11 October

I woke briefly in the night at Ilanskaya but went straight back to sleep. Then I woke at dawn, about 0900 local time (but 1000 Beijing time, 0400 Moscow time) and rolled over for a few minutes before getting up, having a cup of tea and teddy bear biscuit (only four left, but still one packet of TimTams – I may save them for Turkey) with a piece of bread (and Vegemite). Unfortunately my plastic knife I got from an American motel has now snapped, so when I get some out, I end up with Vegemite over my fingers. However I may have converted Christopher to Vegemite, as after a taste on Thursday, he asked for some on Friday and may now have some each day (but he’s not up as I write this, so I don’t know about today).
After a morning trickle, and using a microfine facewasher as a towel, I went down and said hello to and Julie and we talked about what to see in Australia. I ran through a four week (five if including Tasmania) itinerary of Indian-Pacific from Sydney, then car from Perth, with perhaps a side excursion to Tasmania, via the coast (and Kalgoorlie).
After that the day went with looking out the window and taking the odd photo and movie, together with talking with Christopher and reading a book.
At 1555 (Moscow time, which I will use hereafter until I get to Turkey), we pulled into Novosibirsk. In some ways it was the most interesting part of the day (apart from the saga of “windows down, windows up” which we are playing with the car attendants and the English couple conniving to get their window washed!).
As we pulled into the suburbs, there was a couple by the tracks – the male was waving at the train while the young lady was, … ahem, adjusting her clothing. The mind boggles, but until our train came along the place was private as the suburban trains weren’t running out that far.
While at the station, Dan and Christopher decided to do some exploring away from the train and the younger attendant signalled to me that he needed the other two – except I didn’t know where they were. I looked out and finally saw Christopher’s cap and yelled out, then they ran along and just got on as we left.
We have now had our little bit of adventure. For me it was buying a sausage roll (hot dog in flaky pastry, at 40 py6) and a hamburger (which I ate cold, at 55 py6). Now it is just a matter of showing Alan and Julie pictures of Australia and perhaps a few episodes of Futurama with the boys and then I will be off to bed.