A stroll in the Urals in winter
Take a beat up old ex-military four-wheel-drive mini bus with seven dogs for 17 miles West back into Europe, then plunge through snow packed roads and forest tracks for 7 miles North; de-bus and wait for dogs to be harnessed to sleigh. Get into sleigh - well one of us had to stand, steer, push and badger it (photo 1); follow the 4wd gruellingly slowly up rises, thrillingly fast down hill for about and hour. We have reached the start of the stroll. While the huskies are fed on great bones and the doghandler lights a fire in the snow covered forest, the strollers are invited to climb a tree covered deeply snowy but small mountain (photo 2); returning to the fire for vodka and sausages hot from the grill (photo 3) completes a fair day's stroll in minus 5C (3/4 boots, preferably waterproof). - Feb 2009.
