LAKE BAIKAL IN THE MIST

I arived in Irkutsk at 5am and took a 70klm drive to lake baikal.Incredible-like a sea but alas torrential rain and mist denied me much of a view-undaunted-stiff upper lip and all that I trudged through the rain, like on holidays as a kid at always rainy Blackpool,splashed by passig motorists. Rescued by a young woman who with broken but cheery English beckoned me into her fly blown but dry cafe.

It's all a bit like North Queensland-traditional Russian wooden shacks becoming dominated by the most bizarre resort buildings-towers, turrets security guards and dogs very Doncaster( Melbourne)style. My soviet hotel's guide suggested I didn't keep weapons in my room ( without special permission) didn't throw refuse out of the window nor remove the bedding-you get the picture