Russian Journal Day 3

Rain and shine.

Last nights five hours sleep was more like two. Having been in bed 10 mins we heard Max cry and then a knock on the door. "Don't you want to sleep with Grandad?" I asked him. "No, he smells", came the reply.

So a night of very uncomfortable and broken sleep began.

This morning we were woken up to the sound of torrential rain. Yes rain. What the hell? Apparently there's been a lot if it about. It's warm enough though which is the main thing. Unfortunately though, I never thought to pack my bloody wellies!!!

A taxi came to collect us and we hastily sped across Moscow in a taxi, heading for Vukrvo airport, listening to the in car radio playing such 80's luminaries as Pet Shop Boys and Simply Red and erasure

One thing is for sure. Vladimir is not going to lose his bags today. Last night he mummified them in bright orange tape as a security measure. If anyone does make it into his bags they'll probably sue him for becoming colourblind in the process.

Our bad luck seems to have followed us from the UK as the flight to gelendzhik (the black sea resort) was delayed by an hour due to a fault with the plane. Not sure what the fault was but eventually we were aloud on.

Ira's family seem to have a strange tradition or ritual before any long travel, everyone has to sit down for a few seconds. I don't know why. Maybe the length of time you sit makes a difference to the amount if luck you have in getting to your destination. If so, we should have stayed longer this morning. An hour would probably done it. I must check I'd this is a wide spread ritual or just in my wife's family?

The flight to gelendzhik took about two hours from Moscow and once airborne was without any incident.

The small airport we landed at was just off the coast of the Black Sea. And a short ten minute taxi ride took us to our small two room flat in a large apartment building. We only have a double bed and a double sofa bed, so someone is going to have to sleep with Vladimir. At the moment it looks like this will be Max but tonight will be test. I don't hold out much hope, but to be honest he's going to be pretty shagged out after today's early rise, flight and then sea swimming. He loves the sea and can't keep out of the water despite having to use floats.

We must be the whitest people here. I bet if you looked at this beach from space you would be able to pin point me, Ira and Max by our Pale white skin. I look like a bloody albino compared to some of the red blooded Ruskies. I must be ill.

We didn't go to the busiest part of the main beach, which is sand. The rest of the beach up the coast is pebbles but there were less people. Gelendzhik sits in a huge bay which is kind of enclosed from the sea. Tree green mountains flank on either side and rise up in the rear. From what I've seen so far the main attractions include an aqua park, a zoo and beach activities. There's also a cable car ride which goes up into the mountains.

It's definitely not Blackpool, no Punch and Judy, no donkey rides and no deck chairs. And no one with a hanky knotted in four corners on there head. It remind me a lot of Miami. The sea air, the muggy atmosphere and the warm air even in the evening.

After a good swim, we left the beach and went for something to eat. We were recommended a simple eatery by the owner of the building we are staying in. Serving a mixture of pizza, steaks and other English like meals. Makes a refreshing change from goulash.

Small Treadwell by this point was struggling to keep his eyes open. He's had two pretty horrible nights sleep, as have we, and it's caught up with him. We just about got him back to put him in bed. I hope he sleeps soundly and doesn't get spooks by grandad's snoring.