Getting close to the finish line

I think i haven't posted anything since Sumy. That was the last Ukrainian city before the Russian border. I didn't cross the border that day, as I passed a scenic little lake that afternoon. And I couldn't resist and had to jump into the lake like some locals. I really don't know why i haven't started this any earlier. It's the perfect measure for a quick cool down. I just take off my shoes and helmet and then walk in with my clothes... The next 15min on the bike are simply enjoyable. Not terribly hot for once. Ukraine presented me with an absolutely lovely family of grandmother, mother and daughter that night. I was invited to spend the night in their house, was shown the chicken, ducks, pigs and their vegetable garden. Later i was fed with huge amounts of great tasting food, all of it from own production. the next morning i was really early at the border. Before 7am. The Ukrainians were totally friendly and so i expected some trouble on the other side. But instead i was done in 10minutes. They even filled in the forms for me, because they wanted to have them written in Kyrillic letters and didn't believe i would be capable to copy down my name from the visa. So anyway, a handsome border officer did this for me and i was not checked any further but sent into the country. So first thing to do was to find a bankomat and get some Russian cash and a second breakfast. An ugly little town offered both. But not without the first few "njet"s. Cyclists are really not on top of the ladder here. And trying to get your bike into any safe place here is a mission, because there don't seem to be any bikes of value around. So your expected to leave it on the road. i left this town after being held up by some friendly but totally annoying person from some little local newspaper. This whole episode was so bizarre and funny, i should have had a secret camera with me. i cycled past Kursk that day and yesterday passed Voronesh. Today I'll pass Tambov. 237km and 1.5 days left.