30.5.25 Prague to Bratislava.
Another day another ailment. I’ve had a sore throat, headaches, achy hips, a dislocated groin, broken left arm, painful elbow, severe gastric disorder and today after washing my hair upside down in the shower I’ve fractured my spine.
We’ve walked our feet down to nubs each day, 16km, 14km and 12km twice. To think I was actually researching daily and weekly travel card options before we came.
Keep moving is my motto for a healthy life. Maybe a rethink is in order. I tell myself I’m doing ok for a 64 year old, I know I should maybe slow down and take the easier route, but just can’t do it. Not yet.
However I did fall asleep during Clarksons Farm last night, annoyingly, so a rewatch is in order before the next episode.
Staying at Villa Jinonice has been great, it’s lovely and quiet and 1 minute walk to the metro station Line B, just 15 minutes into central Prague.
It felt sad to be leaving Prague but equally I was looking forward to 4 and a half hours just doing nothing on a bus.
Our Flix bus to Bratislava was at 11am. We were at Roztyly bus station just after 10am thanks to the very efficient metro network and Johns navigating. My brain is fried along with everything else.
We went into the little cafe and after an immodium risked an americano and a raisin Danish pastry. I’ve been looking out for the huge caramel round éclairs I saw on youtube and there they were, but today was not the day for lashings of cream and anyway I have mustard crisps and nachos to look forward to.
Last year my friend Carol & I did the Flix bus the opposite way and direction. From Bratislava to Austria to Budapest. They’re great value for money, clean and punctual.
However, John and I loved the train from Bratislava to Prague and looked into cancelling our bus to go back to Bratislava by train, but even the basic seats were a crazy price, so Flix it was. The wifi and electric charge sockets weren’t working but not the end of the world.
It was a 20 minute walk from Mylinske Nivy bus station to Hyde Park Hostel, our home for one night.
Oh dear, back to our usual standard of Brett Class accommodation, even though it was actually the same price per night as our lovely Jinonice.
We apprehensively entered the side door by a kind of square with beer drinkers on benches, and climbed the stairs, past the dead plant circa 1965, to the reception door.
John rang the bell, no answer, tried again and a very jolly man appeared from the door opposite. He gave us the warmest welcome, took us through the reception door, past the wooden unit with the event leaflets from 2024, to our room.
It’s fine. It’s just one night. We’ve even got toiletries, a wardrobe and a tv. Unfortunately the mood enhancing candle doesn’t work.
I asked about the tap water and was told it’s the only thing Bratislava’s got going for it. They send it to France and they bottle it as Evian.
We went off to explore.
We’re right on a main tramline and our road has a mix of shops, cafes and restaurants. There are more kebab shops than in the small town where we live in Türkiye.
John was unable to hide his disappointment regarding Bratislava, it’s certainly no Prague and definitely better to see it before there are comparisons. It’s nice enough in its own way.
I spotted a beautiful Weimaraner dog, with its owner, in a nail bar doorway. John was making a fuss of it, it was wagging it’s tail etc. I looked away, looked back and saw huge teeth and snarling just after it had taken a small chunk out of John’s forehead. He was really shaken up by it. The owner remained oblivious whilst chatting to a friend. I’ve never seen a dog turn like that.
We scoured the streets for food inspiration. We should really try something local. Uninspired we went into Tesco Express, 3 doors away from our room, bought beer and studied take away options.
John came up with Dosa and Samosa close by and collected our food. I had mango and chicken curry, rice and naan bread. Hand on heart the best curry I’ve ever had. John enjoyed his biriani.
I caught up with the whole section of Clarksons Farm that I’d slept through while John collected the curry.
After our curry I nipped to Tesco and picked up 2 Toffee Magnums that I’d spotted earlier.They were divine. I need to have as many as I can fit in before leaving tomorrow.
We watched 3 more Episodes of Clarksons Farm. I’m concerned that I’ve not seen Pepper, the white cow from previous seasons and hoping all turns out well for the adorable little piglet, Richard Ham.
That’s all for now, more Bratislava tomorrow.