Stadion Evžena Rošického

The final leg from Frankfurt to Prague didn't quite go as smoothly as hoped. Obviously there were delays & it was touch & go whether it would go at all - there was an 11pm curfew but exceptions were made due to the storms. Flagged up the delay to the hotel & was assured the transfer company took delays into consideration. It wouldn't be a problem - someone would be there and or get in touch. No queue at immigration. All good. Pannier was first off the belt. Then the wait. All bags off but no bike. Asked & was pointed to the oversized area. No sign coming in the other direction. Ho hum but bike was there & box was relatively unscathed. Off to find the transfer. Out & 1 taxi guy looking for Martha. Went outside, waited a few minutes but clearly no transfer. Either phone or get the bike out. Went with the bike & managed to get myself in a right panic - couldn't get the chain right on the derailleur. Had to walk away & calm down. Still annoyed but sorted the bike, got the lights on & off into the darkness. Once away from the airport it really was dark. Dodged potholes & puddles & made it to the hotel for around 2ish. Hotel a bit non-plussed by it. Eventually came out that this often happens. Anyway that meant a rather groggy start and lots of cakes for breakie. Quick dash to the nearby bike shop for a bike lock, except it was closed. Next stop the Great Stahrov Stadium - site of the 3rd biggest stadium attendance ever in the world. A Soviet throwback that had definitely fallen on hard times. Unusually, though, you could get in without paying so that brightened the mood. Convoluted route to the next bike shop, which was open. Didn't speak English but understood bike lock. Sorted. Decided to head to the hotel to dump the panniers & then head off to the Slavia Prague stadium - a little more cared for. Managed to get in there as well - setting up for the match later on & a gate was open. Wandered in - a couple of guys saw but clearly weren't bothered. On the way back, stopped off at TV transmitter tower - it'd be rude not to. Except they only took cash & all I had was Euros. Tried the cash point & the first card wouldn't work, the second was asking for £4 just to hand over money. Nope. The guy settled for Euros. Nice views and some bizarre chairs. And as for the baby sculptures crawling up the side of the tower ..Read more