Prague to Paris to London

Europe – Fall 2025

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  • Day 10 – London

    Day 10 – London

    Tuesday, November 18

    We began our day with another long cab ride to Richard Learoyd’s studio, not far from Shonibare’s. Richard and his studio assistant, Melina, greeted us with open arms—warm, open, and genuinely friendly. Richard is a big man with unruly gray hair.

    He explained his camera by actually taking us inside the camera while Melina posed outside as the subject. Then he showed us the huge old developer. As far as he knows, this is the only system of its kind still operating in the world. Do I completely understand it? No. That’s why he’s the artist, and I’m the airplane salesman.

    Next we began to look at  his work. WOW! The first piece is a nude printed on canvas with line drawings on her body. I love it and we are just started! Actually, Tessa could you include all the works he showed us. By the way, this Blog would not work without our collaboration. I take the daily photos and write the text – Tessa corrects my text and adds the appropriate photos. THX Tessa!

    All of his photographs are unique. The studio has a huge inventory (see the photo above of the ends of all the tubes). Everything is cataloged on the computer. Richard calls out the year and number, and Melina retrieves the corresponding image roll. They’re all the same size—dictated by the scale of his pinhole camera. Using strong magnets, he attaches the print at the top and rolls it down. Each one is a remarkable work of art, and we’re only seeing a small selection.

    There was a nude of Agnes, the late teen who was the subject of the work we own. She’s now in her thirties, with two children. Karen’s favorite piece was the wilting lilies. Mine was the nude with the black lacing. And remember—we are seeing only a few out of hundreds in the inventory. We are having so much fun. This is why we collect: to meet the artists and the people who help make their work possible.

    Our time with Karen LaMonte in Prague, then Sheila Hicks in Paris, and now Richard Learoyd—it all matters so much. This is our passion. It keeps us alive and moving forward.

    Richard mentioned several times a place called Bentley’s in central London—“the best seafood anywhere,” he insisted. After two wonderful hours in the studio, we called an Uber and headed there. He was right. The Dover sole was outstanding—second only to Cipriani, according to Karen. We finished with a Baked Alaska. We will definitely be returning.

    Several galleries were on our afternoon schedule, all within walking distance. The first was closed for installation. The second had a fabulous show of giant piles of discarded rope—unbelievable. We exited onto the main shopping street of Mayfair, and there, right in front of us, was Christian Dior, fully dressed for Christmas.

    Remembering that Sheila Hicks created a “purse / handbag / artwork” for Dior, we went inside to inquire. A young man (in very casual clothes—must be the “in thing”) confirmed it. This is their 10th anniversary of collaborating with artists, and they had only one reservation left for the Hicks extravaganza in Karen’s red. (I used the “only one left” line for years when selling airplanes.) He then showed us beautiful artworks throughout the signature store. The Christmas decorations were spectacular.

    We had no luck with the other galleries nearby, and it was getting late. After our very satisfying lunch, which ended around 3:00, I asked Tessa to cancel dinner. On our walk back to the hotel, Karen “tripped” again—this time into the gift shop of Kit Kemp, the designer and owner of our hotel. We shipped her selection home—unsure what the tariffs will be. It’s similar to shipping vodka home.

    A few steps later we were back at the hotel and slipped into the cocktail lounge (remember when we simply called it “the bar”?). They know my DuncanTini; Karen had a Limoncello. We lingered for a couple of hours—great people-watching.

    I set the alarm for 4:00 a.m.—we have a 6:00 taxi reserved. What a fabulous time we’ve had. And to Kathryn and Marc: thank you for your friendship and support. Africa next, perhaps? Of course, we’ll see you very soon in Puerto Vallarta.

    We are such fortunate souls—for the time, the resources, the curiosity, the fearlessness, the spirit of adventure. Until the next journey!

    Goodbye, and thanks for joining us.

    Robert

  • Day 9 – London

    Day 9 – London

    Monday, November 17

    We are off this morning for what should have been a 35-minute cab ride (it took almost an hour) to visit the studio of Yinka Shonibare. We have collected his work for many years but have never met the artist. We learn upon arrival that he has just returned from two weeks in Nigeria and is not well enough to meet. We will visit the studio anyway.

    Born in London 63 years ago, Shonibare grew up in Nigeria. At age 18, he contracted a spinal infection that left him paralyzed on one side and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. The work is entirely his vision, executed through a trusted group of assistants and fabricators.

    Shonibare’s hallmark is the use of Ankara fabrics, also known as African or Dutch wax prints, a vibrant, patterned cotton textile iconic in African fashion. With a history rooted in cultural exchange and artistic innovation, Ankara remains a celebrated material used in everything from traditional clothing to contemporary high fashion.

    We are greeted by his studio manager, Eimear O’Raw. At least seven women are working in the space. The studio is an explosion of color—fabrics, sculptures, prints, garments everywhere. I could not stop taking photos. A photograph of the quilt that is part of our collection was pinned to a wall. We spent about an hour looking, talking, and admiring. They could not have been more gracious. Next time—either here or when he travels to the U.S.—we will meet the artist himself.

    The cab ride back into the city center gave us hundreds of views of this incredible place. I could wander the streets for hours taking pictures. The London black cabs, as they’re called here, are a pleasure—immaculate, spacious, and driven by the most knowledgeable drivers anywhere. We’re told they must attend an intense school to learn every street and passageway in London.

    Our destination is Hedonism Wines, my favorite London liquor store. It’s after noon, and I remember that we dined at Cipriani—just a few steps away—with our London-based architect, Demetri Porphyrios, and his Natalie in 2023. Once again, we were not disappointed. Karen said her sliced avocados with olive oil, salt, and pepper, followed by a Dover sole filet with thinly sliced asparagus, was the best she has ever had. The place was full of interesting, very stylish guests.

    I always shop for unusual vodkas at Hedonism. Today’s visit was made even better by a young woman—new to London from New Zealand—who helped me. I purchased 12 bottles, including two (I never drink the vodkas in my collection) made from peas. She assured me it was excellent. We will see. She calculated the vodka, then tariffs, then shipping. The total was far too much—but exactly what I expected.

    Back to the hotel so Karen could warm up while I did a bit more shopping. We’ve noticed that despite the cold, damp, 40-degree weather, most shops keep their front doors open. And it is not uncommon to see guests, bundled in coats and scarves, having coffee or dinner outside. That would not be for us.

    I did manage to fill another shopping bag with goodies, and I bought a new small suitcase to help get everything home.

    Dinner tonight is at Noble Rot, a nearby fine-dining restaurant we discovered on our last visit. The place is tiny—only about ten tables. There may be an upstairs that doubles the space. The menu is very limited. The food was very good, but not great. And only wine—no martinis. By the way, look up “noble rot.” Traveling definitely continues to add to one’s knowledge.

    We finished the evening with a drink back at the hotel. Another great day!

    Robert

  • Day 8 – London

    Day 8 – London

    Sunday, November 16th

    A very relaxed day in our wonderful, spacious room at the Ham Yard Hotel—one of our favorite places in one of our favorite cities, London—just the two of us. While browsing a cultural app, I found a description that captured the spirit of London perfectly.

    We had planned to visit another Niki and Jean T. (spelled differently in the Western world) exhibition at the Hauser & Wirth Gallery, until we learned it was at their Somerset location—a three-hour drive each way. We passed on that plan and decided instead to go shopping and perhaps have a little lunch.

    The first place we stumble upon is Whole Foods—yes, the same Whole Foods. We have fun browsing for cookies, some of which aren’t available in the States. Before long we find ourselves near Regent Street, the famous London shopping avenue. The sidewalks are full again, Christmas shopping already in full swing.

    We duck in and out of several shops until we reach my favorite—Arket. I love the clean, simple look of their clothes and accessories. I find a few things I like, though not my favorite dress slacks from past visits.

    Just around the corner is Carnaby Street—one of our favorite walking streets—packed with shops and people. We continue to keep an eye out for a lunch spot. My beloved funky shoe store is gone, but MUJI, the mini Japanese department store, is still there. I may stop back tomorrow for a new suitcase.

    Close to our hotel we discover Bill’s, a large, casual restaurant bustling with people at 3:00 in the afternoon. The food and drinks turn out to be excellent. I order a passion-fruit and grapefruit martini that is delicious. We will definitely return.

    Karen returns to the hotel, and I head out on a quest for an ATM. They are not as plentiful as one might expect, and I’m looking for one affiliated with a bank I recognize. After a ten-minute walk, I find what I’m looking for, only to discover it’s “out of service.” I can’t even locate the second one. I give up and head back. I pass seven restaurants within a single block—every cuisine imaginable. Some are tiny, with only a handful of tables. I discover an Italian coffee shop offering pistachio croissants; I’ll have to try one some morning.

    Dinner at the hotel is excellent. They miss my martini on the first try, but our great waiter walks me directly to the bartender, and the second is perfect. We share a Dover sole (we are very close to the cliffs of Dover), swimming in butter, followed by a very different but wonderful rice pudding. Life is good.

    Robert

  • Day 7 – Paris to London

    Day 7 – Paris to London

    Up early to depart our hotel by 7:00 AM—at the airport by 8:00—for a 10:00 Air France flight to London Heathrow. Easy. We even had a decent breakfast in the Air France lounge, then boarded right on time. And then… we waited. And waited. Our captain informed us that we were holding for a landing slot in London due to low ceilings. Of course, I checked the aviation weather myself—it looked like conditions were improving.

    We finally took off at 11:00, an hour late. Once again, we seemed to be on a nearly new Airbus 220-300. As we approached Heathrow, I could see the ceiling was still low but manageable. Suddenly, we were “going around.” I’ve never experienced that on a commercial flight. The cabin crew explained the go-around and said the captain would share details shortly. No word from the cockpit. We climbed back above the clouds and appeared to be starting the approach again. Aviation knowledge is usually helpful—until it isn’t. One can imagine too much. I expected the go-around was due to something on the runway. Had I heard the landing gear go down the first time? I couldn’t remember.

    This time I did hear the gear extend—remarkably quietly on this new aircraft. We landed, a bit hard, but safely. The captain finally came on and explained that the go-around was due to his concern about wake turbulence from the aircraft ahead of us. That made sense. All aircraft create wake turbulence—the air off the wingtips swirls with great force. The larger the aircraft, the stronger the turbulence, especially when surface winds are light. All of this is more than you probably want to know.

    We travel with Karen’s lightweight fold-up wheelchair. It’s often easier to keep it with us and check it at the gate. When we arrive, it’s waiting, and off we go. Our driver was there—actually, he had been waiting through our entire delay. My iPhone tells me this is my 17th visit to London. How does it know that? Perhaps the 17th since the iPhone was born?

    The hour-plus ride to one of our favorite hotels, the Ham Yard Hotel, was uneventful. We were assigned the same room as on our last visit.

    We relaxed until dinner time. The 15-minute walk to our restaurant, Story Cellar, was super crazy. We’re staying in the Soho area—the theater district—packed with restaurants and people. The sidewalks were so jammed with young people that we could hardly get through. Everyone was courteous, especially with the wheelchair, but many simply didn’t see us. We passed through Chinatown. Lots of Christmas decorations are already up. CRAZY!

    We had left early and actually arrived at Story Cellar 30 minutes before our reservation. The place was packed, so we still had to wait until our scheduled time. I loved the crowd and the bar atmosphere—Karen did not. I explained my martini to the bartender, and he executed it perfectly. We both agreed the food was excellent.

    Screenshot

    This area is apparently called Seven Dials. A very active Seven Dials Market was across the street—tempting—but we headed back to the hotel. Once again, I’m grateful for the London experience. I love this city. Perhaps it’s the neighborhood, but it feels so diverse—so alive—so happy. I hope we can keep coming back often.

    Robert

  • Day 6 – Paris

    Day 6 – Paris

    Karen and I had nothing planned for today. The LeBarons were off shopping, starting with a custom shirt tailor Marc has used for years. It was noon before the two of us left the hotel for a nearby bistro they recommended. As it turned out, it was the same place we had mistakenly walked into a couple of days ago.

    I zeroed in on a Grand Marnier crêpe—one of my all-time favorites and almost impossible to find. Karen had a delicious bowl of onion soup. Some meals were even served in medium-sized copper skillets—very cool. The whole experience was relaxing, satisfying, and just plain fun.

    We passed two other great-looking hotels in the neighborhood. I stopped to pick up a card and forwarded the information to Katheryn, just in case it’s useful in the future.

    Our first stop was my favorite shop, Comme des Garçons, known for very unique clothes. I immediately spotted a beautiful pair of bright red shoes—alas, not in my size. Maybe online? None of the shirts “spoke to me” today.

    Next we stopped at a favorite bookstore specializing in art and other oversized volumes. I found one catalogue of Sheila Hicks’s work and took photos of several other books to order later.

    We had noticed an exhibition by Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely in another building of the Grand Palais. Since we have works by both artists in our collection, off we went!

    WOW! WOW! WOW!

    We had no idea that these huge, beautiful, intricate works—created individually or together—even existed. Niki’s oversized women, embedded with whatever was on her mind at the time, are unlike anything else in the art world. My two favorites, both white, were near the end. One, titled King Kong, depicted the famous movie scene of Kong attacking the New York City skyscrapers. For contrast, here is an image of our piece.

    Collection of Karen and Robert Duncan

    Tinguely’s pieces are intricate metal fantasies that move, creating squeaking, moaning, and groaning sounds. Some are as large as entire rooms. We have a small version that moves and makes a creaking sound. When we first installed it years ago, our beloved Susan wanted to oil it—just as she had done with machines on the farm. No—the noise is part of the work.

    We closed out our visit at the museum’s bookshop and gift gallery. Once again, I photographed many books to order later, bought a couple of things, and took photos of others. It was an excellent shop.

    WOW again! We are so glad we didn’t miss this.

    It was dark by the time we headed back to the hotel for another perfect DuncanTini and conversation with the LeBarons, followed by another wonderful dinner a short taxi ride from our hotel. Kathryn and Marc leave early tomorrow morning for home, so we said our goodbyes and headed off to bed. A wonderful final day in Paris.

    Robert

    P.S. In the past, I have carefully written these blogs only to lose them before they were sent. Now I take screenshots periodically—“just in case.” Another tip: I use my daily photos (210 today!) as a memory assist. Today I even found the banner for the art exhibition to help me spell their names correctly.

    R

  • Day 5 – Paris

    Day 5 – Paris

    Karen and I are sleeping great! In fact, I have to set my alarm for 7:00 and still hit snooze until almost 8:00. At home, I’m a 5–6 AM guy. Our hotel is perfectly quiet, and when I finally get downstairs, The New York Times is waiting (we can’t get the daily NYT in Lincoln).

    It’s a beautiful day—sunshine and temps in the 50s and 60s—much better than Prague. Our 15-minute walk back to Paris Photo is easy. By the way, we walk right in front of President Macron’s home. The street is closed, with pairs of police everywhere. I always say “hello” or “good morning.”

    Karen and I head immediately to the second floor to see the books. There are dozens of small stands with special limited-edition books—many featuring photographs of artists shown in the exhibition. Some are handmade works of art in their own right. My practice is to photograph the book cover, get the name of the bookseller, and then order when we get home. We can’t carry loads of books on the airlines. I did order three books at one stand that will be shipped to us.

    We are close to the end of the show and near the time to meet up again with the LeBarons when we run into India and Sean. I get a great photo of the two of them with the Grand Palais as the backdrop. We’ll probably go shopping with them tomorrow.

    Lunch is at a favorite of ours from previous years—La Fontaine de Mars—a tiny place with a tiny kitchen, packed with people. Conversation and fantastic food (which arrives just minutes after you order) are the staples. I had the best meal of the trip: foie gras with plums—unbelievable. Paris is a long way from my youth in Clarinda, Iowa, when I would hardly eat anything and never try anything new!

    Kathryn called and rescheduled our visit with Hastings, Nebraska–born artist Sheila Hicks. We had a terrible time finding her studio despite the fact that Karen and I had visited several years ago. Sheila is a world-class fiber artist. As she talked about her shows, awards, and publications, it was clear she is among the best anywhere. We met her relatively new assistant, Kara—an intelligent, wonderful woman—and saw several other assistants working in her small studio.

    Sheila, 91, was full of stories—from her time at Yale to her first visit to France and why she chose to spend most of her life here. She talked about her home in this beautiful courtyard shared with six other residents. Then she talked about her work—finished pieces, works-in-progress, and enormous spindles of raw fiber surrounded us. And yes, she does sell her work directly. We each picked a favorite. The LeBarons’ choice was still in progress. Ours was a tangle of rope she encouraged us to touch and assured us could be installed any way we wished. It seemed never-ending. We had so much fun. She is a delightful, happy, extraordinary artist.

    When I asked about prices she said, “Oh, I don’t know—it’s more important that they find a good home in an important collection.” The LeBarons spotted a price tag on one piece—$125,000. Her assistant promised to send us pricing. We mentioned Puerto Vallarta and our artist residency. It turns out Sheila spent five years in Mexico and is fluent in Spanish. She is amazing. Without a doubt, this was our best experience in Paris.

    We wrapped up our day with drinks at the hotel and another fabulous dinner at a new restaurant within walking distance. Karen proclaimed her foie gras was “over-the-top grand!” It was gorgeously presented. On the walk back, we spotted the restaurant Lucas Carton. Karen and I were there years ago with teenage Paige and our friends the Markels, hosted by the European Apple representative. The LeBarons had been there when their girls were pre-teens. Both memories highlight our long history of travel and fine dining together.

    Robert

  • Day 4 – Paris

    Day 4 – Paris

    We are excited to see Paris Photo back in the Grand Palais. This unbelievable building, with its entire roof made of glass, has been closed for renovation for several years. It is every bit as grand as we remembered. The changes are so discreet they can’t be seen—perhaps an entirely new floor—but the space is far too beautiful for major alterations anyway.

    We separate from the LeBarons, each couple going at its own pace and in its own direction. One of our first stops reveals small houses constructed by hand with vintage photographs forming three of the walls—unique and beautiful. We get the price and move on. At our second stop, the gallery owner recognizes us immediately—we purchased a piece from him in 2023. We ask him to hold a couple of works. Then we circle back to the gallery with the houses and ask them to hold our favorite as well.

    Less than 30 minutes later I get a call from that first gallery—they have a customer who wants “our house.” I tell them we will go ahead and purchase it. Could that customer be the LeBarons? We have traveled and bought art with them for 35 years—we are often drawn to the same artists, and sometimes even the same piece.

    It takes us from 11:00 to 5:00 to get through the entire show, and even then we never make it to the giant book section on the second floor. Around 4:00 we circle back to confirm our two purchases. Bingo—it was the LeBarons, and they purchased two other houses, which will be shipped with ours.

    We try hard to meet the artists whose work we own. Earlier today we met Richard Learoyd. One of our favorite pieces—a reclining nude—is by Richard. He uses an old photographic method with a “pinhole” camera or camera obscura. It’s worth looking up. It turns out his studio is in London—the Duncans’ next stop.

    We then met both artists of the works we purchased. More photographs. One was particularly unique. What fun. Perhaps one of these artists would like to come to the residency in Puerto Vallarta.

    On the way back, and just across the street from our hotel, Karen “fell” into a fabric store. Thirty minutes and over a thousand dollars later, she emerged claiming it was the best fabric store she had ever seen.

    After a quick drink at the hotel bar (the DuncanTini looked and tasted gorgeous), we walked to a nearby restaurant for another wonderful dinner. Then we grabbed an Uber to a cocktail party given by our Omaha friends, Susie and Stuart Smoler. The tiny room was packed, everyone talking at once. We knew several of the guests—more fun!

    By the way, in case you haven’t noticed, my day and date in the title have been off. Let’s blame it on the time change—or my age. Until tomorrow.

    Robert

  • Day 3 – Prague to Paris

    Day 3 – Prague to Paris

    Darn travel days certainly eat up time and lack adventure — which, in the case of airline flights, is a good thing. We had another easy flight on Air France. In fact, one of the stewards was very knowledgeable about photographic art and offered us additional ideas for things to see in and around Paris.

    Charles de Gaulle Airport is enormous. We landed on a 13,800-foot runway (2.6 miles) and could see terminals stretching along nearly that entire distance. It has to be one of the largest airports anywhere.

    This is our first stay at the Maison Delano Hotel. It’s small and right in the heart of things. The walk to the Grand Palais — home of Paris Photo — is less than 15 minutes. We’re happy to return to Paris for our “every other year” visit to Paris Photo.

    The highlight of our first evening in Paris was dinner with India and Sean Thomas. Sean is my sister Dianne’s oldest — a very successful fashion photographer who lives and works in Paris. India, from London, is a devoted mother to their 11-year-old son, Huck. The dinner conversation sparkled! Both were overflowing with recommendations for places to go and things to see. Our time together could not have been better.

    Robert

  • Day 2 – Prague

    Day 2 – Prague

    A long, peaceful sleep feels so grand after a seven-hour time change. I know this is a repeat, but it’s really sound advice. I enjoy a couple of cocktails soon after our departure, followed by two Tylenol PM (there are plenty of other options), and then sleep soundly for several hours on the flight. Once we land, we immediately switch to the new time zone—no naps—and stay up until the local bedtime. Finally, we take another sleep aid to ensure a full night’s rest. It all works.

    Our first adventure was an in-depth look at how Karen and Steven create and produce her work. Their process is intricate and constantly evolving, full of experimentation and collaboration. They continue to learn from scientists—studying everything from how a cloud forms to where its energy comes from—as well as from companies like Corning Glass and their various fabricators in glass, ceramic, and metal. The complexity and detail of their methods are remarkable.

    The results are these beautiful, clothed female forms and figures. They often explore a theme—such as kimonos—first inspired by their residency in Japan. There are versions in ceramic, glass, and metal (bronze and steel), most created in small editions. Her newest work is a series of clouds, again in all those materials. She’s even produced a few prints of coats and dresses. Both couples are captivated by her work—the challenge is deciding which pieces.

    After a couple of hours in her studio, we headed to lunch at a pub that’s part of the monastery. Even I joined the group for my first beer in years—it was delicious. After sharing appetizers, I was already full, but then came the next round: a huge pig’s knuckle with a very crisp, hard crust. In fact, all the food was delicious.

    Our guide, a young woman in her 40s, then took us to the world-famous Strahov Library. We were the only group allowed inside. I’ve never seen anything like it. Photos can capture the beauty and scale, but nothing compares to the feeling of being surrounded by those magnificent books, frescoes, and furnishings. Absolutely incredible.

    We have an artist friend, Mickey Smith, who photographs book bindings. Both the Duncans and the LeBarons own her work. Back in our room, I edited today’s photos and began sharing them with Mickey—she’s already planning a visit.

    We enjoyed our last dinner in Prague at a restaurant specializing in duck, just around the corner from our hotel. We said goodbye to Karen and Steven until February 2026, when they’ll join us in Puerto Vallarta for the Duncan/LeBaron artist residency. We’ve found two more wonderful friends!

    Robert

    A special note from our tour guide Tereza:

    Dear Karen and Robert,

    What a delight to share the Strahov Library with you on Monday. I also read about the Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum and watched your interview—so inspiring. Thank you for all you do for art around the world. You—and the LeBarons—are extraordinary bridge builders, weaving connections that bring people and ideas closer together. That means so much…and so much more in todays disjointed world.

    Gratefully,Tereza 

  • Day 1 – Prague

    Day 1 – Prague

    Here we go again!

    Winter arrives in Nebraska this week. We’ve been home for almost two weeks, and it’s time to hit the road—and the sky—again!

    This journey has two purposes: first, to visit our artist friend Karen LaMonte and her husband Steve Polaner at their home and studio in Prague, and second, to make our every-other-year pilgrimage to Paris Photo. Of course, we’re traveling with our dearest art-loving friends, Kathryn and Marc LeBaron.

    I must rave about Karen—the remarkable woman who married me 60 years ago (and we fooled around for 10 years before that). Last Wednesday, Karen woke with chest pain on her left side after having vomited during the night. We hurried to Omaha, where she already had an appointment with her cardiologist. They redirected us immediately to the emergency room. Her heart was fine; however, they discovered pneumonia in her left lung and prescribed an antibiotic. And here we were in Europe—Karen is one tough, determined woman!

    Our flights on Delta via Omaha, Minneapolis, and Amsterdam were perfect, including a couple of really good landings. My dear late friend—and the person who taught me how to fly—Harry Barr always said, “A bad landing is made by a lazy pilot.” I always focused on smooth landings.

    It’s been decades since Karen and I last visited Prague. The LeBarons were here just two years earlier. Marc remarked that, along with Budapest, Prague might be the most beautiful city in Europe. The downside – the temperature is no better than Lincoln.

    Our beautiful Mandarin Oriental Hotel, built within a former monastery, is right in the heart of the old city. We met Karen and Steve just around the corner at a small restaurant in a park for a relaxed, delicious lunch. After returning to the hotel to unpack, we rejoined them that evening for a boat ride on the Vltava River. The boat was enclosed, with a good heater and blankets. It was a grand experience seeing the lights, the old buildings, and the bridges. Prague had the largest castle perched high on a hill and the famous centuries-old Charles Bridge.

    After the boat ride, we walk a few steps to our restaurant overlooking the river and the bridge. They have no trouble making my new version of the DuncanTini (chill the glass, then add the ingredients at room temperature), and the food is delicious.

    We are so fortunate. We love our wonderful friends, love to travel and discover new experiences, to seek out adventures, and to find new art for both of our collections. It was a great start to another wonderful journey.

    Robert