Russia, land of trees

10th September - on the train somewhere south of the Urals.

Today I was woken by music that sounded much like the theme music of Shadow of the Beast II. I looked out of the window half expecting airships and pink skies, but was faced with a dirty old train yard full of rusty metal.

The view from my window is that of relentless combination of rain and conifers. Occasioanlly small patches have been felled, but mostly they seem to press up against the side of the train in a most claustophobic manner.

Sometimes we pass small settlements, although there is seldom sight of locals and they have an eerie quality in this half light.