get outdoors and Euan managed to take some fantastic photos.

As if we couldn't have done anymore (!) we have also taken a bike ride by the River Elbe which was lovely. We had a picnic by the water and Mum and Euan even had a paddle! Another lovely adventure even though there was a huge hill at the end! We also had a boat trip in Germany (we are staying very close to the border) where the guide pointed out shapes in the rocks - Bart Simpson even featured!! At one point the man even got out his harmonica and played us all a little tune as we went down the water!

We had a lovely time in Berlin yesterday and the day before - such an incredible city. We went on a bike tour on our first afternoon/evening which was amazing and we got to see all the main sites in Berlin (like Checkpoint Charlie, the remains of the Berlin Wall, the Reichstag Building etc.). We had a fantastic tour guide who gave us lots of information and was really enthusiastic so brought Berlin alive for us! The tour lasted for about 5 hours and included dinner at a busy beer garden which was lovely.

We stayed in a Marriott Hotel for a bit of luxury for the night we were in Berlin so in the morning (yesterday) we had a leisurely breakfast followed later by a swim. In the afternoon we went to a couple more sites which were great to see. We even went up the Park Inn hotel to get a view (budget of course!!) over Berlin! We then made the long journey home and had a quick omelette and chips before all heading to bed.

Today, tired out from our adventures, Mum and I took it easy this morning and then went to the lido again in Decin for a swim. It has been about 38°C here today so we were glad to get in the cool water and have a swim. (The boys had a different adventure - see next post!)

Having a lovely time - sorry about no blog. Thank you for the comments again. Lots of love Neve xx

Short dad post from berlin

Lost Wifi at the house and my phone not working and no app on liz phone has made blogging difficult.  We think we will be ok from Friday.  We are currently in Berlin. ..back to Czech Republic tomorrow evening.   All going great.  Brilliant cycle tour of Berlin today.  Family all on form.

Brendan

A few pictures...

...here are some pictures from the days we weren't able to share images!

Firstly, Euan and Dad outside the parliament in Budapest...

 Then another slightly cheeky picture (see sign) sorry!!

 The inside of the Hungarian parliament...

 Lastly, taking a stroll in Budapest...

Love Neve xx

Arrived in the Czech Republic!

Hello again,

After a long day yesterday I didn't get the chance to blog!

On the train, we were in a little "room" of six (basically six seats in a little compartment) which was lovely. We met a really nice couple who were very interesting so we had lots to talk about and stories to share. Euan and I also managed to catch up on a couple of hours sleep (see pictures!) so the journey didn't seem to take too long.

We then met Mum at the airport after playing cards whilst we were waiting for her.

Finally, we arrived at the house which is lovely (it even has a swimming pool) and had some dinner.

Today we were very tired so actually spent the day at the house. Well - we did venture out to the supermarket so we could get some food but that was all! We're now feeling much more ready for some more adventures in our holiday!

Thanks again for the comments. Love Neve xx

(P.S. Going to do a picture post as well as now mum has brought her lap top we can upload pictures from the camera of the days that we didn't have dad's phone x)

Budapest!

Hello again,

Lovely day today in Budapest! This morning we went to the thermal baths which were great. There was an outdoor swimming pool so we were able to do some swimming. We went in most of the saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzis and plunge pools going from hot (40) to cold (16) to "get the full experience". Lovely relaxing morning which set us up well for the rest of the day. :)

This afternoon we had a walk around the city followed by a tour of the Hungarian parliament which was very interesting!

We have just got back to the apartment having had some street food, preparing for our next 8 hour train journey to Prague tomorrow at 5:25am to finally meet mum again!!

Thanks again for the comments. Love Neve xxx

Arriving in Budapest!

Hello,

Long day yesterday on the train to Budapest! The train wasn't quite what we were expecting - there had been talk of a restaurant on the train! When we were waiting on the train we even saw a man and his pet rat get on!

Finally, 8 hours later we did arrive and found our apartment though which is lovely (one of the best ones yet). We had dinner in and then got an early night as we've got a busy day ahead of us today - parliament and thermal baths :)

Unfortunately, yesterday Dad's phone broke so we are having to use Euan's Kindle for the internet so we might struggle to post (this also means no pictures). Sorry!

Thanks again for the comments. Love Neve xxx

Day two in Slovenia!

Hello again,

We treated ourselves this morning to breakfast out at a little place near to where we are staying. It was lovely.

We then went to a machine which dispensed raw, unpasteurised milk and shared a bottle between us - albeit reluctantly for me.

This afternoon we went up to Ljubljana castle which had a beautiful view over the city and explored that for a while. We then "treated" ourselves to lunch from a van!!

Then we hired mountain bikes and went around (and up!) Tivoli Park which was beautiful and it was nice to get away from the city life for a bit. We also got to use the first aid kit for the first time (antiseptic wipes and plaster) as Euan got a skid wrong!

We are now at the apartment about to have a picnic dinner in, then perhaps go out for a drink. We're trying to save our energy for an 8 hour journey to Budapest tomorrow!

Thanks for the comments. Neve xxx

warning: explicit picture below courtesy of dad!

(Also dad is excited about Copenhagen mum)

Day one in Ljubljana!

Hello again,

Had a very early morning today (5:10!) leaving Croatia. We had a last photo by the sea before catching the bus to Slovenia - not quite the size of bus we were expecting!

Euan and I were both very tired so rested our eyes for a bit which dad was keen to capture.

Trying to maintain our 5 fruit and veg a day (mum!!) we found someone who was BBQing corn on the cob which was very tasty.

When we arrived in Ljubljana we went on a free guided tour where we saw the main sites and found out a little bit about the history. The tour guide was very enthusiastic and it was great to get a feel for Ljubljana.

We were completely exhausted so went to our apartment for a little snooze - again dad was keen to capture this!

Then we went to a beer hall where we had the local beer.

Now sitting in a restaurant by the river about to have a meal thinking about another lovely day.

Thank you so much for the comments. Neve xxx