The All Seeing Eye, Prague

I've always had a massive fascination with secret societies such as Freemasonry and the Illuminati. There's something about them, potentially the secretive nature of the institutions, that just draws me to them. Only problem about a secret society: it's all a secret. I remember finding the Freemason lodge in Stellenbosch one day, and being so intrigued as to what goes on behind the closed doors.

I snapped this "All Seeing Eye" whilst I was in Prague, wedged into the roof of a building close to the old castle.

Prague, Czech Republic

Praha! Where do I even begin? I've never in my life been to such an enchanting destination. The architecture is breathtaking, the beer amazing, the women beautiful, the history magnificent (what with Nazi occupation and Soviet Russia's influence for many years during the Cold Water), and all of it combines in this boiling pot of culture and bohemian lifestyle that completely swept me away. Our stay in Prague was short, but oh so sweet... A flight to Milano followed, and then a train from Milano to Venice, and then up to Lignano in northern Italy.

Looking up the river towards Charles Bridge

Changing of the guard

The astrological clock in Old Town Square

Old Town Square

Will and Oliver in Old Town Square

Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

So after two seriously tough weeks of working non-stop at the villa, we were given some time off after the departure of our lovely American guests. Needless to say we grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Gavin, our chef, is an Australian but is married to a Czech lady, and has therefore lived in Prague for many years. So the Kiwi, William, the Brit, Oliver and I, accompanied Gavin on a little adventure. After an 11 hour road trip, which took us through the Dolomiti mountain range in northern Italy, through Austria and finally Germany, we eventually arrived in an icy cold Karlovy Vary, a town just over the border into Czech Republic. At the moment there is a huge movie festival on, with the likes of Judy Dench and John Malkovitch being present. Because of the movie festival, the town was packed with young students, and we ended up in a brilliant electro-swing club which had us and our dancing shoes going till early hours of the morning. Pretty indie Czech girls with short hair and red lipstick swamped the dance floor whilst tottering in their heels, and the local beer (which is sublime) had us thinking we'd died and gone to heaven. After a dreadful nights sleep in the back of a car in freezing weather, curled up in the foetal position, we woke up to explore the city. All around Karlovy Vary are hot springs that are open to the public, who come from far and wide to drink the warm water which supposedly has a lot of health benefits due to the high mineral content. We then left for Prague, Oliver and I catching a 2 hour bus through to the city...

Colours of the Czech flag

Oliver filling up in Austria

A cold Czech morning

The cafe where we had breakfast

Karlovy Vary

Gavin and his wife Lucy in front of one of the many springs

A hot spring.

Will, Oliver and I in front of Aeroport, the club in Karlovy Vary

Venice...

I got to spend Thursday in Venice. What a place! Got stupidly lost, a good sense of direction means nothing in that labyrinth of canals and courtyards. It was my second visit to Venice, but this time it made more sense. I sat and had a panino with a glass of red wine just next to St Mark's square. I sound like a spoilt brat...



St Mark's Cathedral.



More of London...



I took this photo today in Regents Park, where I fell asleep under a tree after a stroll.



 I have done so much walking the last couple of days here in London I'm actually stiff. I've been trying to avoid all the stuffy and cramped undergrounds and see as much as I can above ground as possible. The weather has also been superb, so it has actually made walking a real treat. I had a realisation today that I may have to shave off my beard, after I woke up from a snooze in Regents Park with a group of young girls nearby were looking at me and discussing how London should clean up their act with vagrants and immigrants! It may be time to clean up a little!

Big Ben.

The Houses of Parliament.

The book market on the South bank.



More of London Town

Tower Bridge



The pub we had lunch at.



Eiffel Tower, Paris



Me in front of the Eiffel Tower



Welcome to London

I cannot tell you how excited I am to be back in London! Probably one of the most amazing places I've ever been to...