We've finally made it to proper Russia. Siberia was at it's bleakest when we arrived in Irkutsk...just two degrees, though as a treat, not raining. Irkutsk is the sort of town that you could quite happily chill out in if it wasn't for the fact that it's too chilly. A walk along the riverfront with a brisk north wind was enough to give the proverbials on the brass monkey a lot of movement. And this was a drop in temperature from twenty-five degrees the day before. With a half day sightseeing under our belt, we moved on to Olkhon Island - a kind of Brits abroad holiday (Vibeke was an honorary Brit for three days) involving vodka, beers, macho activities and some skinny dipping. Having convinced Vibeke, Steve, Dave, Khavita, Lucy & Kev that a homestay
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