Sunday

Yes there are some photos

overwhelming

Hi every one,

Sit down. This will be quite an emotional Blog.

We have had a day off. Yes, a day of R&R!!!!!!

We left here at 10am and drove to a place near the Ukranian border. To a spot in the forest, near a lake. A very isolated and idealic place.

The place was a hunting hut owned by Victor, a Russian we have been working with. An idealic spot.

We had lots of toasts and drinks the team and the future work between Australia and Russia. Victor fed us well and we had lots of toasts to our friendship. An unbelievable day.

Last night Albert, John , Adam and I went to a disco. We were invited by some great young people we had met. It reminded me of the Rural Youth days many years ago. We had a lot of fun.

Tomorrow we will work but today is a celebration.

Lots of love (and I mean it) ……Brian

Later Friday night

Hi everyone,

We had a fantastic day yesterday. Met with the company and clarified our objectives (again). They seem to be very happy but it was a real help for us to get their views.

We had arranged to call in at the Trubchevsk Agricultural College. When we got there we had a meeting at the Principals office. Then we had a tour of the college. Every teacher was waiting at their class to show us what they did. We felt very honoured.

To be honest; it was an overwhelming experience. Such genuine people with a passion and doing their best. Highlighting exceptional students. Etc.

We were impressed but the models of animals etc. and the effort they put in.

To be honest, we feel very emotional to record the experience.

It’s now late Friday night (5am your time). Sean Albert have had enough vodka. I am having trouble typing. Let’s call it a night . holla!!!!

Friday night in Pochep

Just an amazing place.

A land of contrasts from a horse pulling a single shear plough in a field next to a wooden house, old people sitting in front of their houses watching the time go by with their chickens and geese wandering around, a young boy chopping wood for his grandmother, to the other extreme of John Deere tractors and air-seeder rigs putting in winter wheat before it snows and headers taking off crops for sale and feed just around the corner.

A stream of traffic on the main road. Don’t know where they are from or going but one truck yesterday was from the Czechoslovakian republic.

Wells in the street for water, old ladies carrying buckets of water home, smoke from little cottage chimneys as the birch forest turn to magnificent oranges and reds.

Old town, girls in high heals and mini shirts. Adam says.

Monuments to the fallen in fighting the Germans are dotted everywhere and we went past our local main town Pochep one day when they were celebrating the day of liberation. When we went past the next day it was clear they had had a very good time.

Most of the communal farms have broken down, and it is sad to see the loss of infrastructure and family life.

Many of the houses in the towns are painted vivid colours of bright greens, blues, purples, yellows and it really suits them.

Everyone is exceedingly welcoming and we are enjoying the challenge and as Sean said one day; “ When we come back in 3 years time there will be a large feedlot and abattoirs on these sites, and we told them where to put it”. We shake ourselves every morning, and still can’t believe we are in Russia, real Russia by being out in the sticks as we are.

We have met so many genuine people, from shopkeepers to vets and university teachers, and have seen things because of this job that regular tourists wouldn’t see.

Love from Albert and team

All go in Russia

Dear all,

Yes it's all go in rural Russia. We have been on the job, just about non stop, for 4 days. We are staying in a summer camp (Tolstoy's hunting house is here) near Pochep in Bryansk region. It is out in the country.

The people and treatment by the company is great. Couldn't ask for more.

My Russian is improving (coudn't get worse Kathy would say). At least the greatings work which is the most important. Letters are hard.

We have visited farms and chosen potential sites for farms, a feedlot and an abattoir. The soil is excellent. People are very excited about the project.

We did have a Russian sauna which was great. The vodka is also very good. But not too much time for fun.

Hope all is well at home. Remember, you live in a lucky country.

Lots of love and best wishes.

Brian and team

Photos are of the first day in Moscow and where we have spent a lot of our time - standing in fields discussing the issues (very rugged up)

Day 1 Moscow

Yes we arrived safely. Great trip. No problems.

We were collected at the airport at 9am this morning (Thursday).

The company have us staying in the Holiday Inn in central Moxcow. Very nice.

Tomorrow the have a day planned for us meeting the Russian company and then travelling to Bryansk

We were hoping for a bit of a rest but the jet-lag seems OK so it is probably a good idea to get stuck into the work straight away.

I'm entering this by memary because all the instructions are in Russian. I'll try to attach some photos.

Cheers............Smokey

Five sleeps to go

Yes we are going to Russia.

The team; Albert, Sean and I, had meetings this week with the Adelaide conpany we are contracted to. We also met one Russian who is over here.

It is all very exciting. We got on very well, although there's the usual difficulties translating things.

Our plans are;
Leave Adelaide for Singapore 11.55am Wednesday 17th September
Leave Singapore after 8 hour stopover.
Arrive Moscow 9am 18th
Travel to Bryansk (150km SW of Moscow) on 20th
Leave Moscow 11am on 9th of October
Arrive Singapore 5.55am 10th
Leave Singapore 9pm 13th
Arrive Adelaide 10am on 14th October

We will have our mobiles for urgent calls. You can also email us.