Russian River Cruise - Day 12 - May 23

After lunch we took the buses to catch our optional canal cruise. This could have been marvelous, but instead was awful. The boat was shabby, dirty and rattling. The people sat up top deck, on what appeared to be lawn chairs, crammed together like sardines. We were about the last on and we went into the bottom deck. The girl who was giving the talk sat about 3 feet from us and I could not really hear her for the rattling and noise of the engine. Before we cast off our moorings at least one couple left this grand canal cruise ship. So here are a few of my shabby photos from the shappy canal cruise. Too many reflections from the dirty window for anything to be very good.

Russian River Cruise - Day 12 - May 23

We missed a tour of Pushkin which is about 25 km south of St.Petersburg, and the Catherine Palace, in the morning. We decided to stay in and write post cards.

Today, at home, we went for a drive up island with Ruby and Steve in their newly restored old car. We had lunch at the fish and chips shop located by Serious Coffee. Very good fish and chips. We got home just before three o'clock. We just missed the shut down of the Island Highway due to a brush fire at Thetis Lake.

There have been about 25 Model T's and A's from southern California, Arizona, one from Montana, other places, in town for a few days. Dan let us know they were coming. Pat is going back with them tomorrow to Dan's place for lunch. I thought they were going back Wednesday, and so am not going as Denise the draperies lady is going to be here Wednesday. Oh well.

Russian River Cruise - Day 11 - May 22

After seeing the Peterhof we boarded buses for the drive back to the ship. It is quite a long drive. It has been a long day with an early start, with very many things to see.

From my travel journal: An hour and a half bus ride back to our boat through the country side with small towns mostly made up of the dachas - summer homes. Everyone lives in apartments but has a home in the country to escape to on weekends and holidays. We have our suitcases back and I have begun packing.

I guess I missed getting photos of dachas. I must have slept on the bus. Still have my nasty cold and not feeling great. Can't wait to get home.

Russian River Cruise - Day 11 - May 22

More photos from the Peterhof, in St.Petersburg, Russia.

We have had a bit of rain. I have not been out to the garden though. Yesterday, I phoned the blinds people and got a quote on the cost of it all. *faint* Actually, it is within the parameters that they quoted when they were here. We should have the verticals installed within 3 weeks. I gave Denise a downpayment of half the price of the verticals - installed and taxes included - on visa. Denise and the guy to measure for the skylight blind will be here on Wednesday at high noon. Denise and I are going to look at some less expensive fabrics for the living/dining room draperies. It could make quite a bit of difference on the cost per yard of the material. We will see. Pat and I have some idea of what we want for carpet, but have yet to go look for it. He wants a border around the edges, again. So, that means getting a carpet the color of the border and in a material that will hold the dye for the inner colors. We have got rid of our bags of recyclable paper and have a bit less clutter around the house. We have had someone repair the in the wall vacuum cleaner, but are going to get an upright. Dragging that great big hose around is hard on the furniture and walls, I am sure. Is hard on me too.

Russian River Cruise - Day 11 - May 22

The Danaid sculpture and fountain

A vertical of the Samson Fountain

Samson and the Lion Fountain

Grand Cascade

More photos from the Peterhof. The trees were out in fresh new green leaves. There were tulips in bloom, but not many other flowers. Along the streets of the cities and in the public parks there was slowly beginning to appear more color and flowers, after the soviet years, where it must have been drab and depressing.
A good website for photos of the fountains at the Peterhof

At home today the man from the Kitchen Design place was to see what I wanted done. He was referred to us by 2 people. I think he is going to be very very good! I will have oak cabinets, a new wardrobe, wine rack and shelves with pull out drawers along behind the cabinets that are there now. There will be a new china cabinet and storage shelves with pull out drawers along the wall between the living room and my computer room. New lighting, flooring and paint. I am thinking of having them do a 'garden window' over the sink, also. It might get a bit spendy, but hey, you can't take it with you! Dean had me copy my drawings for what I wanted. He did measurements and helped me a lot with design ideas and materials. I should call him in a few days to see what the damage might be and what the time window for getting it done might be. I am really quite excited about this new kitchen stuff!!

Russian River Cruise - Day 11 - May 22

Statue of Peter the Great. You will see this statue on many post cards. This is my post card -- not too bad for shooting from inside a moving bus. :-D

Looking out to the Baltic Sea

Grand Palace

After our morning tour of the Hermitage we had lunch at the Greenwich Restaurant -- chicken kiev. Very slow service and the food was not memorable. We had to rush to get on the hydrofoil to take us to the Peterhof. The Peterhof is park-like gardens and ornate little palaces with many fountains, imitating Versailles. ... more photos as soon as time permits.

Home - We have had Pacific Blinds, Leigh and Denise in on Thursday to take measurements and suggest materials. Ballpark figure for cost was between $8 and $10 k, and end of August for the verticals and longer for the draperies.

On Friday Sheila and Jim drove us to Genoa Bay for our reserved lunch. The food is delicious. We had a gorgeous day... good company, good food.

Saturday, Sunday, and today we have spent sorting things to keep. We both have bags full of papers to discard to the recycle and still have magazines saved. When I cleaned up the library books, I managed to liberate approximately 2 shelves of space, although some of the classics are up top of the shelving, in a row. I put 'grape' colored rust paint on the panel that goes over the lights in our ensuite bath -- it had been corroded. Looks ok, but I marred a spot while trying to move the wet paint closer to the eaves over hang as it was looking like rain, any minute. We are suppose to get rain tomorrow. I sure hope we do. I have not had time to get out and water in the garden. Yesterday, I did manage to get the light garden plants and trays cleaned up and moved to where I think I might have it when the new cabinets, flooring and paint is done.

It will be a while yet, before we are finished this reno. It is coming along, though. I have some lovely colored bruises all over my body.

I have watched The Matrix, Matrix Revolutions and some of the Animatrix. Perhaps I will get time tomorrow. I am reading the old book On the Beach by Nevil Shute. It is about the world after a nuclear strike, circa 1963. It is kinda boring as it does not exactly move along quickly or have much action. It is interesting as an observation of what may have happened in such a scenario 50 years ago.

VFXY - weekly theme - Circle

This is the last photo on my way out of the Hermitage. There is something about this that reminds me of The Matrix, Revolutions.

Russian River Cruise - Day 11 - May 22

A panorama crop of some of St. Petersburg

The last photos of the morning at the Hermitage. We caught the bus back to the boat for lunch, our heads swimming with information on this marvelous collection of art of every kind.

Russian River Cruise - Day 11 - May 22

More photos from the Hermitage, in St.Petersburg, Russia.

This was our tour of the Hermitage in the morning. In the afternoon, after lunch on the boat, we go on our optional tour of the Peterhof - gardens.

Russian River Cruise - Day 11 - May 22

more bad photos from the Hermitage, in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Today Jim and Sheila picked us up and we went to Genoa Bay for lunch. Was delicious. I am having just a lazy day today.

Russian River Cruise - Day 11 - May 22

Battle of the Lapiths and the Centaurs by Luca Giordana






More photos from the Hermitage. Not great shots, but they are what I have from this glittering, collection of art set in some gorgeous architecture. More to come...

On the home front. We have paint on all the rooms, except the kitchen, my room, the stairwell, and the big bathroom. We have the drain in the tub fixed (Pat fixed it with a little help from his friend) without having to drag out the bathtub... thank heavens. Pat needs to put back his stuff in his room. It all needs dusting and sorting, of course. We hauled stuff to the good will drop off and another load to the recycle place. We have bags of paper, cardboard, books and old magazines waiting to go out to the pick up recycle people.

My garden is drying up -- even the weeds, except the morning glories that are taking over the hedge. Oh well, maybe I will have time next month.

I have collected the Matrix, but have not had time to watch it, yet. I have 3 of the series to watch, should, ever I get time. Cyrus' site should be ready to be pre-launch tested soon. I don't seem to have time for Flickr right now, either.

I have not heard back from Dyler's Draperies place. I have another draperies person coming this morning to do measurements and etc. Hope they are a little more hungry for work than that last woman. So, I best get off this computer.