Seb's birthday started off first thing on the Friday morning, with presents in the lounge. He then went to school in the usual way, expecting a dental appointment that afternoon.

What we didn't tell him, until we collected him from school, was that we were flying out to Prague that evening! He was very pleased...

His birthday dinner was in the Bellevue Restaurant, which had a wonderful view over the Charles Bridge and the castle. Also, conveniently right next to the hotel.

Here's a shot of Tracey and myself outside the Bellevue Restaurant. Our table was on just the other side of the large arched window.

The following morning, we were collected from the hotel to take a tour of Prague by vintage motor vehicle.

The weather was very cold, and we had to wrap up warm.

A shot of a Prague street taken on the tour.

Another shot of Sebastian in the car. He's only pretending to drive. You can see that the steering wheel is on the correct side (as in the UK), while modern cars have the wheel on the other side. Apparently, Hitler's invastion of Czech caused the changeover overnight.

A couple of shots of all three of us in the car, taken by our driver and guide. He was a very chatty old buffer, and clearly the old car was his pride and joy.

The car tour finished at Prague castle just before noon, just in time for the changing of the guard.

A couple more shots of the changing of the guard. Even though it was bitterly cold and late November, there were still a lot of tourists around.

Here's a shot of Seb posing with a Palace Guard. (I think they get a lot of this!) I love the two expressions on their faces.

While waiting for the changing of the Guard, we were entertained by the Palace Band. We liked the music so much we bought a CD.

The following day, we went on a private tour with a guide and a driver. We vistied the famous Bone Church at Kutna Hora.

More shots of us inspecting the bones of 40,000 people.

One last shot of Tracey and Seb at the church. They really went to town with dem dry bones!

Also, a shot of Sebastian outside the Pachtuv Palace hotel.

On the way back to Prague, the guide (whose name now escapes me) gave me her old family recipe for potato cakes, which we have tried several times at home since.

We also visited (again!) one of my favorite places places in Prague, a pub called "Bar 1" (and the pace next door, Bar 2). Bar 2 was closed for renovations, but we had an enjoyable lunch (with much beer) in Bar 1.

Finally, a couple of shots which completely fail to show the nighttime view across the river to the Charles Bridge and the Castle.