On to Moscow! I managed to get tickets to Moscow! It couldn't have been easier. I
wrote down the tickets I needed in Russian (copied from my guidebook),
handed it in at the booth at the station, and 2 minutes later I had my
ticket.

Have also spent a couple of days at the deepest, oldest lake in the
world. Wasn't able to do any Scuba diving but stayed in a lovely old
fashioned guest house (no running water, toilets in the yard) for 3
pounds (600 yen) a night. Met lots of Finnish people who all spoke
excellent English and some Russian, and went to a sauna (85 deg C) and
followed that with a dip in the lake (12 deg C).

Will email once I get to Moscow (Monday morning)  ¶ 7:37:00 am