Right that's it-the old man's feet, ankles and back can take no more-I reckon I've now covered at least half of Prague's old cobbled streets and the body is just saying, "No more!"

Experienced rush hour traffic Prague style today-the first tram I tried to get on was bunged-can't understand how they didn't have room for a little one like myself.........

After taking evasive action-swapping my intended route, jumping on a different tram, to a different metro station, that took me on the same route-I was eventually sorted-anyone who can remember their first time in London, it's like trying to negotiate buses and the underground, but without the help of any English!!!

Settled and on my way-with the heat still almost tropical-I made my way to the Luziny station, where I had a short walk to the Bronzova School. This was a school that also took 6-15 year olds, but was slightly different in that it had a specific remit for the teaching of the English language. It was also a larger school than Rudna, and in a more developed area, within the confines of the city of Prague.

I had a long talk with the Director of the school(Hmmmm I like the sound of Director.....), the deputy director, and the first grade teacher who served as an excellent translator throughout-something she has managed to secure a summer job in taking trips to Sweden-nice work if you can get it!! Similarities between the education systems are all too obvious-the first complaint is, as always, trying to run a school with not enough.......MONEY! For teachers an interesting sidenote is that if a newly qualified teacher gets a job it must be permanent-only if you then move school is there a chance of your contract being temporary.

The school is doing well due to the demand for places at a school which concentrates on the teaching of English. The Director opened the school 18 years ago and has seen the area really develop-there are new buildings sprouting up beyond the original tower blocks, and a lot of foreign nationals are moving into the area and they really value the teaching of English.They too run an extended schools programme after school-but parents must pay for it-and when I told the children the range of activities we offered in school, there was an audible gasp! (Edit:one thing I forgot to mention-they have the services of two educational psychologists for one day every week.....we get four hours per year[though ours is exceptionally good to us!!!], and they have a dentist located in the school for preventative treatments!)

I visited a number of classes, and it was really interesting to note that the older the children got, the more shy and inhibited they became! In the picture you can see a first year class- 6 & 7 year olds, who asked a thousand and one questions! Funny, no-one over here has heard of Van Morrison........In one of the other classes the'Irish question' again came up-if asked tomorrow, I think I've got an answer sorted-"I go home on Saturday, so won't have enough time!!!"

  I had pork again for lunch today-but the children have a choice of three meals every day, one of which is always vegetarian, and there are no free meals and no packed lunches-and they are paid for on a monthly basis.....how Margaret would like that! The Czechtradition is for the largest meal of the day at lunchtime-it is a rare occurance for me not to be able to finish a meal, but this was the second time in two days.....maybe I'm not well.....In the dinner hall I also met two young ladies who were enjoying their lunch-now we have a fine history of twins, so these two caught my attention!

Now those of you who understand addiction, will understand my next folly-when looking at the map of the school, and the route back to my hotel, there was a picture screaming out at me-that of Praha Golf Club! So, after a short metro then Tram ride I was at the bottom of the lane to the club. Now anyone who knows the laneway to Roe Park, this was similar-except uphill and in 30 degrees heat. When this lost soul arrived at the upmarket club, it was not a pretty sight!!! However, clearly they didn't stick rigidly to any admissions policy, and I spent a delightful hour on the balcony recharging my batteries and taking on copious fluids (yes non-alcoholic!) and watching the Czech golfers go through the same rituals over putts, and chips, missed and sank, as golfers from our own wee country! At this stage I realised I am an addict-why didn't I pack my clubs......though I dread to think what Jet2 would have stuck me for with them on board!"

Now for anyone who thinks I'm making the heat bit up I snapped this on the way home-and this was the temperature on the way down-it was one of those afternoons where you knew there was something in the air, and by the time I was near my hotel, the thunder was rumbling in the air and finally the skies opened-I was about to perform my version of singing in the rain, but I think the good folk of Prague are not yet ready! After hibernating for a while, I returned to Wenceslas Square. I'm not really sure what to make of this place-it's the main mecca for tourists, a scene of former revolutions and protests, and more lately a hotspot for pickpockets and other unsavoury activities. However, now I reckon the only Prague folk in the square would appear to be the large police presence and thousands of tourists-shopping in the same shops that can be found in any town in the UK.......Debenhams, Next, Marks and Spencer, Subway etc, they're all here! For me the Old Town of Prague is much more inviting-I'll post a special section of pictures from the area later this week-stunning architecture and a lovely relaxed feel, oh yes, lots of good eating places as well!  I think for now it's time to draw this blog to a close, I have brought a DVD with me of a fan's eye view of a special night in May a few years ago.....'Istanbul:The Movie'....I think I'll give it a whirl in preparation for tomorrow night when we play Man Utd......oh sorry, that's right it's Milan, Utd of course are out-sorry Ryan!