© Network Russia 2010 2010 Explorer Belt Expedition to Tula and surrounds In August 2010, Network Russia leaders took 15 Explorer Scouts to Russia to complete their Explorer Belt Award.  This  involved several projects set for completion in the UK in the nine months leading up to the expedition.  Additionally, a  sealed envelope was handed to each group on board the flight to Moscow.  This envelope contained further projects that they had to accomplish whilst they were in Russia.   Additionally, there was a residential aspect to the visit which  involved some projects to be completed at an orphanage close to Tula, south of Moscow. During the visit, they would be close to the local inhabitants, find their own way around the Tula area, complete  the residential aspect at the orphanage, visit Yasnaya Polyana, Tolstoy’s estate and travel to St. Petersburg before flying home. An action-packed fifteen days they should remember for a long time.  These two reports provide two perspectives.  One is by Suzie, an Explorer Scout from North Wales in the U.K. and  the other a trip report from Network Russia.     2010 Winter Expedition to Losovo, North of St. Petersburg For many years now, Network Russia has been organising winter expeditions to Losovo, about 90 Km north of St. Petersburg  These have usually been made at school half-term in February, so allowing participants to experience the snows and weather conditions that they would not normally have the opportunity of doing in the United Kingdom.  Whilst at Losovo, they are mixed with young Russian persons so making this a truly Anglo-Russian experience. Suzie’s Report Network Report We departed St. Petersburgh Findlyandaskiy railway station on train No: 6529 to Losevo. The cost of the return ticket  being 266.80 Rubles. Our journey took just over one hour. The train was clean and spacious, seating was hard ( Park  bench hard!)  and there were no toilet facilities  on this service. There were opportunities to purchase drinks and  scarves and many other items from random vendors on the train.  From our train station, Lembolovo station, it was a walk through deep snow to the campsite. Well, it was deep if you  came off the narrow track!  In summer  a shorter route is available which means walking along side the railway track  for 500 meters and then turning on to campsite land. We were shown inside accommodation in a two level brick  building from the 80's era. The ground floor consisted of a kitchen and a toilet block with three cubicals and a shower  cubical that was mouldy,  both being very basic. There is a maximum capacity of 60 persons, the bedrooms varied  from 2,5 and 7 combinations.   Steph and Fred return from 2011 Study visit Click to enlarge Click here for Click photos for reports