Category: Russia

Around-the-world expedition by Russia’s tall ships dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctic by the Bellingshausen-Lazarev expedition…

The year 2020 marks the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctic by the expedition led by Fabian Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev. In honour of this event, plans are now underway to organise an around-the-world expedition of the tall ships Pallada, Sedov and Krusenstern in 2019-2020.

The south polar expedition consisting of two sloops-of-war, the Vostok, commanded by Fabian Bellingshausen, and the Mirny, commanded by Mikhail Lazarev, left Kronstadt in 1819 and discovered the Antarctic on 28 January 1820. In 1821, the ships returned to Kronstadt. They stayed at sea for 751 days and covered over 92,000 km. In addition to the Antarctic, the expedition discovered 29 islands and one coral reef. The Russian sailors conducted scientific research, including oceanographic research. The signed directive endorses an around-the-world expedition of the tall ships Pallada, Sedov and Krusenstern, which belong to the Federal Agency for Fishery, in honour of the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctic by the Bellingshausen-Lazarev expedition.

The expedition is planned to start at the end of 2019 when the ships set sail from their respective ports: the Pallada from Vladivostok, the Sedov from Kronstadt and the Krusenstern from Kaliningrad. Thus, the expedition will consist of the Sedov and the Pallada sailing around the world and the Krusenstern taking a transatlantic voyage. Most of the places and ports the ships will call on were discovered by the Russians during their expeditions around the world.

Milestone events during the expedition will be the meetings of the three ships in the Atlantic Ocean on the Ushuaia (Argentina)-Cape Town (South Africa) leg, in the area of the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (the UK), where the Pallada’s itinerary will reach its nearest point to the Antarctic.The Pallada’s voyage will start in Vladivostok in November 2019 and last until June 2020. The ship’s goal is to approach the Antarctic as close as possible.

The Sedov’s voyage will start in Kronstadt in December 2019 and will be over in Kaliningrad in December 2020. This ship’s goal is to carry out a transatlantic passage to the appointed place and then sail together with the Pallada frigate, after which it will continue solo sailing. After the leg dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctic (as far as the port of Cape Town in South Africa) the ship will start the second stage of the expedition dedicated to the 75th anniversary of victory in WWII. The Sedov will sail across the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. Reaching the Atlantic Ocean through the Panama Canal, it will continue sailing with the aim of visiting places associated with the most important events of WWII.The Krusenstern’s voyage will start in Kaliningrad in December 2019 and will come to an end in September 2020. The ship’s task is to carry out a transatlantic passage to the appointed meeting place and then sail together with the Pallada. It will continue alone to the Black Sea and call on the Russian ports of Sevastopol, Novorossiysk, Yalta and Sochi. After completing the first stage of the expedition and meeting with the other two tall ships near the island of South Georgia (the UK), the Krusenstern will continue its voyage dedicated to the 75th anniversary of victory in WWII, calling on the ports of hero-cities, cities of military glory and European ports with memorials to those who perished in the war against Nazism.

Photo exhibitions dedicated to commemorative dates in Russian history will be arranged aboard the tall ships during the expedition. There will also be meetings with representatives of the foreign public and Russians living abroad.A special organising committee will oversee preparing for and carrying out of the expedition.

Source: News – The Russian Government

WtR

Throughout the Soviet world, Volga cars were seen as a high status symbols, used by party officials, the nomenclature, and security services. Also all Volga cars traditionally were used as taxi cabs, road police interceptors and ambulances. Today, Volga cars are seen as large and inexpensive family sedans. Cars under thisGAZ 21 name have been in production since 1956. There are 3 major generations: M21 (1956–70), M24 (1970–92, over two minor generations) and M31 (since 1982, in various versions).

GAZ-21: The GAZ M21 Volga, the first car to carry the Volga name, was developed in the early 1950s. Volga’s were built to last in the harsh climate and rough roads of the Soviet Union, with high ground clearance, rugged suspension, strong and forgiving engine, and rustproofing on a scale unheard of in the 1950s.

The Volga M21 was the most luxurious car any Soviet citizen was permitted to own.The car’s large size and tough construction made it popular in the police and taxi trades, and V8-engined versions were produced for the KGB secret service.Today, the M21 is considered a motoring icon with fans all over the world, including at least a handful in the USA .

GAZ 24: The GAZ-24 Volga entered limited production in 1968 and with a two year switch from M21 to M24, full-scale manufacturing began in 1970. GAZ-24 production continued with many modifications and improvements until 1992 with the M31 permanently replacing it. This Volga enjoyed moderate success in export markets, and is the best-selling model in GAZ history with over 600,000 made.

During the 1960s-80s the Volga was also assembled in Belgium, with the model M21 at first. This took place at SA Sobimpex, NV, in Brussels. The cars came to the harbour in Antwerp without engine and with the gearbox, disassembled, in the boot. At Sobimpex they initially built in a Perkins Four-99 diesel engine. Later on the Perkins diesel engine was succeeded by a Rover engine, which was succeeded for the GAZ-24 by an Indenor engine from Peugeot; the model now gained the designation “D”, for Diesel.

Almost all GAZ passenger cars introduced since the 1970s are based on the venerable GAZ-24 platform, right down to the central body shell. In the 1970s, Volga also introduced a convertible “24” model which had a limited, but very successful run.

Volga car production was always very limited, and about 90% of them were sold to different organizations right on the assembly line, so one had either to wait for years to by a Volga or to get a special permit. Mostly because of this, Volga cars were cared by their owners with great love.

Engines were: 2445 cc (150 c.i.) 95-100 hp I4 with 4-speed manual and 5530 cc (340 c.i.) 195 hp (145 kW) V8 with 3-speed auto, V8 version was produced in very limited numbers and used primary by the KGB and road police. Power drum brakes were standard, power steering was standard on V8 cars. The car was equipped with AM-FM transistorized 3-wave radio with power antenna, heater with defroster, rear window defogger, front and rear central armrests, front and rear seatbelts (since 1977), electric clocks, 2 windscreen washers, instrument panel safety padding, padded sun visors, door-to-door carpeting, trunk and glove compartment lights. Custom-built cars were equipped with air conditioner, tinted glass, custom interiors, power windows and additional chrome trim.

GAZ-24-10: (This is the model of one of our cars)
The GAZ-24-10 (an improved version of GAZ-24 with many changes in appearance, engine, suspension, brakes, etc.) was produced from 1985–92. An estate, the GAZ-24-12 Universal, was also produced. 24-10 was sold to private owners without any restrictions, though the price was still rather high. GAZ-24-10 is also known as the third generation of GAZ-24.

GAZ-31xx: The model numbers of 31xx series conform to a new model numbering system adopted in the USSR at the time.

GAZ-3102: A restyled, improved and more luxurious version of the GAZ-24 with 105 hp (78 kW) engine, the Volga GAZ-3102, arrived in 1982 and continues in production to the present (with new engines: ZMZ-406, 4 cyl., DOHC, 2,3l, 130 h.p.; or Steir 4 cyl. diesel; or Chrysler, 4 cyl., DOHC, 150 hp (112 kW), totally new interior and improved suspension.) Front disk brakes became standard, as well as 3.9:1 rear axle and many other improvements. Again, V8-powered limited production version existed, called GAZ-31013, engine and transmission remained the same with only minor modifications. Also, in mid-1990s there was a limited production version with Rover V8 3,9L engine. Before 1991, the Volga 3102 was not sold to private owners because it was built exclusively for government organizations. Since the early 1990s, 3102 is positioned by GAZ as a luxury saloon and costs slightly more than a standard Volga, and it is often mentioned that production quality of 3102 Volgas is slightly better than for other GAZ cars.

GAZ 31029: The Volga 31029, featuring more aerodynamic front bodywork, was produced from 1991–97. Its reputation is rather poor because of rust problems and poor quality. A 31029 was featured as a getaway car in the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye.

GAZ-3110: A more modern derivative of the GAZ-31029, the Volga GAZ-3110, arrived in 1997 and remained on sale until 2003. The estate version of the 3110, the Volga 310221 Universal, remains in production as of 2007. The saloon received a minor front restyle for the final year of production, while the estate continued with the 1997 front styling, with everything from the A-pillar back dating to 1972.

The 3110’s replacement, the Volga 31105, entered production in early 2004 and represents the most heavily restyled and modernized version of the GAZ-24 yet. In addition, even more heavily restyled GAZ-24 versions in both saloon and estate form are planned for the near future.

GAZ-3105: Besides the GAZ-24 derivatives, GAZ has also produced two truly modern Volga models in recent years. The all-wheel drive Volga 3105 luxury saloon powered by the all-new OHC V8 engine was produced in limited quantities (primarily for experimental use) from 1994–97, when production ceased after only a few hundred had been built.

GAZ-3111: The 3105 was succeeded by the rear-wheel drive Volga 3111 produced from 1998–2003. The 3111 was a modern luxury saloon targeted against used western cars on the ex-Soviet market. It featured GAZ M21-influenced retro styling cues and was developed in collaboration with US-based Venture Industries. Though very modern in appearance and packaging, the 3111 still used some parts from 1967-presented M24. 3111 production ceased after a short run caused by high production costs, and lackluster sales due in part to the car’s uncompetitive $8,800 base price.

GAZ-31105: The GAZ 31105 Volga entered production in 2004 as a replacement for the one year-only Mark II version of the 3110. The car features a more heavily revised front, with a grille and headlights inspired by the modern, but discontinued, 3111. New, more conventional looking, body-coloured door handles were also instituted. The 31105 is available only as a saloon, with the estate continuing with the old 3110 styling.

What is to become of the Volga?

GAZ, announced that production of Volga passenger cars would be phased out over a 2-year period, with production to end in 2007. GAZ stated that they would instead concentrate on their more profitable truck, bus, and commercial vehicle businesses. At the same time the announcement was made, GAZ also introduced the Volga 311055, a long wheelbase derivative of the 31105. However, in the summer of 2006, GAZ reversed its earlier decision, announcing that further investments would be made in upgrading the styling and technology of the Volga sedans, keeping them in production as “retro” or “historical” vehicles. In early 2006, GAZ signed a deal with Daimler Chrysler to acquire the tooling and intellectual property rights for the Dodge Stratus and Chrysler Sebring mid-size cars, which will enter production in Russia, but under GAZ Siber brand, not Volga. GAZ owns the car’s platform outright, allowing all-new future vehicles to be developed on the same underpinnings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volga_(automobile)
http://digilander.libero.it/cuoccimix/ENGLISH-automotorusse6(gaz).htm
http://www.quartzcity.net/2004/04/30/russian-retro-supercar/
http://www.tuningmag.net/?name=volga-gaz-m21-tuning
http://kylekeeton.com/2008/02/russia-volga-automobile-part-2.html

Here is Part 2!
Here is Part 3!

WtR

• That Morning Cup of Coffee… (windowstorussia.com)
• Russia: As The Winds Do Change! (Part 5) (windowstorussia.com)
• French Historian and Political Analyst Emanuel Todd Talks About Russia and Europe… (windowstorussia.com)
• Russia: Big Automobile Business Likes Russia! (windowstorussia.com)

Svetochka had the flue shot available at her work and it looks like it hit the target this year. She has (Knock on wood!) not gotten the flue. Me? That is a different story, the trip to Ukraine was a flue trip for me and someone I met was contagious, like a train load of people and a metro load of people and and and…

I am still home bound, but it is looking like I will be out and moving, albeit slowly, tomorrow…

40 C temps and super crybaby grouchiness! I am a bear, you know?

I am delicate, you know? 😉

Therefore, I will get back walking and exercising again. I feel like a bloated warthog. Instead of a fat bear…

But the popcorn has been good, while I watch the fruit loops in America loose their minds over no Trump/Russia collusion…

Knock Knock Russophobes…

Oh lordy be…

WtR

Italy considers joining China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which could reignite ancient trade route that was featured in classical works of art. The lands of Italy and China have been connected for more than two millennia, thanks to the ancient Silk Road trade route.

Trade between the two nations began to blossom on an unprecedented scale in the first century BC after the Roman Empire expanded its territory to the east and south. Citizens of the Roman Empire received luxuries such as silk ware from China, while Roman products like glassware were also exported to China.

The Silk Road was also central to cultural exchanges between the two nations.Evidence of the exchanges was shown in Beijing’s National Museum of China in an exhibition called “When the Silk Road Meets the Renaissance” last summer.

Exhibits from museums in China and Italy, as well as the rest of Europe, were arranged side by side for comparison, showing similarities and inspirations from both cultures. The most eye-catching was the wall painting of Flora, the goddess of flowers, standing at the entrance of the exhibition hall. It was unearthed in the ancient city of Pompeii, which was devastated by a volcano eruption in the first century.

The goddess wears a gown that appears to be silk, judging from the soft, fluffy pleats. This could be direct evidence for a silk trade between China and the Roman Empire. Apparently, the Romans had no idea how silk was produced.

Read the Rest: Silk Road on the cusp of coming back to life – Chinadaily.com.cn

WtR

Sveta said I have to do a recipe on Tort Napoleon it is a favorite of Russians at the holidays and according to Russians it is now more Russian than French. Other words it is a Russian recipe whether we like it or not…

Ingredients:
Use Puff Pastry for the crust layers. Just bake the puff pastry first and set aside until you combine all ingredients. Just bake them per instructions that come on the package. You need twelve crust layers to work with, plus one layer to crumble…

Now For the Custard Filling:
• 10 Egg Yolks
• 1 Egg White
• 2½ cups Sugar
• 6 tbsp Flour
• 6 cups Milk
• 1 tbsp Vanilla Essence
• 250 g Butter
• Finely crumbled Chocolates (Hershey chips are perfect)

How to make Napoleon Tort:
• Bake each layer (12 + 1) of puff pastry on a buttered baking pan in a preheated oven to 190 degrees C until golden brown for about 5-10 minutes.
• Remove and cool.
• Prepare the custard filling by heating milk in a large saucepan. Do not boil.
• Combine egg yolks, egg white, and sugar. Beat until creamy.
• Add flour and mix well.
• Pour the mixture into milk and stir until thick and creamy.
• Stir in vanilla and butter.
• Remove from heat and set aside to cool. Stir frequently to cool the mixture.
• Place cooked pastry layers in a platter and now pour an even layer of filling. Then lay another crust. Do this until all crusts (12) are piled on top each other with filling between all layers.
• Crumble last pastry layers on the top of the whole tort. Place a platter on top of the whole tort and put a book (Or small bag of rice!) for weight to crush the tort together. I use wax paper to keep things from sticking to the platters…
• Refrigerate for several hours.
• Remove and decorate with finely crumbled chocolates or liquid chocolate or shredded chocolate… (If using chocolate chips put them on before you press the tort. Then they will embed into the top and not roll off.)
• Serve chilled.

I promise you that this desert will create a stir at a family get together. It is rich and delicious…

It actually is better if you wait until the next day to eat it because all the flavors soak into the crusts overnight in the refrigerator. You do not have to crush the tort but I feel that it gives the tort a better look. So go ahead and make a tantalizing desert for the family of friends and they will think you are the best cook in the world after they get a taste of this delicious tort…

WtR

PS: Sveta –  Now we have our Napoleon Tort…

How about a delicious Russian dessert?

Of course all Russian desserts are delicious. This one is no exception and will tantalize the family every time you make them…

Ingredients:

3 or 4 Apples, peeled, cored and finely diced – according to size.
2 tbsp real lemon juice
2 tbsp real orange juice
2 tbsp finely grated orange or use the lemon rind or use both
100g/4oz sugar
2 whole Eggs, whipped
50g/3oz fine chopped white breadcrumbs
Water for boiling
Powdered Sugar for topping

Instructions:

1. Place all the ingredients (apart from the water and powdered sugar) in a mixing bowl and mix well. Cover with cling-wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes…

2. After chilling, remove from refrigerator and form into small balls about the size of a large walnut…

3. Bring a large pan of lightly (pinch) salted water to help the boil, reduce the heat so the water is bubbling steadily not boiling vigorously, then drop the apple balls into the water, cover and cook for 15-20 minutes…

4. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen towel paper…

To serve – cool dry and dust with powdered sugar. Can also be served with a fruit syrup poured over top or just dip them in it and eat…

WtR

Damn, it was so much easier for the coterie to “cock and bull” to the collective peasants, when we only had telecast  analog networks, with Walter Cronkite, David Brinkley, Dan Rather, Howard K. Smith, and etc. etc….and everyone had antenna on their roofs covering their humble abodes and had to beat the side of the TV to get the picture to straighten out…

Grab that TV dinner and a TV tray…

Tell the kid to change the channel….and or get a beer…

Turn the antenna to get a better signal….and or the kid holds the antenna…

There a picture!

The USSR did what?

WtR

Better watch them Russia…

Greenpeace is a snake in the grass…

WtR

https://ярче.рф/

Called: Ярче – Yarche – Brighter…

Just some prices. ($1 = 64 rubles today…) Easy Peasy: if it is under 64 rubles it is under a dollar, I still mentally dollar everything, yet I also automatically ruble it at the same time. It become easy to do after 13 years… 🙂

You may see some things that you know, as per brand….I grab their flyer and plan my shopping. Good quality, good prices and the help is usually decent. It is a good company…

Like the chicken is 119.89 rubles a kilo: That is $1.87 a kilo which is 2.20462 lbs per kilo and that means: 85 cents a pound in American measurements. I can find better prices for meats at another store, but just used it as an example for easy conversion….I usually hit three stores to buy everything at a good price…

I would go shopping today, but I have a bad sore throat and Svetochka will get grouchy with me if I go and run around…

Bear feel kinda bad today…

WtR

The cathedral was commissioned by Ivan IV (also known as Ivan the Terrible) Moscow to commemorate the capture of the Khanate of Kazan. In 1588 Tsar Fedor Ivanovich had a chapel added on the eastern side above the grave of Basil Fool for Christ (yurodivy Vassily Blazhenny), a Russian Orthodox saint after whom the cathedral was popularly named.

Saint Basil’s is located at the southeast end of Red Square, just across from the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin. Not particularly large, it consists of nine chapels built on a single foundation. The cathedral’s design follows that of contemporary tented churches, notably those of Ascension in Kolomenskoye (1530) and of St John the Baptist’s Decapitation in Dyakovo (1547).

The interior of the cathedral is a collection of separate chapels, each filled with beautiful icons, medieval painted walls, and varying artwork on the top inside of the domes. The feeling is intimate and varied, in contrast to Western cathedrals which usually consist of a massive nave with one artistic style.

V. Columns of Erosion in the Komi Republic.
Rock pillars (it is a geological monument on a Man-pupu-ner mountain in Troitsko-Pecherskiy region of the republic of Komi. The height of the pillars varies from 30 to 42 meters. The origin of these pillars is unknown). Man-pupu-ner is a mysterious site in the northern Ural mountains, made out of seven rock towers bursting out of the flat plateau, also known as the “7 strong men“. Man-pupu-ner is a very popular attraction in Russia. Their height and abnormal shapes make the top of these rock giants inaccessible even to experienced rock-climbers. Man-pupu-ner is very hard to reach, it lies in a very harsh environment, but once there you’ll be able to enjoy a view unique in the whole world.
People who have visited this incredible site, say they have no cravings for water, food or rest, they just want to contemplate the 30-80 meter rock towers, where natives say spirits used to gather in ancient times.

VI. Mamayev Kurgan is a dominant height overlooking the city of Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) in southern Russia. The name in Russian means “tumulus of Mamai”. The Mamayev Kurgan features a memorial complex commemorating the Battle of Stalingrad (August 1942 to February 1943). The battle was a decisive Soviet victory over Axis forces on the Eastern front of World War II and arguably the bloodiest battle in human history. At the time of its installation in 1967 the statue of the Mother Motherland formed the largest free-standing sculpture in the world (82 meters from the feet to the tip of the 27 meter sword).

VII. Mount Elbrus is a mountain located in the western Caucasus mountain range, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia, near the border of Georgia, in the northern Iranian plateau. A strato-volcano that has lain dormant for about 2,000 years, it is the highest mountain in the Caucasus. Mt. Elbrus (west summit) stands at 5,642 meters (18,510 ft) and can be considered to be the highest mountain in Europe; it is also the highest point of Russia. The east summit is slightly lower: 5,621 meters (18,442 ft).

Best wishes,
Svetochka