VISIT TO CZECH REPUBLIC
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 65 choir members along with wives, partners and friends travelled from Nottingham East Midlands Airport to Prague for our long awaited visit to the Czech Republic. Thanks to Pat for producing this report- Here is how the Choir thanked Pat and John>>>>>>>
Day 1 We checked in at the Duo Hotel and many of us sat in the gardens; and (of course) the choir sang a few songs to entertain (or otherwise) the other hotel guests.
Day 2 A tour of the City of Prague was very enjoyable and we saw many of the tourist attractions including the Castle; and later the Charles Bridge from which it was possible to see the many bridges and buildings of interest.
Day 3 We began the day by travelling into Prague again and then meeting at the Czech Restaurant in the Municipal Building where most of us had reserved a table for lunch. This was a large beautifully decorated building and we enjoyed a typical Czech meal. Naturally the choir sang between courses and the reception from the other diners was amazing. Terry had a few bows from the Japanese - we could have been visiting Japan next year. There was a couple from New Zealand (they probably understood Maori), a couple from Australia, some British and some Americans who were all delighted by the singing. This was the day of the Choir's first concert in Prague at the Hlahol Concert Hall with the Post Scriptum Choir. It was a small hall but was very well attended and both choirs received good applause. We had a get together afterwards with the choir from Prague and they were invited to come over to Nottingham next year.
Day 4 We travelled from Prague to Pilsen and settled into the Hotel Central in the Republic Square opposite the very impressive St Bartholomew's Church with a very high tower which some of us later climbed. Well done Dennis! The evening concert was held in the Frantiskan Church but this was not that well attended, probably due to the torrential rain which poured onto us all as we walked to the church.
Day 5 Nová Ceská Písen arranged a very enjoyable day for us starting with a visit to a spa town Karlovy Vary. This time the weather was beautiful and we had a couple of hours to see the sights including a geyser and had chance to drink the spa water if we were brave enough. We then went on to Chodová Planá to lunch in an unusual restaurant Ve skále which was in the caves at the Chodovar Brewery. We toured the brewery later.
Day 6 After being officially welcomed by the Deputy Provost JUDr. Krejsová in the Pilsen city Hall we had the opportunity to tour the famous brewery in Pilsen . Many of the choir members who had hosted Nová Ceská Písen when they visited England last year enjoyed an evening meal with them.
Day 7 This was the day of the last concert for the choir together with Nová Ceská Písen, but before this we visited Manetin Castle and were welcomed by the Provost Mgr. Pavel Suk. During the tour of the castle the choir sang to a wedding party and had a photograph taken with the bride. Unusually, the final concert was held in the afternoon and most of the day there was torrential rain again. Choir members were soaked to the skin and their changing room was very public! (I have some good photographs). The setting for the concert was a very old imposing monastery which is currently undergoing renovation. There was a good audience though and I felt privileged to sit in this majestic building listening to the two splendid choirs.

Day 8 As today was the 60th anniversary of D-Day CMVC held a small service at the memorial in the town thanking the Americans for liberating Pilsen in May 1945 and this was followed later in the day by singing at a remembrance garden which has been developed to remember Czechs who had been imprisoned or killed during their time under Communist rule.