Well-an early start this morning-up and at them before the hotel had even started serving breakfast! Now, don't worry everyone, there are loads of little bread and such shops, I didn't go hungry! So it was a tram ride, a Metro ride and then collected by star host Marie again, who delivered me to my destination.  Now, the early start was well and truly worth it....I got to visit two village schools today, the first in Uhinice, with approx. 70 children, and the second in Jinocany, with about 35. Visiting the school in Uhonice reminded me so much of Donemana Primary School-I kid you not, the little village school, was so like our own you wouldn't believe it! Not necessarily in terms of buildings etc, but in the feel and atmosphere within it! Their building was certainly different-it was huge compared to our own....a trend I have seen in them all-the buildings are large and generally offer excellent room for a host of opportunities- for example they all have extra classrooms for after school classes, never mind that they have a separate teacher for after school activities! This school had converted its loft and created two delightful classrooms, full of light, but in this heat, every window was open!

I was grateful again for the services of Susan-a very suitable candidate, being the part time English teacher-who had served as an au pair in Brighton for a year!! She had joined the school this year and was clearly loving her job. Two of the classes were missing in action-they were away on different trips, so I only got a fleeting moment with the jolly Director, she blamed Marie for coming on a day when she was away-but I cannot believe Marie would make any mistakes!

Teaching english involves a great deal of role plays and conversational skills, and the children adopt their roles with relish.....no sign of Pluto today though! The children were all very polite and enthusiastic, even getting my autograph......I can see the demand bringing ebay servers crashing down around the globe! They even have their own star pupils board, just like our own pupil of the month board.-and their's stays up all the time.....they clearly don't have Ryan sticking the pictures up!!!!! Susan was keen to get an e-mail link going with some of our children....I'm sure we could manage that!

Any of you lot who are struggling with your parts of speech in English should take a look at the picture I've included of the parts of speech I spotted in school-at least I think that's what it is...maybe it will help! Look at this picture of the playground as well-I thought is was lovely-but then, how often do we appreciate the wonderful view and setting we have around our own playground....?

The school also housed a kindergarden, and again it was a lovely experience-not just because Susan's son and daughter were there! The time, space, care, and not to mention funding, given to children of this age is really quite astounding compared to our own culture, as educationalists, surely it is not a leap to see the benefits of greater investment at this age should lead to fewer troubles later on......

Susan then took me by car to the Rudna School, to meet with Marie again. The school in Uhonice translated roughly into, 'learning the way of life.' And it was certainly a school which projected a lovely atmosphere. Marie and I then travelled the short distance to Jinocany, a lovely rural village, where we met the warm and friendly Lucie Hartova. Her school accomodated approx. 35 children, and again had a large, old building at its disposal. Again the children were so warm and welcoming, and Lucie went out of her way to provide answers to all my queries and showed me their website, address shown below:

http://www.skolajinocany.cz/ZSaMS_Jinocany/O_nas1.html

There were composite classes in this school, and given the difficulties we have creating them every year, it was interesting to note that they had 1st and 3rd grade children in the same class, and 2nd and 4th grade in another-imagine if we had that.................

We then made the short walk to the nearby Kindergarden-standing in an old building, both it and the school are earmarked for a new building, though interestingly, it is up to the local Council, not the Department of Education, to find the funds to provide this! As an aside, I don't think I've seen a single boring flagstone on this trip-it's all cobble stones,  ordinary footpaths have intricately woven brick work, which would cost you a fortune at home in your drive, never mind on the streets! The kindergarden was another vibrant scene, with the now expected activities and buzz going on-and the beds being laid out in preparation for the snoozes after lunch!!

During our walk back, Lucie admitted she was horrified to think that her son-aged seven-could have had three years of school under his belt if he was back home with us. It does make you wonder what we are doing, simply based on tradition! Lunch was then provided in the Primary School again, and yep, pork made an appearance, however, this time it was deliciously smoked, and accompanied by the brilliant mashed potatoes! Later that day Marie trook me to see some of the new developments in her village of Rudna-there was a beautiful tennis club within the housing developments-why can't our town planners think of things like that!

From Zlicin, I took the Metro back to Prague, then gathered myself for some sightseeing and photographs. Prague is a city where a short walk can turn into a hike very easily-every time you turn a corner you can be surprised by what you meet, and you go a little further-soon enough you are a long way from home! And as for photography, it's like shooting fish in a barrel-everywhere you look there's a perfect scene waiting to be shot!

I headed down through Wenceslas and into the old town and out onto Charles Bridge-a focal point for tourists from across the globe!

From here you get stunning views of the river, and of the castle on the hill in the distance.

Once you cross the bridge there is a short climb to the huge St. Nicholas Church-I'm sure it's not named after my golfing partner on a Saturdy morning, though he is old enough, and I bet this St. Nicholas wasn't as grumpy!!!!!

After St. Nicholas, I climbed and climbed and climbed, trying to reach the Castle, and I began to think it wasn't worth it, until, you turn a corner and this view smacks you in the face!! From this viewpoint you get a blanket of rooftops spreading out before you and it makes the climb worth all the effort!

Then you get to the Castle entrance, and it is again a beautiful building, and the best part is, you get to walk through the entire complex.....imagine getting to wander through the grounds of Buckingham Palace!! Inside the complex there are some stunning views and buildings, many of which you just can't fit into a normal lens shot!

Funnily enough I came across a basilica to St. George and a lovely monument. I also play golf with a George, and this George has trouble enough slaying a little white ball, never mind a fire breathing dragon! I really would recommend the walk through the castle to anyone coming over-it's worth the effort. In the old town there is a clock that is slightly different to the sort of thing we're used to.....imagine trying to teach using this contraption....

Then I made my way back to the hotel, taking in some beautiful night time shots on the way. However, the cost of what started out as a short walk can be felt in the feet and ankles-ouch!