Kirov

Twelve hours in and the first serious stop for the train whilst we are awake. Fifteen brief minutes on the platform. As we stood there, a train from St Petersburg drew in on its way to Perm. Not half so flashy as this train - much rougher looking sleeping accommodation. I took as good a nights sleep as ever I have had on this train bunk bed. 

We left Kirov and the afternoon wore on: the sheer size and scale of this country is slowly dawning upon us.