Park Inn at Dawn

A couple of images of the Hotel that we are using in St Petersburg. It is enormous (1,200 rooms) and very characterless but comfy and quiet enough. Dawn is not till 10.30 am so it is not difficult to be out before the sun comes up.

Golden St Petersburg

Yesterday afternoon, the city was bathed in golden light during our visit. Two of the images were taken along the river showing the skyline. The domes of the Saviour Church next to the smoke from the power station and the new glass building next to the historic Battle Cruiser Arora show the contrast of old and new in the city. The dome of St Isaac Cathedral can be seen both far and near in the next two images. Finally a view along one of the many canals.

Smolenskoye Cemetery

I visited the Smolenskoye Cemetery on a frosty New Year's Day. It rivals our Highgate Cemetery for atmosphere being mainly unmaintained and showing damage from the Soviet era. Up to 800,000 people are estimated to have been interred at Smolensky Cemetery before the Russian Revolution, making it the largest 19th-century cemetery of St. Petersburg.
The cemetery is the traditional burial place for academics from St. Petersburg University, actors, writers and artists. I am looking forward to processing these with Silver Effex and getting the best out of the files.

Snow Shower in St Petersburg

I was so excited when it started to snow while I was in Palace Square - only an occasional shower was forecast and that is what we got. However, I couldn't have been in a better place for the snow.
It didn't stay around on the city as it was followed by light drizzle. I took the opportunity to look round an outside art gallery at pictures of St Petersburg in a 'normal' winter.

St Petersburg - Romantic City

As you can see, my main reason for the trip, to photograph St Petersburg in the snow, has failed but it is still a beautiful city even on a grey overcast day. Romance is everywhere - both in the architecture and with the many bridal couples around the city. They have a civil marriage (maybe also a religious service) and then they take to the streets visiting all the main sites in the city's history for photos. At some stage they attach a padlock to a bridge (or tree in Moscow) and throw the key into the river so their union cannot be broken (well that is the theory).

Last Morning in Moscow

A very grey day for the visit to the Kremlin so we did not see it at its best. The first two are for Tricia - yes they still goose step when changing the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
I liked the contrast of the modern building and the traditional onion domes.

Gorky Park Moscow

Two of the dozens of snowmen in Gorky Park - they run snow machines to create enough snow when nature doesn't oblige. They also have the strange habit of putting leg warmers on their lamp standards and tree trunks. But, of course, what I enjoyed most was the huge ice skating rink and trails. I took a great many shots so expect to see one or two more when I can sort them on a larger screen.

Novodevichy Convent

The Convent with all its gold leaf and coloured brickwork looked great on a sunny crisp morning.

Moscow Metro

The underground system in Moscow is amazing - the trains run every minute so there is no waiting for the next train. Many of the stations are exhibition halls for painting sculpture and mosaics. There are also no restrictions on taking photos. I am sure, except for the crowds around at times, I could have used a tripod. Here are four different stations showing the variety of lamps and pillar construction.

Night Tour of Moscow

The first image was taken as the sun went down and the lights came on along the facade of the splendid GUM department store. Great shame about the ice rink constructed in front of GUM.
The other images were taken during a night tour of the city. The obelisk is in Victory Park and commemorates Russia's limited successes in battles. The crescent moon completed the scene.
We then went to the lake in front of Novodevichy Convent - said to be where Tschaikovsky got inspiration for Swan Lake. True or not we toasted him with Vodka - any excuse does!!!
The final stop was back in Red Square

A few more images from yesterday. First some more of those terracotta and yellow walls specially for Tricia - haven't had the falling snow yet but still hoping. The second is a panorama of the Bolshoi Ballet Theatre.
I spent the afternoon on Sparrow Hill doing my favourite thing - people watching. I don't have any efficient manipulation software so there is a bit of work to do on the lamp posts etc.
The final image is for my doggy friends - human and other - I am afraid that I can't translate so have no idea how to potty train a dog.