No option on minor roads without doubling the distance and 50 kms of main highway (M1) too dangerous. Tumbling off the 'heavy metal shed on wheels' in Gagarin was the right choice.
Gagarin is if course Yuri's hometown and his statue resembles superhero comic characters. He is dearly loved by the Russians and there is something curiously fascinating about that period of time. 1961 and the first human in Space!
Gagarin's cosmonaut training took place in the top secret Star City military base deep in the forests east of Moscow. Tim Peake and all other astro/cosmonauts train there too prior to missions to the ISS. Amazingly, Sandra has arranged for me to make a visit in a few days time - what a birthday present!
Sleeping arrangements at the Diving Center next to a lake are pretty strange and not a diver in sight!
Very good of Sandra! X
ReplyDeleteYes indeed and I am just one day from Moscow now
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