PRAGUE...

As a birthday present for Mama, we took her to Praha. Mum nor Mezzy have ever been there, so it was my absolute pleasure to take them to one of the most beautiful, most romantic, most gothic cities on the good earth. As any of you who have been there know, Prague is probably the most photographed cities in Europe. So I'm not going to bore you all with my impressions. Heres but a few of the 800 snaps we rattled off...

Looking across the Vltava to the Castle District on a murky afternoon.

Mum n' Mez on a chilly night outside the National Museum.

Some jazz musicians, busking on the charles bridge.

Autumn is a wonderful time to visit Prague. This staircase winds it's way up through the castle district to St.Vitus Cathedral, which is probably the most impressive cathedral I've ever stepped foot in. It's a gothic masterpiece thats been around some 650 years.

Another highlight wandering around Prague is the Art Nouveau District. If your into architecture of this type, Prague is a little gem.

Even the Commies got into their Nouveau stuff. Albeit with a little less frills.

This mosaic is above the entrance to Municipal House. Pragues grandest and most important piece of Nouveau. It took 7 years to build, and was completed in 1912.

Mumsie, on-route to a date with a creme brulee in an old jewish quarter cafe.

Bears, Mez & The Green Fairie. =)

An interesting poster advertising an art gallery near our apartment.

Charles Bridge at dawn, before the all the terroristas arrive.

We had a wonderful trip, brilliant to have you there with us Ma. Lets do it again sometime, except next time bring Rich. He would have loved it there too. As for anyone else traipsing around europe, don't miss this place. It isn't what it used to be (for many reasons), but it's still one of the most awe-inspiring cities you'll ever visit. Anytime of the year.

EXIT Festival 2008....

Its now 78 days until Exit fest kicks off. For those of you who don't know, this is one of Europes biggest, and wickedest music festys. It's held within the grounds of a fortress on the danube, deep in the heart of Serbia. All music genres are represented over a multitude of stages.
We are amassing an army to hit Novi Sad around July 9. The festy goes for 4 days. If anyone is interested, I advise they get some tickets pronto. They will sell out. I have located us a lil' squat about 800m from the fortress. It's good for 12 or 13, we get the whole house... 25 euro p/p/p night.

Join agents wooD, mOscOw +1, bLu, breNno +1, lOz, cHantY, meZ, gNat, wilHelm, bSr & hopefully narDine and the shaGpile (if your out there, come along), for a serbian adventure. =)

Line-up... sEx PistOls, paUl weLLer, niGhtwiSh, tHe hiVEs, pRimal scrEam, bEn waTT, fRanCois K, svEn Vath, miNiStry, gOgOl bOrdello, dEEp diSh, 2 maNy Dj's, m.I.a, bOOka shAde, soUlwaX, juliEtte [lewis] and tHe liCks, tiGa, laURent garniEr, krUder & dOrfmeiSter, maNu Chao....

Mama in Ol' Blighty...
It was sometime ago now, try October 07, that Mum visited the chalk farm massive. We had alot of fun, and crammed much into the short 2 weeks.

Here she is alongside chalk farms' most noted piece of stencil work... 'maid' by the infamous banksy.

We went over to Greenwich on a wild and woolly day, to explore the sites. This is a royal dining hall with some amazing murals/frescos.

I thought we were alone in the hall, but if you look closely, halfway along the railing, you can see a ghostly image looking directly at me.... spooky.

We hit the road north with the Yorkshire Dales our destination. York itself is a beautiful little town. It's cathedral, one of the finest in the country. You can just make out Mezzys' red jacket in the arch underneath the enormous pipe organ.

Some seriously aged stained glass is on display. Photos never do it justice, but it's beautiful none-the-less.

One of the intricate antique tapestries that adorn the alters.

Into the Yorkshire Dales we drove... the weather wasn't kind, but it's a serene place. These are some of the rock formations you can find around Malham Cove.

I have a bit of an obsession with aqua/viaducts. This is the impressive Ribblehead Viaduct. I could have spent hours wandering around admiring the construct. But it was windy, and cold.

On my advice we took a backroute through the winding tracks of the dales. It's a drive I don't think any of us are likely to forget in a hurry... although Mez might have.

If you ever wondered where they went for their holidays..... look no further.

Leeds is a bustling city. I was pleasantly surprised. I wasn't expecting much, but it's a great place. Well worth a visit if you're ever up that way.

This was one of many incredible mosaics in a shopping arcade, downtown Leeds.

And an interesting mural, not far from the night district.

The roof of the old Corn Exchange. Leeds seems to have an abundance of shopping centres, but this one takes the cake. Not for it's shops, just it's design.

The main reason for our sojourn to the north, was to visit Yorkshire Sculpture Park. After four days of wind and chill the sun finally broke through just as we arrived. Exquisite timing.

This is Andy Goldsworthy's work. Amazing stuff really.

Not sure about this, could be more goldsworthy.... Mum n' Mez certainly approved.

More goldsworthy... a barbwire ball.

Where's Mezzy???? The grounds around the park are immaculate. Scattered between the trees and fields are little, or sometimes very large, sculptural gems.

Mezzy doing her impression of a Henry Moore.

Another fine example of Moore's work. If you're into art and nature, this place is a must.

Some of the rich contours this part of the world has to offer.

I believe thats part of an arts university across the lake. Nice place to study the early autumn landscape.

We took a breather at this steel sculpture, atop one of the highest points of the park. I would advise that anyone taking on the circuit should take some water, and perhaps a little snack.

The late afternoon light was delicious. But there was no time to stop and enjoy it. Theres so much to see.

An interesting piece. A bronze hare and anvil.... where do you pull an idea like that from??? And how does one go about sculpting such a massive blob of metal???

I didn't expect to see the Tardis here... but the doctor was nowhere to be seen. I did manage to hook up with his pretty apprentice though, and entice her back to London. ;)

Montenegro...
so it's taken along time, but here we are in Monte to wrap up our little Balkan Odyssey.

On route to the coast, still in Bosnia and Herzegovina, shagpile took a liking to this sign. It was a strange place Gacko. After hours of winding mountain roads, we popped out onto this plain, and were greeted by a tremendous reactor. Charming. We didn't stay long in Gacko. It was abit on the nose.

After an epic drive, and a few border posts, we arrived in Budva. Finding accommodation was difficult to say the least. It seemed every young couple, schoolie, and their entourage, was here as well. But they already had a place to sleep. The next day was spent on the rocks, bathing in the beautiful adriatic, and exploring the little streets. A few beers were had too.

This is the old fortified town that dominates the landscape. It's been heavily restored, but still retains most of it's charm. Particularly at this time of day.

The ubiquitous bell towers.

Some interesting contours where the old town meets the new.

After Budva we made our way back around the peninsula to Kotor. An ancient town nestled within the deepest fjord in southern europe. It's a spectacular place, UNESCO listed, a little over touristed, but for good reasons. While we were there it was some annual cheerleading competition... but I swear we didn't plan it that way.

Over the centuries the locals built a fortress on top of the cliffs. They would escape the invaders, and retreat from the old town, up into the fortress. After that they would pelt stuff at the attackers.... who stood no chance, until they left the town alone.

It's an exhausting climb, but the views are nothing short of spectacular.

The fortress blends into the landscape effortlessly.

Half way up the cliffs, you can stop and say a pray.

Here you can just see the agents descending the stairs. Don't ask me why, thats just how they walk down steps.

At dusk the ruins come alive. Strategically placed lights fire up the whole ridge.

Night-time within the city walls. The fortress and a full moon hang overhead.

One of the many arched walkways that snake their way around the old town.

Heres the boat that we chartered to take us fishing. Yeah right. The money rippling around this little town is stupendous. It's high on the agenda of wealthy yachties.

This was quite possibly the most stunning little village in Montenegro. Perast. The 360* views from here are breathtaking. If anyone has a spare half a mill, this would be an ideal place to pick up a villa.

On the whole it was a fabulous trip. The Balkans are a most fascinating place to visit, and it won't break the bank. It was also great to do a little travel with some close amigos. Thanks to Shagga, Woody, and the Blu, for keeping me entertained, and out of mischief. Lets do it again. How about Serbia next time???