Our Poor Feet

Laurie did not bring his pedometer but I think we would have set a new record today. It was supposed to be a day of recuperation from the journey yesterday. Of course our enthusiasm got the better of us. First we located the subway entrance, several blocks away and we got our very reasonably priced Troika cards for transportation on the bus, tram and subway for 7 days. Then we made good use of it.

Cruise boat from Gorky park

The subway system is very extensive and easy to navigate. It reminded us of the London Tube without feeling the need to caution people to constantly "Mind the gap." We started by visiting Gorky Park and walking its paved walkways along the Moscow River and formal gardens. As with every other urban park, the place was crowded with local families, strolling people on dates, bike riders and  rollerbladers.

Walking across the Krymskly Bridge

This afternoon we wanted to catch the England vs Panama game and thought we might see the Fan Zone at the same time. This required another set of subway rides and a great deal of walking. The Fan Zone is enormous so it didn't feel very crowded, surprising to us as this is Sunday and all.


I got interrogated by security going into the Fan Zone. You might think that an old lady (or as my grandsons would say an old, old, OLD lady) would be the last  person to be scrutinized in the world of drunken Football yobs. But when you look around such a gathering the overwhelming majority are young men. Laurie and I are definitely the oldest people in any World Cup situation. I guess from the perspective of security why would I be at such an event unless it was to smuggle in explosives in my cell phone or camera!

Army are everywhere, here with truncheons, groundsheets and packed lunches.

We staggered back to the hotel before the end of the England vs Panama blow-out. We were too tired to go anywhere further than the basement for the dinner smorgasbord, filling but not splendid.