Well spent the morning in the Russian Embassy again - but for the last time as Claire finally got her visa, granted it is only a transit one for 11 days, and that unfortunately means she missed out on St Petersberg, but it is better than all the other options!! Was a massive relief and with the feeling of sickness subsiding we made our way to have some lunch. Had rice noodle with beef, like Pho in Vietnam - we needed a pho bib! Claire and i decided to visit some Hutongs - traditional small streets or houses and a few building of note around the area. The Hutongs were miraculously clean and tidy, they only smelt near the communal toilets and they were mostly deserted. It brought us out near a big lake, and even though it was frozen, yes thats frozen there were older people swimming in it!! We couldnt believe it and stood and watched for a while, made us feel cold! Saw the Drum and Bell Towers, both ancient structures, once used in ceramony and day to day time telling, not just museums. Had a look around some shops and generally took it easy.

Went back to the hotel and did some washing, it was a token operated machine and Claire and i filled it between us. We were all meeting Tracy at 6 to go out for a meal.

Tracy took us to a traditional restaurant serving Hotpot. We had a small brazier type contraption in the middle of the table with a light (water/broth) side and a chilli side to it and then we put the things we ordered in there to cook. We had cabbage and beef and lamb and mushrooms and potato and lotus root, it was all lovely dipped in a brown 'bean' sauce. Was really full when we had finished!

Everyone wanted to go to a bar and we ended up in a small one just around the corner of the hotel, it was good, I beat Claire at phoosball and then a chinese lady thrashed me at pool! But it was good, had a couple of drinks to help me sleep, went back to hotel and did manage to sleep!!!