20 July: Nashledanou Prague
So the dream has come to an end. Tomorrow we board a coach at 8.00 am and drive in search of the Danube which has evaporated in the heatwave. I wonder if they'll offer us a cycle tour instead. I don't care really so long as they drive along behind with our bags.
I have thoroughly enjoyed writing to you all each evening but am aware that whatever they offer us for the next week just may not include wifi connection. So I may disappear into a black hole.

Today offered a visit to Castle Melnik with wine tasting at 9.00 am. The castle, on the Elba River, prides itself on its cellars which were established in the 14th century. We spent about an hour down in the candle-lit caves sampling 6 different wines balanced with black bread and a variety of cheeses. Peter took some excellent photos on his camera but I didn't attempt it. The party then climbed back up above ground and on up the 52 steps into the castle to ogle the 8 rooms some of which were furnished.
Those of you on FB will have seen my photo of the statue of St Florean who died in 304 AD and was the patron saint of fire. This was a treasure for my daughter-in-law Vicki who serves on the Ministerial Fire Board.

This evening there was another optional tour to the Chapel of Mirrors for an hour's concert of classical organ, piano, flute, violin, tenor, soprano. It opened with Bach's Prelude played on the very same pipe organ Mozart played. And then it went up from there. I do not attend musical concerts so I have nothing to compare this with but the audience responded with a standing ovation demanding encores, so it was not just me who was totally awed by the splendour of the performances. I did not know a flute was capable of producing such magnificent harmonies.
The evening was capped by a stroll back via the illuminated Charles Bridge and castle plus a new moon. There is yet another cathedral by Charles Bridge and we wandered up the steps just as the keeper was locking the great doors for the night. I put on my woe begone face and told her we had come all the way from New Zealand to see inside. That worked. 😁 she opened one door just a China and gave us a fully escorted private tour all in Czech.  I did pick up the St Francis of AssisI bit though. I have no further adjectives remaining in my vocabulary to describe the beauty of the art work. I'm sure many of you are familiar with the spectacle so don't need my adjectives at all.
I'll be leaving my heart here in Prague. 😊