Day 27 – 14 October 2012 – Cesky Krumlov to Linz (by train)

It was a wonderful final night in our little haunt in the 350 year bakery and lolly shop in Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic. Our lovely historic ‘house’ had its own separate kitchen, part of which was the former oven for the former lolly shop. We ate ‘in’ both nights with food we had purchased from the local ‘Co-op’, which included the best German sausage and a very healthy array of fresh vegetables all professionally cooked and prepared by Sarah-Jane.

We were able to have a slow start to the day. It was Sunday. Our train back to Linz was not due to leave until 1pm. We planned to visit the local centuries old church, spend some final time in the village before making the long, steep walk out of the village to the railway station some 2km up a very long, steep hill.

Julie and Sarah-Jane went for a cool, early morning explore as a final outing to a nearby hill that gave further panoramic views over this model medieval village with far too much to explore and discover than a mere weekend can allow. However, it has been a great weekend ‘getaway’, and there was a sense of sadness as we contemplated our inevitable departure.

One of the consistent scenes on our travels through southern Germany and also Czech Republic is the apple tree. They are everywhere, especially along the bike paths where they also drop hundreds and hundreds of apples on the path creating a dangerous obstacle for bikes. Here is Cesky Krumlov the apple trees seem to be the common fruit in season, and make a very beautiful sight the way they are cropped in small, sometimes steep little plots wherever they can fit.

We checked out at ten, and went around half the street to be able to come back to the top floor of our cute little ancient building to return our key. The girl in reception welcomed us with a very familiar accent. She was from Melbourne, but originally from Kandos, NSW (near Lithgow). It is amazing how small the world really is. She intends to stay in Cesky Krumlov for the foreseeable future.

We walked over the ancient cobble stoned village for the final time, taking in all the sights of people, and especially the centuries old buildings. While I (Kelvin) spent some necessary time on the Information Centre computer, Julie and SJ enjoyed the local coffee shop.

We had to sample the local ‘tslisk’ (something like that, the local doughnut), which looks more like a small hollowed out bee-hive. They were okay, but probably not as nice as our regular doughnut back home.

We turned our backs on Cesky Krumlov, and climbed the many hundreds of cobbled stairs that lifted us from the village in the valley floor, to the top of the ridge where the train can access. The station is akin to a very small country station in Australia, but right on time this tiny little train pulled into the station. The crowd of many dozens of people, including us, surged to the train. We rushed to the second of the two carriages, finding an excellent seat.

A few minutes later a Czech railway guard asked us for our tickets, and after taking one look told us in perfect Czech which we somehow understood perfectly, that we were actually on the wrong train which was about to leave in the opposite direction to where we had to go!

We scrambled off to find that a second train had pulled in almost simultaneously. It was gladly the correct train and heading for Linz. It was a close shave, and we are grateful to the guard who had noticed a few of us foreigners scrambling for what she suspected was the wrong train.

We enjoyed the trip home. It was a warm, sunny afternoon, and before long the two ladies were fast asleep while the Czech Republic countryside went flashing by, eventually giving way to the remarkably distinctly different Austrian countryside eventually filling the view through our extremely dirty window that prevented any chance whatsoever of taking photos. (Julie’s family will find this ironic since their family trip into China with their lovely dad).

One remarkable feature of the trains in Czech Republic is the toilet – they look like any other, except the flush is operated by a foot pedal which simply opens a tiny trap door at the bottom of the toilet and everything just drops out on the rapidly passing tracks clearly below!

We arrived back at Linz, crossing over the mighty Danube over which we would be crossing by bike tomorrow morning, and eventually pulled into the massive Linz Railway station. We had left our appetites in Cesky, so we bought some half price salads at the Railway grocery store, and for about $8 managed to put together what turned out to be a nourishing and healthy dinner.

Our Hotel had cared for our bags and bikes. We went to bed knowing that we needed an early start so that we could make our way further east along the Danube to the beautiful village of Grein.

Reflecting on the day, we could not help but think about the near catastrophe if we had not been noticed by the railway official getting on the wrong train. We made the wrong assumption. I guess we were too concerned about getting a good seat, rather than ensuring that the train was in fact the correct train. What good would the seats have been if in fact we ended up heading in the completely wrong direction? It was good that someone was taking notice of three impatient Australians from afar.

Life can also be all too much like this. We can rush headlong into life, making our own judgments and decisions without necessarily being aware that in fact we may be heading in the wrong direction. On the day when I was born, my dear Aunty Ruth gave my mother a Bible for me for when I would be old enough to read it and value its contents. In the front she wrote these words “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

In order to have confidence that we are going in the right direction in life, we need the wisdom and guidance of the one who knows the way that we should go far better than we do.

From the edge of the waters of the Danube, Linz Austria, we send our love.

Kelvin & Julie, and Sarah-Jane

Our last vision of Cesky Krumlov before making the long climb out up the steep hill to the railway station..............