Czech Republic camping in November

A very quiet night in the Motel like place by 6.30am everyone seemed to have disappeared. The boss lady appeared and we somehow got through the registration & payment with a bit of German, our Eastern European phrase book, some sign language & a bit of humour. Telc sounded like it was worth a visit and was nearby and we were parked up & in the centre before most places opened at 10 am (thoughthe tourist office said it opened at 7.30!) It was a very nice small town, surrounded by lakes/ponds with a very old unspoilt town centre with painted buildings.

It seems to be famous for its folklore and outdoor music events but obviously not in November, and its fountains which were being boarded up presumably to protect them from the frosts. We found a very good cafe with an enticing selection of pastries, and for less than £4.00 had two of the most expensive cakes and good coffees. Needless to say we had to leave with a selection of other cakes to keep our stock levels up.

We then trundled along some of the quieter roads instead of the Motorways seeing much more agricultural fields & villages not unlike many of the areas of France we usually pass through on the way to Spain & Morocco. The altitude got a bit higher around 450m and houses were a bit more alpine chalet like and there were snow poles along the side of the fields. For us though the weather had improved, dry and partially sunny which highlighted the last of the autumn colours.

We thought we had found a good camping place to stay at ATC Olsovec, an enormous site by a lake within walking distance to the town and open all year. We got to the closed reception, a closed barrier & walking around all the facilities locked and no other campers there. There was a phone number on a sign but it just did not appeal as it was so deserted so we decided to try the other option we had whilst also looking out for possible wild camping spots. There are many blocks of forest with small tracks leading off but we were wary of the ground conditions as everywhere is a bit soggy underfoot. Approaching Camping Baldovec we were beginning to think it did not exist, we drove along small roads, passed through a few houses and up a side road, then through the middle of small quarry, then a sealed forest track to come out an a large outdoor activity park which appeared to be open just for us.

Everything was very tidy, lovely & warm, a helpful reception free site wide wifi & even an open restaurant & bar even though there didn't seem to be any other guests. They have lots of wooden chalet type accommodation and camp spaces. Obviously they don't get campers this time of year so all water taps, toilet 7 shower blocks were shut but they offered us facilities in the main buildings and we found a firm flat space to park.

The helpful English speaking man in reception also mentioned a good pub about 5km walk along the riverside track which tempted us to stay another night. The next day was sunny so we set of for the village of Holstein and the promised pub was open & busy even though it was only 12.30. Luckily they had English translations on the menu so we could avoid the meat dishes. It was all extremely cheap and very good, everything at least a third of the price we would pay at home. Broccoli creamed soup, 5 potato pancakes & veg, fish with cheese sauce & chips & 2 excellent foamy beers for about £8.

It was now Friday evening and the camping suddenly came to life, lots of families started arriving and filling up the chalets. Its a beautiful spot with some lovely walks and rides through the forests.