In which P & K go to the Kremlin

DAY 9


Snow had fallen about 1 or 2 inches. Everything looks beautiful, cleaner and prettier now - also a lot less dangerous to walk on. Left all our clothes in the bath to soak. Caught mid morning tube to Moscow centre. Nice to have such a direct route. A little snow falling, which got us both excited. Bitterly bitterly cold – temp has dropped to -14.

Tube and then walked to Red Square First.
The street sellers were out and we bought a marishka. I wanted one with a pretty face to add to my collection. Got a nice one with St.Basil's on the front. Cost about 18 pounds – which seemed steep until I realized I wouldn't do all that much painting (5 dolls and tons of detail) for so little.

Temp dropped further. Decided to go to the armoury and inner Kremlin.


Stopped at the ticket booth and then had to empty pockets of all metal to get in. Nasty when so cold, because it meant taking your gloves off and we really didn’t want to do that. I really regretted having wool gloves – leather would have been so much better. Churches lovely. Would recommend all of them. There was one magical moment in the stunning Church of the Annunciation, full of amazing frescos and containing the remains of most of Ivan the Terrible’s relatives. A beautiful choral like voice swam around the pillars and as I listened I realized it was more than one. I then saw that the vagabond looking quartet of people who had been sitting by the entrance (and I’d mistaken for mourners) were now singing. It was a truly stunning sound – almost other worldly.

Unfortunately the armoury didn’t open until after lunch, at 2.30, so we walked around the inner Kremlin very thirsty, tired, cold and hungry – there are no shops there. Finally got inside the Armoury, and went to the café straight away. Had a drink and cake. Felt much better. Nice gift shop with same Faberge replica eggs identical to the ones we’d bought at the market. Horrified to see that the prices were the same as we’d got at the market (after all that negotiation!). Found the loos much needed for that afternoon’s progesterone tablets. Loved the museum and would put it on a must see for any tourist. The costumes, coaches, antiquities were all amazing.

Went to Sbarro for early dinner. Had slices of pizza which were cold by the time we got them to the table – they were just too busy. And that’s a shame cos they do a wicked vegetarian selection. I had a spinach pizza pie – yummy. Decided to have a pud once the queues had gone and I was spoilt for choice, had the cheese cake and that was heaven on a plate. Tube home and stopped at nearest mall. Got more dvds. Exhausted. But walking back in the snow in the dark was just so romantic.


Discovered that what we thought was just a car showroom actually has a couple of restaurants underneath it, so that's where those people were going last night.

Rested. K did washing for me. Stomach still feels tight. Watched Mr. Deeds, which only confirms that Adam Sandler is the biggest over rated pile of rubbish I've ever seen. Why didn't they give the role to Steve Bushemi – he would have been brilliant.

Decided to have a go at taking the metipred with water – found that by taking a mouthful of water and throwing it to the back of my tongue, then drinking more water, I could avoid it most of the horrid bitterness.