Ready for Russia

Giant snowman on display at a local shopping mall

We're ready for Russia. Last weekend I bought a fur hat at Portabello Road market, similar to the one Garry secured recently. I also picked up a second-hand heavy wool coat. We've gathered crisp US dollar bills, the only currency guaranteed to keep us fed in Russia.

We also started monitoring the weather forecast. They're predicting occasional rain and snow showers most days we're in St Petersburg. However, it's still surprisingly warm for this time of year. The temperature is expected to be about 3°C. London isn't going to be much warmer. They're expecting a high of no more than 8°C while we are away. The current forecast for Christmas Day in Pskov is for snow showers and a high of 4°C. Moscow's looking much colder with cloudy weather and temperatures of -1°C.

I learned today that Pskov is one of the oldest cities in Russia. It celebrated its 1100th anniversary in 2003. The city has long be considered a western outpost of Russia, acting as its gateway to Europe. As a result, the city has suffered many invaders. In the 15th Century it endured more than 26 separate sieges. In more recent times the city continued to play a role in Russian history. It was here that the last Tsar abdicated in March 1917.