Sunday at Bolevec Lake and Radyně Castle

The best way to do a 20km run, is to pack the kids bikes, head to the local lake, and let the Sunday run become an entire family outing...

Bolevec lake is the same lake that was completely frozen over in winter where we were ice skating
Believe it or not, there were actually people swimming here this morning - although I think the water temperature did not even pass the big toe test - it is really cold!


In the afternoon, we did an outing to our nearby castle - the view from the top is magnificent!

Pirate Weekend

The girls school arranged for an activity weekend in the country. On Friday we drove through to Prachatice, Hotel Albatross, not really sure what to expect from the weekend... the girls were certain to be amused and entertained, but the parents... that was an unknown.

Nevertheless, spring being in the air, and us being in South Bohemia is a promising recipe on those two ingredients alone.

The kids were divvied up into teams, Amber and Saz were in the green team - it had a name I think, just can't recall it right now

All made out in the proper regalia, ready to terrorise... whatever needs terrorising I guess.

The hotel is actually quite an excellent venue for kids, there is a big Teepee adjoining the main building - a permanent structure all kitted out with things kids like

Amber, armed and dangerous - showing off her cutlass

Parents watching others do the child amusing - sweeet!

Outside, the jungle gym is a sunken ship, quaint rakish angle in the sand 'n all

Our first swim of the season - a little colder than one would like, and challenging in another way -

Like a genius I packed some running shorts thinking they were my swim trunks - should be no problem right...?
Wrong!
Turns out, these baggy shorts are NOT, as one might think, compatible with swimming at all.

The first time I jumped in, feet first, they trapped all the air they could and I had what looked like an inflatable ring, up under my arms - not a place you want your shorts - trust me on this. The procedure of trying to un-trap the air is like chasing air bubbles around a ring - close to impossible, and not what one would call elegant in the water. I'm trying to squeeze the air out of my water ring, chasing the remaining bubble round and round my body, all the while getting a wedgie and still trying to look inconsipicuous (cool was an early casualty).

Ok, so I eventually got the air out, swim the girls and now its time to get out right... well, the water and air-tightnes works the other way too - when I got out I had these litre-sized bags of water in my pockets. To add another degree to the already attention-grabbing swimming trunks, they hang out - either below the line of the shorts at the bottom, or on the outside of the shorts. I couldn't win I tell you.

The weekend gave the parents some time off, which was nice, quiet time is something of a rarity in our new lives, so it was no small plus!

There was a pirate - "A bad one" who had stolen the treasure and whom the kids had to track down and take back what was theirs...

He was discovered and duly hounded, driven into this little shelter and duly relieved of the treasure.

As predictable as the treasure chests' contents would be to us, the kids had no idea what was inside it and keenly huddled into the shelter and tried to get into the box.

Shake your booty!

Amber, cutlass in one hand and booty in the other.

Does this look like a 6 year-old? 16 maybe.

Happy 50th Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Mom & Dad,

Way to go! Thank you for being who you are, for your love for each other and for us, and for being my Mom & Dad!
You are a great inspiration.

(needs sound!)

We Love You!!!

Castle Křivoklát

Having been recommended Křivoklát by my colleague at work, we decided to give it a visit. It is a 12th century castle that has been reasonably maintained and is set in a beautiful wooded hillock overlooking the river below. The area has been transformed into a nature lover's paradise with walks and trails to suit all energy levels.
We had about an hour to wait for the next tour of the castle, so we strolled around the main courtyard, looking at all the very quaint shops and souvenirs for sale. Amber & Sarah even made their own coins outside the little mint.

As usual, no cameras were allowed inside the castle, but there were the usual dungeons with torture instruments; great halls; scarcely recognisable as such bedrooms and living quarters; and an amazing old library filled with about 5000 original books dating back a few hundred years.

On leaving the castle, we had a lovely view of the valley and the village below (we ended up having supper at a restaurant in one of those village houses).
Walking along the trail on the way back to the car - the spring leaves all bursting with potential.

We had brought the girls' bikes along, hoping there would be some opportunity for Saz to practice her new found abilities. There was a large concrete area next to the car park where the 2 had fun for a while before it was declared supper time.

View of the river from the restaurant and then the restaurant below: