Rory and Ramona have just been whisked off to the airport, in an actual taxi, quelle decadence! Had a great time with them when they were here, they brought me trashy magazines, easter chocolates, rashers and sausages and books on Russian history and for all of that I will be eternally grateful!

Another great example of Russian efficiency; a bureau de change has just opened in one of the many 24 hour flower shops on our road. It has a big sign outside it saying that it's open round-the-clock, we went in there the other night and it was closed. The next day we went in to change our hard-earned euro and they had no rubles to give us, clearly that was our fault. Third time was a charm though, went in last night and caught them at a rare time when they were both open AND had local currency to exchange. (They have very good rates, that's why we keep going back....fools!)

Happy Easter, it feels weird here because Orthodox Easter isn't for another few weeks. I have just beheaded my chocolate Easter bunny, he is not long for this world.