Slips and bumps and lighter nights

Good start to Monday but spoilt by a slip on the ice and I was sitting on the floor feeling sorry for myself. I just wanted to go home. Several days of ibroprufen and I am on the mend, though I still feel stiff at the end of the day and I am watching my feet all the time. Every surface is different. The worst are where they have been cleared to the pavement but black ice has been left. It is lethal and not always easy to see. The long New Year break finished last weekend so the road and pavement clearers are now out in force and snow is being cleared and carted away. Last night I heard a loud vehicle but thought nothing of it, but this morning I could see the marks of a tracked vehicle on the pavement. The temperature is up and down, but we have had the children out every day.

On Friday evening Cathy came round for supper which was good company. Then yesterday Caz and Vannessa had coffee for those who wanted to see the new flat. Three hours later Tracey and I finally set off for Karousel we had so much to talk about.

Today back to church to see everyone. All had had a good break and I am finally on the readers' list for Palm Sunday. I then joined the crowd from school 1 and 2 for Charles' birthday. We went to the Pushkin cafe.  The others had just about finished but I had a delicious chocolate made with real chocolate. All the staff are dressed in 'period' outfits and the decor is in keeping with his era. We have booked to go for a meal. Then down the hill to Red Square. The others were heading home but I decided it was too sunny to stay indoors and set off with my camera. I saw a view of the Kremlin back in October but i was on the wrong side of the bridge. Ihave been waiting for a sunny day and time to go and take it. Here it is.

Then I saw the river frozen solid and Christ the Saviour in the distance, so took those.

I was thinking of taking another of Christ the Saviour in the sun but the sun was in the wrong place. However, I found this ice Nativity scene which was much more interesting and more creative than the ones down in Revolution Place.

So my first week has come to an end. Peter has his next visa so arrives in four weeks. As Father Simon said this morning 'Spring is coming and the days are getting lighter.' It is not always dark as I walk home. Great!!!