Roudnice

Yesterday was boat hospital day and nearly all the team had running repairs to make on their gear. It took most of the day and as we waited for resin to dry everyone looked at the 3 kayak shops at the course. Most bought something and enjoyed having the selection of several different brands and being able to try gear on , something we dont have in NZ. Other teams were milling about the boathouse and as the Czech juniors were loading their gear into vans we struck up conversation with them. Their first comment "are you staying for the after party?... they dont speak great English but knew how to say 'party'. I keep telling the kids to chat and make friends with people from other nations as it is such a wonderful opportunity for them. The seniors this year all stayed with German families in Augsburg, contacts made, for some of them, at Junior Worlds in 2006.
Once the gear was re loaded we headed to Roudnice and it has become so familiar, that it all feels very comfortable. Welcomed by our friends at the pizzeria for dinner, we met up straight away with Nathalie and the Swiss team, 5 of them who some of us new from last year. Also having dinner were the NZ U23 flatwater team , with Tom Yule from Mt Maunganui. he was also here last year when we were. they are training nearby and racing in Hungary next week.
Our USA friends arrived and Caroline had on a NZ top that I had swopped last year. It had been to Beijing with her so she obviously loves it!!!
Over dinner there was a noticeable level of anticpation and excitement as the kids eyed each other and chatted about who was who. Post dinner we had a team meeting with the theme of race prep and keeping focussed while also having fun. Today we have organised to race the Swiss team in our training slot at 12.30pm. Bridey and Mike have driven back to Prague (35 mins) for some physio and strapping on Bridey's arm. The sun is shining and looks to be a great day.
Cheers for now
Sue

Bratislava, Vienna & Prague all within 24 hours

After two very physical sessions on the course at Bratislava we raced back to choc cake that the girls had whipped up for Lou's birthday. I think it took longer to buy the ingredients and work out what was baking powder and baking soda than to actually cook the cake. After a birthday celebration we caught the tram, then train, then tram then metro to arrive in the centre of Vienna. The train part was 9 euro return and took 58 minutes, the rest of it was gratis as we couldnt find the appropriate ticket machine. It was a buzz going to another country for dinner and Vienna is a gorgeous city. It was a really mild evening and there were thousands out and about, with music, artists and street theatre complimenting the gorgeous old buildings. It was quite a mission to get back, but we made it and arrived back around 11.30pm. Another 8am session this morning with 1/3's then fulls to finish off our training in Bratislava. It was quite exciting for the team as the Slovak Olympic team was there when we were and Martikan and Hochshorners were on the course straight after us. the C2 boys had the Hochshorners coming down the course straight after them which looked a bit intimidating.

We did have one last thing to do before we left Brats and that was to get the police around to our apartment as somehow Ben's laptop and Mikes wallet had been stolen from the boys room. Mikes wallet turned up sans cash . Found at the hosptial and luckily he had a slovak friends phone number in it so it was returned. The police took Ben and Mike to the Police station and about 2 hours later they were back with the police report for insurance and 2 A4 pages posted on the doors of the apartment building, which we can only presume meant, scene of a crime under investigation.

We really have been saying " security is our greatest asset ' as well as " hygiene is our greatest asset' but neither have really made a difference.

Had a great drive back to Prague and arrived for most of the team to paddle at Troja ( Prague) before a dinner of traditional goulash and dumplings at the boathouse.

Back at A1 apartments for 1 night before boat repairs tommorrow and a look a kayak shops at the course. We will head up to Roudnice for the business end of the trip sometime in the afternoon. the excitement is mounting as we start to connect with teams from around the world. The Spanish team were at the boathouse for dinner tonight and they are staying at outr hotel also. An exciting time for our team as they will meet so many people from differnt countries.

Anyway a long day, having a cuppa and off to bed.

Cheers

sue

Bratislava

Reading our blog and looking at the photos it must seem that we are only tourists! Well the daily routine is generally far from that. Up early, breakfast, to the course training sessions, back for food, perhaps an hour or two off to rest or quickly check out one of the sights. Back to the course for another session and home for dinner. Washing, homework and gear repairs get slotted into down time as well.

The kids are now all recovered from the tummy bugs, and fingers crossed we dont get another lot when we head up to the Czech rep on Thursday.

This morning was the first session on the famous Slovakian course and everyone enjoyed the big water. The drop at the bottom caught a few and both Ella and Calum B have to do some boat repairs on their tails. After a quick lunch back at the apartment we did a team wander to the Nove Meste, the old square. Lovely old buildings again and quite clean and cute... better than I expected. Lou cooking dinner while I post the photos from the last few days, before the starving troups arrive back from an afternoon flat water session.

Tommorrow 2 whitewater sessions and it is Lou's birthday so will go out for dinner. we were thinking of catching a train to Vienna, it only takes 1 hour and there are 46 trains a day and it costs 10 euro return.

Hope all well in kiwiland

cheers

sue

Photos from the last few days

Bratislava

Left Oetz around 11am and headed to Salzburg. Was still raining but after driving around in circles we found parks, ad a lovely short wander and thought it was a pretty interesting city, with the old castle on the rocky outcrops plus historic buildings and evidence of Mozart and The Sound of Music. We were making good time and nearly at Bratislava, on some back rural road, when we came across a railway line with some temp barriers blocking our way. Mike says' no probs we will just move them" almost got away with it until the distinctive sirens of the Polizei. Had to hand over passports and as the police had no sense of humour it was all we could all do, not to laugh at them. After haggling unsucessfully we had to pay a fine and after ascertaining exactly was it was for it appears some was for unsafe boats. "'catastophe' said the male police officer !!!! the boats were tied on normally and with a front strap so in fact very secure!. We asked for their superiors contact details and Mike is planning to take it further to get our 40 Euros back. Thanks to the GPS we met the man who owns the 2 apartments and with fear and trepidation he opned the heavy looking industrial metal doors. It looked like a warehouse with an old lift with wire gates and the kids kept mentioning the movie "Hostel" Having organised the accommodation and never having been to Brats I was feeling pretty nervous. With great relief the apartments are a little oasis and everyone happy. After the fine, we balanced the budget again eating lunch for dinner - bread rolls and ham etc as the supermarkets had closed. Some of the group got kebabs as there seems to be small takeway places everywhere around us. We are just near the old city so will look foward to an explore tommorrow.
Night for now
Sue

OETZ

Well the cute town of Oetz hasnt been quite as cute as we would have liked as it has been drizzling most of the time since our arrival. It has still been nice but unfort after spending 2 hours putting up gates in the rain we decided the river was too high to paddle, so it has just been flat water sessions on a very gorgeous Lake Piburg, set in idylllic location surrounded by trees. We have bought foward our trip to Bratsslava by a day so packing up this morning and heading off. Will hopefully stop in Salzburg and catch up with all things Mozart. It is a 6 hour drive so will be a long day. Team at the lake before brunch then the pack up and off. Hope we will be able to post some photos soon. Cheers
sue

Austria

We had a wonderful drive south from Augsburg, very picture postcard thru small villages with planter boxes of geraniums, magic mountain back drops and all evry green. The sun was out which made it even better. We arrived in the small village before Neuschwanstein Castle, got picnic food , had lunch then headed up the steep hill to the castle. With the heat Lou and I were pretty red faced at the top but all worth it. Had a tour of the castle which was mind blowing and then made our way to Oetz. About 1 hours driving. Our accommodation is also picture postcard, an old family home, we have 4 bedrooms on three stories, with full kitchen, dining, lounge etc. the doors all open to balconies with a stunning view down the valley to the Oetz river and very cute touristy town. Heaps of pots of red geraniums grace the balconies and we have a grass area with picnic table etc. Quite a contrast to the city. Unfort the river is very high so the slalom training on hold, however the groups did a river run on the Inn River with the Aussies and will do a flat water session this arvo. Kidda and Callum G the latest victims so there is only one calum and Ella and I to go. EEK not a good feeling!!! There is heaps to do here and this was always planned as the R&R part of the trip, so hope by the time we leave everyone will be on 100% health.
Internet only at Info centre, hence no photos, will sort out some if we can find a wifi place. Just picture cute Austrian ski town and you will have an idea of where we are or google Oetz.
cheers for now
sue.