It's difficult to not try and compare St. Petersburg with Moscow but that would be unfair as they are both fantastic cities and both very different. We seemed to have timed our trip to Russia during record high temperatures and you can tell the cities are not built for this heat. This hasn't stopped us getting out and about to see the sights. We visited a huge palace in Pawlowsk, about an hour outside of St. Petersburg. Unfortunately the personal guide we were fi...

So the circus wasn't quite what we were expecting. Lots of animals doing things animals don't usually do. We left at half time - after the huge seals were climbing ladders (weird). There were photo opportunities before the circus started with leopards and bears, tigers with no teeth and bears that were so muzzled they couldn't even eat what their ring leaders were giving then to keep them happy. Depressing, Mr Putin should know better. Moscow has been so intere...

Moscow is fabulous and thanks to my fabulous work friends I can update my blog and tell you all about it. It's very / apparently unusually hot. There are police everywhere and they are very well respected (unlike at home). We've already found a few fantastic, modern and reasonably priced cafes. They know how to eat well, and wine is so expensive so I'm forced to be a bit healthier and drink less. We're going on a walking tour of the kremlin tomorrow and we scored...