Hotdogs for tea boys

First trip of the year will be short and focused, and be my third (Chrissis 4th!) visit to the city of Prague, well travelled or what?  Will keep the blogs all in one place again this year, the common thread with almost all trips appears to be a run of some sort. Entered the Prague half marathon as one of these six Super Halfs in different travel locations (albeit one includes the less than exotic Cardiff), so on the basis that the local one is done, this will be second on the stamp and the only one this year. Later trips involve scandinavian parkruns and then the Chicago marathon. Haven't got any specific run sorted for Albania, but maybe I'll be 'on the run' by then, its been that kind of year!  And we have yet to decide the location for next new year jaunt.

It was the last new year jaunt that seemed to knock my health for six and its fair to say a litany of illness, injury and ill health for the last 3 months. I can't blame Romania, but maybe just worn out, and it kickstarted the virus and ongoing consequences.  Still a few issues with joints and hamstrings so this trip has had an increasingly social feel, and even though it was supposed to be a burst before the Newport marathon, it will now be simply a long, slow run.  And yes, I do hope to run/walk/crawl my way around Newport next week, to maintain my ever present status in that marathon.

So on the social front we made our way up to our happy place, the Galleries lounge in Heathrow Terminal 3. An evening flight a bit different so no need to find breakfast alcohol but just enjoy a social beer and explore the hot dog station. Yes, made to order hot dogs and I went for a chille dawg, and a couple of beers to wash it down.  The viewing station great although we didn't get window seats as the lounge a bit busier this time of day.  But all very chilled, relaxed, and full IT mode and chance to have a moment or two of relaxation.  I did drive up but with Carys as passenger she took the car home and will be back to collect us Sunday night. I'd rather she had the money to supplement her student life than the meet and greet outfits at Heathrow. (am sure she is open to more bookings for any interested parties!)

On heading to our gate for the flight we were all held a little longer for the plane to be cleaned. Chatted to a number of other passengers also doing the half marathon, my lliswerry hoodie certainly prompted running conversations. It has long been a running (sic) joke as part of all my photos, but who is laughing now?  Affording friendship and influencing.

Suitably boarded into row 5 and another business class experience for what was a relatively short flight. Only 2 glasses of champers although that not only down to the short flight but the slow cabin staff service. At the lower end of speed compared to usual cabin crew, perhaps in keeping with the way this weekend will go on the speed front.  

Food was pretty tasty but the hot dogs had already stolen the show and so the vegi pea/mushroom/leek pie a pleasant enough follow on. Watched my mandatory downloaded episode of Good Girls Guide to Murder to talk through with superfan Carys on return. And in no time at all we were on the ground in the Czech Republic.

Off swiftly and through customs, so speedy no time for a selfie with the goat, but baggage and onto a Bolt 'taxi'' into the City Centre. Our driver complete with bandana and heavy rock on the radio a reminder why I love Eastern Europe. My kind of people man.

Checked into the Grandior hotel and seem to have an extra large room, suite if you will... not complaining...