The town (city?) of Blagoveshchensk (Бпаговешенск) was our destination today. The towns name means "good news" and was named for the peace agreement signed in 1858 between the Chinese and Russians that set the Amur River as the border between the two countries in this region. Blagoveshchensk sits on the river bank only a "stones throw" from China.

We had arranged to meet a fellow named Michael at the traffic police station at the eastern entrance to the town so we were on a schedule as we drove through very flat country in bright sunshine to the Blagoveshchensk turn off (the town is over 100kms off the main highway). The road deteriorated a little after leaving the highway but was still reasonably good pavement; just with more evidence of frost damage.

Approaching the town we did not have to look hard to find the police station. Two blue uniformed men with batons in hand waved us down. You cannot blame them, they are after all transport police, and we look anything but run of the mill. After inspecting our papers they proceeded to takes photographs of themselves in front of our truck and then sent us on our way. We, however, only pulled a few yards up the road and stopped to wait for Michael. Eventually one of the policemen came to see us again and with smart phone in hand and google translate fired up asked us whether we had a problem. So also using a smart phone and google I answered "no just waiting for a friend".

Michael and Anton turned up a little later in a Nissan Patrol all decked our for off road adventuring and then led us into town and parked us beside a nice large hotel, right next to Lenin Square on the water front. Andrey joined us, Anton departed and the 4 of us spent the next hour or so walking the river front. The river front has been renovated in recent years (and large construction is still underway) and made for a very pleasant and interesting stroll in the nice sunshine. The river is still frozen and no boat traffic is operating. There is however a pontoon bridge across the river that is carrying- heavy commercial traffic between China and Russia.

The next step in the afternoons proceedings was to be a visit to Anton's apartment so I could take a shower but there was a slight detour. We drove for some minutes up to a higher part of the town where it turned out that Anton was to use his vehicle's 4x4 capability to pull a car out of some mud.

Eventually with 4x4 chore completed I got my shower (very nice it was too) and we spent a couple of hours having tea, pastries and watching videos of the off road exploits of our hosts. These guys love their vehicles, and are as crazy about off-roading as Australians and Americans. Some of the clips showed groups exploring the far reaches of Sakhalin Island; surely one of the last great remote places on earth.

Dinner followed. This turned into a bubbly affair with a few additional people arriving (Ivan and Elena), and lots of questions and interpreting. We learned about "five drops" (vodka drinking) and Nina even had a few shots. Though she was allowed to have "one drop" shots.

To all of you Michael, Anton, Mariana, Andrey, Ivan, Elena - thank you for opening your home and hearts to a couple of wandering Australians.