The sun is shining so maybe the great European summer is here at last. Packing up in a mo and off to Veltrusy race. It is only 20 mins drive north of Prague. Start list is mostly Germans and Czechs with us and the Canadian juniors so should be fun for all.
Team phone working now and the number is 021102734873 . If your postcards from the team havent arrived it is not for lack of trying. Drove to a shopping centre yesterday to post them and no post office, hopefully in Augsburg on Monday and they make it home before we do.
Hope the netball and rugby produces positive results tonight.
cheers
sue
CSNZ Junior & U23 Teams
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
Finally able to post some photos. Training at Veltrusy this arvo and have just returned from dinner in Prague. Went to the cheap cafe at the course but they were too busy so headed into the city. Kidda drove in but we left him looking for skpe and I had to navigate home. Luckily we made it back with driving not nearly as stressful this trip.
After the photos is posting for the last couple of days.
cheers
sue
After the photos is posting for the last couple of days.
cheers
sue
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Prague
In an internet cafe in Prague. Having some time just wandering the streets sans team, and it is very nice. Just checked out the inside of St Nicholas church near the big castle and it was OTT Baroque architecture, very ornate, gold and frescos on the domed ceilings. Simply awe inspiring.
In complete contrast I then ambled past the hordes of tourists at the end of Charles bridge, many following their leaders who look ridiculous waving a stick above their heads with a flag on , (so they dont lose their flock.) Through a gorgeous leafy green park and to where I had seen a sign the other night for an exhibition of modern art featuring Mondrian who Bryden had studied in Art History so looked at that. Have to say quite a contrast. Back over another bridge and again sensory overload with all the magnificent buildings everywhere you look.
On the training front the C2 boys and Ella had a session at Prague this morning, Eric sat out as he was feeling a bit iffy, Tom limiting his training cos of his shoulder. Caught up with some of the Aussie U23 team, Will, Kate M and 2 of the Lawrence girls, who are hanging out there, plus met the Scottish juniors and the Canadians there also.
The team resting ( and doing homework- Yeah right!!) before we head up to Veltrusy this arvo for a practice. Water only on 5-6.30pm so a bit limited as to what they can learn there before the race on Saturday.
We have the trams sussed in and out of the main city so all very easy.
Another cold day today and starting to rain again outside - I shouldnt complain as it sounds bad at home but even Kidda says the worst summer he has known in Europe.
Anyway cheers for now
sue
In complete contrast I then ambled past the hordes of tourists at the end of Charles bridge, many following their leaders who look ridiculous waving a stick above their heads with a flag on , (so they dont lose their flock.) Through a gorgeous leafy green park and to where I had seen a sign the other night for an exhibition of modern art featuring Mondrian who Bryden had studied in Art History so looked at that. Have to say quite a contrast. Back over another bridge and again sensory overload with all the magnificent buildings everywhere you look.
On the training front the C2 boys and Ella had a session at Prague this morning, Eric sat out as he was feeling a bit iffy, Tom limiting his training cos of his shoulder. Caught up with some of the Aussie U23 team, Will, Kate M and 2 of the Lawrence girls, who are hanging out there, plus met the Scottish juniors and the Canadians there also.
The team resting ( and doing homework- Yeah right!!) before we head up to Veltrusy this arvo for a practice. Water only on 5-6.30pm so a bit limited as to what they can learn there before the race on Saturday.
We have the trams sussed in and out of the main city so all very easy.
Another cold day today and starting to rain again outside - I shouldnt complain as it sounds bad at home but even Kidda says the worst summer he has known in Europe.
Anyway cheers for now
sue
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Must be part of the C2 thing as now Brent has the Ds and Vs, so Shaun is very keen to paddle and has gone to the river hoping to score a C1 or K1 from someone. I am keeping an eye on Brent but I think he is over the worst. Being very vigilant on the personal hygiene and making paddlers drink Coke after each session to give their gut a good cleanse. Hope we can contain it. On a more positive note, the sun has decided to shine this arvo and the team is doing a fun aerobic paddle session so should come back to our little hotel in good spirits.
There are boxes of fresh apricots, cherries and watermelon on the side of the road a few kilometres away so just thinking about springing into a bit of exercise and doing a bit of food gathering. Finished the one and only book yesterday, been too busy to knit my peggy squares that I bought with me, but have started teaching myself how to use the Adobe Pemier movie making programme I bought to make a team movie, so plenty to keep occupied with in the down times. The team watches movies on Brents laptop and have done a tiny bit of homework. There really isnt alot of down time as the days are pretty full of training and eating. Will head into Ceske B city centre after dinner tonight so the kids can send emails home if we can find a good internet cafe. My phone still not working here so if anyone needs to contact us urgently then use the emails or from the contact list of our accommodation.
Back to Prague tommorrow after a morning training session then a practice at Veltrusy from 5 to 7pm . Veltrusy is about half an hour north of Prague, so will stay in Prague for the racing there.
Cheers
for now
sue
There are boxes of fresh apricots, cherries and watermelon on the side of the road a few kilometres away so just thinking about springing into a bit of exercise and doing a bit of food gathering. Finished the one and only book yesterday, been too busy to knit my peggy squares that I bought with me, but have started teaching myself how to use the Adobe Pemier movie making programme I bought to make a team movie, so plenty to keep occupied with in the down times. The team watches movies on Brents laptop and have done a tiny bit of homework. There really isnt alot of down time as the days are pretty full of training and eating. Will head into Ceske B city centre after dinner tonight so the kids can send emails home if we can find a good internet cafe. My phone still not working here so if anyone needs to contact us urgently then use the emails or from the contact list of our accommodation.
Back to Prague tommorrow after a morning training session then a practice at Veltrusy from 5 to 7pm . Veltrusy is about half an hour north of Prague, so will stay in Prague for the racing there.
Cheers
for now
sue
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Ceske Budejovice
Saturday night the Swiss juniors joined us for pizza meal. Was great listening to the kids work out how to communicate with each other as the Swiss juniors spoke a mixture of languages including German and French. Our team were amazed at how many subjects they take at school and compared it to our system when we have to narrow down the subject choices so early.
the Swiss were equally amazed that we didnt have to learn another language.
We organised some full runs with them the next morning and we awoke to a gorgeous sunny day, one of the few so far.
Unfortunately for Shaun and Brent they missed out as Shaun had gone down with the Czech belly and had a bad case of the D's and V's.
After lunch then another training session while Shaun stayed in bed with Brent as nurse we packed up and started the drive to Ceske Budejovice. We were very pleased with the direction we were heading in as after a 4 day weekend the locals from Prague were streaming back into the city and the traffic was banked up for 100km's or more.
We passed hectares of wheat fields and sunflowers which looked an amazing sea of yellow ,all nodding their heads in the direction of the sun.
Arriving at La Tocna Pension was like returning home and we were made to feel very welcome. Our dinner was ready out in their garden restaurant and a cold pivo (beer ) to wash it down.
Shaun made the trip without the need for an urgent stop and I was pleased he seemed to have recovered.
Now Monday and a planned rest day for the team which is great timing after an intense 4 days at Roudnice. Kidda had them really getting to know all the moves on the course with some being pretty difficult. Needless to say that I have great footage of Ella's many rolls.
After a leisurely breakfast and a repair session of the C2 ( had bought stuff from the Galasport team in Prague) we decided to be tourists and visit the gorgeous town of Ceske Krumlov. The day is raining and a complete contrast to the heat wave when last years team was here.
There is a photo opportunity at every turn and is a must visit for anyone coming to the Czech republic.
We walked up to tour the castle and as luck would have it , castles in Czech are all closed on Mondays, so maybe next year will be third time lucky for a tour thru.
We wandered around the impressive gardens with old trees and fountains and then met again at the Torture Musuem. The team are checking that out, then the wax musuem before we meet again for an early dinner. Hopefully we can find the place we ate at last year with an open fire and tons of atmosphere, although with the heat wave we were sweltering. Today it will probably be very pleasant.
Ceske Krumlov is only abou 20 minutes from Ceske B so back for an early night and a few more chapters of the book I started today.
Great news for those seniors who got through to semis in Tacen. The team have decided they want to watch the World Cup finals in Augsburg so the free day sightseeing is under review.
Ausgburg is a very cool place so I am happy with that plan if we can find accommodation there.
We will train tommorrow and Wed morning at Ceske B then head to Prague to stay in A1 apartments again for the Veltrusy race. They will train in the mornings at Prague and then afternoons on the Veltrusy course as it is only open 5-7pm . The race is on Saturday and is a German club race so will be great for the team to have a race before the Junior Pre Worlds.
Anyway enough of a ramble
Cheers for now
Sue
the Swiss were equally amazed that we didnt have to learn another language.
We organised some full runs with them the next morning and we awoke to a gorgeous sunny day, one of the few so far.
Unfortunately for Shaun and Brent they missed out as Shaun had gone down with the Czech belly and had a bad case of the D's and V's.
After lunch then another training session while Shaun stayed in bed with Brent as nurse we packed up and started the drive to Ceske Budejovice. We were very pleased with the direction we were heading in as after a 4 day weekend the locals from Prague were streaming back into the city and the traffic was banked up for 100km's or more.
We passed hectares of wheat fields and sunflowers which looked an amazing sea of yellow ,all nodding their heads in the direction of the sun.
Arriving at La Tocna Pension was like returning home and we were made to feel very welcome. Our dinner was ready out in their garden restaurant and a cold pivo (beer ) to wash it down.
Shaun made the trip without the need for an urgent stop and I was pleased he seemed to have recovered.
Now Monday and a planned rest day for the team which is great timing after an intense 4 days at Roudnice. Kidda had them really getting to know all the moves on the course with some being pretty difficult. Needless to say that I have great footage of Ella's many rolls.
After a leisurely breakfast and a repair session of the C2 ( had bought stuff from the Galasport team in Prague) we decided to be tourists and visit the gorgeous town of Ceske Krumlov. The day is raining and a complete contrast to the heat wave when last years team was here.
There is a photo opportunity at every turn and is a must visit for anyone coming to the Czech republic.
We walked up to tour the castle and as luck would have it , castles in Czech are all closed on Mondays, so maybe next year will be third time lucky for a tour thru.
We wandered around the impressive gardens with old trees and fountains and then met again at the Torture Musuem. The team are checking that out, then the wax musuem before we meet again for an early dinner. Hopefully we can find the place we ate at last year with an open fire and tons of atmosphere, although with the heat wave we were sweltering. Today it will probably be very pleasant.
Ceske Krumlov is only abou 20 minutes from Ceske B so back for an early night and a few more chapters of the book I started today.
Great news for those seniors who got through to semis in Tacen. The team have decided they want to watch the World Cup finals in Augsburg so the free day sightseeing is under review.
Ausgburg is a very cool place so I am happy with that plan if we can find accommodation there.
We will train tommorrow and Wed morning at Ceske B then head to Prague to stay in A1 apartments again for the Veltrusy race. They will train in the mornings at Prague and then afternoons on the Veltrusy course as it is only open 5-7pm . The race is on Saturday and is a German club race so will be great for the team to have a race before the Junior Pre Worlds.
Anyway enough of a ramble
Cheers for now
Sue
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