Philippa

Oh dear, three weeks since my last post, but I have had visitors. The end of half term saw our first concert with Moscow International. OK But could have been better.

Back to school for a week with another concert at the end of the week. Parents from school came to listen and gave me flowers - a tradition that happens here. One bunch are still decorating the kitchen over two weeks later. We then went to Julian's for a party.

Early the next morning we were up to meet Philippa. We had a lovely weekend with bright sun. We took a walk along the river. Water fountains were playing on the back channel.

I saw this house when I was on the boat for the birthday and thought it interesting.

I went to church on Sunday and then Peter and Philippa came to find me and meet some friends. We had a lovely Sunday lunch in a Belarussian restaurant near the Conservatory. More walking introducing Philippa to the familiar sights.

Monday evening I met Peter and Philippa near Red Square before going to the ballet. The gardens near the Kremlin are beautiful with interesting water fountains. The characters are from traditional fairy tales. Then at the head of the fountains are some magnificent horses.

We saw the ballet Don Quixote. It was beautiful. We went to the Stanislavski music theatre which was a very interesting building. I took this photo of Philippa in the exhibition space and then one of the curtain call at the end.

The weather then broke and the hot water went off. Fortunately Gleb was able to come and put on the immersion heater. Philippa got out each day somewhere, sometimes with Peter and sometimes alone. On Thursday evening we had a lovely shashlik at a local bar. Friday we went to the Uzbek after Philippa had been into school.

Saturday saw us having lunch in Yalki Palki, a chain of restaurants recommended in Lonley Planet. Delicious. Then Peter headed off to Scouts at Anglo American while Philippa and I took a boat trip. We were aiming for a round trip, but only one way was available. We met a chinese couple to talk to who took this photo of us both.

No, not my most flattering photo.

We passed Gorky Park with it's famous rides.

Russia's ill fated space shuttle.

We finished off with a tour of the Novopassky Monastary which Peter and I had visited in the snow. The garden was beautiful - not unlike an English cottage garden. Flag iris and aquilega were just coming into flower. We got into the main church this time which was stunning.

Sunday worked out Ok but did not start well. We had intended to go to Sergiev Pasad but we had to be up early for the train. It was heaving with rain so climbed back into bed - only for the weather to cheer up. By then we were too late.  So we headed to Victory Park and went around the museum of the Great Patriotic War. This time I took some photos. It was just as moving as when we went in the winter.

This is the staircase leading from the central hall to the exhibits.

This is the statue in the central hall which commemorates all those who have been named Hero of the Soviet Union. The names are listed on the panels around the room and several children are there, but we don't know what they did. It is an awesome sight.

I left school early to go with Philippa to catch the airport express, her trip over. It was super having her here and she would like to come again in the snow!!