Muskeeters all around

It's dark, it's 4am and I'm making the now familiar trip to Manchester airport. To think how much I used to hate flying and the amount of drugs I needed in my system to get from a to b. I can't say I enjoy flying, to me it is just a means to an end, but I am proud that not only am I functioning enough to get on a plane, I'm doing it on my own. No moral support anywhere, just me and an overwhelming desire to get to my destination!

Got the bus/metro from the airport and got off at Staromestska and made the short walk to my apartment. My apartment! I normally stay in hotels, so this is going to be interesting! It's gone 11:00 and check in is not until 2, but I've been told I can drop my bag off which is fantastic news. Bag dumped (I travel lightly) the first call has to be to my favourite tea shop, Dobra Čajovna. I've been up for 7 hours now, I need a really strong cuppa, and that's what I picked,  a pot of Zhu Ye Pu Er Cha, don't think it's the strongest, but it will do! It's like treacle as it pours out of the pot. Just what is needed!

Time to wander up to M&S and treat myself to some nice food and then wander back to the flats to stock of my surroundings for the week. The flat is lovely, huge doors to an entrance hall, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and spacious lounge/dining room. Oh this will be nice for the week, only unlike a small hotel room, I realise that all this space had suddenly made me feel quite lonely. How bizarre! I didn't notice that feeling last time, but then I was either out and about, or stuck in a hotel room. Not sure if the idea of an apartment is so good now, I am here on my own.

Time to get a grip of myself and do what I do best. Go for a walk, get my bearings back. I have a map with me, but I'm pleasantly surprised that very quickly I know where I am, I know where I'm heading, and I don't need my map out. With my confidence restored, it was time to take a few snaps around town and get back to enjoying the city before embarking on anything more exciting!

Even abroad rail works let you down!

Well today I was going to try travelling by train to a chateau, however, there is work on the train-line and a bus will be taking over at some point and it sounds chaotic. I'm bad enough in the UK when there's a bus replacement, I'm not going to be able to do this on my own, at least I can admit this. I need someone with me who can either speak the language, or be there for moral support/back up when I (inevitably) get lost.

So, zámek Ploskovice is going to make it to the top of the list when I come back next year. Hopefully I can take someone with me next time, and we can do some trips outside of Prague for a change, plus this time of year the chateaus are only open on weekends when it's busy!

So the idea of this trip was to write and draw. I love the city, and don't see the point of staying in the flat, so I have my art pad and a play in my bag. Do some work whilst wandering round the city!

Wandered down Husova street and I came across the Clam-Gallas Palace. I went inside and recognised this as a place that has been used for filming The Musketeers. After a little look around I carried on down Husova and noticed a church I hadn't been inside before, Church of St Giles. It seems that is also another filming place of The Musketeers! It took me back to the first series and I could imagine M'lady storming out of the church, looking for her revenge rather than absolution!!!

As I was on a Musketeer role, I popped down to Liliova and looked for Aramis' window. I thought I had it last time I visited, but when I got home and compared photo with episode I was wrong. This time though I spotted it immediately. Nice one!

Back to Dobra Čajovna and a nice pot of Dian Hong Cha. Got the sketch book out and started an ink sketch of the character Aramis as played by Santiago Cabrera whilst drinking my tea. So glad it's quiet in here today!

Clam-Gallas Palace

Clam-Gallas Palace



Clam-Gallas Palace



Clam-Gallas Palace

Church of St Giles

Church of St Giles