WHAT A NIGHT
We were delighted to be invited to a private dinner at the Catherine Palace during Peter's visit and were able to take him too! This was a most magical evening. Unfortunately, it decided to snow extremely heavily as we made our way out of town that evening. However, Mike had decided to drive himself and borrowed the company Land rover and we arrived intact, about half an hour early.
I wasn't terribly happy, having carefully dressed in my 'glad rags' for this grand occasion, to have to don walking socks and boots and a heavy coat topped with a rather ugly hat and big gloves, however, the walk from the gates and up the drive to the castle was about 10 minutes in the deep snow and it was absolutely freezing. We were sure that it would have been possible to drive up to the entrance and drop off, leaving only the unfortunate driver to walk the walk but we didn't really know how to ask the security about this and all in all it seemed easier to walk.
On the first attempt to enter the grand gates, we were rebuffed and told we had to wait half an hour, so... back to the car, already covered in snow. This was when Mike took leave of his feet on black ice which was completely hidden under snow. It was so sudden, he landed flat on his back leaving Peter and I in utter shock as we looked at him prostrate in the snow, when we realised he wasn't hurt it was very hard not to laugh, so we did.
Our second attempt to enter the gates was successful and we were welcomed through with a full trumpet fanfare! The walk up to the palace was pure magic, with huge snowflakes falling and burning torches lining the walkway. In the distance, the palace was glowing with warm light and promises of a wonderful evening ahead!
THE AMBER ROOM
The beauty of this famous room is evident from the picture above. It was wonderful to see it without the usual crowds of tourists.
PLEASE NOTE!
I accidentally uploaded an image of Ambleside Church in the English Lake District, looks as cold as Russia doesn't it?!
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