The musings of a man who is coming up to the next stage in life.
Walk
This week’s photo is of a street entertainer in Covent Garden.
A popular tourist area in London you would always see somebody trying to entertain you for tips. It is worth spending an hour or two watching and enjoying the free entertainment.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
Golden Lane can be found in Prague Castle. It consists of small houses that have been compared to doll’s houses. Franz Kafka lived here with his sister between 1916-17. When the communists took over Czechoslovakia they nationalised the Golden Lane. They restored the buildings. Today the Golden Lane forms part of the Prague Castle complex. Which ever visit option you chose will get to visit the Golden Lane. However, you cannot visit the Lane on its own. It is a welcome change to all the castles and churches though it does get packed during peak times.
There is many sites to see on the Golden Lane. Just take your time and enjoy.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
One of the most surprising delights of Paris is the Musée Rodin. Set in the outskirts of Paris the museum is based at the Villa des Brilliants which was Rodin’s old home.
When you enter the grounds you are confronted by Rodin’s sculpture of the ‘Gates of Hell’ based on Dante’s inferno. What struck me was the magnificence of the piece. There is so much detail going on and sitting at the top is a figure who I will come back to later.
Inside the museum you are given the life story of Rodin. More importantly there are on display some of Rodin’s sculptures. The most popular would be ‘The Kiss’. However, every time I view it I cannot stop thinking of Monty Python and Terry Gilliam’s animation.
An added bonus to the museum is a walk around the gardens. It was place that allowed me to contemplate about my visit to Paris. To be in the heart of the city yet find a spot that was so tranquil was something to enjoy.
Finally the highlight of the visit is the giant statue of ‘The Thinker’. This is probably Rodin’s most famous work. It is the perfect photo opportunity.
I believe that any visit to Paris should include a visit to the Musée Rodin. If only to escape the bustle of the main sights of Paris.
Musée Rodin, 79, rue de Varenne – 75007 Paris
Nearest Metro Stops : Varenne (Line 13) or Invalides (Line 13 or Line 8)
Admission €9, 18-25 years (Non EU) €5, 18-25 years (EU Citizens) Free
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
This week’s photo is of Sutton Park on New Year’s Day. A good walk is always a good way of starting the new year. I am lucky to have this park close to where I live. As you can see it was a beautiful day. I was not the only person to be walking.
Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
So this is it, I am going home today. I did not have time to wallow in self-pity. There was too much to do even though my coach doe s not leave until 5pm. First, I had to get the supplies for the journey home. In total I will be travelling for nearly twenty-four hours. There was a Tesco’s near the hostel. So I brought enough baguettes, crisps, cake and iced tea to last me for that time. I wish that I had brought my clubcard as the extra would have come in useful.
Back at the hostel the procedure of packing everything began. Not only ensuring my belongings were packed but now I had to find room to fit the food in the small backpack. Now it weighs a ton. I had to check out of the hostel by 10am so I decided to have a final walk around Prague. The sun was out and I spent the time taking in all the sights. There was a big bicycle parade taking place in Wenceslas Square.
I also needed to purchase a souvenir of my trip. What should I buy? I did not want another t-shirt. Then it hit me I saw a giant cup, just the thing to enjoy a cup of tea. My colleagues at work will be impressed.
Once purchased I slowly made my way back to the hostel. I just chilled out until the inevitable time when I had to leave. So with rucksack weighing heavy on my back I left for the metro station. The journey to the coach station always seems the quickest yet the time waiting for the coach is always the longest. I found a seat at the back of the coach. As I pulled out of the coach station I could only think about the last thirteen days. They had been enjoyable and I cannot wait to plan my travels for 2013.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
My final full day of my trip. I was determined to get as much in as I could. Who knows when I will be back in Prague again. So an early start was in order. I decided I would get breakfast on the go rather than eat in the hostel. After breakfast I made my way towards the Charles Bridge hoping that I would be able to escape the crowds.
At 09:30 in the morning I was glad to be able to miss the crowd and I could take in the sights of the bridge at my own pace rather than feeling rushed. Once I crossed the bridge I made my way towards the Lennon Wall. This was one place I wanted to visit after being told about it by other travellers. When I first viewed the wall I was taken aback by the colours. Once I started to make sense of it all. I could see Lennon’s lyrics and I started to feel emotional. Then I came across these two images.
It was then when my emotions overtook me. The tears started to roll down my face. I did not want to go home. The last twelve days have just been so enjoyable. Yet, all good things have to come to an end. In my heart I knew this to be true. I just had to compose myself again.
I just wanted to make my way back up to the castle so I walked instead of catching the tram. I just wanted to take in all the sights and sounds that were around me. Eventually, after a few detours I arrived at Prague Castle. I decided that I would just purchase the Short Visit ticket. Rather see less and savour than rush to see everything. The Short Visit ticket started at St. Vitus cathedral. I am a fan of churches and stained glass windows much to the amusement of my family. In that respect St. Vitus did not disappoint me. There were plenty of photo opportunities which I took advantage of. Both my camera and iPhone were busy. However, there was an over zealous member of staff who kept reminding people not to use the flash on their cameras. Lesson for people not to set the camera to auto.
From St. Vitus I made my way to St. George’s Basilica. This section took about forty minutes to view. At around lunchtime things were starting to get crowded. I needed to escape or at least needed to have something to eat. Luckily I found a cafe that was selling a sandwich at a reasonable price. Feeling refreshed I made my way to the Golden Avenue. This did not disappoint me. So much history there. My favourite section was the museum full of amour.
I made my way to the Old Royal Palace but I found this to be disappointing. So it was time to make my way back down the hill to the centre of Prague.
Once back I made my way to the Museum of Communism. Though not rated too highly by Lonely Planet it was one place I wanted to see. You cannot separate Communism from Prague as much as you may want to try.
There was one place I had yet to visit. This was Wenceslas Square. So much history took place there and I felt I could not miss it even if it was getting late. It did not disappoint me. There was almost a party atmosphere in the square. There were lots of stalls selling souvenirs and food. It almost felt like a Christmas market. Must have been the Friday feeling. It was certainly a party at the statue of King Wenceslas.
With a heavy heart I made my way back to the hostel. Over a beer I was enjoying the company of a Canadian who reminded me that I was lucky to live so close to the mainland. I had to agree with him. I am a lucky man.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy, keep smiling.
Steve
This walk starts at the DLR station Cutty Sark. Once you leave the station the Cutty Sark comes into view immediately. The former tea clipper was famous for being able to sail to Australia in less than 80 days. It has recently reopened after being damaged by fire in 2007. Admission is £12.00 for adults and £6.50 for children under 15 years of age. It is advisable to book online as entrance is only by timed ticket. In the autumn sunshine the Cutty Sark looks impressive.
From the Cutty Sark I made my way towards the Visitor’s Centre which is housed in part of the old Naval College. It is interesting to spend some time in there as it tells the story of Greenwich. There are plenty of interactive exhibits inside.
From the Visitor’s Centre I made my way to the Painted Hall. The impressive painted ceilings took 19 years to complete. It was also where Lord Nelson laid in state until his funeral.
I crossed the Romney Road and made my way towards the National Maritime Museum. Free to enter the museum tells the story of Britain as naval nation over 500 hundred years. Britannia did once rule the waves. One of the highlights is the uniform Lord Nelson wore at the Battle of Trafalgar. You can see the bullet hole in the left shoulder. It was the bullet that would eventually kill Nelson. Sadly, I was unable to photograph the uniform. There are several other items worth seeing.
Upon leaving the museum I made my way towards the Royal Observatory. I stopped to look at the site of the Equestrian Centre that was used for the Olympic Games. It looked an impressive sight. The surface was being removed but the grandstands remained intact.
It is a steep walk to the Royal Observatory. However, once you reach the top of the hill you are rewarded with great views particularly of the O2 Arena.
The Royal Observatory is London’s only planetarium. It is also famously the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian of the World. The Astronomy Centre is free. Tickets for Flamsteed House and the Meridian Courtyard cost £7.00. If you do not want to pay but wish to experience crossing the Meridian Line there is a spot outside the courtyard where this can be done. I warn you that it does get crowded.
From the observatory I made my way back towards Greenwich down The Avenue. I passed the Greenwich Royal Park Herb Garden. A haven where you can rest your legs as your sense of smell takes in all the odours of the herbs.
Back in Greenwich I passed the Fan Museum which is dedicated to fans and fan making. Admission is £4.00 and the museum serves afternoon tea from 3pm.
Passing the Spread Eagle bookshop I made my way to Greenwich Market. At Sunday lunchtime the market was packed with people enjoying the autumn sunshine. There were stores that consisted of locally made handicrafts and clothes. There is something for everyone. Towards the end of the market my sense of smell took me towards the food section. Here, one could eat the world. In fact it was too popular and the queues were just too much.
Feeling hungry I made my way towards a coffee shop called ‘Red Door’. So called because it has a red door. A small coffee shop it had a cosy atmosphere which was what I needed after the bustle of the market. My ham and tomato toasted sandwich tasted delicious, mainly of the olive oil used instead of butter. The scone, jam and clotted cream also went down well. From the ‘Red Door’ I made my way back to the DLR station for the train back to Central London.
The walk came from ‘City Walks: London’ by Craig Taylor. This was the first in a series of 50 walks.
Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.
Steve
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