Saturday 20 July. Prague C

We left the hotel at 10:10 am and headed for the nearest metro station, Prazskeho povstani, a 37 minute walk according to Google maps. However Google maps doesn't show contours, or at least we've not found them. It was all uphill!

On the way up we were passed by a guy who, having passed us, spat towards the gutter. He then glanced backwards to see where we were walking and spat towards the middle of the pavement where I was heading. Just to make his point he then spat ahead of where Shiel was walking. He then crossed in front of us and entered what was a basement flat or house doorway. Sadly it was not an isolated occurrence. Just as we were entering the tube station another, younger, guy spat in our direction. First time we've experienced such disgusting behaviour in the Czech Republic. It may be a characteristic of males in that suburb of Prague. (The worst of times). The walk was only 30 minutes, somewhat  less than expectorated?

We took the metro to the main station and searched out the International ticket office. We asked for a ticket for Monday 22 July from Prague to Dresden. The woman behind the desk was incredible in that she answered all our questions, in order, even before we asked them.

She gave us a list of train times, about one every two hours. There was only one ticket, and one price,  and one could take ANY train. The ticket is valid for a whole  month.  (Robin please note). For someone who has travelled by train in the UK it was like I'd died and gone to railway heaven. The fare was only about £20 for the 2.5 hour trip.

Using our original metro ticket we then headed for the hill fort of Vysehrad with a metro station of the same name. There is a pleasant high level walk from the station to the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. One gets magnificent views over the rooftops of Prague on the way there. It is a mostly flat and easy walk.

However for me the real treasure of the day was the cemetery beside the Basilica. It was incredible. I've never seen such extravagant grave stones, literally monumental. It brought to mind Grey's Elergy in a Country Churchyard: