I heard this news story as I was driving in to work this morning.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8592190.stm

I hope and pray that all my friends are okay and weren't involved. Some of you I am very close to and I am worried for you. And my sincere condolances go to the families of all the people affected by this. I sometimes despair at just ( Read more... )

Today, here in the UK, it is Holocaust Memorial Day. I like the idea that we choose to mark and respect, remember and honour this terrible period of history. It's not glorified or over-done, just polite reflection and respect. These things should be remembered and the lessons learned.

Also, and this is very poignant for me now, today is the sixty- ( Read more... )

While I was in Saint Petersburg it was my mother's birthday. I was discussing what I might buy for her with Julia one day and she came up with a suggestion. We were having a bite to eat in a restaurant off Nevsky Prospekt and we had the wonderful company of Kate, Nikita, Kate's boyfriend Alexander (as well as the gorgeous Alice, of course) and ( Read more... )

The weather was bright and sunny on my last day in Saint Petersburg. I checked out of my hotel and then waited outside for Kate to arrive. First Julia's brother came to see me and then, shortly after, Kate. Together we got a bus down to Palace Square and the State Hermitage Museum. Part of the museum is housed in the Winter Palace and this is a ( Read more... )

Sunday evening, after the happiness of the day, was the saddest part of my whole stay in Saint Petersburg. Julia, who had been my guide, mentor and rock since I arrived on the Thursday afternoon was going away on a University Field Trip first thing on Monday and wouldn't be back until after I had left on the Tuesday. In short, after Sunday I wouldn ( Read more... )

Julia had told me not to go out on my own because it could be dangerous for me. It was very wise advice and I'm very grateful, but on Sunday morning I felt like escaping for a little while. There weren't too many people around and I thought it should be okay. I decided that I would walk along Nevsky Prospekt, from my hotel, but in the direction ( Read more... )

I was settling into my new surroundings by Saturday. Julia collected me from the hotel early and we went to meet up with Kate. For the first time I experienced the Saint Petersburg metro. I was stunned by the scale of it, the long tunnels with escalators going down deep underground, the splendour of the stations with their marble, chandaliers and ( Read more... )

My first day in Saint Petersburg was a very happy one indeed. The day before, when I arrived, the wonderful Julia was there at the airport to meet me. This was a fantastic moment and one I will treasure for ever. We had known each other for more than five years but it was our first actual meeting. I gave her a big, and probably overwhelming, hug ( Read more... )

I had a fantastic time in Saint Petersburg, spent with some great people who looked after me so well. I can't thank them enough for the trouble and time they took to make my stay so enjoyable. So, I have special thanks for the wonderful ilmera  who was a real star in every possible way and the best friend I could wish for, baby Alice who was gorgeous and ( Read more... )

First of all, I'm really sorry that I haven't managed to answer all the lovely comments you left in my post from yesterday. I'm very grateful. If I get the chance when I'm doing some waiting in one of the airports I will be drifting through tomorrow, I will try to catch up. But, thank you all.

Time has caught up with me, I've just about done my ( Read more... )