My last Sunday in Atyrau

So much has been happening to me recently and none of it recorded. Been in Atyrau works, business trip to Finland and Estonia and UK.
Well today Sunday, 17th August, is my last Sunday in Atyrau. Moving back to work in Thailand at the end of next month. Next Sunday early morning sees me leaving on a plane to UK. Spend a week with family over there then off to Seychelles to walk Sarah down the isle for her wedding to Fed on the 20th.  Still to write the speech. Any suggestions welcome.

So today the plan was a walk to the coffee shop followed by a bit of last minute shopping. Only buying stuff to keep me going for the rest of the week !
The walk was hardly a major event but I needed to get out for a while. I walked along the river side from out Apartment to the coffee shop.  Met up with another Alan, incidentally there are about 8 of them working in my office ! Both Alan, (the other Alan and I had a lot of cakes to choose from). Had a fabulous slice of cake and tea. Cake was thousands of calories.... contained blueberrys, cream and lots of lovely sweet stuff.

Then having enjoyed that and prior to feeling guilty about it I wondered off to the market for my last Atyrau shopping and back home. Hardly an earth shattering day but more a cool relaxed time taking in the better parts of Atyrua.  Temperature around 35 Deg... Little wind so a few hours walking in the more shaded parts was enough! Coming back along the river side was excellent. The aircon in the apartment was a very welcome thing indeed !
There were few people around, probably because it was hot and around midday, but I did manager to capture a shot of a local boat taking a few tourists for a ride up river. And given my recent blogging record though I should add in some pictures !

 

Photos

My last post I mentioned I had a few pictures of Atyrau in the sunshine. Well see below. It’s interesting how the place changes. From winter with little light, cold winds and everyone covered up in fur coats etc to summer when everyone is out in T shirts and shorts. Skate boards, roller blades etc being used all along the river banks.  Kids walking around and of course thousands of mobile phones on display as everyone walks along with heads bend down reading!!!

The river is in full flow and the surface indicates a strong current. Bit of debris from further up, few branches and bits of wood, but a noticeable lack of refuse. No plastic bottles and flotsam. In fact walking around the town every where is clear. Dusty yes but clean. Main rubbish seems to be broken bottles and cigarette butts. I understand there is a strongly enforced law regarding littering. And it is taken very seriously. Good thing too. Clearly it works.

We moved apartments last week which seemed like a really good idea at the time. We had been (we being the team in the Ardager Apartments) had been asked to move. I took this implied either  move early and you get a choice of new apartment or later when your told to move you will get whichever apartment is available. We have a view of the river and all the support facilities, maid service laundry etc. No complaints. Except the boiler for hot water, it had not worked for 2 days.  Cold showers are cold here!!!! .  In addition there are several excellent shops around and a small market selling fresh veg. I say seems a good idea at the time. Saturday and Sunday no hot water and a large fridge which makes a lot of noise but does not make anything in it cooler….

Saturday saw us going to an office “family day out” at a local hotel. It was really for the kids and parents but certainly beat going to work.  There was a disco with some “Gangland” style presenter to get the kids up and dancing. For the adults there was a buffet and open bar for a cold beer etc. However it was 36degrees so not a good idea to drink in the sun. Most if not all were very careful in this regard. 

Atyrau Down to -28 Deg C

It’s been cold but you know what you adjust. Now find myself wearing legging and an additional vest etc. Also getting used to being well insulated. Makes life comfortable. A Russian chap in the office told me we have an expression “ its not bad weather but bad clothing that makes you feel cold” And he’s 100% right.

It’s been a bit of “groundhog day” day in day out, over the last few weeks. One day same as the next. Having Wanna here has made a major difference. Going home at lunchtime and so forth really breaks up the days. Also having become a Granddad has been a major milestone. 

But day to day stuff seems to consist of work and then sleep followed by the new day and more work and  then….  Well you know the rest..it repeats…

This weekend we plan to have a decent walk round different parts of  town as temperatures are forecast to rise to – 4Deg C. Makes for a comfortable and good temperature if you keep moving. And there is a lot t see if you make the effort. Photos to follow.

The Team L to R, Stephen, Wanna and Peter

Dressed ready for the cold....

Frozen River Middle of Atyrau