Heading out of London towards Winchester

Les dropped Mike off at Heathrow and we headed for a few days towards Winchester a beautiful historical town nestled in rural England and within short driving distances of Southampton, London, Poole and Oxford. Thanks heavens for Mr IP and google maps as many of the streets are nameless and rural roads more passage ways than dual carriages. We are staying is great a self-contained apartment on the outskirts of Winchester set on a fabulous rural estate with owners who are so obliging.

Highlights of our time here ,The South Downs National Park  covering 1600 km sq between Winchester and Eastbourne it caters for cyclists, walkers and riders through tree lined avenues, forests, woodlands and farmlands. Well marked it takes about 3 days to complete the 160 km bike ride. We cycled from Winchester to the historic 400 year old  Millbrook pub about 40kms in total. The publican looked like he hadn’t moved for 400 years .

Stonehenge an awe-inspiring monument to man’s intellectual ability and perseverance  to achieve against all odds. The size of the structure and the distance the stones were carted remains a  mystery as to how they were transported and set in place. A very spiritual place, looking across the meadowstowards the processional road the imagery of years gone by and festivals is conjured up.

Oxford the University city another historical town, filled with students and lecturers in full  academic gowns  walking  around town was well worth a visit and wander around, we managed to score some parking in town against all odds and spent an enjoyable hour or two wandering the city, sampling the original Cornish pastry of leek, meat, potato and not too sure what else and chat with the locals.

West Wittering a lovely beach on the coast was a touch of NZ as it wasn’t as busy as Poole and other areas we had been too and the locals were more than ready for a chat and  story about their stormy region. On our way to West Wittering we passed through New  Alresford which true to name was newish about 800 years old and walked their historic waterway walk for a couple of hours before feasting on local strawberries from their markets before heading off to Chichester,  with a lovely old central mall, ancient clock tower and oozing history again.

Our last bike ride was through the local pathways along the Itchen River for about 10 miles before heading back to Winchester and their jubilee celebration and lunch with our host and their friends.  A gourmet lunch with red, blue and white rice and a cake to match complete with UJ blueberries and strawberries was a sight and tasted even better as we drank champagne and celebrated the Thames flotilla.

London Gears Up

Arriving into London with jubilee celebrations hitting a high was so exciting as the red, blue and white of the Union Jack took over the city and the locals geared up for the  coming celebrations. The first few days after arriving I had to myself as I explored old haunts and thoroughly enjoyed relaxed time around the BM, London Museum and Tate Art Gallery and walked and walked to get over my jetlag before meeting up with Les

Kutna Hora CZE

 Aveen and I had a mission out of Prague  to Kutná Hora  a UNESCO World Heritage Site to visit the famour bone church. We weren't too sure what to expect but it certainly was on the list of places to visit.  The Bone Church was  just one spot of interest- the whole town was well worth the visit. 


History of the bone church
Henry, the abbot of the Cistercian monastery in Sedlec, was sent to the Palestine (Holy Land) by King Otakar II of Bohemia in 1278. When he returned, he brought with him a small amount of earth he had removed from Golgotha and sprinkled it over the abbey cemetery. The word of this pious act soon spread and the cemetery in Sedlec became a desirable burial site throughout Central Europe. During the Black Death in the mid 14th century, and after the Hussite Wars in the early 15th century, many thousands were buried there and the cemetery had to be greatly enlarged.


Around 1400 a Gothic church was built in the center of the cemetery with a vaulted upper level and a lower chapel to be used as an ossuary for the mass graves unearthed during construction, or simply slated for demolition to make room for new burials. After 1511 the task of exhuming skeletons and stacking their bones in the chapel was, according to legend, given to a half-blind monk of the order.

Between 1703 and 1710 a new entrance was constructed to support the front wall, which was leaning outward, and the upper chapel was rebuilt. This work, in the Czech Baroque style, was designed by Jan Santini Aichel.

In 1870, František Rint, a woodcarver, was employed by the Schwarzenberg family to put the bone heaps into order. The macabre result of his effort speaks for itself. Four enormous bell-shaped mounds occupy the corners of the chapel. An enormous chandelier of bones, which contains at least one of every bone in the human body, hangs from the center of the nave with garlands of skulls draping the vault. Other works include piers and monstrances flanking the altar, a large Schwarzenberg coat-of-arms, and the signature of Rint, also executed in bone, on the wall near the entrance.

While a bit disconcerting to surrounded by the remains of so many people it didn't feel too macarbe. Worth the walk and the run back to catch the last train 5kms in 35mins on the run

Prague Czech Republic

Vavra, the face of slalom kayaking in Czech and our very good friend.

I took a day away from the slalom and explored the beautiful city of Prague. On a bridge looking across the river to the Prague Castle on the hill.

Up the hill looking down on the historic old town of Prague.

This fountain just took my interest. I think it should be against the law peeing in a public place.

The jazz band playing on the world famous Charles Bridge with the mass of tourist walking the walk over the bridge and back again.I only did it once.

The WINNER of the fourth KI Slalom Fourth World Cup is Vavrinec Hradilek (Vavra). A great result well done.

Bratislava to Pudapest and Return

Kay and I had a few dates to spare before slalom training started in earnest so we took our bikes and headed east along the Danube River from Bratislava Slovakia to Budapest Hungary, some 200+ kms. For the most park it was cycling on sealed cycleways of the roads, reasonably flat and along the banks of the Danube River. The first day was 75+ kms. We spent the night in the old Slavak town of Komarno. Next day we headed across the bridge to Hungary and the town of Komarnom before the 55km trek to Eszergom in the rain and predominantly biking on the road verge. Another beautiful historical town. I had my ironed chicken meal. The meal was delivered with the chicken half cookes and a hot old iron on top of the chicken to cook the other half. A very tasty meal. The last day was 70+kms and saw us cycle into the heart of Budapest. Stayed the night, did so sightseeing on the bikes then tried to organise our train trip back to Brat with our bikes.Leaving Bratislava for the 2 00+ kms to Budapest Hungary along the banks of the Danube.  

The great bike adventure continues.

We made it to our accomodation in Komarno Slavakia. A pretty ritzy hotel, magnificant room at a very affordable price. The cold beer was much deserved.  Komarno is a border town. Across the river is Komarnom in Hungary and a change of currency. 

The bridge to Hungary.

Even the cycleway had its own barrier arm for the tthe train crossings.

Sightseeing in Eszergom Hungary.

Waiting for the car ferry with the other cyclist doing the trek. I was expecting a bridge.

Heading into Budapest. The pace of life has certainly picked up.

Sightseeing around Budapest.

The leisurely ride along the banks of the danube.

The beautiful gardens on Margit Island in the middle of the Danube Central Budapest.

Partway from Esztergom to Budapest we noticed that several of our fellow cyclists had left their bikes and trained or ferried to Budapest. When we tried to get on our train back to Brat we realised the reason. Bikes are not allowed on the trains in Hungary. We did hoever managed to get the bikes on board but only after some serious haggling and more than a few euros for someones back pocket although it did get us only to the Slavak border. There we had to change trains, officially pay for our bikes and head of again. One further change of train and a few hours later we were sipping a cold beer and wine in an outdoor restuarant in Brat on the banks on the Danube before a much deserved children salad at the Football Pub with Mike, Luuka and Lou. A great  adventure highly recommended for anyone who can ride a bike.

London Pre Olympic Test Kayak Event

On 22 July Mike and I with a few other keen slalom kayakers boarded a Ryan Air plane in Bratislava and headed to London for the Pre Olympic Invitational Test Event. We were in London for ten days staying about 45 minutes out of central London. The new Olympic Slalom Course was impressive and very challenging for all the international paddlers and a great experience leading into 2012 for the Olympics. Around racing we also managed to sample some of the British beers, wines and food and managed a few trips into central London to visit all those famous places we have only read about or seen on TV as kids.

Also managed to catch up with Claire, formerly of LB Dawson & Associates Limited and now married with a little guy and now living in London renovating an English Villa.Claire and I with Jacob at Liverpool Street Station meeting after about 5 plus years. 

Vavra, Mike, our fellow paddler from Uganda and myself hooning around London by the Thames. We were lucky we did not tak out any of the thousands of tourists walking around in our way.

Me with little Jacob. Such a great little guy who managed no tears when I was holding him.

The new Slalom Kayak Course about 45 minutes out of London build for next years Olympics. 

Our accomodation in Harlow, our base for the London Olympic Test Event. The character English Pub to the right was mint with great meals and beers. We stayed in the building to the left.

Mike and I overlooking the Thames across to Tower Bridge.

Tower of London

London Tower Bridge

Big Ben and Parliament Buildings

Buckingham Palace

On Monday after the event we headed back via Ryan Air to Brat and some R and R. Most impressed with Ryan Air as a low cost Eurpean Airline. No complaints at all.

Bratislava Vienna return

Kay and I had a couple of days to sightsee so we purchased two cheap bikes from Tesco and jumped on a ferry to Vienna. Rode around Vienna for a couple of hours and then headed back to Bratislava on the sealed bike tracks along the banks of the Danube. Unfortunately we made one wrong turn an ended up on the wrong side of the river. As a result we had to backtrack almost to Vienna some 15 kms. When we found the right track it was late afternoon meaning we were late arriving at the mid way town we planned to stay the night at. Problem absolutely no accomodation. Solution: ring our amazing son in Brat to come and collect us. Two hours lately and after two close calls with the police for car papers etc we were back at our Brat
apartment sound asleep. All in all a great fun.

Arriving in Vienna three hours after leaving Bratislava. 

The cycle trip begins with the scenic bike tour around the ring roads of central Vienna. Truely amazing. Fabulous old buildings, beautiful inner city parks and a safe cycle lane.

On the Twin City Ferry leaving Bratislavia for Vienna with the Bratislava Castle on the hill.

 

Kay hooning around Vienna

 

The start of the trek back to Bratislava.

 

Swimming on the Danube River.

Bratislava, Tatra Mountains, Leipzig

We left Ljubljana and headed north to Bratislava Slavakia about four hours where we stayed for a week for training. Settled into our long term apartment in the centre of town about 25 minutes driving from the kayak course at Cunovo. Explored the town, found a lovely lake for swimming, went to the movies in English and found the supermarkets, restuarants and bars. The apartment is sweet, three bedrooms, lounge and kittchen on the 13th floor with three locked doors to get through and the lift. Still managed to have our cheap Tesco bikes stolen after only three days locked on the 13th floor.At the top of the Tatra Mountains. Went up on the chairlifts and walked down on these rocky paths. At great adventure.

The amazing lake close to the apartment in Brat. Great for swimming, fishing or just lazing beside with a cold beer, wine or two.

Exploring Bratislava on the new bikes. Note the floating hotels on the Danube. They move between Budapest and Amsterdam.

Left Brat for the seven hour drive to Leipzig Germany via Prague for the third World Cup. Again managed to get a 5 star hotel in the city for the price of a 3 star. It was very comfortable. The Markleberg site is fabulous set on the side of a lake with lovely views. The only downside was the wind which blew the slalom gates. Sand was put inside the gates so they were heavier and would not swing as much. It however meant thay were quite heavy and if they swung into a paddler they could cause a serious injury. Met up with Kay in Leipzig. She had flown into Lyon France and judged at the second world cup and was here to judge also. After racing the following Sunday we returned to Bratislava for another training camp and a bit of R and R.

BBQ evening in Bratislava.

The magnificant kayak course at Markleberg near Leipzig Germany.

Our up and coming new international kayak paddler in training at the Cunovo course where the next World Championships will be held in September.

The amazing Ice Caves in the Tatra Mountains

 

Information board advising detail of the Tatra Mountain walks.

Walking in the Tatra Mountains. We caught the chairlift up and walked down on these amazing rocky paths.

The kayak course at Liptovsky Mikulas in the Tatra Mountains.

The typical communist apartment blocks in Bratislava. We have a mint apartment on the 13th floor. The inside is a lot better than the outside.