ZOO

I must admit that this was the only picture I felt like taking at the Zoo and although I loved the way the owls are lined up, one can't help feeling they look a little forlorn.

I didn't like the way the big cats were in quite small cages. In the modern world we are so used to seeing animals in wonderful settings, safari parks etc. that it is difficult to see animals in these circumstances and the hardest hearted would be moved to realise that these animals have a pretty rotten deal.

What is the point of having these beautiful creatures all caged up when it is so easy to access magnificent and intimate images of wild animals these days?

CITY BEACH AND THE GULF OF FINLAND

The second picture is actually a beach in front of the Peter and Paul Fortress. It's amazing that this was completely covered in deep ice and snow just a few weeks ago and incredible that there is a beach in the City!

The top image is the beach at the Gulf of Finland. I took pictures a few weeks ago and the sea was ice and people were skiing on it. It is just a short journey from St.Petersburg and good for a day trip. I must confess that this is a particularly nice part of the beach. We were disappointed to discover that further along it was rather covered in a lot of rubbish swept up from the sea. It would be so easy to clean up at the beginning of the season and make a lot more pleasant for people to enjoy.

There were people in the water. I don't think it would pass any cleanliness regulations and I wouldn't swim in it.

We were quite surprised to walk past a nudist part of the beach. We should have guessed, it was the area where more people (particularly males) were standing up to sunbathe instead of the traditional 'lying down' method! Glad I was wearing my dark glasses!

JUNE AND WHITE NIGHTS RETURN

The speed with which winter disappeared and summer arrived was quite remarkable.

The buds on the trees burst open and produced flowers much faster than in a less harsh climate. Unfortunately, they will disappear in September pretty quickly too.

It's now much harder to sleep knowing that it's broad daylight outside. It does get a little dark around midnight or half past until around 3.30 a.m. but those twilight hours will diminish to nothing very quickly as midsummer arrives. I now understand why Russians seem to hibernate in winter and stay up all night in the short summer. I can't stop looking out of the window when I am supposed to be sleeping!

We have darkened curtains but it is surprising how much light comes in from the sides.

The river boats are out in vast numbers and the tourists are returning.

It's great to have all the little extra bars and cafes open along the river and canals.

We have carnival in the streets and a lot of free entertainment.

Suddenly it's a joy to be in this City!

Duran Duran and Anastasia are doing a free concert in the Hermitage square tonight to open the Economic Forum.

I am a little concerned about getting out to the airport for my trip to UK this afternoon due to the arrival of numerous delegations from around the globe and a lot of streets being closed.

SUMMER AT LAST!

Why do the fellas like St.Petersburg so much?