From Russia (& Mongolia!) with love!

Am just back today from Mongolia, after an epic journey via Beijing and a rather panicky Heathrow airport ("you, get rid of your mongolian whisky, and quicker than that!" - or else put it in a plastic bottle and place it in a completely unsuitable rucksack, hoping for the best...)

Too tired to say much after a 26 hours journey, which was a complete downer after the fantastic views I have enjoyed in the last few days in Mongolia!

Our transsiberian journey went extremely well (I even managed to "improve" on my very rubbish russian skills! - I was actually very pleased to have taken some classes, given the complete lack of cooperation of the various ladies we encountered at the tickets offices... except in Tobolsk where the clerk was extremely helpful and pleasant! She even smiled, and it was not just because she was happy to see us go - at least that's what I think!)

I will try and post some photos and comments in the next few days, once I have recovered from jetlag (c'est pas gagne d'avance!) and will attempt to write posts in English and French with sound extracts (but it may be a tad too technical for me!!!)

Thanks for everyone who has been in touch - this was certainly a trip worth doing! And for all the young parents out there - my 9 year old bundle-of-love was fantastic and enjoyed everything - in fact he would have prefered to stay in Mongolia!!!

Ta-ta for now, and will post soon
Lxox