57 31:59N  38 1:59E

Uglich, on the Volga

The Volga is the longest European river, 2,300 miles, and is navigable for most of it.  It is widely believed to have ben a cradle of the prehistoric people known as the Prot-Indo-European civilisation, and later served as a vital trade route, which gave rise to the trading posts, fortresses and towns.  The cities alog its banks were among the largest in the medieval world.  11 out of 20 cities in Russia are in the Volga basin.

This very kind couple offered us a visit in their home.  He (Victor) used to work as a Production Manager for the watch factory.  She(Olga) works as an engineer for an electronics company. 

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It was essential to have a few Vodkas (even if it was 10.30 a.m.!)

Home made brew, actually tasted very nice indeed, it was made in their home still, and left on malt to give it a better flavour.  Served with bread and followed by home made cake.

We were not sure if the pet cat was real or not!

Which is rounder, the water melons or the tummy?

Selling home picked raspberries helps supplement the ladie’s income!

They cost 500 rubbles a pot  (equivalent to 1 pound sterling), same price as they are here in the UK!

The Church roofs are Blue tiles to indicate ‘Heaven’, this one is within the ‘Kremlin of Uglich’  Kremlin meaning fortified city.

Church of St Demetrius on the Blood

Commemorates the massacre of Ivan the Terrible’s son, Dmitry on this spot.

This is Ivan the Terrible’s original palace.  A very simple affair, built iin the 16th Century, compared to the Palaces built later in 17th C by Peter 1st.

David having a ‘Taste of Russia’ food drink in the bar with his ‘Hareem’

As we cruise in the flooded Volga past the sunken Church of Kalyazin.

We’re given a most interesting talk on Putin and Medvedev and the Russian economy by one of the Russian Viking Directors.  He appeared to give us a very unbiased opinion of what he thought of the Putin Medvedev relationship