Trebon Czech Republic- 2 days

As I sat at the bus station all alone, with nobody to check if I was in the right place, I had plenty of time to sit and think. It’s so interesting travelling alone in a completely different environment to the norm. It takes you outside the comfort zone and yet somehow made me less fearful. If the bus doesn’t come, there will always be another, or at worst, a taxi. We worry so often unnecessarily. 

Anyway, my Flix  bus did come and I had a great trip to Trebon. I’m travelling in style since my experience on my first bus journey of my large neighbour nodding off and flopping over to my shoulder! Now, for about 8 dollars, I book the seat beside me. It’s fantastic and not so extravagant.

As before, the landscape is primarily agricultural, with plenty of different birds of prey and a number of deer, who suddenly peer out of the wheat or barley fields.

My accommodation is undoubtedly the best so far and not expensive considering that a large breakfast is included. What a cute little appartment..

The entrance to The Yellow House’ is just as picturesque.

The street I’m on is the circular street which surrounds the old town. With only 9000 inhabitants the town is a perfect size. It’s a wonderful place. Not too many tourists ( apparently it’s heaving in July and August, but with Czech visitors), plenty of cosy wine bars and cafes, incredible buildings of every colour imaginable, and the icing on the cake today a wine festival and market in the central square.

This was my first visit to the Square- what a lovely place!

Such phenomenal colours - blue seems to be the in colour,

And what a feast for lunch. I saw a couple eating this type of dish , and unlike in other Czech towns, they could speak English and were super friendly. Langos is the name of the dish and it is a very light flakey pastry, originally a Hungarian snack, covered with sour cream, grated mozzarella and bacon. It was delicious, but huge. I struggled to finish it. It filled me up for many hours and sustained me for my long afternoon walk by the ponds.

This is a beautiful, restful place with 500 ponds which are filled with young fish in autumn. The network of cycle/ walking around them covers kilometres. Sorry my cycling friends but the big groups of cyclists are a pain, taking little care as they speed past those who are walking. When there are no cyclists, the stillness and calm of the area is heavenly and the birdsong fabulous.

The photo above shows some of the dozens of pools where the fish are reared before release into the ponds. I saw some massive fish close to the banks I of the Svet, the pond beside me.

I ended up taking a side turning to another track around a different pond, much less busy than the first. I had to walk further than anticipated to find some water - stupidly I hadn’t taken enough.

I got back to town by 6, ready for a couple of wine tastings. What I didn’t realise was that the evening would turn out to be incredibly social! I hope the tasting glass I bought will make it home. Nice souvenir of a marvellous evening. 

There was a great band playing and people dancing. The atmosphere was fantastic, many smiling faces and young and old enjoying a perfect evening. The wine I tasted was all excellent, quite different from ours, but really tasty. After the music stopped I stayed on to savour my wine and started to chat to a wonderful Czech couple, Richard and.Eva. Actually , they were interested in my travels, especially as I was alone. ‘Aren’t you scared?’ Richard asked. This is the first time someone has asked me this, interestingly enough! I realised that I’m not as scared or worried about things as I was years ago. I guess I am more logical now. 

This was the start of a lot of tastings and great conversation with them. Every time I thought I would leave, Richard would convince the people on the stalls, who were packing up, to give us another glass full! Eventually, as we were on the last seat left, and they wanted to clear up, we moved to a kebab cafe for dinner. What a brilliant chance meeting with two lovely locals.

So, here I am in my beautiful, sheltered courtyard writing my blog. My presence is not appreciated by two swallows who have a nest just beside me!

I went for a really pleasant walk this morning before a short downpour. It took me along a creek outside the city walls.the gardens were fantastic and it was so wonderfully peaceful.

The main square which had been full of stalls, throngs of people, full of life and fun, was now virtually empty. Such a massive difference.

I’d decided to take the little boat around the biggest pond, the Svet. It gave my weary legs and brain a rest! I had thought of walking round, but it’s 12,5 kilometres. A bit far.  Anyway, before the boat trip, I explored the lovely park and the fortifications of this medieval town.

During the entire boat trip, huge back clouds threatened to spill their heavy load, but luck was with me.

I just love clouds!

The fish pond system has been around for over 500 years. This pond is also used for rowing regattas.

The little island apparently has a tunnel under the pond floor which leads to the castle, providing an escape route when the town was invaded.

My time in Czech Republic isn’t over yet. I move on to the most touristy city apart from Prague, Cesty Krumlov, tomorrow, and then to Wales. I’m so looking forward to seeing the family again, and it will also be great to unpack,

Richard and Eve recommended an Indian Restaurant just around the corner from my apartment. It was fabulous food. I should have been trying the fish, but in fact it couldn’t have been better than this!