The Sights on Monday

On Monday we decided to take a closer look at some of the places of which we had previously only had a fleeting glimpse. First we went to the Astronomical Clock to climb the tower. This proved to be closed. So much for plan A. Next on our agenda was St Nicolas Church which fortunately was open and we got some great pictures inside. The ceiling being a particular high spot!

We then took a very bold move in going on a tram on our own. There was much discussion over where to get off but the decision was made for us when we realised we were at the end of the line. A short walk bought us down the hill to the Strahov Monastery where an advert for home brewed beer proved irresistible. This is where we met the wonderful Kate. We haven't had a waitress like Kate since the infamous meal in Pizza Hut in 1997 served by Angela.

Kate was a local Czech girl who seemed to take umbrage when Alan asked her if she spoke English. The fact that she had already spoken to us in perfectly good English might have had something to do with it. However this meant that Alan was a marked man to be taunted and scoffed at by the quick-witted Kate much to the amusement of all. She deliberately served Alan his beer last and he was probably lucky to get served at all. At one stage she called Chris Barbara and at another ordered us to have a full half litre of beer rather than a smaller one. The beer was the best that we found in Prague and so we stayed for another drink and eventually decided to have lunch there as well - so that we could wind Kate up some more. Before we left Kate took a round of photographs fulfilling the final duties of a fantastic tourist host.

Next we visited the Strahov Library and then made our way down to Prague Castle where we were fortunate to arrive just as they were changing the guard. In the grounds of the Castle we visited Golden Lane - a narrow alley way of old shops. Above the shops was a long narrow museum area, at one end of which was a cross-bow range. Pete and Fiona both had a go at this and whilst Pete was given his target back as a record of his hits, Fiona was not given hers. Can't think why.

We made our way back to the Main Square where we stopped on the edge for a drink. The Czech Republic were playing in a world cup game which was being broadcast on a large screen in the Square so there was quite an atmosphere about the place. We started to look for somewhere new to eat in the back streets and eventually came across La Pause which had plenty of space in the downstairs restaurant. The staff in this restaurant did not speak good English and communication was much more difficult than dealing with the likes of Kate who could even read between the lines.