Dubrovnik to Prague and The Franz Kafka Blues: Friday, September 20th!

I think everybody who has a brain should get involved in politics. Working within. Not criticizing it from the outside. Become an active participant, no matter how feeble you think the effort is. -Cass Elliot, singer (19 Sep 1941-1974)

Hello Lady Patrizzia and Sir James! Trust you are both well. Do apologize for not being in touch sooner. No excuses but plenty of reasons. Too, too many things on our collective plates while travelling. Up at 5:07 when we heard a bang! Not sure what is was at first but then decided it was the window hitting the frame. I'd left the window in the other bedroom open to create as much draft as possible, to dry clothes hanging on the rack and I suppose a gust had slammed our window shut. Anyway, dropped off until just after 7:00 am to pad downstairs and fight with the microwave to zap my java, overlefts from yesterday, Dear Reader. 

[Rocking the buzz! Why? Well I want my daughter to know just how proud I am of her! Her positivity, generosity, confidence, smarts, loving heart and so much more inspires me everyday!! She is one beautiful gal inside and out! Plus I want my grandchildren to know that changes on the outside does not change who we are inside!! #proud to be her mama, #CIBC Run for the Cure, #Team Marlo, #It’s only hair Bravo Barb! Cheers, Patrizzio!] 

Took some trial and error, and incessant, rather annoying beepings until I managed to invoke the right set of sequences to get the uncooperative machina to do what should have been nothing more than a straightforward, obvious push of a button. Two zaps later I was sitting at my computer sipping and digitating. Just looked at forecast for here and looks like it will be sunny and 20º C when taxi collects us. Pleased as I didn't really want to be carrying our luggage down 99 wet steps! Forecast for Prague is far cooler, mostly sunny at around 15º C, 2º C at the moment so Lady Dar will be shivering in her boots if same is true for Saturday morning! Must away to do some last minute packing. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you, Sir James, and to Lady Patrizzia. Love and Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Hello Digitale and Fingare! Trust you are both well. Do apologize for not being in touch for such a long time. Aside from a busy, busy summer, too, too many things on our collective plates while travelling. Fondestos from Lady Dar to you, Darling Marilyn, and to Beer Fridge Man. Love and Cheers, Patrizzio! Patrick,

I'm glad you are enjoying yourself. The Adriatic area sounds awfully crowded. I hope things are more relaxed in Prague. Best wishes, Mike

Hello Kenton and Winnipeg! Trust everyone is well. Do apologize for not being in touch for such a long time. Fondestos from Lady Dar to one and all. Love and Cheers, Patrizzio! Hello Queensland! Trust everyone is well. Fondestos from Lady Dar to one and all. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Good morning Corinne, I hope you are enjoying your holiday in Eastern Europe. Not sure precisely where you are at the moment but no doubt having fun. We currently have guests who have a rental property in Penticton but live in New Westminster. Not used to travelling anywhere different so driving us both crazy trying to get them organised in Europe. They leave tomorrow and then are back again in a week. We are heading to the south west coast for our usual couple of days in Collioure (on border with Spain) and also visiting other British friends on the way down whilst they are away.

Wondered if you had finalised your travel arrangements yet for your visit here? I believe you arrive on Saturday October 5th and leave on the 8th - is this still the plan? Also please let us know when and where you would like collecting from the train station. Please pass on our best wishes to Wayne and Michele. Take care my friends whilst on your travels. Much love 💕 to you all, Rosemary XXX Hi Rosemary Arrived in Prague this afternoon. We are here for 3 nights. Said goodbye to Wayne and Michele yesterday morning. They are in Rome. Fly home on Sunday. We arrive in Valence at 20:05 on Oct. 5 from Geneva. We will be coming from Bern that day. Realize it is late hope that is ok? Hugs, Corinne

Hello Chabeuill or Marble Arch or wherever you are currently hanging your hats!

Trust you and Andre are both well, Rosemary. [I understand Lady Dar has already sent you our arrival date and time for Valence.] We arrived in Prague at around 5:30 pm this afternoon and caught a cab right to where we will be for the next three nights. Tiny apartment but comfortable and close to where we want to be, but five or ten minutes walk, from the old part of the city.

Were just about to leave our apartamenti in Dubrovnik when there was a knock on the door and the next tenant, Jorge, from Pamplona, arrived! Enjoyed a pleasant chat and gave him a key to the place so that he could return at 1:00 pm to meet with landlord. All went well with our taxi and although we were about two hours early, for check-in, we were content to read until we could rid ourselves of checked luggage. Flight was just under two hours and we took a cab into city. I went out for a bottle of Coke, [I'd picked up a litre of Mount Gay Black Barrel, 43%, an expression we've not had before although this distillery's products have been favourites from years and years ago.], and some California pistachios for nibblage.
 

Must away as Lady Dar is ready for dinner. I think we will simply toddle across the street to the restaurant opposite which serves traditional Czech cuisine. I plan to have the garlic soup and duck special but am not sure what Lady Dar will order. Looking forward to exploring the city tomorrow. Fondestos from Her Imperiousness, re-reading some of A Gentleman in Moscow, as I finish scribing, to you and Count Andrevitch! Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Backing up a tad, put the wine in the freezer but ice-cubes were melting so didn't think it would freeze, Sarge! After a few drinks we toddled across the street to the restaurant opposite which serves traditional Czech cuisine. Having looked at the menu earlier I planned to have the garlic soup and goulash but was not sure what Lady Dar would order. As it turned out, leg and breast of duck. Soup was delish and other dishes were tasty but not exceptional, although I quite enjoyed polishing off Dar's cooked, red-cabbage salad, her delicate nose crinkling at first taste! I had a pint mixture of Pilsner Urquell and some dark beer and it was tremendous. Dar's large pour of a local Merlot was quite acceptable. Our waitress was a 3rd year engineering student and we enjoyed chatting with her about her studies.