St Petersburg in Russia: Monday, July 23, 2012:

We had a late start and breakfast in bed before wandering around the ship as today’s trip starts at 1.30pm.

It involved a boat trip and a visit to the Yusupov Palace. The boat trip was interesting but the rain spoiled it a bit. The Yusupov Palace belonged to a very rich family and was very luxurious – it was where the notorious Rasputin was murdered.

There was a long queue at passport control and immigration and people were panicking that they would miss their evening trips.

We had dinner at the Orchid Chinese restaurant – spring rolls to start, sticky honey beef and fruit – and later in the Rising Sun we won the pub quiz.

St Petersburg in Russia: Tuesday, July 24, 2012:

We have been aboard now for one week and it is another grey day.

Today’s trip ashore was by bus and it was called Panorama of St Petersburg. We saw Hermitage and Palace Square, the Cruiser Aurora, the Church of the Spilled Blood, enjoyed a shopping stop and St Isaac’s Cathedral. However there was constant drizzle.

We had Lunch in The Belvedere and dinner at the Meridian which included Italian tomato, fish in beer batter with chips and mushy peas, cookies and ice cream.

Once again we could have won the picture quiz in the Rising Sun if we had bothered to enter.