I left in August - thinking I'd be back in late September - I went back to care for Mum - as she was having two cataract ops and wouldn't be allowed to drive for 2 months - one op at a time.
There followed a complication or two - now happily passed and resolved and I planned for SC to come to the UK - but her first try at a visa was refused - the matter is as yet unresolved...
So, the first opportunity I got ...I was on the plane ..until the Turkish charter from Cyprus to Turkey and onward to Krasnodar was 'cancelled'
Then I thought I'd go via Budapest to Krasnodar - but the flight arrived at 0130 and I'd have a 6 hour car / 8 hour train journey - I'd arrive 'dead'..
Normally, I fly via Istanbul - but I didn't fancy the chances of scheduled flights being cancelled - due to the daily racking up of who's 'baddest ' between Russia and Turkey..
Finally, I flew back to Britain and left via Manchester to Brussels, Moscow and Sochi - I can recommend Brussels Airways as a good Hub and onward connection
I had a five hour wait at DME - Domodedova - but cleared passport control in 5 minutes - There was no queue - as the flight was quite empty.
I was flying on with Aeroflot - two hour flight - 20GBP / 30 USD - with 23 kgs hold limit and 10kg cabin - and found the Coffee Haus [ cafe ] -it is at the back of most restaurants before going through check-in - between intl arrivals and departures on the upper level - worth checking out.
I asked for a table with an electric point close by and ordered a tea - which was a combination of orange juice and seaweed .... sounded awful - but it felt like I was drinking healthy :chuckle:
I arrived in Sochi at 2250 - 15 mins early and was first off the plane - 5 mins later I had my bags and entered the arrivals hall with the video running ..... to find SC wasn't there .......
I called and she was still driving - she had calculated that I's be 30 / 40 minutes after 2305 :chuckle:
I met her in the car park and we were in and out so fast - there was nought to pay.
Arrived home 25 minutes later - to find our neighbours in their PJs / dressing gowns to greet me .... We had tea and I opened some Marks and Spencers Dark Chocolate sweets/ candies - and we chatted for another 30 minutes...
I started to fall asleep and the neighbours too the hint - love 'em - and we crashed...
The dog was pleased with his new squeaky toy and I allowed SC to view one pressie - before we closed our eyes....
The next day was wake up late - register at the post office - the lady knows us, now and it took 15 minutes and 450 Roubles - more than Markje and Sparky114 pay - but we do nothing except had over our passports and SC signs that I am living at her address.
A trip to the Market - which was quiet- not summer season - and early to bed...
Day 2 - the sun is out - a visit to my fav Georgian Restaurant by the sea - to buy Hatapuri - a better Pizza - and more visitors to welcome me back ..
Day 3 - The sun is going to be out all day - we go for along walk - meeting several people we know along the way...We end up having coffee by the port in the Britaniya - sort of appropriate - and SC and her friend Arina go to the bank to negotiate a better rate for credit cards for the next year... down from 29 percent to 14... They clear them - every month - but the old rate was scary
Arina has had a Baileys and SC - NOTHING - She rarely drinks in cafes - I had a double Expresso..
I 'made' this video in the port - as I love yachts - and I assure you that only Arina had drunk any alcohol ...you'll note most passers by don't blink an eye lid
We had a GREAT day and fun looking at the photos....
God, I missed all this..
VIDEO 
