"Bitov" recovery!!

Yes - we needed a bit of recuperation after all our travels so far and we got it.

We decamped and drove to Bitov which was in the middle of nowhere on the map with not a lot around it. The road to it was easy enough to navigate but when we got closer it became more difficult to find. The camp site signs disappeared and we found ourselves in limbo with no one around at all. The terrain was hilly with thick coniferous woodland and deep gorges - very narrow roads to manoever in. Eventually we found Bitov village with a hotel there so Steve went to ask directions. Thankfully he found the one person who could speak some English and he told him where the camp was. It was quite close by and we had actually passed it on the road. I had looked out of the window and seen some wonderful sites of chalets dotted among hillsides and along lakesides but didn't want to distract Steve from his driving along the winding narrow lanes to show him. I had actually been looking at the camp site! We didn't really expect much, thinking it would be a repeat of Stalag 13, being so far from civilisation - but oh were we wrong! It was stunning. The campsite was set in a creek amongst grassy fields with so many different kinds of birds around us. Surrounding the creek the cliffs rose dramatically, covered in trees (see pic) and there were birds of prey nesting in them. The wooden chalets were dotted around and about the creek where fish jumped all over the place - tempted Steve no end.

It was peaceful and quiet with just a few caravans about and not much else - not even staff as no one seemed interested in taking our money. A man did arrive but couldn't speak English and gave up - just gave us some tokens for the shower rooms. They were clean and efficient.

That was the start of our rest and recuperation - we did not do a lot - sat and read, sunbathed by the lake and ate and drank to our hearts content. We did go to the lake and bait the fish with some bread - which they thoroughly enjoyed. Unfortunately we couldn't fish as we didn't have a permit. I've suggested to Steve that we don't ask next time - just set up our rods and do it. If someone comes along to complain we will plead ignorance, lack of the language and apologise profusely - but I'm sure no one would have come along there.

Steve did bump into a cyclist from Holland. He had cycled 1600 km so far on his European road trip lasting for 2.5 months - brave man. He was only staying overnight and continuing on his way the following morning. All alone too. We also met a lovely lady from Devon with her son and Czech husband. She was 6 months pregnant and they were having a last trip in their truck before she busied herself with motherhood. You do meet all kinds of people out and about.

We left the camp site after trying hard to find someone to take our camping cheques from us. We could easily have left without paying - and we are sure that the cyclist did as he left very early. There is laid back and then there is unconscious! I don't know how they make a living with that attitude. Such nice people the Czechs though - even if they are so hard to understand.

Refreshed and ready for action we are off to do Vienna.