 | Home > My Defender > Defender Td5 90. From Russia with love! |
 
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| Bingo Member Since: 27 May 2020 Location: Moscow Posts: 84   
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So, after five days of travel, on the night of 12/30/2022 we arrived in Bulgaria.
During previous trips, we toured the sights that are not a short distance from Nessebar — Sazopol, Cape Kaliakra, Shumen Fortress, Asenova Fortress, Mezek Fortress and others. This time, taking into account the fact that we had enough time — 10 days, we planned to go to the Sofia area, where, firstly, there are fortresses of Baba Vida and Belogradchik, as well as ski resorts, however, due to the flux tooth that developed after my removal (two days before the trip), I had to make adjustments to the plans and most of the time just chill at home) Nevertheless, we managed to see something in Bulgaria on the way home too) So, on the first day of the new year, we went for a ride around the neighborhood, including in the mountains near the village of Kozichino. I took a traditional photo at the top of the slide)  Click image to enlarge On January 3 we walked along the marina in Sveti Vlas and near Nessebar: Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge On January 6, we went to a dental clinic in Varna and on the way back took a picture of the Church of the Holy Spirit (43.10961, 27.82807): Click image to enlarge And also looked into the Vicha fortress, located in a town called Byala on Cape St. Athanas (42.85518, 27.90151): Click image to enlarge "The archaeological site at Cape St. Athanas in Byala includes an ancient fortress and other diverse materials that cover the historical period from the VI century BC — VII AD. The fortress is located on the cape of St. Athanas on the outskirts of Byala and was originally identified by archaeologists as a small ancient city. The fortification line consisted of a stone fortress and a moat in front of it. A small public bathhouse was even built in the fortress itself. In addition, three dozen residential buildings, as well as warehouses, drinking establishments and equipment for wine production were found on the territory of the cape. Archaeologists have established that the main activity of the population of the cape was winemaking. The early Christian sacred center, found during excavations in Byala, on Cape St. Athanas, includes a basilica, the house of the chief priest, a baptismal room, a storehouse for gifts and a well with sacred water. Despite the fact that the fortress has survived several natural disasters and barbaric invasions, the artifacts found allowed archaeologists to recreate the city/fortress exactly as it looked during its dawn." https://zlotabulgaria.com/ru/kakiye-kurort...epost.html Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Entrance is paid, with dogs — no problem. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge On January 7, my wife and mother-in-law went to Veliko Tarnovo, where there is a large ancient fortress Tsarevets. The morning was foggy, but then the weather cleared up) On the way to the city in the village of Panicherevo there is either a lake or a reservoir. We drove up to the water, warmed up: Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Having overcome the path that runs through a small pass, we got to Veliko Tarnovo. It was not without difficulty that we found a parking lot in the center and went to inspect the fortress (43.08378, 25.65204): Click image to enlarge "The earliest evidence of human presence on the hill dates back to the 2nd millennium BC. It was settled in the 4th century, and the Byzantine city, tentatively identified with Zikideva, was built towards the end of the 5th century, on the territory of which the construction of the Bulgarian fortress was started in the 12th century. After the Vlach-Bulgarian uprising and the creation of the Second Bulgarian Empire with its capital in Veliko Tarnovo, the fortress became the most important in Bulgaria, it is often compared with Rome and Constantinople in splendor. In 1393, the fortress was besieged by Ottoman troops for three months before finally being captured and burned on July 17, marking the fall of the Bulgarian Empire. It has three entrances. The main entrance is located on the easternmost side of the hill. The castle complex is located in the center, surrounded by an internal stone wall, two battle towers and two entrances — north and south. It consists of the throne room, the castle church and the royal chambers. The restoration of the Tsarevets Fortress began in 1930 and was completed in 1981 in honor of the 1300 anniversary of the formation of the Bulgarian state. Kings Petar, Asen, Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II lived here. The castle was the largest in the 14th century." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsarevets_%28fortress%29 Click image to enlarge With all 5 dogs to go without problems. A dog is a friend of a person. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge In downtown: Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge On January 11, we moved home. On the first day of the journey we passed the border of Bulgaria-Turkey. This border was remembered only by the fact that a Turk collecting a fee for ecology or something else (5 euros) in a booth in front of the Turkish checkpoint asked to take a picture of him with our Defender) Otherwise, everything is in normal mode — open and close the rear door and the box. In Turkey, we stopped in the large city of Kyrklareli, closest to Bulgaria, to change dollars. I searched for a long time in the center of the exchanger, eventually changed it in the bank. What is noteworthy is that the operator at the bank told me several times that they take a commission. Apparently, it is customary for them to change the currency in some other places - for example, on the way there, we changed the currency in a store selling gold jewelry, on a tip from the bank operator, where I also went for the purpose of exchange) After about 50 km from the border, the toll highway begins, which passes by Istanbul. The bridge over the Bosphorus is beautifully illuminated: Click image to enlarge That day we drove about 1000 km and spent the night at a Shell gas station, 50 kilometers from Samsun. The whole next day we moved mainly along the coast in fine weather conditions: Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge A farewell look at the sea: Click image to enlarge In the city of Trabzon, we met the second for the entire trip (not counting the military in Turkey) Defender — a dark 110 with a tent on the roof, who cheerfully drove off into the sunset, so it didn't work out to take a picture of him)) There is a highway from Batumi to Tbilisi, on which, however, there are three sections under construction — two kilometers of 10 and one of more than 50 kilometers. On the way to Bulgaria, we passed a large section consisting of serpentines and detours near the highway section under construction, in the evening, rain and a large number of cars, which made it difficult and inconvenient for us to travel late at night on the way home, in connection with which we planned to spend the night to this section and drive his morning on a fresh head. However, I didn't want to sleep and we stopped by the site late at night. As it turned out, this was the right decision — in conditions of good weather and almost complete absence of cars, the site is passed in one breath in less than an hour) We spent the night 90 km away . to Tbilisi, at a gas station complex where there is a large parking lot and cafes. We drove 810 km that day. To be continued… “A word of command has made these silent figures our enemies; a word of command might transform them into our friends. At some table a document is signed by some persons whom none of us knows, and then for years together that very crime on which formerly the world’s condemnation and severest penalty fall, becomes our highest aim.” — Erich Maria Remarque |
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9th Feb 2023 3:52pm |
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| Bingo Member Since: 27 May 2020 Location: Moscow Posts: 84
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Part 4.
So, the next day we moved in the direction of the Georgian-Russian border. The motorway is good, the views around are picturesque: Click image to enlarge On the way we saw a fortress on the mountain, we went to it. The fortress Skhvilo (42.03872, 44.41718): Click image to enlarge "The castle was captured in the Shida Kartli region, in the municipality of Kaspi, located near the village of Kvemo Chala. In the chronicle it was first mentioned in the X century. The history of the castle of the XIV century is connected with the promotion of the surname Zedginidze-Amilakhvari. In the XVII century, their residence was here. The castle of Skhvilo has often been used in historical sources since the XVII century. After the death of Shah Abbas in 1629, Teymuraz I tried to get rid of subjugation to Iran, for which King Simon II, who had been captured in prison, had to be removed. This Zurab Eristavi entered the prison, killed Simon II and presented his severed head to the king. In 1632, after his accession to the throne, Rostom wanted to entice Teimuraz's supporters, namely Yotam Amilakhvari, to his side. When he couldn't achieve what he wanted, he stormed the castle and took it. The castle Skhvilo badly damaged in these battles. The castle of Skhvilo also played an important role in the XVIII century. Here the Georgians strengthened themselves several times in the battles against the Leks, Ottomans and Kyzylbash and won. From 1905 to 1907, the castle became a gathering place for the revolutionary peasantry. In the 19th century, the fortress of Skhvilo lost its fortification purpose. Shvilo Castle is one of the most important historical and cultural monuments in Georgia. In addition to its cultural significance, it is also known for its beautiful surroundings. From the castle, built on a hill, you can see excellent views of Kartli. Pictures of the famous Georgian film "Sherekilebi" were taken in the fortress of Shvilo and its adjacent territory." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skhvilo_castle Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge At the foot of the mountain is the village of Kvemo-Chala, where the manor-castle is located, which was the residence of the princes of Amilakhvari (42.02333, 44.39348): Click image to enlarge "Previously, the residence of the princes of Amilakhvari was the castle of Skhvilo (XIV — XVII centuries). In the XVII century, the residence was moved to Kvemo Chala. Something similar was observed in Bagration-Mukhrani. Their residence was the Ksani fortress on the mountain, then they built a fortress in Mukhrani. The castle in Kvemo Chala has not been particularly highlighted anywhere in history. Vakhushti Bagrationi has some information about the complex. He writes that there were "large palaces" here and another episode is described when in 1728 "... the Lezgins approached Chala, killed Amilakhor Erasti, the son of Revaz, and, having defeated Chala, brought out a thousand souls of prisoners and left." The castle is also mentioned by the chronicler Orbeliani in the description of the siege Captured in 1742. After all, the castle in Kvemo Chala was not suitable for opposing the army. The fortress on the mountain was more defensible. Prince Givi Amilakhvari settled there. Strangely, the chronicle is silent about what happened to the castle in Kvemo Chala. It is known that the Persians were encamped near Chala, it is known that Samtavisi was taken, there were battles near Skhvilo. But the lower castle was somehow bypassed, or simply did not reach it." http://www.georoute.ge/Amilakhvari_castle Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge After turning off the highway towards the border, when passing through the village of Aragvispiri, our attention was attracted by something on the top of the mountain. It turned out that these were caves (42.07553, 44.74149), about the purpose of which, unfortunately, it was not possible to find out anything. Click image to enlarge There is a great view from the observation deck of the Zhinvali reservoir: Click image to enlarge A little further on the shore of this reservoir is the fortress of Ananuri (42.16381, 44.70298): Click image to enlarge "It is unknown when the construction of the fortress began. Some historians attribute one of its towers to the XIII century . The first detailed descriptions of the Ananur Castle and its inhabitants begin in 1720 . Initially, a tower was built on this site, which was surrounded by a fortress in the XVII century. Erected for the defense of the Aragva Eristavstvo (a region in ancient and medieval Georgia), Ananuri was the main outpost. During the internecine confrontation of the Eristavs (XVIII century), it protected the center of the Eristavs from attacks from the Daryal gorge and allowed them to retreat safely into the mountains. In May 1829, the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin visited here. His visit was the first documented fact of a Russian tourist's stay in these places. To this day, Ananuri tells the story that the poet walked the entire distance from the fortress to the city of Dusheti." https://v-georgia.com/showplaces/krepost-ananuri/ Click image to enlarge There are an incredible number of stray dogs in Georgia. They are hungry, but not aggressive. Click image to enlarge Near the village of Tsikhisdziri, on the mountain are the ruins of the Yakkhi fortress (42.18411, 44.67705). There was no time to go up to them, so they just took a picture outside. Click image to enlarge After the village of Muguda, we saw the ruins of the fortress of Mere, located on the other side of the Aragvi riverbed, on the slope of the mountain (42.2938, 44.69186). They took pictures. Information about her could not be found. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Then there was a long but picturesque road through the pass. A few days before there was snow on the pass, but by the time we arrived it was already dry. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge After entering Russia, we drove more than 200 km in conditions of heavy fog. Click image to enlarge We spent the night at a gas station. We walked about 450 km that day. The next day we moved on. After a while, the snow that had been lying on the fields abruptly ended and the sun began to shine. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge After 300 kilometers, the toll road running to Moscow began. After a while it started snowing Click image to enlarge The distance covered during the day is 962 km. The last interesting place we visited during our trip was the Oldenburg Palace complex in the village of Ramon, near Voronezh (51.908319, 39.340491): Click image to enlarge "The architectural monument is named after the titled spouses — Evgenia and Alexander. In 1878, the princess acquired an estate in the province, a new family estate was built in the period from 1883 to 1887. The name of the creator is not known for certain: the authorship of the project is attributed to the chief architect of Peterhof Nikolai Benois and other famous figures. The construction was carried out under the supervision of Christopher Neisler. A clock with a unique mechanism for one of the towers was created specially by order of Eugenia at a German factory. Eugenia's arrival became a landmark event for the province: the princess launched a vigorous activity to improve the village. Under her leadership, the reconstruction of the sugar factory was carried out, a water tower was built, and a steam factory of sweets and chocolate, unique for that time, appeared, which became the prototype of modern confectionery production. Samples of products can be seen in the museum today. Under Eugene, a railway appeared in the village, connecting the village with the Grafskaya station. The castle of the Princess of Oldenburg in Ramoni was built in accordance with all the trends of the era. The Upper and Lower parks were created on its territory, the servants' building is a clock tower of the famous Swiss brand “Winter". During the visits of distinguished guests, their retinue was placed in the building. In 1901, the architectural complex was supplemented with a mansion built in honor of the wedding of Peter, the son of the Oldenburg. In the future, the newlyweds moved to their own estate. Little is known about the further history of the monument. After the October Revolution, the owners of the estate were forced to leave the country. Their property was transferred to unscrupulous managers and was partially ruined. The building survived during the Great Patriotic War and even served as a shelter for the local population. Since the 1980s, restoration work has been carried out on the territory of the palace complex. By 2012, the park was completed. The restoration of the buildings of the complex began in 2017. The building is open for tourists to visit and conduct excursions and other events. Since 2014, a museum has been operating on the territory." https://riavrn.ru/culture/zamok-oldenburgskix/ Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Then there was a road to the house on a toll highway. On the last day of the journey we drove about 600 km. The Bulgaria-Moscow route is about 4,000 km., fuel consumed — 389 liters. In total, the Defender covered 9025 km during the trip. Click image to enlarge At the end of the trip, a small video clip was piled: Good luck to everyone! “A word of command has made these silent figures our enemies; a word of command might transform them into our friends. At some table a document is signed by some persons whom none of us knows, and then for years together that very crime on which formerly the world’s condemnation and severest penalty fall, becomes our highest aim.” — Erich Maria Remarque |
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9th Feb 2023 4:12pm |
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| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2548 
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That’s a big trip - great photos.
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9th Feb 2023 5:07pm |
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| Bingo Member Since: 27 May 2020 Location: Moscow Posts: 84
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Thank you very much) “A word of command has made these silent figures our enemies; a word of command might transform them into our friends. At some table a document is signed by some persons whom none of us knows, and then for years together that very crime on which formerly the world’s condemnation and severest penalty fall, becomes our highest aim.”
— Erich Maria Remarque |
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9th Feb 2023 5:25pm |
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| mrfirepro Member Since: 07 Nov 2020 Location: kent Posts: 219  
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What a wonder trip and an equally wonderful write up, loving the pictures, dogs and defenders is there anything better in life. I very rarely read complete posts but I read every page of your posts, thanks you.
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9th Feb 2023 11:48pm |
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| Mother superior Member Since: 05 Aug 2013 Location: Surrey Posts: 494
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That is some trip, hat's off to you sir!
Wes Oh woe, oh woe My crusty old landrover, It will not go. |
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10th Feb 2023 9:57am |
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| Bingo Member Since: 27 May 2020 Location: Moscow Posts: 84
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Thanks guys! Peace to all! “A word of command has made these silent figures our enemies; a word of command might transform them into our friends. At some table a document is signed by some persons whom none of us knows, and then for years together that very crime on which formerly the world’s condemnation and severest penalty fall, becomes our highest aim.”
— Erich Maria Remarque |
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11th Feb 2023 10:01pm |
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| Jonothethird Member Since: 17 Jan 2021 Location: North Uorkshire Posts: 27 
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What an incredible journey, and very brave of you to do it in a Landie, although to be fair it behaved itself beautifully! One day when I have time, I would love to do an Eastern European trip in my Defender. If everyone travelled far and wide like you, I am sure there would be a lot less conflict in the world!
Also, what a magnificent pair of young Rottweilers ( I think). The breed has a bit of a reputation for aggression here in the UK, although that might be more to do with some of their owners than the dogs themselves! Are yours 100% friendly or do they have an aggressive side? I have a pair of black Labrador boys! |
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16th Feb 2023 11:16pm |
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| Bingo Member Since: 27 May 2020 Location: Moscow Posts: 84
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Thank you for the answer, Jonothethird!
I am also like most thinking people waiting for the return of the opportunity to travel to discover new places) You are absolutely right - these are Rottweilers) They both came to us from Belarus, one was delivered to us, and we went after the other ourselves, at the same time traveling around this country a little (you can see the report above).) In Russia, these dogs also have a reputation for cruel killers, which was not least acquired in the 90s, when there were many bandits in Russia. who started such dogs for intimidation. Such a reputation of dogs of this breed allows me not to worry about my spouse when she stays alone with the dogs in the summer house in the summer) Unfortunately, in Russia, the culture of dog owners (of all breeds) leaves much to be desired. Very few owners train dogs, thus making them obedient and not dangerous to others. This is partly why our country cannot be considered a dog friendly, because it is forbidden to enter most fenced public places with a dog. My wife has always trained all the dogs that we had, as a result of which we can travel with them quite calmly without fear that they will harm someone and at the same time knowing that in case of someone's illegal actions they will be able to stand up for us (of course, if they are not spitz))! Bulgaria: Click image to enlarge Belarus: Click image to enlarge Ukraine: Click image to enlarge Estonia: Click image to enlarge Germany: Click image to enlarge Peace to all! “A word of command has made these silent figures our enemies; a word of command might transform them into our friends. At some table a document is signed by some persons whom none of us knows, and then for years together that very crime on which formerly the world’s condemnation and severest penalty fall, becomes our highest aim.” — Erich Maria Remarque |
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16th Mar 2023 8:13pm |
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| Bingo Member Since: 27 May 2020 Location: Moscow Posts: 84
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Weekend trip - Nikolskoye-Prozorovskoye Estate
Hello, friends! On a snowy March day, we went to see the Nikolskoye-Prozorovskoye estate, which is located near Moscow (56.08308, 37.62112). Click image to enlarge In the first half of the XVI century, the village of Shipilovo belonged to Prince Vasily Semyonovich Serebryany, whose family ended on his son. Later, this area was listed for the boyar Nikita Yuryev, who built a wooden church here in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. At the beginning of the XVII century, the princes Prozorovsky took possession: Semyon and Matvey Vasilyevich. Subsequently, the Shipilov patrimony was split between several branches of the Prozorovsky family; in Peter's time, one of the parts ended up in the hands of B. A. Golitsyn. By 1747, the estate had completely passed into the ownership of the general-in-chief Prince Ivan Prozorovsky. The existing St. Nicholas Church was built in 1792 by Major General A. I. Prozorovsky, who was also buried in it. After the death of Field Marshal A. A. Prozorovsky, who inherited the estate, who had no male heirs, his second cousin, Andrei Ivanovich's brother, Lieutenant General I. I. Prozorovsky, one of the last representatives of this ancient family, entered the inheritance rights. In the middle of the XIX century, the granddaughter of I. I. Prozorovsky, Princess Varvara Yuryevna Trubetskaya (1828-1901), built a large two-story house completed with bulbous pediments and two wings in imitation of the forms of the Rasstreliev Baroque. Her husband, P. P. Trubetskoy (1822-1892), being a diplomat, constantly lived abroad (where he had a  Paolo, later a famous sculptor), and his daughter was the wife of a French aristocrat from the Biron family.
In the post—reform period, Prozorovskoye belonged to the founder of the Bolshevskaya paper mill, Franz Andreevich Rabenek, merchant V. G. Sychev (in 1890-1892), at the beginning of the XX century - Kuznetsov. The last owner (until 1917) was V. P. Ryabushinsky. After the Second World War, Nikolo-Prozorovo was in an emergency condition. However, in the 1950s it was given over to a boarding house and restoration work began. In the main house, all the ceilings were replaced with reinforced concrete. Next to the estate, already in the 1980s, they began to build a new building, and the administration was to be housed in the manor house. However, "Perestroyka" did not allow these plans to come true - the construction was frozen, and recently these unfinished buildings were demolished altogether. Well, the manor house is gradually being destroyed... Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge The dog is indignant, looking at what the architectural monument has turned into Click image to enlarge But once she was like this: Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Back in the 80s, it was in good condition (a frame from a feature film based on Ostrovsky's novel): Click image to enlarge You can't drive up to the estate itself, so the picture with the Defender is just like this) Click image to enlarge A short video clip: Peace to all! “A word of command has made these silent figures our enemies; a word of command might transform them into our friends. At some table a document is signed by some persons whom none of us knows, and then for years together that very crime on which formerly the world’s condemnation and severest penalty fall, becomes our highest aim.” — Erich Maria Remarque |
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16th Mar 2023 8:30pm |
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