My most memorable meal

Ad and I love to eat good food and had some amazing meals on our trip. Asparagus in Helsinki, Ravioli in Florence, Mexican in London and Dumplings we made in Mongolia. I may tell you all about them sometime. But my most memorable meal was on the train in Russia.

Wandering into the Kermit the frog green dining cart, we slid into a booth and ordered borsch. We had grown fond of borsch, the hot chunky beeroot and onion soup during our few days on the train had eaten it several times but this time it was a wonderful experience.

As we gazed out the window to the snow fluttered down outside while we drifted past the trees. The borsch was warming and satisfying, perfect for the Wintry weather.

Brand new little boy

We were so lucky to be in the UK when Ruth and William's little boy arrived. I met Tobias when he was brand new, only one day old.


Then we popped back to see him when he was three and a half weeks old.


Finally we had to say goodbye and head home to Australia when Tobias was seven and a half weeks.


Isn't it amazing how babies change so quickly. I think he is so cute and I am glad to have spent this special time with the new family and hanging out with new mum, Ruth!

Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal, Siberia was my unexpected favourite of our trip. We visited in April after it had recently snowed, such a treat for an Australian who has rarely seen snow. It was exceptionally cold (around 2°c) so we waddled around all wrapped up.


There was something magical about the vast expanse of frozen lake and the small town that was almost deserted.


The colourful wooden houses with beautifully carved window frames peaked out of the snow and stacks of wood were on standby to heat them.


We played in the snow and walked through the cold to visit The Baikal Museum and had a guided tour from an immaculate Russian woman who used a pointer to direct our attention to specimens in glass jars.


I explored a Russian graveyard where many seafaring folk and locals are buried. The colours were amazing against the stark white snow.


Apparently the area is very animated in Summer but we were so lucky to spend this quiet time in this special place.


This artwork gives some indication of the size of Lake Baikal. I would have love to have seen it happening.

Home.

Well we are home and didn't keep up with the blogging. So while we reflect on our trip over the coming months we'll post a few highlights....