Before we even left our room this morning the sunrise over the lake was beautiful. I have to take Nadine’s word on that because I am not a morning person. Obviously, this is Allison. And our lodging very kindly provided black tea which apparently has lots of caffeine. Apparently when a morning person has two cups of black tea, they literally gallop along the trail at full speed while talking. I do love my sister-in-law.
We all enjoyed picking fruit from the trees and vines this morning. Missing breakfast makes even cherry haters love the taste of fresh cherries.
Mr. and Mrs.Longfellow picked up a friend. Shadows are just fun to play with at any age.
The many sights along the way are inspiring and funny too.
As we walked along the Mze River (pronounced muhzhee), we sighted many bunkers. Most of these were built between the great world wars. It was fascinating to see and visit a couple . They have been painted their original colors which were much brighter than I would have thought.
Today we saw lots of caves. Historically mining was very important. Originally silver was mined in the 1600s. Fast forward to the 1900s and uranium, radium, arsenic, and ore were the items to mine.
Today is the first day we had to quickly jump into our rain gear. It did rain for about an hour. And good news, all our rain gear worked. Plus the items in our back packs stayed dry.
We eventually found our way to our lodging which is on a horse farm. We ought to sleep well tonight.
Nadine here
I shouldn’t start the day with 2 cups of tea! It was a beautiful morning and I was ready to go! But by late afternoon I’m so done!
Mark and Allison went on a walk after dinner, which Mark had prepared (yummy), and they met a Czech man from Kladruby. He later drove by their return route and offered to take us to get a beer. So they hitched a ride to the town we walked through several hours earlier. That will be a fun story to hear about later. I am enjoying listening to a book and resting my foot which has been bothering me again today.
A funny thought crossed my mind. What if Mark and Allison don’t come back? That would be sad and I’d be in the middle of the Czech Republic and have to figure out a way home. Silly me! I’d muddle through but I’d miss them! Night all!
Mark
We made it back safe and sound. The irony of being drive back to Stříbro which we had walked through made us laugh. Pavel was a great host and we talked for at least an hour. He introduced me to a Coca Cola like Czech drink that has a bit of cinnamon or other spice in it. It was super sweet. I’ll have to get one again before we leave.
Pavel is 21 and is in training as a vet. His dad is a physical therapist like our daughter Isabel, so we had a lot to talk about.
The restaurant we went to in his Skoda had a display of antique sewing machines.
Last entry. Just after dinner we spent over an hour trying to figure out our next steps lodging wise. We’ve had to abandon our original route again to find an available lodging spot and I felt guilty about spending so much stressful time planning on what should be our voyage.
So we made a joint decision to spend another night here Kladruby and visit the UNESCO world heritage site of Kladruby Monastery tomorrow. So..impromptu rest day tomorrow.
Discover more from OnceLostTrio
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
OnceLostTrio 
Tommorow will be your first zero day since you’ve actually started, I think. I hope you are satisfied with your progress. I hope so.
“It’s the journey, not the destination.” Bon Camino.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t even imagine a chilly day…there was a heat index of 108 °F here today. Definitely jealous of your weather right now!
LikeLiked by 2 people
We’re actually all huddled under blankets right now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep. We are on the couch this rest-day morning with the window open and under a blanket! Glorious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We were a little ahead of schedule so this is a good break. We can then put a few more places on the calendar to stay along the way. We’ll be in Germany in a few days… Hard to believe
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. It was unintentional and I don’t think we needed the physical rest yet but a day to do some sight-seeing and planning without the stress of also wanting to go to bed will be nice.
Re our progress. We only have one “appointment” and that is Gerhard’s house next Friday. We are still 1/2 day ahead of that plan.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad you got to explore those caves and mines before the rain! Was there a sign on the bunker that said 1937? That pre-dates WWII by a few years.. Stay dry as you can on your zero day and yes we are jealous of your cool temps!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes the bunkers were all built between the wars. Czech didn’t exist before WWI and in the 20’s and 30’s they created a small armed force and fortified the (similar to a miniature Maginot-line). We read that another reason Hitler wanted the Sudetenland was to have ownership of the fortified line of bunkers (so he would ‘t have to fight through it). That may be Czech pride, but one sign mentioned it and it could be true.
LikeLike
FYI m, the mines were silver mines in the 17the and 18th century and Uranium mines in the 1950’s and 1960’s
LikeLike
Nadine, I am praying for your pain to disappear and for God to fix it! It must be disappointing to have this nagging pain. I hope the beauty around you distracts you from focusing on the pain.
I’m addicted to following your journey. It’s fun to see some of the sights and imagine I what your days are like.
The rain looked and sounded like hail. I’ve hiked in weather like that and no it’s not fun. But it’s part of the adventure!
“”As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights… You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.” (2 Samuel 22:31-34; 37
LikeLiked by 2 people
Connie. . “She’ll be fine – old people just need a little more rest!” Haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Connie! The scripture is perfect and so encouraging! Today is a rest day so that is good. We’ll visit a monastery we can see from our window at the horse farm where we are staying, buy some groceries and get a little more planning done to get us back on our route. God is good!!
LikeLike
Enjoy your first
LikeLiked by 1 person
We will enjoy the first down day undoubtedly!
LikeLike
What is this cinnamon coke-like drink called? That sounds amazing! Also what is a Skoda? Neat that you met a young fella that has a PT father. Also neat that you didn’t get parent-napped! I had the same thought as Aunt Nadine 😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
The soda is called Kofola. I want some!
Skoda is an old Czech manufacturing company. During WWII it was a major (really major) arms manufacturer for the Nazi’s. After the war they rebuilt and make cars. The Skoda brand is equivalent to VW or similar but maybe at a slightly higher luxury level. Good cars.
The slightly funny portion of the Pavel adventure was that we drove most of the way back to the town we’d walked through. But a bridge was blocked so we backed off a little to park. Well that “little” that we backed off was up the realllllly steep hill. Then we turned to a side road so he could pull off to park. But before doing so, we drove and drove down the side road to a gravel drive. Just for a millisecond when we pulled off onto the gravel road did I think – this is starting to feel “wrong”. But of course we were fine. But after a day of hiking it was quite the walk into and back out of town. Haha (and mom had sandals on)!
LikeLike
I’m with Connie, your adventures are addictive while sipping a cup of coffee each morning. Could you let us know the temperatures when you start out each day? We want live vicariously your cooler temperatures as I notice that you and Allison usually start with long pants.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha. I’ll try to remember that. It’s is nice and cool today with highs in the mid 60’s today. But when the sun hits you it feels like at least 75deg. Whew…hot. Haha. Sorry to rub it in, but in general it has been wonderful on cool for all but one day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re good for a chuckle this warm morning in NC!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very cool in the mornings. In the 50s and in the 70s didn’t the day. Next week in the low 80s
LikeLike
Yes! Jealous of your cooler temps. Heat index over 103 today. Glad you got your tea, Nadine…but you may want to stick to just one cuppa. 😂 Enjoy your day of rest. Love you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
1 cup per hr, got it!
LikeLike