The Joys of Spring

Russians welcome with equal enthusiasm, both the first signs of spring and the first snows of winter!
The icy world of the last several months has given way to new signs of life as the birds return with cheerful spring songs and green shoots appear on the sleeping trees. Ice skates, skis and sleds have been stored for another day and are replaced with roller blades and bikes and summery things. It seems like it was all a dream from which I have awoken.


I have finally put away my heavy brown winter coat. 
Spring is a time cheerier attire, don't you think!

 What could be a more fitting way to celebrate spring than a visit to Kolomenskoye! The chimes of the bells in the garden and from the 16th-Century bell tower echoed through the trees and down to the Moskva River as many strolled,picnicked and enjoyed a lovely but cool 7 to 9 degree spring day.

In the 16th-Century Kolomenskoe was a favourite country estate of the Czars. The oldest Church was constructed in 1532-the Church of the Ascension.It was built to celebrate the birth of Ivan the Terrible.It was one of the first churches to be built in stone in Russia.

Peter the Great's Cabin. It was moved here from Archangel in the north of Russia in 1934. It was a simple log cabin built for Peter the Great in1702 from which he supervised the construction of Novodinsk fortress in 1702 and the Russian fleet at Arkhangelsk.

The extensive apple orchards were just beginning to come to life. In a few weeks they will be a mass of white flowers. 
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/56/Apple_orchards_in_Kolomenskoye_06.JPG

Apple orchards

Kazan Church completed in 1650

Bell Tower of the Church of St George

A magnificent Wooden Palace was constructed here in 1667-1671.
that was demolished in the 18th-Century which Diplomats of the time described as the 8th wonder of the world. Fortunately a model was made and from this the reconstruction was fashioned. This beautiful structure with barrel shaped roofs and carved ornamentation and onion domes and spires is like a fairytale castle inside and out.

http://fotki.yandex.ru/users/repbyf49/view/190404?page=0

 The lavishly decorated interior rooms contain a selection of origional and reproduction pieces. The Pech-old russian stove was a functional necessity in the past. It was decorated with lavish ceramic tile work in wealthier circumstances like the ones in this palace.

http://lastochka-fromrussiawithlove.blogspot.com/2009/03/traditional-russian-stove-pech.html

This beautifully constructed cabinet was in The Czars study.

The Czarina's room.

The wooden gate tower was brought here from the St Nicholas Monastery at Karelia in 1932. It was built in 1692 from interlocking sections without using nails.

A grove of 600 year old Oak trees

Supervising the tree planting

Russian Easter

Easter in Russia. The bells are ringing. Many special foods are being prepared. Eggs are being decorated.

Early April in Moscow.

Today we visited a different area of town. Old and New Abat Streets in Moscow. The thaw is happening at a pace now , some ice blocks still in the river though. It was good to be able to walk in the city without ice underfoot, although somewhat drab when the trees have not yet dressed in their new spring greens.

Pushkin and his wife (Russian Poet)

Parliament building

An Interesting building

Peter conversing with Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson

Architecture of the Starlin era

Old Russian car ? Lada

Outside a theater

Russian singer

Street vendors

Lineup of the usual suspects including Marilyn Munroe!

Strange things you meet in the street.

Strange people in the street too

This is what happens when you are a statue.

Great street brooms made of sticks.