No you won't fool the children of the revolution

This weekend we whisked Julie away for an euroweekend to Prague. The Czech capital was lovely - warm, sunny and pretty. Sometimes almost too pretty and too clean, it was almost unrecognisable from the city I visited in 1992. Then, there were practically no tourists, not a lot of accommodation and eating out consisted of chewing gristly meat and leaden dumplings. It was beautiful, but still grim after years of communism. Now, it's all Italian restaurants, designer hotels and crystal shops on every corner, which is all very good for the cashed-up northern European tourist, but we did wonder how accessible it all was to the average Czech.

We ran into two groups of guys we know from London, which goes to show how small the world is (or at least how small the gay scene is in Prague). And the Czech boys are very pretty, in that hairless, suntanned, East European way. Both nights we ended up at Valentino's which was not a bad spot. In particular on Saturday night there was a room playing cheesy eurotrash and (I assume) Czech classics. It was hilarious and a lot of fun. The only other bar of note was 21, it had a good vibe, and at least was air-conditioned. In comparision Saints Bar, was too hot, and full of English expats. Add the heat and cigarette smoke into the mix and we ended up quickly downing our beers and leaving.



Prague at times seemed overrun with tourists, with Charles Bridge in particular bearing most of the weight of the onslaught. But buggered if I know where the tour groups all go at night, after 11pm there was practically no-one out. And it seems that Americans are travelling again too, for the first time in large numbers since September 11. We've noticed increasing numbers in London, and then this weekend in Prague we were lucky enough to encounter some (obviously not from NYC, M + R). One in particular at our hotel could project his voice with enviable clarity. "Where y'all from?" he asked the table next to him. The entire breakfast room of forty tables turned as one, after all he must have been speaking to us.....


Any hope of a moderate alcohol intake for the weekend went out the window when we arrived at the hotel maximillian and there was a complimentary bottle of wine in the room. Combine that with Czech beer (fantastic - Budvar, Pilsner Urquell, Gambrinus and Staropramen.....), lounge access at the airport, and a 3-hour delay to our return flight (thankyou BA!) and my liver is in desperate need of a few days off.

Speaking of alcohol, despite our worst fears and it's notorious reputation, Prague wasn't overrun by stag groups (buck's parties). I think the fact that the World Cup final was on on Sunday affected stag numbers and there are now cheaper Eastern European cities that meet the stag group criteria of cheap beer.

Saturday we attended an opera recital at the Estates Theatre. Unfortunately, it was after our very relaxing Thai massage, so the three of us were sitting there nodding off. I bet the short and halter top-wearing (seriously - at the Opera - where do these people come from?) octogenarians were so jealous. More pics here.

Baiser de la Mort

See, I told you.

And the French don't even have underwear ads to fall back on, like the Italians do.

Allez les Bleus

Continuing my kiss of death in the World Cup, where my support has seen Australia, Spain, England and Portugal fall by the wayside, tonight I'm supporting France. Mainly because they are team full of thirtysomething hacks, who are past their physical prime and should have given up years ago. That's a bit like most of my gay friends, but we still give it a go and so do the French and that's reason enough for me to support Zizou and co.

I've always liked red....

After Australia were cruelly knocked out by diving Italians, I'm forced to switch allegiance to Spain and England.

Stacks on!!!

as Australia makes it thru to the 2 Round of the World Cup Finals. It was edge-of-your-seat-stuff as Australia had to come from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Croatia. Next up - the Azzurri (gulp!).

Champagne is good for you

So it’s a pretty late update from the weekend, but it’s easy to get caught up in the World Cup and the summer of love. World Cup games featuring Spain, England, Australia and Sweden the last few nights have meant we were slightly distracted.

Friday night saw me ‘cook’ a goat’s cheese salad and a beef carpaccio of sorts for Paul. Both were pretty nice, if I do say so myself. We knocked back a bottle of Pinot with that, and topped it all off with berries and crème fraiche, so no wonder I decided to get up early (c’mon, 8:30am is early) and go for a run Saturday.

I don’t know why I bothered really, it was probably one of my worst runs for about 5 years. I did my normal 6-mile down and around Regent’s Park, but the warm weather combined with sleepiness, no food and a niggly foot injury meant I stopped about 3 times. Still it was sunny enough to take my shirt off in Regents Park and I got a little less pasty. Soon I’ll be positively Kidmanesque in my complexion.

At least I burnt off some of the 5000 calories and 45 units of alcohol we consumed at the Taste of London. It was a lovely hot day (well, 27C) and we ate plenty and drank far too much champagne.I took some pictures, but they seem to consist of the tops of peoples heads - not sure how that happened. It finished bang on 4pm, so we went and sat in Regent’s Park, drank some more champagne, then the group decamped to our place to freshen up for Mark II’s friend’s party.

We all headed off to Clapham South for a housewarming. Mark II’s friend’s name is Alan and he is lovely. So lovely that Paul is keen to groom him as a friend. It was a fairly quiet affair, only about 25 or so people there, and I made friends with a pocket gay from Boston. He was very sweet and one of those americans you meet that challenges your preconceptions about americans. There’s always one. After that we went clubbing, purely to keep Alan, Mark, Oscar, Damien, Dr F. et. al. company, mind you. Mark and Oscar are really nice guys - so generous - we’re very glad to have met them.

Sunday was originally for going to the ponds and sunbathing, but it turned out Sunday was for sleeping. And for watching Australia get beaten by Brazil, but at least they put up a good fight. Just a draw needed now to get through to the last 16. And then elimination.

He Shoots, He Scores

The Spanish team (and out 3rd) continue to conquer all in their path. Paul is particularly impressed by Torres.

Go Eng-er-land!!!

Summer Love, Is Like No Other Love....

Game 1 : Australia-Japan 3-1!!!
At the 80-minute mark Australia were 0-1 down and I had given up all hope.
And Harry Kewell has finally got a decentish haircut.

Believe it (or not)

With 30 days to go until Germany 06 kicks off, Mars have (cynically, some might say) jumped on the World Cup ’06 bandwagon, by rebranding the Mars Bar, Believe. The rebranding is supposed to be an exhortation to English fans to believe that the English team can win the World Cup, and they probably can.
Currently they are second favourites with the bookmakers, but I’ll still be supporting Australia, at least until they’re knocked out, then i'll be right behind the English. And the Spanish, Italian and French teams are always extremely pleasant on the eye. See, who says I can’t talk sport?

Oh and I love the Munich Stadium - it glows!