Travelling in style

Inside of the 'big bus' on the way back from work at the 'GRES' (ГРЭС - russian abbreviation for 'state regional electric station' Государственная районная электростанция)

And inside of the 'passion wagon' on the way into work. The passion wagon is a transit van type vehicle with a crew cab which has some fetching blue curtains on the windows to keep things private.

They're both a long way from the days of getting chauffered in the Land Cruiser and Camry and we now consider it a treat when the Volga turns up now and then!!!

Morning constitutional....

....and a walk around the town to get a bit of fresh air and stretch the legs.
 
Up through the area that has what we would call allotments - parcels of land with a wooden house/shed, most growing a bit of veg etc. Most also have a dog guarding the place and once one starts they all do.

Along the street by the railway - watch your step!!

There's a few cows that wander about the place, today we found them providing a public service keeping the grass down in a kids playpark.

Past the fire station - sign says 'Fire station no.105'

Past the side of the Cultural Centre and along the street with the supermarket - top up with a few essentials, and then back to our digs. Just in time as a rain shower is on its way.

'Road' to our digs

Home from home

Just another Saturday night

Some people like dressing up and doing a bit of play acting at the weekend. In this case Al G pretending to cook in a little blue frilled ensemble.

Polka dots & frills - nice.

Steak.chips & mushy peas liberally covered in our HP lifesaver!

Didn't fancy anything in the fridge today.

Movie night tonight, and we are working our way through all the Die Hards for as long as the beer & vodka lasts, or we crash out whichever comes first

Working on a Saturday?

Yes indeed, at work on a Saturday - all to do with making up for having a bridging day off at the beginning of the week as part of the Victory Day holiday. As far as I know most of Russia does this and its declared earlier in the year by the government as to which days are bridging days and which days you work it back.
Nice and sunny today for a change, up at 16degC but showers forecast for tomorrow (its our day off after all!!). Never mind, Formula 1 will be on TV so theres that to look forward too - simple pleasures we have!.

Proof the Al B is working hard at a weekend

A day out in the country

Internet back on after a few days, so this is what we've been up to outside work.
A day off today as it's one of the Victory Day public holidays. We went up to the north to Krasnovishersk and a walk along the bank of the Vishera river and a climb up the Vetlan rock. Not the best of days, it rained mostly but a good view from the top.

There is a wooden stairway up the cliff from the river bank, all 645 steps and didn't we know it. Certainly gave the legs and lungs a work out and we were glad to see the top at last.

Cup of tea out of a flask and a few pictures then head down the steps again - I guess one slip and you don't stop until the bottom.

A mile or so walk back along the river and then lunch is shashlik - in this case marinated pork done on a BBQ - courtesy of Victor our host who produces charcoal, grill, BBQ and the ingredients out of the car boot. He also gets a bottle of absinthe out - 70% alcohol so handle with care, and also some beer. Now here's the strangest thing, Victor is teetotal which in our experience is a rarity indeed, but he knew a good beer. He was drinking a Russian concoction called kvas - made from fermented rye bread, looks like cola and is considered non alcoholic. After having a taste we quickly went back to the beer to wash down the shashlik. I think kvas is an acquired taste to say the least.

Back to work Thusday, Friday & Saturday with another day off Sunday!

It's all a bit different

Snows completely gone and it's either muddy when it rains or clouds of dust when it's dry. First couple of days it's been raining and even snowing again yesterday, but we are assured it will be fine and warm from next week onward.

The view that now greets us as we open the curtains in the morning

We were back in UK for 28 days last month and it rained for 24 of those so a bit of sun at last will be welcome. Also, it's light at the moment until about 22:30 because of the latitude location and it can only get lighter later - White nights as the Russians call it.
As far as latitude is concerned we reckon we are on par with being as far north as Fair Isle, which is between the Shetlands and Orkney Islands, around 59.3 north.

Head pot washer

Back to self catering and wondering what else is cooking in the kitchen - we are still not keen on the local fish.


I'm sure that fish just winked at me

Heading back again

Heading back to Yaiva today - this time from Heathrow with a 4 hour wait for a connection in Moscow Domodedovo. Don't know if its a seaonal thing but there doesnt seem to be convenient flights via Birmingham and Frankfurt to Perm hence our traipse down to the Smoke for a 21:30 departure. Al B picked the other Al up in Lincoln at just after 16:00 so with the extra travelling to the airport etc it's about 20 hours door to door (20.5 for Al B) so we expect to be in our 'home from home' in Yaiva around 16:30 local time Sunday.


We get to check out yet another business lounge, this time BA's in terminal 5 - it's the way to travel. This is the best so far regarding facilities - Perm is the leader so far for service!!!





Al B taking a picture of Al G taking a picture of Al B taking a picture of...............you get the picture!
They've just announced our flight has an hour delay so I guess it's time for another baked spud and curry washed done with a fizzy drink in a can ( it won't be cola as it's Saturday night and we're not driving)
A colleague from work ( Claire) has enquired if we are taking sun cream this trip seeing as the snow should have gone - if we are then I'd rather Mashka the bear rubs it on my back than Mr Al B. We get on but we're not quite at that stage yet.

Location:Iver,United Kingdom