Prestwoodite in Moscow: Not a good start

Oh dear so much for keeping this blog up to date. Sorry. Life has got very busy and having Peter here all the time is great, but I have less time by myself.

So to continue from by brief post from last week.

Having arrived two weeks ago we had two days in school before the children arrived. The first day saw gifts and lots of flowers. This is a Russian ritual. I have 13 in my class with 4 new children, all of whom do not speak English. Makes life interesting.

Last Saturday St Andrew's held their English village fete in the church garden. It was freezing but lots of people came. Trying to explain how a tombola works to Russians and Americans was interesting. Tracey came down from school to do face painting.

Tracey face painting. Olga and Irina from choir are standing in the background.

Julian was doing important things with the tombola. He is sporting the St Andrew's I survived the Moscow summer t-shirt.

Minnie and a Russian parrot came along!!

David Ford from the British Business Council (I think) made delicious cream teas.

Olga from choir decided to take part in the tug of war.

It was lovely seeing Irina, Corinne and Olga from choir. They were there to promote the choir and try and get more members.

When everything was over I shot off to the airport to meet Peter. He is hoping to work at one of the language schools in the city and they provided his visa.

Last Saturday was city day and lots was happening in Red Square including a display of marching bands. This went on till Thursday and Peter managed to get tickets for Wednesday night. the music was amazing with bands from all over Russian and Europe.

By the time it was all over it was too dark to take photos, but here are some I took at the beginning.

The President's Band

These are are President's Guard of Honour.

The European Union Crossed Swords Pipes and Drums. Though Scottish sounding there were names that were difinately not Scottish, though they were very good.

A Russian band joined them for Amazing Grace sung by the lady wandering around.

There were more bagpipes from the Bahrain Police who were very good, as were the Breton band, but it was too dark to get decent photos. The Americans in Europe had a jazz band as well as a marching band and dancers and singers!! The combined bands at the end was amazing, playing a wide range of music including the movement from the 1812 overture with the canons, which were let off from the walls of the Kremlin. Brilliant evening even if it was late.

And so towards the weekend. Peter had hardly got here when he started with a cold which he kindly gave to me, so I have been struggling this weekend, but I am beginning to feel better.

A trip to Ikea yesterday with school and church this morning. I feel as if I have never been away. Last night Peter Eades who works in Year 2 had a surprise birthday party at Nicky's flat (where Nadine used to live) which was fun.