So, following our Easter break in the UK, we've been back in Moscow for 10 days now. In that period of time Spring has sprung and more or less morphed straight into summer, as evidenced by the following:
* Moscow has a population of 30,000 - 35,000 wild dogs who for some reason refuse to clean up after themselves...
** Ha. Hahahahahaha. Ha.
- The temperature has gone from +2degC on our arrival to +21degC yesterday, and is predicted to be +25degC today
- The snow, which was still lying 10cm thick on the ground when we got back, has entirely disappeared. This is good, although the accumulated layer of crap* (literally) that is left behind is less so.
- The grass has gone from 'Oh, I'm so tired, I really can't be bothered, what do you mean it's time to wake up?' to 'Ta Dah! Look at me! I'm so perky and green!'
- The birds have started to arrive and are getting busy with it all over the place (makes for some interesting conversations with my youngest about piggy backs)
- The local version of ladybird are doing much the same thing and are showing scant regard for privacy or safety, choosing mostly to misbehave in the middle of the road which we use to walk to school. More conversations about piggy-backs ensue, as well as some careful stepping around those who have gone to meet their maker in their pursuit of ecstasy (well, it's one way to go, I suppose).
- Moscow's restaurants and cafe's are taking over the pavements, albeit with the smarter ones equipping tables with rugs for patrons to wrap around themselves when it gets a little chilly in the evening.
- Acceptable attire for a walk through the forest has gone from being warm jeans and boots to miniscule shorts and sky-high spiked heels. Not for me, obviously; I find 6 inch platforms are much more practical when I go out running in the woods on muddy paths**...
* Moscow has a population of 30,000 - 35,000 wild dogs who for some reason refuse to clean up after themselves...
** Ha. Hahahahahaha. Ha.
It really sounds like such a fascinating place to live. We have such an outdated vision in the UK of what Russia is like - all KGB and James Bond (please tell me this is outdated!!!)
ReplyDeleteSo that's where our weather's got to...
ReplyDeleteMay we have it back when you've finished with it?
I saw on the news last night that you had such nice weather. We're also going to have some soon. Isn't it a relief? It sounds like you need to wear your wellies in the woods.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see you have the right foot attire for your running needs ;)
ReplyDeleteYour spring sounds fabulous. Especially compared to the vision I see out of my own window today, wind and rain coming off the sea!
Being a bit of a jacket girl, our springs and autumns are disappointingly brief. One minute we're in ski jackets and the next is so hot you can barely leave the air-conditioning.
ReplyDeleteBut - other than the ridiculous two week heatwave back in March, there isn't a whiff of spring here yet. Bright and sunny but freezing.
Glad you got some spring at last! If you were in England when I was, you will have had torrential rain and cold, too...
ReplyDeleteLove the piggyback explanations....
I really would like to visit sometime. Maybe with a pooper scooper :)
ReplyDeleteSES - it IS outdated - mostly... ;)
ReplyDeleteTim, absolutely not. Not unless you agree to do a swap on winter. And yes - we ARE holding you to ransom.
Irene, it is a relief and as for the wellies, I wouldn't be without them.
Jen, always prepared, that's me!
EPM, we're not in air conditioning weather yet, thank heavens. In fact it's rained this evening, which I'm delighted about as it might settle some of the pollen (which has been laying into Boy #1 something rotten).
NVG, our Easter UK weather was just a bit bleurgh, really. Pretty much what you expect from England in April!
Liz, don't worry. The street cleaners are out in force again removing the evidence - so it's safe to visit!