Reflections

Dutch House

This is so called 'Dutch House' in Kuskovo estate.

A garden

French garden and a pavilion in Kuskovo estate.

More photos from Kuskovo.

The Birdhouse

Longing for the sun

Well, to tell you the truth, we finally got some sunshine today.

More photos on my extension site.

Grotto

This is so called Grotto - a rather small pavilion residing by tiny pond in Kuskovo estate. Build in 1756-1761, it was used for exqisite entertainments and delicate rest during hot summer days. Decorated with real shells, mirrows and sea stones, the Grotto imitates a natural cave providing pleasures for body and mind.

In 1939 Kuskovo was turned into Ceramics Museum, and today you can see beuatiful pieces of china ware and figurines exhibited in the Grotto pavolion.

By the way, the weather is nasty in Moscow: the temperature is only +6C and it's been raining since Wednesday. Still waiting for the summer...

Apollo

So I promissed to tell you more about Kuskovo. Here you are.

Kuskovo was built in XVIII century as a summer residence of counts Sheremetev. Consisted of numerous 'pleasures and delights', it was intended for luxurious receptions and large theatrical feasts. The estate is well known both for magnificent specimens of architecture (such as Palace, Grotto or Greenhouse) and regular French park with beautiful ponds, pavilions and marble statues.
One of the statues - Apollo - you can see in this picture, the building on the background is the Greenhouse.

To be continued...

Kuskovo

Before revolution of 1917 Kuskovo was an estate owned by famous count Sheremetev, later it was turned into museum. There is also a beautiful park adjoining the estate, vast and quiet.
I'll tell you more about Kuskovo tomorrow.

Jetfighters against the sun

I'm really busy searching for a job lately so I can't even post my photos on a daily basis! Sorry about that. By the way, I removed this trouble-making word verification so you're most welcome to leave your comments.

Filling a steam-engine

This is a real steam-engine running on coil and water. I captured it as it was being filled with water (which later would get heated and transformed into steam to operate the engine). There are only few such water-filling systems left in Moscow so engines come to this station nearly daily to get 'watered'.

At last I had good luck so I could catch the steam-engine!
For closer view visit my extension site.

Nikitskaya St.

If you take a look in any Conservatory window facing Nikitskaya St. (very center of the city), you'd be able to see comething similar.

You may see another version on my extension site.

A concert

I went for a concert to Moscow Conservatory, and now is the time to show you some photos. These were the performers.

Blooming wilderness

City park

This is a pond in Timiryazevsky park which is in the north part of the city.

Window

This is a window in Moscow conservatory building.

Green&pink (texture)

More photos on my extension site.

Hermitage Garden in bloom

Heart

Modern art in Hermitage Garden.

Listening

Last week I went to Moscow Conservatory of Music for a concert and was fascinated with my fellow-listeners. This old lady was so absorbed with performance that I couldn't help taking her photo (sorry about some blurring, I couldn't use the flash).

Victory Day

Today Russia celebrates 63rd anniversary of great victory in World War II. There was a tremendous military parade in Moscow, and I took few photos of its researsal in Tverskaya St. The street was crowded with armed vehicles! I don't understand why less numbers couldn't be used, but it seems that the parade was supposed to raise a 'national idea'.

I'm glad that officials don't forget Vistory Day and do some things (at least, pretend to) for veterans. But I'm bitterly sorry that today's Russia seems to have nothing else to be proud of but 60 years old victory.

Do remember about that war. But may you and your family never have to fight in any war at all.

P.S. More photos on my extension site.

It may look like a fine summer day but don't be mistaken - it's bitterly cold in Moscow nowadays. Cold spells finally reached us, and we had freezing temperatures last night. Hopefully, it won't last long.

P.S. Another picture on my extension site.

Rehearsal

There will be a military parade across Red Square on May, 9th. Hundreds fighting vehicles and aircrafts are to be demonstrated.

I caught this group of jets as they were rehearsing their perfomance a few days back. Air participats of the parade (this group was not the only one) went so low that people were frightened. Impressive but scaring show when it happen just above the neighbourhood.

Tulips are in full bloom now.
See another picture on my extension site.

This apple tree is about to bloom.

Black Sunday

Remember, last year I told you about so called 'black' Saturdays and Sundays? Well, today we have another case of that due to public holidays for 1st of May. Well, these changes don't affect those who don't have to go to work - like this group of elderly people having rest in Hermitage Garden on a beautiful spring day.

Fontain in Hermitage Garden

Bird-cherry in bloom

May is here, so there is a series of blooming photos to come. Today I'll show you a picture of bird-cherry blossom. The weatherlore states that days become significantly colder as bird-cherry trees burst into bloom. There is even a special name for that decade of nasty weather in May after great summer-like days - 'bird-cherry cold spell'. Thankfully, this year is unusual for the weather is still warm and nice.

Theme Day: Numbers

Today is the Theme Day, and here is the story behind my picture.
There is a peculiar way of naming in Russia: to number streets with same title (as a rule, this 'tradition' is applied to small streets and alleys). For example, there is Rose St., the next parallel street would be 2nd Rose St., the next one - 3rd Rose St. and so on.
On the other hand, streets are often named after holidays, so you can find St. of March, 8h or St. of May, 1st.
So the photo you see present a plate for the house number 3 on 4th St. of March, 8h. Too many numbers in one place!


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