Russian Trip

EASTER HOLIDAYS, 1965

Party consisted of : —Barker, Bowie, Disney, Dixon, Gray, McKay, Rank, Reeves, Skerret, Sugar, Summers-Smith.

Master-in-Charge: —Mr. Austin.

Total Mileage: —3,840 miles.

Tuesday, 6th to Thursday, 8th.

Eleven excited Peterites, under the watchful eye of Mr. Austin, assembled at Victoria station, in readiness for the first school-organised trip behind the iron curtain; last minute purchases were made, travellers' cheques secured and final good-byes bidden. The route : London-DoverOstende-Cologne-Berlin-Moscow (with change of trains at Cologne and Berlin) became not a little tedious on the third day of travel through the drab expanses of Northern Russia; however, the few hours in West Berlin proved beneficial for recovering a little self-composure and sightseeing— the celebrated wall, and in particular the Brandenburg gate, "checkpointCharlie" and Hitler's bunker, attracting most attention. A general sigh of relief issued forth when at long last Moscow Central Station came into view, and, after filling yet another form, the party was only too willing to go to bed.

Friday, 9th.

A 'bus tour introduced the party to the city and it was not long before the coach was filled with the gentle purr of cine-cameras and the staccato click of numerous colour cameras; the main landmarks seen were the Kremlin, Lenin's Tomb, the University, the Bolshoi Ballet Theatre, St. Basil's Cathedral and the large departmental store "Gum". A free afternoon allowed the party to split up and explore the capital and soon one member was already sporting a very chic fur hat.

Saturday, 10th.

The party was taken around the Kremlin, but—as there was a meeting in progress, the visit was somewhat curtailed. However, there was enough time to explore Ivan the Terrible's private chapel, with its golden cupolas, and the Kremlin Museum; the climax of the stay in Moscow was undoubtedly the visit to Lenin's Mausoleum. Unusually solemn-faced, the party filed slowly past Lenin's body (displayed in an all-glass showcase) and re-emerged into daylight favourably impressed

Sunday, 11th.

It was at the Exhibition of Economic Achievements, and its 5,000 exhibits, that the party was unexpectedly interviewed by a reporter from the Soviet News Agency, Tass; in answer to a series of probing questions about the party's opinions of Moscow and the Russian achievements in general, the opportunity of expounding St. Peter's claim to be the oldest Public School in great Britain was not missed. After being shown the Space and Industrial sections, the party visited one of Moscow's leading 'Pioneer Palaces"—a far bigger edition of the English youth club. Its 700 units offer facilities for every kind of pastime, hobby or sport and each palace is well attended by school children of all ages. 13

Monday, 12th.

The famous Moscow University and a secondary school were visited on the last full day in the capital; the former, founded in 1775, now accommodates 32,000 students, placing its library of five million books continually at their disposal. Although promised a look around a laboratory, the scientifically-minded members of the party were especially disappointed when this offer did not materialize. However the warm reception at the School more than compensated for this omission and all were reluctant to have to leave such friendly company to be on time for the Ballet "Snow Maiden", which was superbly performed.

Tuesday, 13th.

After a leisurely morning reading papers in the British Embassy, the party boarded a TU104 jet of the Russian Airfleet bound for Leningrad. After a safe flight, the party had soon settled down in the new hotel.

Wednesday, 14th.

As in Moscow, the party was taken on a sightseeing tour of the town by 'bus; cameras were most used on the elegant Admiralty Spire—positioned at one end of the "Oxford Street" of Leningrad—the Nevski Prospect, St. Isaac's Cathedral and Square, Insurrection Square, the Peter and Paul fortress, the cruiser "Aurora"—which fired the first shot of the Revolution, and the gigantic Sports Stadium. A secondary school adopted the party and put on a most enjoyable film show in the evening.

Thursday, 15th

The party set off for a country drive with the object of visiting the "Pavlov Palace"; The Palace was originally built in 1703 as a country residence for Prince Paul, who later succeeded his mother, Catherine, to the Czarship. After being badly damaged in World War II by the German blockade of Leningrad, the Palace has been admirably restored. An International Pleasure Party at the party's secondary school was extremely entertaining; although the programme was almost solely propagandist, the standard of English spoken was remarkably high and wholly commendable. The evening meal was memorable for the presentation to Mr. Austin of a fully operational Samovar in appreciation of the time and energy he had spent in organising the trip.

Friday, 16th.

A free morning was taken up with buying gifts, fur hats, etc; a visit to the Hermitage Palace was well worth it for the fine examples of paintings by Rembrandt, Renoir, Van Gogh and Damas. Late purchases were made, and spare kopecs used up before the party went to the magnificent ballet: "The Seven Beauties".

Saturday, 17th to Wednesday, 21st.

After packing and making all the necessary preparations for departure, the party visited the beautiful fortress of Peter and Paul and St. Isaac's Cathedral, whose great pendulum caused the most interest. The Customs did not cause any trouble and the Turbo-electric steam ship "Boltika" duly set sail at 8.00 p.m.