HIGH SOCIETY!

WATCH OUT OSTRICHES!

Yes! They sell ostrich eggs at my local supermarket. Just casually plonked between the hens eggs. They cost about 30 pounds each but I guess you don't need more than one. I can't imagine breaking one open. How they are cooked I can't think. I would hate to come across a slightly formed foetus in one... yuck!!!

THE ENGLISH CLUB

I am not sure why they call it this because there are no English members. I think it just sounds rather posh to the 'high society' of St.Petersburg.

We were very lucky to be invited to the club's opening meeting of the season. It took place inside the Smolny Cathedral, which was never consecrated as the architect committed suicide before it's completion and has always been used for other purposes, making it a huge and imposing venue.

We started with drinks and little fairies, beautiful little girls in angel outfits bringing us flowers and curtsying (would never be allowed in Britain!). We then sat down for the most amazing performances of ballet, choir and a woman gymnast extraordinaire who was able to contort her body in more positions than exist! Just use your imagination! All this was for an audience of about 50.

A lot of the guests were the top representatives of the various museums and arts in the City and there were a lot of eminent and famous locals. An aspiring astronaut (he's booked his seat with Richard Branson and is about to start his training!), an Olympic champion figure ice skater who is now a famous trainer of several Olympic champions and the first 'sexologist' of Russia who has written several books on the subject (whatever sexology means, but I know they couldn't talk about it during the Soviet days) and appears on TV regularly, were but a few of the members.

I loved the ladies dress code at this function. They all looked gloriously dressed up in the old fashioned sense and there were a lot wearing mink stoles (yes!).

All in all, a lovely and memorable evening!