A bit on the dour side was our first impression as we landed late last night in a very wet, very grey heavily overcast St Petersburg. Leningrad for many years, we were met by his statue - arm raised aloft defying the rain as we passed by at speed in our ancient Ladaistic taxi. My first attempt at russian, spaseeba - thankyou, brings a smile from our hotel receptionist. She needs to be patient. A touch of sun this morning holds the prospect of improvement. We've a day here before taking the night train north. In the meantime the Winter Palace will catch our attention.