Tempted as I was I didnt try the Wifi out, this sign is in Nova metropolis, outside the fire station about 100km from anywhere with more than two houses and a shop. I did however thankfully have some soup here. I expect Solyanka and Plov will be my staple diet until China bow. This old dear was quite amused at me trying to decipher the menu.

It had been a few nights since I had slept well and my legs and arse were really feeling it so this morning I decided to stay a second day here. Last night was fun, I met a Norwegian couple, we chatted drank some wine and it was thoroughly refreshing to be talking with educated like minded people, I liked them both very much, especially as they were quite different from each other.

Dinner was pretty good too, pasta and various inventive cheap but tasty sauces. The group of bird watchers who were already here were having a BBQ, but didnt seem that interested in inviting me, so I cooked in the kitchen. They then woke me at 5am not they were not that noisy, but they woke me, so after applying earplugs it was 10:30 before I was making breakfast!

And it was at this point I decided to stay another day, so after breakfast I went back to bed and listened to an installment of the “The Vampire Lestat” and dosed until 14:00, when I headed into town.

Haapsalu is a nice, quiet place, not much happening with a big castle in the center of the old town and a couple of nice walks to go. There are places where they will wrap you in mud and all that shenanigans, which I had considered as it may have helped my ulna problem and clear the definite complaints from my quadriceps but I just didnt have time to look at the prices. There was one place that gave two treatments and overnight B&B for 850EEK – not bad at all, but I had no time to call and book before hand.

The place I did stay was great as was the owner, she spoke impeckable English which she said was down to her teacher, what a diferance you can make to someones life if your are a competant teacher and are motivated. Uday Kumar is an example, he has a school where he teaches the untouchables on one side of the road and the touchables on the other. Sadly the teachers he has been allotted do not have or share his passion and I fear that when he retires in a couple of years the school will dwindle. He did not mention this but it was blatantly apparent in the manner and behaviour of most of his staff. Pictures, story and newspaper stuff on india4winter and hopefully integrated here sometime soon.