Up early and headed to Sychov Castle. Sychov castle is located about 70kms from Prague.

Since the 15th century, a fort existed in the place now occupied by Sychrov castle. In 1820 the Sychrov castle was bought by the family of Rohan, French aristocrats exiled by the French Revolution. A small, dilapidated, Baroque castle was rebuilt by the Rohans and finished in 1834. A second reconstruction (1847-62) put romantic Neo-gothic style into the castle, and this style remains today. The reconstruction was carried out according to the plans of Bernard Grueber, and all works were facilitated by domestic artists and craftsmen. The Sychrov castle boasts a collection of around 250 portraits of the Rohans, related families, and French kings. It is the largest collection of French portrait paintings in Central Europe. Sychrov hosts unique glass paintings by Jan Zacharias Quast. After the end of World War II the castle was confiscated and became state property because the owners were suspected of collaboration with the Nazis. Rohan had six daughters and he really had no choice, either do what the Germans ask, or have his daughters sent to the gas chambers.

We were greeted with a glass of wine in the gardens and then had a guided tour of the castle, with an organ recital along the way. Then we headed to the Orangery for lunch which was Snitzel and potatoes, with Strudel for desert, more wine and coffee. We arrived back at our hotel at around 4pm and then headed to the Old Town square where we hired Segways. We burned around the square down to the water front, through Wenceslas Square one of the two main squares in Prague (the other is Old Town Square).

Wenceslas Square is really a boulevard, measuring 750m long by 60m wide. It was originally laid out as the Prague horse market 650 years ago.

Ever since is has been a parade ground for all kinds of organisations and political parties. From anti-communist uprisings to celebrations of national sporting achievements, Wenceslas Square is where the Czech's come to let off steam. It can hold up to 400,000 people!

At the top of Wenceslas Square a statue of St. Wenceslas on his horse cuts a striking figure. This is good King Wenceslas (Svatý Václav) himself, murdered a thousand years ago by his brother, and a Czech national hero.

In front of St. Wenceslas are two plaques in memory of those killed during the communist era. One is dedicated to Jan Palach, who set himself on fire in protest at the Soviet invasion.

Behind St. Wenceslas is the monumental National Museum, and just off to the left is the Prague State Opera.

Then past the Jewish quarters, what a great time that was. We met up with Garry and Betty for tea outside the Astronimical clock, in a small cafe and enjoyed our last night in Prague. We watched the astronomical clock sound off at 9pm.

The four figures flanking the clock are set in motion at the hour, these represent four things that were despised at the time of the clock's making. From left to right, the first is Vanity, represented by a figure admiring himself in a mirror. Next, the miser holding a bag of gold represents greed or usury. Across the clock stands Death, a skeleton that strikes the time upon the hour. Finally, the Turk tells pleasure and entertainment.

There is also a presentation of statues of the Apostles at the doorways above the clock, with all twelve presented every hour.

After tea we strolled to the Charles Bridge and watched the lights. What a spectacular view!