This has been our longest train journey yet between Ekaterinburg and Irkutsk at nearly 2.5 days. It raced past though, especially as I was reading Ewan and Charley's Long Way Round. I am such a convert, as they visited Mongolia and parts of Russia and I could really relate to a lot of things they say. We shared our cabin with an old-ish Russian guy who kept himself to himself a lot of the time. On the last night on the train however we were joined by a Norwegian guy who was a bit of an idiot. He came out with some obsurd statements such as: 'The Earth is disappointing' and 'The best place on Earth is Cyberspace'. We cracked open the vodka and I wasn't drinking at first as I was writing my journal but our room-mate who joined us part of the way through the evening (after being in the restaurant carriage) went and cleaned a cup for me and then shared all his food amongst us. He was so generous, unlike the Norwegian who ate all our food and offered us none of his Vodka! He also spilt fish all over my bed so as most of you know I can't really stand the stuff I was not best pleased!

In Irkutsk we were met by our guide who took us Listvyanka, the village we have stayed in for the past 3 days. I had better be brief now as my time is running out, but it has been an amazing stay! There was no running water in the village at all (so no proper toilets or showers) we had a long drop toilet and a traditional Russian Banya which is much like a sauna. Lake Baikal is beautiful and huge and we got some amazing views from a point at which we had to get a ski lift to. Also we went quad biking and sam and I got stuck in a stream that was frozen over and then cracked! Karl filmed it though so you will be able to see on our return! Very amusing! Also our host Olga cooked the most amazing food I am sad to leave Russia as their cuisine is amazing.

Spent the day in Irkutsk today but not really done anything to note. Now off to Mongolia this evening for a few days before heading to Beijing and the end of the trans-siberian tour.

Love to all....keep the messages coming.....missing you all.

Will next be online in Beijing.

Clem xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx