Hello,

As promised here is a proper blog entry. We are now in our 7th country and have done 2,500 miles to date...

Have now crossed the water into Finland (for a day) before getting very posh expensive tilting train to St Petersberg tomorrow.

Poland was wicked we went to Krakow and Warsaw, we prefered the first as it had a lovely square and the architecture was something which was really special. Watching the "last trumpeter" play out of the clock tower was great.

Lithuania was also good, the food was similar, dumplings, soup and lots and lots of spicy meat! Went to Vilnius and then headed for the coast. Swam in the Baltic sea which wasnt as cold as expected and cycled down a long Spit which was on a national park. That was a good day.

Latvia we also went on the coast, which reminds us a lot of the west of France (a favourite place for me and Craig). Got quite drunk on some cherry beer with some locals in a cool pub. Then headed to Riga, which was ok, not so nice as other big cities, as it was quite bland at times, with lots of shopping centres. But the streets were cobbled and there were plenty of churches to visit and museums to entertain us.

This morning we left Tallinn, after spending four days there. It was great, probably joint favourite with Berlin for me (and craig!!). Museums, lovely red roofs, old buildings and some strange architecutre and a round stone fortrees bit called Fat Margaret!! lol!!! Have taken some great photos. Yesterday we cycled out to an open air museum, which had loads of old rural village buildings from the 1600's. Then to a Maritime Museum where craig explored an old Ice Breaker ship. After that we cycled along a lovely promenade along the sea to a beach. Visited the old ruin of a convent and walked along the beach. Probably one of the best days so far on the trip!

We are both well, spending a lot! Europe is expensive! But it is enjoyable none the less. Backpack still weighs a ton! (about three stone...ouch). Looking forward to Russia, have been polishing up on our language skills (never my best skill!) in an attempt to try and make life easier for ourselves.

Miss everyone at home...although the adventure has only just begun so trying to settle into the "backpacker" lifestyle.

Bye : )