I’m in Prague. I have my battered, and much marked up copy of A Time of Gifts with me, and I’ve been struck just how wrong Paddy’s memory was! That section, whilst beautifully written as usual is a bit of a nonsense.
Anyway. Why am I here and not in England celebrating the Jubilee of our gracious Sovereign Elizabeth?
Many months ago I got the idea in my head to walk one of Germany’s great rivers. I have never been to Saxony and that appealed well enough. Then I discovered an area called Saxon Switzerland and knew I had to visit this beautiful sandstone landscape. So a walk down the Elbe seemed to fit. There’s a route for cyclists which is my guide and it starts in Prague and finishes Dresden. I’ve only discovered in the last couple of days that this “German” walk is actually 80% in the Czech Republic but that just adds to the enjoyment. 225 km in nine days. Easy peasy.
As you can see from the extract from ATOG, Paddy imagined a little paper boat making its way downstream. I shall be following in the wake of that little boat.
I also thought that it would be a good excuse to ask you, dear readers, for some money. If you would like to sponsor me please make a donation to the British Red Cross and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) to support those who are suffering in Putins war of aggression against a peaceful sovereign state.
I’ll try to update you.
The link to donate is below. Maybe add a comment on the blog when you have done so. It would be nice to hear your thoughts.
Patrick Leigh Fermor 
Your post was very interesting and I’ve sent some dosh also as I am horrified by what’s going on in Ukraine. I think my husband would like to cycle that route and your post gives us hope that it’s feasible.
Hello Lynn. The guide I am using is very good (but I am walking not cycling) and has good reviews. It covers the route from Prague to Magdeburg. There may be a second volume to the river mouth. Here’s the link https://amzn.to/3tetr66
This post/question is about another topic. My husband and I are going to Greece in late Aug.-mid Sept. We already have a reservation to see Paddy’s house in Kardamyli when we travel around the Peloponnese. We will be spending about a week in Crete and would like to see where Paddy and company captured General Kreipe but I have not been able to find any information about a marker o directions on how to find it. Can anyone help? Thank you.
Hi Julie. Just Google memorial to kreipe capture crete. It’s very weird. I think you’ll be quite disappointed, but that Google search will give you enough clues as to location. Tom
Well done and good luck, Tom! Give our love to the beautiful city of Prague!
Fabulous Tom! just sent some dosh ❤️
It would be nice to eleborate what is wrong, so we don’t all need to get out our atlas. 😉
If I only had the time Andreas. His memory was wrong, and what he then read in encyclopedia to fix that was overly elaborated. It would be easier for you to visit than for me to explain!
Okay!
Always happy to have a reason to visit Prague again. 😉
Have a wonderful walk, by the way!
I couldn‘t find a major mistake in this description either. The distances may not be accurate to the last inch, but grosdo modo all described appears correct to me … and I‘ve been on (that) location 🤗
Bernd
Oh dear. I’ve opened another can of worms. If I have time when I return I’ll run through my analysis Bernd! Tom
Would like to know this as well. From PLF’s vantage point (very likely the Karlsbridge it’s some 35 kl to the junction with Elbe, next comes Dresden, Meißen, eventually Magdeburg. The inbetween Hanover snd Holstein is a wee vague but not wrong. As for the upstream view, the river‘s source is some where northe-west of Linz, north of Linz there‘s s decicive bend where the river turns north for good. Can‘t see major mistakes. Some eclairage by Tom Sawford would be much appreciated.
That is correct Bernd. I was referring to his description of the city
I’ll try to describe it when I return Andreas!