{"id":14049,"date":"2026-01-30T20:13:31","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T18:13:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?p=14049"},"modified":"2026-01-30T21:37:48","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T19:37:48","slug":"2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 that was the year that was: UK and Kaliningrad"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mick Hart&#8217;s 2025: a nostalgic review in photographs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>30 January 2026 &#8211; 2025 that was the year that was: UK and Kaliningrad<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">As the photographs immediately below illustrate, Kaliningrad has been and is experiencing a real winter this year. Snow fell on cue, a week or so before the New Year celebrations, and its festive debut at this time was very much appreciated. Three weeks into the New Year, however, and like that \u2018long time, no see\u2019 distant relative, who, out of the goodness of your foolish heart, you invited to stay for the Yuletide season, snow, ice and formidable temperatures hovering somewhere between minus ten and minus 14 are beginning to overstay their welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:49.98957%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14062\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-konigsberg-street-january-2026-snow\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Konigsberg-Street-January-2026-snow-rotated.jpg?fit=1200%2C1594&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1594\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Konigsberg Street January 2026 snow\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Konigsberg-Street-January-2026-snow-rotated.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Konigsberg-Street-January-2026-snow-rotated.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 1 \u0438\u0437 2 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Konigsberg-Street-January-2026-snow-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Konigsberg-Street-January-2026-snow-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Konigsberg-Street-January-2026-snow-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Winter Kaliningrad 2026\" data-height=\"1594\" data-id=\"14062\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14062\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Konigsberg-Street-January-2026-snow-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Konigsberg-Street-January-2026-snow-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:50.01043%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14061\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-winter-has-arrived-in-kaliningrad-2026\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Winter-has-arrived-in-Kaliningrad-2026-rotated.jpg?fit=900%2C1195&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1195\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Winter has arrived in Kaliningrad 2026\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Winter-has-arrived-in-Kaliningrad-2026-rotated.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Winter-has-arrived-in-Kaliningrad-2026-rotated.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 2 \u0438\u0437 2 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Winter-has-arrived-in-Kaliningrad-2026-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Winter-has-arrived-in-Kaliningrad-2026-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Christmas tree wih snow in Kaliningrad \" data-height=\"1195\" data-id=\"14061\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14061\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Winter-has-arrived-in-Kaliningrad-2026-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Winter-has-arrived-in-Kaliningrad-2026-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">With spring and summer still out of sight, one way of looking forward to more hospitable climes is to look backwards. Hiding in the house is, I think, a lot less disagreeable than struggling into heavy boots, thermal coats, hats and gloves and braving the great outdoors. If I wanted to be a snowman, I would never defrost my heart. Moreover, shutting the door on the outside world provides the excuse and opportunity for stepping inside your computer and doing a bit of digital spring cleaning ahead of the leaves and buds returning to the trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">I don\u2019t know about you, although I\u2019ve heard what others say, but both my smartarse phone and laptop are like pictures at an exhibition after a hurricane has gatecrashed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">In days of old our forebears seemed to have been smitten by the optical difficulty in seeing the wood for the trees; today, in snappy la-la land, the wood has become the photograph and the trees a forest of images forever growing more expansive across the finite landscape of digital storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Like you, I can think of better things  to do whilst whiling away my time indoors, but computers and digital storage systems, like overburdened, unkempt woodland, need to be attended to, lovingly tidied up and judiciously pruned back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The estate managers among you will appreciate what I say, when I do say that there\u2019s a lot to be said for ridding oneself of dead wood (not to mention fallen trees), for rolling up one\u2019s sleeves and trousers, and with knotted hanky on your head in lieu of the summer to come, buckling down to some good old-fashioned lopping, chopping and admin work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">In practising what I preach, whilst waiting for the snow to melt, I have sifted, sorted, catalogued, carefully reassigned and refiled chronologically a prodigious number of scattered images; a making-me-smug endeavour, enabling me to extrapolate those which feature in this post; images which, in my opinion, open a retrospective window on the nature of my personal world in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"830\" data-attachment-id=\"14116\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-kaliningrad-upper-pond-february-2025\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kaliningrad-Upper-Pond-February-2025.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Kaliningrad Upper Pond February 2025\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Kaliningrad, January 2025&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kaliningrad-Upper-Pond-February-2025.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kaliningrad-Upper-Pond-February-2025.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kaliningrad-Upper-Pond-February-2025.jpg?resize=625%2C830&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Kaliningrad Upper Pond frozen over\" class=\"wp-image-14116\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kaliningrad-Upper-Pond-February-2025.jpg?resize=771%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 771w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kaliningrad-Upper-Pond-February-2025.jpg?resize=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1 226w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kaliningrad-Upper-Pond-February-2025.jpg?resize=768%2C1021&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kaliningrad-Upper-Pond-February-2025.jpg?resize=9%2C12&amp;ssl=1 9w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kaliningrad-Upper-Pond-February-2025.jpg?resize=624%2C829&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kaliningrad-Upper-Pond-February-2025.jpg?resize=18%2C24&amp;ssl=1 18w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kaliningrad-Upper-Pond-February-2025.jpg?resize=27%2C36&amp;ssl=1 27w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kaliningrad-Upper-Pond-February-2025.jpg?resize=36%2C48&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kaliningrad-Upper-Pond-February-2025.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kaliningrad, January 2025<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">2025 that was the year that was: UK and Kaliningrad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">As you can see, January 2025 in Kaliningrad was not much different than January 2026, except that in 2026 the temperatures have been hovering around minus 8 degrees and minus 14 degrees. It was not quite that cold back in 2025. At least not cold enough to prevent one from indulging in the fully explainable practice of falling backwards into the snow. Something for you to try sometime. And no, that\u2019s not me dressed as a woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"830\" data-attachment-id=\"14064\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-olga-hart-in-the-snow\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-in-the-snow.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Olga Hart in the snow\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-in-the-snow.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-in-the-snow.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-in-the-snow.jpg?resize=625%2C830&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Olga Hart enjoys laying in teh snow\" class=\"wp-image-14064\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-in-the-snow.jpg?resize=771%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 771w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-in-the-snow.jpg?resize=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1 226w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-in-the-snow.jpg?resize=768%2C1021&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-in-the-snow.jpg?resize=9%2C12&amp;ssl=1 9w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-in-the-snow.jpg?resize=624%2C829&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-in-the-snow.jpg?resize=18%2C24&amp;ssl=1 18w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-in-the-snow.jpg?resize=27%2C36&amp;ssl=1 27w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-in-the-snow.jpg?resize=36%2C48&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-in-the-snow.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">As spring approached in 2025, we took the opportunity to indulge our philosophical\/mythological side by visiting <a data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ponart-brewery-creation-world-exhibition\/\" href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/ponart-brewery-creation-world-exhibition\/\">Ponart Brewery\u2019s Creation of the World Exhibition<\/a>, after which, with no excuse intended, we side-stepped into the <a data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/art-depot-restaurant-kaliningrad\/\" href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/art-depot-restaurant-kaliningrad\/\">Art Depot Bar<\/a> , which is part and parcel of the <a data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ponart-brewery-creation\/\" href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/ponart-brewery-creation\/\">Ponart Brewery <\/a>complex. Here, you can enjoy the historical ambience of one of the brewery\u2019s original beer cellars and have your beer delivered to you in the trucks of a model train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:37.08726%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14065\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-creation-of-the-world-exhibition-2025-ponart-brewery-kaliningrad\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Creation-of-the-World-Exhibition-2025-Ponart-Brewery-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,900\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Creation of the World Exhibition 2025 Ponart Brewery Kaliningrad\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Creation-of-the-World-Exhibition-2025-Ponart-Brewery-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Creation-of-the-World-Exhibition-2025-Ponart-Brewery-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=625%2C469&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 1 \u0438\u0437 4 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Creation-of-the-World-Exhibition-2025-Ponart-Brewery-Kaliningrad-1024x768.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Creation-of-the-World-Exhibition-2025-Ponart-Brewery-Kaliningrad-1024x768.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Creation-of-the-World-Exhibition-2025-Ponart-Brewery-Kaliningrad-1024x768.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Creation of the World exhibits at Kaliningrad's Ponart Brewery\" data-height=\"900\" data-id=\"14065\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14065\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Creation-of-the-World-Exhibition-2025-Ponart-Brewery-Kaliningrad-1024x768.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Creation-of-the-World-Exhibition-2025-Ponart-Brewery-Kaliningrad-1024x768.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:20.99408%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14066\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-creation-of-the-world-exhibition-ponart-brewery-kaliningrad\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Creation-of-the-World-Exhibition-Ponart-Brewery-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Creation of the World Exhibition Ponart Brewery Kaliningrad\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Creation-of-the-World-Exhibition-Ponart-Brewery-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Creation-of-the-World-Exhibition-Ponart-Brewery-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 2 \u0438\u0437 4 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Creation-of-the-World-Exhibition-Ponart-Brewery-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Creation-of-the-World-Exhibition-Ponart-Brewery-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Creation of the World giant globe at Ponart Brewery exhibition\" data-height=\"1196\" data-id=\"14066\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14066\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Creation-of-the-World-Exhibition-Ponart-Brewery-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Creation-of-the-World-Exhibition-Ponart-Brewery-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:20.92458%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14067\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-mick-hart-at-art-depot-restaurant-kaliningrad\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-at-Art-Depot-Restaurant-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart at Art Depot Restaurant Kaliningrad\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-at-Art-Depot-Restaurant-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-at-Art-Depot-Restaurant-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=625%2C833&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 3 \u0438\u0437 4 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-at-Art-Depot-Restaurant-Kaliningrad-768x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-at-Art-Depot-Restaurant-Kaliningrad-768x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Mick Hart at Art Depot Bar and Restaurant, Kaliningrad\" data-height=\"1200\" data-id=\"14067\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14067\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-at-Art-Depot-Restaurant-Kaliningrad-768x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-at-Art-Depot-Restaurant-Kaliningrad-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:20.99408%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14068\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-olga-hart-at-rabbit-hole-bar-in-kaliningrad\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-at-Rabbit-Hole-bar-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Olga Hart at Rabbit Hole bar in Kaliningrad\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-at-Rabbit-Hole-bar-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-at-Rabbit-Hole-bar-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 4 \u0438\u0437 4 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-at-Rabbit-Hole-bar-in-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-at-Rabbit-Hole-bar-in-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Olga Hart at Rabbit Hole, Kaliningrad\" data-height=\"1196\" data-id=\"14068\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14068\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-at-Rabbit-Hole-bar-in-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-at-Rabbit-Hole-bar-in-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Back in the UK, my Gothic alter image was inspired by a susceptible reaction to the living and studying conditions in which, I am grateful to say, I entrancingly immersed myself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"833\" data-attachment-id=\"14160\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-mick-hart-in-gothic-mood\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-Gothic-mood.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart in Gothic mood\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-Gothic-mood.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-Gothic-mood.jpg?fit=625%2C833&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-Gothic-mood.jpg?resize=625%2C833&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mick Hart in the 19th century\" class=\"wp-image-14160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-Gothic-mood.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-Gothic-mood.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-Gothic-mood.jpg?resize=9%2C12&amp;ssl=1 9w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-Gothic-mood.jpg?resize=624%2C832&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-Gothic-mood.jpg?resize=18%2C24&amp;ssl=1 18w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-Gothic-mood.jpg?resize=27%2C36&amp;ssl=1 27w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-Gothic-mood.jpg?resize=36%2C48&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-Gothic-mood.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOnce upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered,&nbsp;weak and weary,<br>Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten&nbsp;lore \u2026\u201d \u2013 Edgar Allan Poe<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Such volumes of \u2018forgotten lore\u2019 were indeed forthcoming, complete with ink inscriptions, naming the person or persons to whom each book belonged, those who had lived out their mortal sentence in the early 20th, late 19th and even 18th centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:34.51797%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14069\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-18th-century-book\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-18th-century-book.jpg?fit=900%2C1289&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1289\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"rz 18th century book\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-18th-century-book.jpg?fit=209%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-18th-century-book.jpg?fit=625%2C895&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 1 \u0438\u0437 6 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-18th-century-book-715x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-18th-century-book-715x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1289\" data-id=\"14069\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14069\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-18th-century-book-715x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-18th-century-book-715x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:65.48203%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14070\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-1868-inscription-in-book\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-1868-inscription-in-book-.jpg?fit=1200%2C904&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,904\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"1868 inscription in book\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-1868-inscription-in-book-.jpg?fit=300%2C226&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-1868-inscription-in-book-.jpg?fit=625%2C471&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 2 \u0438\u0437 6 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-1868-inscription-in-book--1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-1868-inscription-in-book--1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-1868-inscription-in-book--1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Antiquarian book inscription, 19th century\" data-height=\"904\" data-id=\"14070\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14070\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-1868-inscription-in-book--1024x771.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-1868-inscription-in-book--1024x771.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:21.87057%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14071\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-1920s-motoring-book\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-1920s-motoring-book.jpg?fit=900%2C1195&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1195\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"1920s motoring book\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-1920s-motoring-book.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-1920s-motoring-book.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 3 \u0438\u0437 6 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-1920s-motoring-book-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-1920s-motoring-book-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"1920s' The Wonder Book of Motors\" data-height=\"1195\" data-id=\"14071\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14071\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-1920s-motoring-book-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-1920s-motoring-book-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:21.87057%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14072\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-alice-in-blunderland\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Alice-in-Blunderland.jpg?fit=900%2C1195&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1195\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Clara in Blunderland\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Alice-in-Blunderland.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Alice-in-Blunderland.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 4 \u0438\u0437 6 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Alice-in-Blunderland-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Alice-in-Blunderland-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Clara in Blunderland\" data-height=\"1195\" data-id=\"14072\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14072\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Alice-in-Blunderland-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Alice-in-Blunderland-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:21.87057%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14073\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-leather-bound-antiquarian-book\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Leather-bound-antiquarian-book-.jpg?fit=900%2C1195&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1195\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Leather-bound antiquarian book\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Leather-bound-antiquarian-book-.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Leather-bound-antiquarian-book-.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 5 \u0438\u0437 6 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Leather-bound-antiquarian-book--771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Leather-bound-antiquarian-book--771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Well-handled leather-bound 19th century book\" data-height=\"1195\" data-id=\"14073\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14073\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Leather-bound-antiquarian-book--771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Leather-bound-antiquarian-book--771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:34.38830%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14074\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-signed-antiquarian-book\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Signed-antiquarian-book.jpg?fit=1200%2C1011&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1011\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Signed antiquarian book\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Signed-antiquarian-book.jpg?fit=300%2C253&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Signed-antiquarian-book.jpg?fit=625%2C527&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 6 \u0438\u0437 6 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Signed-antiquarian-book-1024x863.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Signed-antiquarian-book-1024x863.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Signed-antiquarian-book-1024x863.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1011\" data-id=\"14074\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14074\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Signed-antiquarian-book-1024x863.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Signed-antiquarian-book-1024x863.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">It was still officially or unofficially winter, and though not so excessively cold that it could hold a candle to Kaliningrad\u2019s temperatures, <a data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/uk-utility-bills-fiasco-gas-freezing\/\" href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/uk-utility-bills-fiasco-gas-freezing\/\">the UK\u2019s outrageously high utility costs<\/a> made, and continue to make, candle-burning the second option to staying in bed until spring &#8211; which is not that far away; just a couple of paragraphs down.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"830\" data-attachment-id=\"14075\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-keep-the-homes-fires-burning-feb-2025\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Keep-the-homes-fires-burning-Feb-2025.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Keep the homes fires burning Feb 2025\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Keep-the-homes-fires-burning-Feb-2025.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Keep-the-homes-fires-burning-Feb-2025.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Keep-the-homes-fires-burning-Feb-2025.jpg?resize=625%2C830&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A Victorian living room in 2026\" class=\"wp-image-14075\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7529411764705882;width:334px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Keep-the-homes-fires-burning-Feb-2025.jpg?resize=771%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 771w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Keep-the-homes-fires-burning-Feb-2025.jpg?resize=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1 226w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Keep-the-homes-fires-burning-Feb-2025.jpg?resize=768%2C1021&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Keep-the-homes-fires-burning-Feb-2025.jpg?resize=9%2C12&amp;ssl=1 9w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Keep-the-homes-fires-burning-Feb-2025.jpg?resize=624%2C829&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Keep-the-homes-fires-burning-Feb-2025.jpg?resize=18%2C24&amp;ssl=1 18w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Keep-the-homes-fires-burning-Feb-2025.jpg?resize=27%2C36&amp;ssl=1 27w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Keep-the-homes-fires-burning-Feb-2025.jpg?resize=36%2C48&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Keep-the-homes-fires-burning-Feb-2025.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The only way to keep warm in Britain in these troubled times is to rail at those wrongly elected who have all but destroyed our homeland, some by incompetence, some by design, but all by disavowal of the suicidal part they have played in orchestrating <a href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/brits-told-be-vigilant-boats-terror\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/brits-told-be-vigilant-boats-terror\/\">the migrant invasion<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"625\" data-attachment-id=\"14063\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-hello-spring\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Spring.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"rz Hello Spring\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Spring.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Spring.jpg?fit=625%2C625&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Spring.jpg?resize=625%2C625&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14063\" style=\"width:284px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Spring.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Spring.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Spring.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Spring.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Spring.jpg?resize=12%2C12&amp;ssl=1 12w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Spring.jpg?resize=624%2C624&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Spring.jpg?resize=24%2C24&amp;ssl=1 24w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Spring.jpg?resize=36%2C36&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Spring.jpg?resize=48%2C48&amp;ssl=1 48w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Spring.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Into spring we go, where it\u2019s time once again to dust off one\u2019s antiques. In the early 20<sup>th<\/sup> century, a celebrated chat-up line, at least on the stage of the music hall, was, \u201cWould you like to come home and see my etchings?\u201d but in the twilight years of one\u2019s spent youth, or in my case misspent youth, \u201cWould you like to come home and help me to polish my <a data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/beldray-at-kaliningrad-flea-market-a-surprising-find\/\" href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/beldray-at-kaliningrad-flea-market-a-surprising-find\/\">antiques<\/a>?\u201d seems somehow more appropriate, if admittedly rather tawdry when paired with the grace of early spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33091%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14119\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-mick-hart-dusting-antique-clocks\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-dusting-antique-clocks.jpg?fit=963%2C1280&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"963,1280\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart dusting antique clocks\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-dusting-antique-clocks.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-dusting-antique-clocks.jpg?fit=625%2C831&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 1 \u0438\u0437 3 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-dusting-antique-clocks-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-dusting-antique-clocks-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-dusting-antique-clocks-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=963&#038;ssl=1 963w\" alt=\"Mick Hart dusts off late Victorian slate mantle clocks\" data-height=\"1280\" data-id=\"14119\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14119\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-dusting-antique-clocks-770x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"963\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-dusting-antique-clocks-770x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33091%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14120\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-mick-hart-with-antique-oil-painting\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-with-antique-oil-painting.jpg?fit=963%2C1280&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"963,1280\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart with antique oil painting\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-with-antique-oil-painting.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-with-antique-oil-painting.jpg?fit=625%2C831&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 2 \u0438\u0437 3 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-with-antique-oil-painting-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-with-antique-oil-painting-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-with-antique-oil-painting-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=963&#038;ssl=1 963w\" alt=\"2025 that was the year that was: Mick Hart with antique painting in summer 2025\" data-height=\"1280\" data-id=\"14120\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14120\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-with-antique-oil-painting-770x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"963\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-with-antique-oil-painting-770x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33818%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14118\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-antique-ceramic-cased-clock\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Antique-ceramic-cased-clock.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Antique ceramic-cased clock\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Antique-ceramic-cased-clock.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Antique-ceramic-cased-clock.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 3 \u0438\u0437 3 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Antique-ceramic-cased-clock-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Antique-ceramic-cased-clock-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"An 18th century ceramic-cased clock with hand-painted panel\" data-height=\"1196\" data-id=\"14118\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14118\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Antique-ceramic-cased-clock-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Antique-ceramic-cased-clock-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">With the buds returning to the trees and it being warm enough to escape the inclement weather of one\u2019s sparsely heated house, it was away we went to conduct business of a sort that I wont bore you with, stopping off on one\u2019s return at the atmospheric Brampton Mill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:47.86477%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14076\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-brampton-mill\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Brampton-Mill.jpg?fit=1200%2C903&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,903\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Brampton Mill\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Brampton-Mill.jpg?fit=300%2C226&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Brampton-Mill.jpg?fit=625%2C471&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 1 \u0438\u0437 3 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Brampton-Mill-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Brampton-Mill-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Brampton-Mill-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Brampton Mill Country Pub &amp; Restaurant\" data-height=\"903\" data-id=\"14076\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14076\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Brampton-Mill-1024x771.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Brampton-Mill-1024x771.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:27.16755%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14077\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-mick-hart-and-dr-towlson-at-brampton-mill\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-and-Dr-Towlson-at-Brampton-Mill.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart and Dr Towlson at Brampton Mill\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-and-Dr-Towlson-at-Brampton-Mill.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-and-Dr-Towlson-at-Brampton-Mill.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 2 \u0438\u0437 3 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-and-Dr-Towlson-at-Brampton-Mill-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-and-Dr-Towlson-at-Brampton-Mill-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Mick Hart at Brampton Mill pub.\" data-height=\"1196\" data-id=\"14077\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14077\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-and-Dr-Towlson-at-Brampton-Mill-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-and-Dr-Towlson-at-Brampton-Mill-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:24.96768%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14078\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/wollaston-by-night-2025-rz\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Wollaston-by-night-2025-rz.jpg?fit=900%2C1302&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1302\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Wollaston by night 2025\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Wollaston-by-night-2025-rz.jpg?fit=207%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Wollaston-by-night-2025-rz.jpg?fit=625%2C904&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 3 \u0438\u0437 3 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Wollaston-by-night-2025-rz-708x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Wollaston-by-night-2025-rz-708x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Wollaston, Northants. Outside The Hill pub.\" data-height=\"1302\" data-id=\"14078\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14078\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Wollaston-by-night-2025-rz-708x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Wollaston-by-night-2025-rz-708x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">At the curiously named \u2018The Hill\u2019, a public house in Wollaston, where they serve, I don\u2019t mind saying, a fine and revolving array of ales, the night scene outside the pub was hauntingly English Gothic. Yet, nearby Rushden by night is infinitely more unnerving; come to think of it, not only by night. Take a drive down Rushden High Street (prudently with your doors and windows locked!) and let me know what you think. The theme of Gothicism and antiques persisted as long as spring existed and followed us into the warmth of summer.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"625\" data-attachment-id=\"14079\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-hello-summer\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Summer.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"rz Hello Summer\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Summer.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Summer.jpg?fit=625%2C625&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Summer.jpg?resize=625%2C625&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14079\" style=\"width:270px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Summer.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Summer.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Summer.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Summer.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Summer.jpg?resize=12%2C12&amp;ssl=1 12w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Summer.jpg?resize=624%2C624&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Summer.jpg?resize=24%2C24&amp;ssl=1 24w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Summer.jpg?resize=36%2C36&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Summer.jpg?resize=48%2C48&amp;ssl=1 48w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Summer.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><br>Summer (Ah, sun and warmth \u2013 sometimes \u2026) saw us set sail in 2025 on a monumental, intriguing and adventurous voyage of discovery to <a data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/visiting-cornwall-and-devon-is-it-a-good-idea\/\" href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/visiting-cornwall-and-devon-is-it-a-good-idea\/\">Cornwall and North Devon<\/a>, calling on the way, and whilst we tarried there, at, among other places, Tintagel, Port Isaac (Portwenn of <em>Doc Martin<\/em> fame), Boscastle, Padstow, and, following in the footsteps of her much-devoted fans, the Agatha Christie trail; taking in the Art Deco and earlier historic wonders of Burgh Island and then onto Christie\u2019s adored 18th-century summer home, the reclusive-seclusive <a data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/agatha-christie-burgh-island-and-greenway\/\" href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/agatha-christie-burgh-island-and-greenway\/\">Greenway House.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:46.70035%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14081\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/burgh-island-art-deco-hotel-devon-rz\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Burgh-Island-Art-Deco-Hotel-DEvon-rz.jpg?fit=1200%2C903&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,903\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Burgh Island Art Deco Hotel, Devon\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Burgh-Island-Art-Deco-Hotel-DEvon-rz.jpg?fit=300%2C226&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Burgh-Island-Art-Deco-Hotel-DEvon-rz.jpg?fit=625%2C471&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 1 \u0438\u0437 5 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Burgh-Island-Art-Deco-Hotel-DEvon-rz-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Burgh-Island-Art-Deco-Hotel-DEvon-rz-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Burgh-Island-Art-Deco-Hotel-DEvon-rz-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"2025 that was the year that was. Mick Hart recalls his trip to the Burgh Hotel in Devon\" data-height=\"903\" data-id=\"14081\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14081\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Burgh-Island-Art-Deco-Hotel-DEvon-rz-1024x771.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Burgh-Island-Art-Deco-Hotel-DEvon-rz-1024x771.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14082\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/portwenn-school-sign-rz-min-3\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Portwenn-School-Sign-rz-min.jpg?fit=1200%2C903&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,903\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Portwenn School Sign\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Portwenn-School-Sign-rz-min.jpg?fit=300%2C226&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Portwenn-School-Sign-rz-min.jpg?fit=625%2C471&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 2 \u0438\u0437 5 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Portwenn-School-Sign-rz-min-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Portwenn-School-Sign-rz-min-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Portwenn-School-Sign-rz-min-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Portwenn school sign in Port Isaac\" data-height=\"903\" data-id=\"14082\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14082\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Portwenn-School-Sign-rz-min-1024x771.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Portwenn-School-Sign-rz-min-1024x771.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:53.29965%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14083\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-devon-cornwall-holiday\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Devon-Cornwall-Holiday.jpg?fit=963%2C1280&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"963,1280\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Devon Cornwall Holiday\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Devon-Cornwall-Holiday.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Devon-Cornwall-Holiday.jpg?fit=625%2C831&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 3 \u0438\u0437 5 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Devon-Cornwall-Holiday-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Devon-Cornwall-Holiday-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Devon-Cornwall-Holiday-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=963&#038;ssl=1 963w\" alt=\"Olga Hart waves from sandy cove in Cornwall\" data-height=\"1280\" data-id=\"14083\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14083\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Devon-Cornwall-Holiday-770x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"963\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Devon-Cornwall-Holiday-770x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:50.00000%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14084\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-tintagel-castle-and-coastal-route\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Tintagel-castle-and-coastal-route.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Tintagel castle and coastal route\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Tintagel-castle-and-coastal-route.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Tintagel-castle-and-coastal-route.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 4 \u0438\u0437 5 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Tintagel-castle-and-coastal-route-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Tintagel-castle-and-coastal-route-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Tintagel Castle from the coastal route\" data-height=\"1196\" data-id=\"14084\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14084\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Tintagel-castle-and-coastal-route-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Tintagel-castle-and-coastal-route-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:50.00000%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14085\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/view-agatha-christies-greenway-side-elevation-rz\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/View-Agatha-Christies-Greenway-side-elevation-rz.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"View Agatha Christie&amp;#8217;s Greenway side elevation\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/View-Agatha-Christies-Greenway-side-elevation-rz.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/View-Agatha-Christies-Greenway-side-elevation-rz.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 5 \u0438\u0437 5 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/View-Agatha-Christies-Greenway-side-elevation-rz-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/View-Agatha-Christies-Greenway-side-elevation-rz-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Agatha Christie's Greenway House. Photo: Mick Hart 2025\" data-height=\"1196\" data-id=\"14085\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14085\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/View-Agatha-Christies-Greenway-side-elevation-rz-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/View-Agatha-Christies-Greenway-side-elevation-rz-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">2025 that was the year that was: UK and Kaliningrad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Summer in Kaliningrad found me undertaking grossly inadvisable experiments of a selfie kind, as seen here in the photo, which was snapped out front of Kaliningrad\u2019s vast and intricate Baroque fantasy, the multiple entertainment and bar complex, Residence of Kings. Like the historic Blue Anchor in London\u2019s Southwark, bars sufficient there are inside this gargantuan establishment not to venture outside if a \u2018pub crawl\u2019 is what you\u2019re after. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:50.08328%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14086\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-kings-residence-kaliningrad-july-2025\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kings-residence-Kaliningrad-July-2025.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"King&amp;#8217;s residence Kaliningrad July 2025\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kings-residence-Kaliningrad-July-2025.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kings-residence-Kaliningrad-July-2025.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 1 \u0438\u0437 2 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kings-residence-Kaliningrad-July-2025-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kings-residence-Kaliningrad-July-2025-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Residence of Kings entertainment centre, Kaliningrad\" data-height=\"1196\" data-id=\"14086\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14086\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kings-residence-Kaliningrad-July-2025-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Kings-residence-Kaliningrad-July-2025-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:49.91672%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14087\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-mick-hart-kings-residence-kaliningrad-july-2025\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Kings-Residence-Kaliningrad-July-2025.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart, Residence of Kings, 2025, Kaliningrad\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Kings-Residence-Kaliningrad-July-2025.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Kings-Residence-Kaliningrad-July-2025.jpg?fit=625%2C833&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 2 \u0438\u0437 2 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Kings-Residence-Kaliningrad-July-2025-768x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Kings-Residence-Kaliningrad-July-2025-768x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Mick Hart takes a selfie, and wished he hadn't, outside the Residence of Kings in Kaliningrad\" data-height=\"1200\" data-id=\"14087\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14087\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Kings-Residence-Kaliningrad-July-2025-768x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Kings-Residence-Kaliningrad-July-2025-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">On a return trip to the Art Depot Bar (Ponart Brewery), Olga and I went bananas. Let me rephrase that: on this occasion, she elected to join me. We also did a spot of amber dredging along the Baltic beach and shabby-chiced the entrance hall to arty-fart the dacha. Later, we solicited the assistance of real artists to illustrate the outside paint job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:24.93775%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14088\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-mick-hart-olga-hart-going-bananas-july-2025\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Olga-Hart-going-bananas-July-2025.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart &amp;#038; Olga Hart going bananas July 2025\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Olga-Hart-going-bananas-July-2025.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Olga-Hart-going-bananas-July-2025.jpg?fit=625%2C833&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 1 \u0438\u0437 6 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Olga-Hart-going-bananas-July-2025-768x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Olga-Hart-going-bananas-July-2025-768x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Mick Hart and Olga Hart go bananas\" data-height=\"1200\" data-id=\"14088\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14088\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Olga-Hart-going-bananas-July-2025-768x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Olga-Hart-going-bananas-July-2025-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:25.02075%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14089\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-mick-hart-painting-wall-shabby-chic-july-2025\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Painting-Wall-Shabby-Chic-July-2025.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart Painting Wall Shabby Chic July 2025\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Painting-Wall-Shabby-Chic-July-2025.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Painting-Wall-Shabby-Chic-July-2025.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 2 \u0438\u0437 6 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Painting-Wall-Shabby-Chic-July-2025-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Painting-Wall-Shabby-Chic-July-2025-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Mick Hart paints dacha wall\" data-height=\"1196\" data-id=\"14089\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14089\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Painting-Wall-Shabby-Chic-July-2025-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Painting-Wall-Shabby-Chic-July-2025-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:25.02075%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14090\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-shabby-chic-and-soviet-sove-july-2025\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Shabby-Chic-and-Soviet-Sove-July-2025.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Shabby Chic and Soviet Sove July 2025\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Shabby-Chic-and-Soviet-Sove-July-2025.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Shabby-Chic-and-Soviet-Sove-July-2025.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 3 \u0438\u0437 6 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Shabby-Chic-and-Soviet-Sove-July-2025-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Shabby-Chic-and-Soviet-Sove-July-2025-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"2025 that was the year: Soviet stove and shabby chic decor\" data-height=\"1196\" data-id=\"14090\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14090\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Shabby-Chic-and-Soviet-Sove-July-2025-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Shabby-Chic-and-Soviet-Sove-July-2025-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:25.02075%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14091\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-shabby-chic-wall-at-baltic-coast-dacha-july-2025\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Shabby-Chic-Wall-at-Baltic-Coast-Dacha-July-2025.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Shabby Chic Wall at Baltic Coast Dacha July 2025\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Shabby-Chic-Wall-at-Baltic-Coast-Dacha-July-2025.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Shabby-Chic-Wall-at-Baltic-Coast-Dacha-July-2025.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 4 \u0438\u0437 6 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Shabby-Chic-Wall-at-Baltic-Coast-Dacha-July-2025-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Shabby-Chic-Wall-at-Baltic-Coast-Dacha-July-2025-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Shabby Chic decor\" data-height=\"1196\" data-id=\"14091\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14091\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Shabby-Chic-Wall-at-Baltic-Coast-Dacha-July-2025-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Shabby-Chic-Wall-at-Baltic-Coast-Dacha-July-2025-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:49.91672%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14093\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-olga-hart-amber-beach-baltisk-july-2025\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-Amber-Beach-Baltisk-July-2025.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Olga Hart Amber Beach Baltisk July 2025\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-Amber-Beach-Baltisk-July-2025.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-Amber-Beach-Baltisk-July-2025.jpg?fit=625%2C833&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 5 \u0438\u0437 6 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-Amber-Beach-Baltisk-July-2025-768x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-Amber-Beach-Baltisk-July-2025-768x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Olga Hart collects amber on the Baltic Coast\" data-height=\"1200\" data-id=\"14093\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14093\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-Amber-Beach-Baltisk-July-2025-768x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-Amber-Beach-Baltisk-July-2025-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:50.08328%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14092\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-zalivino-baltic-coast-july-2025\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Zalivino-Baltic-Coast-July-2025.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Zalivino Baltic Coast July 2025\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Zalivino-Baltic-Coast-July-2025.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Zalivino-Baltic-Coast-July-2025.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 6 \u0438\u0437 6 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Zalivino-Baltic-Coast-July-2025-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Zalivino-Baltic-Coast-July-2025-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Sunset on the Baltic lagoon\" data-height=\"1196\" data-id=\"14092\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14092\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Zalivino-Baltic-Coast-July-2025-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Zalivino-Baltic-Coast-July-2025-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:33.35428%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14140\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-mick-hart-olga-hart-dacha-chileekin-artist-draws\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Olga-Hart-dacha-Chileekin-artist-draws-rotated.jpg?fit=900%2C1195&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1195\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart &amp;#038; Olga Hart dacha Chileekin artist draws\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Olga-Hart-dacha-Chileekin-artist-draws-rotated.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Olga-Hart-dacha-Chileekin-artist-draws-rotated.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 1 \u0438\u0437 5 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Olga-Hart-dacha-Chileekin-artist-draws-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Olga-Hart-dacha-Chileekin-artist-draws-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Vladimir Chileekin, artist, outlines wall motif\" data-height=\"1195\" data-id=\"14140\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14140\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Olga-Hart-dacha-Chileekin-artist-draws-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Olga-Hart-dacha-Chileekin-artist-draws-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:33.31923%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14139\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-mermaid-on-zalivino-house\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mermaid-on-Zalivino-House.jpg?fit=963%2C1280&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"963,1280\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mermaid on Zalivino House\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mermaid-on-Zalivino-House.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mermaid-on-Zalivino-House.jpg?fit=625%2C831&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 2 \u0438\u0437 5 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mermaid-on-Zalivino-House-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mermaid-on-Zalivino-House-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mermaid-on-Zalivino-House-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=963&#038;ssl=1 963w\" alt=\"2025 that was the year that was: Vladimir Chileekin's mermaid\" data-height=\"1280\" data-id=\"14139\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14139\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mermaid-on-Zalivino-House-770x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"963\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mermaid-on-Zalivino-House-770x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:33.32649%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14141\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-mick-hart-al-fresco-dining-russia\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-al-fresco-dining-Russia.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart al fresco dining Russia\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-al-fresco-dining-Russia.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-al-fresco-dining-Russia.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 3 \u0438\u0437 5 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-al-fresco-dining-Russia-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-al-fresco-dining-Russia-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Mick Hart in a Russian country garden\" data-height=\"1196\" data-id=\"14141\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14141\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-al-fresco-dining-Russia-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-al-fresco-dining-Russia-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:63.87759%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14142\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-mick-hart-in-a-russian-country-garden\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-a-Russian-Country-Garden.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,900\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart in a Russian Country Garden\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-a-Russian-Country-Garden.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-a-Russian-Country-Garden.jpg?fit=625%2C469&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 4 \u0438\u0437 5 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-a-Russian-Country-Garden-1024x768.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-a-Russian-Country-Garden-1024x768.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-a-Russian-Country-Garden-1024x768.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Mick Hart and Olga Hart with friends\" data-height=\"900\" data-id=\"14142\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14142\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-a-Russian-Country-Garden-1024x768.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-in-a-Russian-Country-Garden-1024x768.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:36.12241%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14143\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-olga-harts-fish-with-legs-baltisk-kaliningrad\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Harts-fish-with-legs-Baltisk-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"rz Olga Hart&amp;#8217;s fish with legs Baltisk Kaliningrad\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Harts-fish-with-legs-Baltisk-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Harts-fish-with-legs-Baltisk-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 5 \u0438\u0437 5 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Harts-fish-with-legs-Baltisk-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Harts-fish-with-legs-Baltisk-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"\" data-height=\"1196\" data-id=\"14143\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14143\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Harts-fish-with-legs-Baltisk-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Harts-fish-with-legs-Baltisk-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"625\" data-attachment-id=\"14094\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-hello-autumn\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Autumn.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"rz Hello Autumn\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Autumn.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Autumn.jpg?fit=625%2C625&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Autumn.jpg?resize=625%2C625&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14094\" style=\"width:292px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Autumn.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Autumn.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Autumn.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Autumn.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Autumn.jpg?resize=12%2C12&amp;ssl=1 12w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Autumn.jpg?resize=624%2C624&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Autumn.jpg?resize=24%2C24&amp;ssl=1 24w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Autumn.jpg?resize=36%2C36&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Autumn.jpg?resize=48%2C48&amp;ssl=1 48w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Autumn.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Arguably the best month of the year for me \u2013 the glorious and sadly soft transition from extraversion to mellow introspectiveness. Having said that, the famous K\u00f6nigsberg monument depicted below, as captured in September, is not bull-orientated, so you haven\u2019t discovered a worthy joke there. Neither will it assist you should your first name be Bill and your last name Cody. The famous bronze creatures locking horns on Prospekt Mira, opposite the Regional Scientific Library, are, in fact, Bisons, sculpted by August Gaul in 1910 and valued as well as intrinsically for having survived the city\u2019s destruction at the close of World War II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The chap standing there with an anchor in his hand and pointing at me as if he is trying to tell me something is, as if you didn\u2019t know, the one and only Peter the Great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:61.14257%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14103\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-fighting-bison-statues-in-kaliningrad\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Fighting-Bison-statues-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=1200%2C1012&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1012\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Fighting Bison statues in Kaliningrad\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Fighting-Bison-statues-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=300%2C253&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Fighting-Bison-statues-in-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=625%2C527&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 1 \u0438\u0437 2 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Fighting-Bison-statues-in-Kaliningrad-1024x864.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Fighting-Bison-statues-in-Kaliningrad-1024x864.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Fighting-Bison-statues-in-Kaliningrad-1024x864.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Struggling Bisons statue in Kaliningrad\" data-height=\"1012\" data-id=\"14103\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14103\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Fighting-Bison-statues-in-Kaliningrad-1024x864.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Fighting-Bison-statues-in-Kaliningrad-1024x864.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:38.85743%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14104\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-peter-the-great-monument-kaliningrad\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Peter-the-Great-monument-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Peter the Great monument Kaliningrad\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Peter-the-Great-monument-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Peter-the-Great-monument-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 2 \u0438\u0437 2 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Peter-the-Great-monument-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Peter-the-Great-monument-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Peter the Great monument in Kaliningrad\" data-height=\"1196\" data-id=\"14104\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14104\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Peter-the-Great-monument-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Peter-the-Great-monument-Kaliningrad-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:63.80619%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14099\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-de-parrys-hotel-bedford-2025\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-De-Parrys-Hotel-Bedford-2025.jpg?fit=1200%2C903&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,903\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"D&amp;#8217;Parys, hotel, Bedford 2025\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-De-Parrys-Hotel-Bedford-2025.jpg?fit=300%2C226&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-De-Parrys-Hotel-Bedford-2025.jpg?fit=625%2C471&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 1 \u0438\u0437 2 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-De-Parrys-Hotel-Bedford-2025-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-De-Parrys-Hotel-Bedford-2025-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-De-Parrys-Hotel-Bedford-2025-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"D'Parys, hotel, in Bedford\" data-height=\"903\" data-id=\"14099\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14099\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-De-Parrys-Hotel-Bedford-2025-1024x771.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-De-Parrys-Hotel-Bedford-2025-1024x771.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:36.19381%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14101\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-mick-hart-tree-hugging-bedfordshire-october-2025\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Tree-Hugging-Bedfordshire-October-2025.jpg?fit=963%2C1280&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"963,1280\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"rz Mick Hart Tree Hugging Bedfordshire October 2025\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Tree-Hugging-Bedfordshire-October-2025.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Tree-Hugging-Bedfordshire-October-2025.jpg?fit=625%2C831&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 2 \u0438\u0437 2 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Tree-Hugging-Bedfordshire-October-2025-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Tree-Hugging-Bedfordshire-October-2025-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Tree-Hugging-Bedfordshire-October-2025-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=963&#038;ssl=1 963w\" alt=\"2025 that was the year that was: Mick Hart goes tree hugging\" data-height=\"1280\" data-id=\"14101\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14101\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Tree-Hugging-Bedfordshire-October-2025-770x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"963\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-Tree-Hugging-Bedfordshire-October-2025-770x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Mick &#8216;the very rarely even close to great&#8217; polishes his tree-hugging skills, which he does in one of the photographs here, to a very grateful tree, which has very little else to do but stand the test of time on a hilltop deep in the North Beds countryside. Staying with the Bedford theme, there\u2019s also a picture above of the state-of-the-art Gothic revivalist De Parry&#8217;s Avenue D&#8217;Parry\u2019s hotel, framed within the gathering hues of autumn\u2019s transitionary season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Coincident with the autumn school term, when, presumably, there would be less family convergence on Poland\u2019s Sopot resort, we stole away for a five-day break. This was my second visit to Sopot, in which I discovered architectural gems Art Nouveau in nature and, wouldn\u2019t you just know it, gems of a different but not indifferent kind to a man of my discernment: \u2018Bar, Bar, Black Sheep\u2019.&nbsp; For some people it was sea and sand, and how does that expression go, \u2018like a kid in a sweet shop\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:25.03631%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14125\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/olga-hart-in-sweet-shop-in-sopot-poland-rz\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Olga-Hart-in-sweet-shop-in-Sopot-Poland-RZ.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Olga Hart in sweet shop in Sopot Poland\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Olga-Hart-in-sweet-shop-in-Sopot-Poland-RZ.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Olga-Hart-in-sweet-shop-in-Sopot-Poland-RZ.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 1 \u0438\u0437 4 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Olga-Hart-in-sweet-shop-in-Sopot-Poland-RZ-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Olga-Hart-in-sweet-shop-in-Sopot-Poland-RZ-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"2025 that was the year that was: Olga Hart let loose in a sweet shop ...\" data-height=\"1196\" data-id=\"14125\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14125\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Olga-Hart-in-sweet-shop-in-Sopot-Poland-RZ-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Olga-Hart-in-sweet-shop-in-Sopot-Poland-RZ-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:24.95326%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14126\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/sopot-romantic-villa\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-Romantic-Villa-rotated.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Sopot Romantic Villa\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-Romantic-Villa-rotated.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-Romantic-Villa-rotated.jpg?fit=625%2C833&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 2 \u0438\u0437 4 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-Romantic-Villa-768x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-Romantic-Villa-768x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Wonderful architecture, Sopot, Poland\" data-height=\"1200\" data-id=\"14126\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14126\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-Romantic-Villa-768x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-Romantic-Villa-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:24.95326%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14127\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/sopot-town-centre\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-Town-Centre-rotated.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Sopot Town Centre\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-Town-Centre-rotated.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-Town-Centre-rotated.jpg?fit=625%2C833&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 3 \u0438\u0437 4 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-Town-Centre-768x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-Town-Centre-768x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Municipal gardens, Sopot\" data-height=\"1200\" data-id=\"14127\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14127\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-Town-Centre-768x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-Town-Centre-768x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:25.05716%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14128\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/sopot-white-sandy-beach\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-White-Sandy-Beach-rotated.jpg?fit=900%2C1195&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1195\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Sopot White Sandy Beach\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-White-Sandy-Beach-rotated.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-White-Sandy-Beach-rotated.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 4 \u0438\u0437 4 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-White-Sandy-Beach-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-White-Sandy-Beach-771x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"Sopot's sandy beach\" data-height=\"1195\" data-id=\"14128\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14128\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-White-Sandy-Beach-771x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Sopot-White-Sandy-Beach-771x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">This time of year also found Mick Hart giving an impromptu address to Kaliningrad\u2019s lucky <a href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/proschool-kaliningrad\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/proschool-kaliningrad\/\">ProSchool<\/a> students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:50.00000%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14105\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/mick-hart-proschool-kaliningrad-classroom-rz-min-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Hart-ProSchool-Kaliningrad-classroom-rz-min-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C903&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,903\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart ProSchool Kaliningrad classroom\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Hart-ProSchool-Kaliningrad-classroom-rz-min-1.jpg?fit=300%2C226&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Hart-ProSchool-Kaliningrad-classroom-rz-min-1.jpg?fit=625%2C471&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 1 \u0438\u0437 2 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Hart-ProSchool-Kaliningrad-classroom-rz-min-1-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Hart-ProSchool-Kaliningrad-classroom-rz-min-1-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Hart-ProSchool-Kaliningrad-classroom-rz-min-1-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Mick Hart at ProSchool, Kaliningrad\" data-height=\"903\" data-id=\"14105\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14105\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Hart-ProSchool-Kaliningrad-classroom-rz-min-1-1024x771.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Hart-ProSchool-Kaliningrad-classroom-rz-min-1-1024x771.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:50.00000%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14106\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-mick-hart-at-proschool-in-kaliningrad-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-at-ProSchool-in-Kaliningrad-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C903&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,903\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart at ProSchool in Kaliningrad\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-at-ProSchool-in-Kaliningrad-1.jpg?fit=300%2C226&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-at-ProSchool-in-Kaliningrad-1.jpg?fit=625%2C471&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 2 \u0438\u0437 2 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-at-ProSchool-in-Kaliningrad-1-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-at-ProSchool-in-Kaliningrad-1-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-at-ProSchool-in-Kaliningrad-1-1024x771.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"Mick Hart addresses students at Kaliningrad's ProSchool\" data-height=\"903\" data-id=\"14106\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14106\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-at-ProSchool-in-Kaliningrad-1-1024x771.jpg\" data-width=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Mick-Hart-at-ProSchool-in-Kaliningrad-1-1024x771.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Late November ushers in, with a defining sublimity that never grows old, the dying shades of verdure, taking a last, impressive bow before, come the final encore, they leave the seasonal stage, handing over the act to winter. There are more deep, dense, poetically invocative and graduated praiseworthy colours in a <a data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/kaliningrad-in-autumn\/\" href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/kaliningrad-in-autumn\/\">typical autumnal scene<\/a> than you and I could shake a stick at, and as November plays itself out, less on high upon the sticks than are woven at ground level into a semblant natural Axminster, the wonderful reams of golden yellows, astonishments of auburns and the artists\u2019 palettes of burnished browns waft us gently away on a seasonal magic carpet into the swan-song realm of Christmas and its boisterous prelude to the end of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"830\" data-attachment-id=\"14108\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-autumnal-love-collage-by-olga-hart-2025\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Autumnal-Love-collage-by-Olga-Hart-2025.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Autumnal Love collage by Olga Hart 2025\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Autumnal-Love-collage-by-Olga-Hart-2025.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Autumnal-Love-collage-by-Olga-Hart-2025.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Autumnal-Love-collage-by-Olga-Hart-2025.jpg?resize=625%2C830&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Olga Hart autumnal collage\" class=\"wp-image-14108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Autumnal-Love-collage-by-Olga-Hart-2025.jpg?resize=771%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 771w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Autumnal-Love-collage-by-Olga-Hart-2025.jpg?resize=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1 226w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Autumnal-Love-collage-by-Olga-Hart-2025.jpg?resize=768%2C1021&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Autumnal-Love-collage-by-Olga-Hart-2025.jpg?resize=9%2C12&amp;ssl=1 9w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Autumnal-Love-collage-by-Olga-Hart-2025.jpg?resize=624%2C829&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Autumnal-Love-collage-by-Olga-Hart-2025.jpg?resize=18%2C24&amp;ssl=1 18w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Autumnal-Love-collage-by-Olga-Hart-2025.jpg?resize=27%2C36&amp;ssl=1 27w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Autumnal-Love-collage-by-Olga-Hart-2025.jpg?resize=36%2C48&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Autumnal-Love-collage-by-Olga-Hart-2025.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"625\" data-attachment-id=\"14111\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-hello-winter\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Winter.jpg?fit=1200%2C1200&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,1200\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"rz Hello Winter\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Winter.jpg?fit=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Winter.jpg?fit=625%2C625&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Winter.jpg?resize=625%2C625&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14111\" style=\"width:277px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Winter.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Winter.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Winter.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Winter.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Winter.jpg?resize=12%2C12&amp;ssl=1 12w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Winter.jpg?resize=624%2C624&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Winter.jpg?resize=24%2C24&amp;ssl=1 24w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Winter.jpg?resize=36%2C36&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Winter.jpg?resize=48%2C48&amp;ssl=1 48w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Hello-Winter.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">What goes around comes around, and here we are, back again in winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><a data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/the-hartman-hotel-svetlogorsk-reviewed-by-mick-hart\/\" href=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/the-hartman-hotel-svetlogorsk-reviewed-by-mick-hart\/\">Kaliningrad\u2019s Svetlogorsk<\/a>, its premiere Baltic resort, which, in summer, is a hubble bubble of touristic jostling bustle, with streets teeming, beaches embattled and popular bars and restaurants bursting at the seams, is, in the earliest throes of winter, an altogether different, essentially meaning quieter, place; for, as many of you likely know, out-of-season resorts, when experienced as a solitary cloud might enjoy its singular company, are like the recuperative restoration, the danger past in the aftermath, that follows in the wake of a raging distemper akin to flu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular\"><div class=\"\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__gallery\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__row\"><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:50.00000%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14113\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-olga-hart-beach-svetlogorsk-december\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-beach-Svetlogorsk-December.jpg?fit=963%2C1280&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"963,1280\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Olga Hart beach Svetlogorsk December\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-beach-Svetlogorsk-December.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-beach-Svetlogorsk-December.jpg?fit=625%2C831&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 1 \u0438\u0437 2 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-beach-Svetlogorsk-December-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-beach-Svetlogorsk-December-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-beach-Svetlogorsk-December-770x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=963&#038;ssl=1 963w\" alt=\"Olga Hart on Svetlogorsk beach, 2025\" data-height=\"1280\" data-id=\"14113\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14113\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-beach-Svetlogorsk-December-770x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"963\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-beach-Svetlogorsk-December-770x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"tiled-gallery__col\" style=\"flex-basis:50.00000%\"><figure class=\"tiled-gallery__item\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"14114\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-olga-hart-dash-of-colour-for-winter\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-dash-of-colour-for-winter.jpg?fit=900%2C1350&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1350\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Olga Hart dash of colour for winter\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-dash-of-colour-for-winter.jpg?fit=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-dash-of-colour-for-winter.jpg?fit=625%2C937&amp;ssl=1\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"\u041e\u0442\u043a\u0440\u044b\u0442\u044c \u0438\u0437\u043e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0436\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435 2 \u0438\u0437 2 \u0432 \u043f\u043e\u043b\u043d\u043e\u044d\u043a\u0440\u0430\u043d\u043d\u043e\u043c \u0440\u0435\u0436\u0438\u043c\u0435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-dash-of-colour-for-winter-683x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-dash-of-colour-for-winter-683x1024.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w\" alt=\"2025 that was the year that was, as Olga Hart recalls Svetlogorsk out of season\" data-height=\"1350\" data-id=\"14114\" data-link=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/?attachment_id=14114\" data-url=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-dash-of-colour-for-winter-683x1024.jpg\" data-width=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Olga-Hart-dash-of-colour-for-winter-683x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" data-amp-layout=\"responsive\"\/><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"830\" data-attachment-id=\"14112\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/rz-svetlogorsk-street-decorated-christmas\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Svetlogorsk-street-decorated-Christmas.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Svetlogorsk street decorated Christmas\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Svetlogorsk-street-decorated-Christmas.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Svetlogorsk-street-decorated-Christmas.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Svetlogorsk-street-decorated-Christmas.jpg?resize=625%2C830&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Svetlogorsk resort in the winter months\" class=\"wp-image-14112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Svetlogorsk-street-decorated-Christmas.jpg?resize=771%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 771w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Svetlogorsk-street-decorated-Christmas.jpg?resize=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1 226w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Svetlogorsk-street-decorated-Christmas.jpg?resize=768%2C1021&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Svetlogorsk-street-decorated-Christmas.jpg?resize=9%2C12&amp;ssl=1 9w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Svetlogorsk-street-decorated-Christmas.jpg?resize=624%2C829&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Svetlogorsk-street-decorated-Christmas.jpg?resize=18%2C24&amp;ssl=1 18w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Svetlogorsk-street-decorated-Christmas.jpg?resize=27%2C36&amp;ssl=1 27w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Svetlogorsk-street-decorated-Christmas.jpg?resize=36%2C48&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rz-Svetlogorsk-street-decorated-Christmas.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Thank Heaven! the crisis<br>The danger is past,<\/em><br><em>And the lingering illness<\/em><br><em>Is over at last<\/em><br><em>And the fever called \u201cLiving\u201d<\/em><br><em>&nbsp;Is conquered at last<\/em> \u2013 Edgar Allan Poe<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Aw, come on, Edgar, old mate, I&#8217;m with you totally on this kind of sentiment in its relation to mortal existence, but it\u2019s a bit strong in this context, isn\u2019t it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Excuse him, if you will; he\u2019s rather given over, you know, to lifelong fits of self-indulgence in the addictive vagaries of bleak melancholia. Let\u2019s merely fall back on words and phrases that do to seasides out of season no conventional harm, such as &#8216;deserted&#8217;, &#8216;quiet&#8217; and &#8216;reflectively peaceful&#8217;.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"833\" data-attachment-id=\"4632\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/how-to-grow-old-graciously\/mick-harts-diary-1971\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Mick-Harts-Diary-1971.jpg?fit=948%2C1264&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"948,1264\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1630075965&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick-Harts-Diary-1971\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Mick-Harts-Diary-1971.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Mick-Harts-Diary-1971.jpg?fit=625%2C833&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Mick-Harts-Diary-1971.jpg?resize=625%2C833&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mick Harts Diary 1971\" class=\"wp-image-4632\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.7500178916481787;width:196px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Mick-Harts-Diary-1971.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Mick-Harts-Diary-1971.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Mick-Harts-Diary-1971.jpg?resize=624%2C832&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Mick-Harts-Diary-1971.jpg?resize=18%2C24&amp;ssl=1 18w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Mick-Harts-Diary-1971.jpg?resize=27%2C36&amp;ssl=1 27w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Mick-Harts-Diary-1971.jpg?resize=36%2C48&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Mick-Harts-Diary-1971.jpg?w=948&amp;ssl=1 948w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">One thing that covers all seasons, and has been for me for the past 54 years, is the daily writing  of a diary. Not content, however, by exhausting the present with thoughts of the past, in 2025, I stepped up the arduous process of scanning in, and thus digitally converting, 40 years of handwritten copy. Bless him, that&#8217;s what I say! It keeps him out of mischief \u2013 &#8220;And not before time!&#8221; say those who know him!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"830\" data-attachment-id=\"14169\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/mick-harts-diaries-50-years-worth\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-50-years-worth.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"900,1196\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart&amp;#8217;s Diaries 50 years worth\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-50-years-worth.jpg?fit=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-50-years-worth.jpg?fit=625%2C830&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"14169\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-50-years-worth.jpg?resize=625%2C830&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mick Hart's diaries being scanned for digital storage\" class=\"wp-image-14169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-50-years-worth.jpg?resize=771%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 771w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-50-years-worth.jpg?resize=226%2C300&amp;ssl=1 226w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-50-years-worth.jpg?resize=768%2C1021&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-50-years-worth.jpg?resize=9%2C12&amp;ssl=1 9w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-50-years-worth.jpg?resize=624%2C829&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-50-years-worth.jpg?resize=18%2C24&amp;ssl=1 18w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-50-years-worth.jpg?resize=27%2C36&amp;ssl=1 27w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-50-years-worth.jpg?resize=36%2C48&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-50-years-worth.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"625\" height=\"406\" data-attachment-id=\"14170\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-uk-and-kaliningrad\/mick-harts-diaries-scanned-and-converted-digitally\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-scanned-and-converted-digitally.jpg?fit=1200%2C781&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1200,781\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Mick Hart&amp;#8217;s Diaries scanned and converted digitally\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-scanned-and-converted-digitally.jpg?fit=300%2C195&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-scanned-and-converted-digitally.jpg?fit=625%2C406&amp;ssl=1\" data-id=\"14170\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-scanned-and-converted-digitally.jpg?resize=625%2C406&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Mick Hart's diaries. Hard copy.\" class=\"wp-image-14170\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-scanned-and-converted-digitally.jpg?resize=1024%2C666&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-scanned-and-converted-digitally.jpg?resize=300%2C195&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-scanned-and-converted-digitally.jpg?resize=768%2C500&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-scanned-and-converted-digitally.jpg?resize=18%2C12&amp;ssl=1 18w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-scanned-and-converted-digitally.jpg?resize=624%2C406&amp;ssl=1 624w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-scanned-and-converted-digitally.jpg?resize=24%2C16&amp;ssl=1 24w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-scanned-and-converted-digitally.jpg?resize=36%2C23&amp;ssl=1 36w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-scanned-and-converted-digitally.jpg?resize=48%2C31&amp;ssl=1 48w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mick-Harts-Diaries-scanned-and-converted-digitally.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Copyright \u00a9 2018-2026 Mick Hart. All rights reserved.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Image attribution\u2b07\ufe0f<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hello Spring: &lt;a href=&quot;\/ru\/&rdquo;https:\/\/www.freepik.com\/free-vector\/fancy-lines-dots-hello-spring-lettering_6992212.htm\/#fromView=search&amp;page=1&amp;position=16&amp;uuid=42aab2a9-9c0f-4fa6-83d7-c57dc3e4d659&amp;query=spring+antique+typographic+image&rdquo;&quot;&gt;Image by freepik&lt;\/a&gt;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hello Summer: &lt;a href=&quot;\/ru\/&rdquo;https:\/\/www.freepik.com\/free-vector\/summer-background-design_1084447.htm\/#fromView=search&amp;page=1&amp;position=42&amp;uuid=e75660f9-e7ca-4ad9-b222-fcc3664d6f3d&amp;query=Hello+Summer+antique+typographic+image&rdquo;&quot;&gt;Image by mariia_fr on Freepik&lt;\/a&gt;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hello Autumn: &lt;a href=&quot;\/ru\/&rdquo;https:\/\/www.freepik.com\/free-vector\/elegant-hello-autumn-lettering-composition_2659814.htm\/#fromView=search&amp;page=1&amp;position=16&amp;uuid=781c1b5d-05f1-46f2-8e85-c0dbe722dc9d&amp;query=Autumn+antique+typographic+image&rdquo;&quot;&gt;Image by freepik&lt;\/a&gt;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hello Winter: &lt;a href=&quot;\/ru\/&rdquo;https:\/\/www.freepik.com\/free-vector\/hello-winter-lettering-with-leaves_10612573.htm\/#fromView=search&amp;page=1&amp;position=39&amp;uuid=056e05c8-7285-4de1-b3c5-3cdbeaee5a94&amp;query=Hello+winter+antique+typography&rdquo;&quot;&gt;Image by freepik&lt;\/a&gt;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Book with glasses: &lt;a href=&quot;\/ru\/&rdquo;https:\/\/www.freepik.com\/free-photo\/top-view-book-flower-glasses_4881633.htm&rdquo;\/&quot;&gt;Image by freepik&lt;\/a&gt;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mick Hart&#8217;s 2025: a nostalgic review in photographs 30 January 2026 &#8211; 2025 that was the year that was: UK and Kaliningrad As the photographs immediately below illustrate, Kaliningrad has been and is experiencing a real winter this year. Snow fell on cue, a week or so before the New Year celebrations, and its festive [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14156,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,2704],"tags":[2712,2713,618,2717,1461,2715,2407,2716,2714,28,2718],"class_list":["post-14049","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kaliningrad-mick-harts-diary","category-mick-harts-diary-2026","tag-2025-that-was","tag-2025-that-was-the-year-that-was","tag-autumn-in-kaliningrad","tag-autumn-in-the-uk","tag-spring-in-kaliningrad","tag-spring-in-the-uk","tag-summer-in-kaliningrad","tag-summer-in-the-uk","tag-uk-and-kaliningrad","tag-winter-in-kaliningrad","tag-winter-in-the-uk"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025-that-was-the-year-that-was-1.png?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14320,"url":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/winter-in-kaliningrad\/","url_meta":{"origin":14049,"position":0},"title":"Winter in Kaliningrad can be both harsh and beautiful","author":"Mick","date":"24 \u0444\u0435\u0432\u0440\u0430\u043b\u044f, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Some snowy scenes of Kaliningrad in winter. The thaw is on, but it\u2019s not spring yet!","rel":"","context":"\u0412 &quot;Kaliningrad Photogallery&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Kaliningrad Photogallery","link":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/category\/visitors-guide-to-kaliningrad\/kaliningrad-photogallery\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Old K\u00f6nigsberg fire hydrant snow-capped: winter in Kaliningrad","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rz-Fire-Hydrant-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=760%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rz-Fire-Hydrant-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=760%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rz-Fire-Hydrant-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=760%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/rz-Fire-Hydrant-Kaliningrad.jpg?fit=760%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13762,"url":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/kaliningrad-in-autumn\/","url_meta":{"origin":14049,"position":1},"title":"Kaliningrad in Autumn: Turning over an old leaf","author":"Mick","date":"25 \u043d\u043e\u044f\u0431\u0440\u044f, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Leaf it to me 25 November 2025 - Kaliningrad in Autumn: Turning over an old leaf From the earliest time of recollection, autumn has been for me my favourite season. In the days before real climate change, as distinct from the racketeering kind championed by the EU (achieve Net Zero\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0412 &quot;Kaliningrad Photogallery&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Kaliningrad Photogallery","link":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/category\/visitors-guide-to-kaliningrad\/kaliningrad-photogallery\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Collage created from photographs and leaves in Kaliningrad during autumn","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rz-Autumn-Collage-Kaliningrad-2025-min.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rz-Autumn-Collage-Kaliningrad-2025-min.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rz-Autumn-Collage-Kaliningrad-2025-min.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rz-Autumn-Collage-Kaliningrad-2025-min.jpg?fit=900%2C1196&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":762,"url":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/international-womens-day-kaliningrad\/","url_meta":{"origin":14049,"position":2},"title":"International Women&#8217;s Day Kaliningrad","author":"Captain Codpiece","date":"7 \u043c\u0430\u0440\u0442\u0430, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The perfect presents for Women's Day Revised 7 March 2026 | First published 6 March 2020 ~ International Women's Day Kaliningrad Just before the dawn of International Women's Day 2020, we took a trip to the BauCenter, where I bought Olga a nice trowel and some other romantic garden implements.\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0412 &quot;DAILY LIFE in KALININGRAD&quot;","block_context":{"text":"DAILY LIFE in KALININGRAD","link":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/category\/daily-life-in-kaliningrad\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Olga Hart with trowel in garden in 2026","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/OLga-trowel-2.jpg?fit=720%2C960&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/OLga-trowel-2.jpg?fit=720%2C960&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/OLga-trowel-2.jpg?fit=720%2C960&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/OLga-trowel-2.jpg?fit=720%2C960&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8129,"url":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/kaliningrad-retro-car-club-in-a-festive-mood\/","url_meta":{"origin":14049,"position":3},"title":"Kaliningrad Retro Car Club in a Festive Mood","author":"Captain Codpiece","date":"25 \u0434\u0435\u043a\u0430\u0431\u0440\u044f, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"In the club on Christmas Eve Published: 25 December 2022 ~ Kaliningrad Retro Car Club in a Festive Mood A big thank you to Inara and Arthur for inviting me to the Kaliningrad Retro Car Club end-of-year party last night and to the members of the club for making me\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0412 &quot;Diary 2022&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Diary 2022","link":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/category\/kaliningrad-mick-harts-diary\/diary-2022\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Kaliningrad Retro Car Club group photo Christmas Eve 2022","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Group-Photo-Kaliningrad-Retro-Car-Club-Party-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Group-Photo-Kaliningrad-Retro-Car-Club-Party-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Group-Photo-Kaliningrad-Retro-Car-Club-Party-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Group-Photo-Kaliningrad-Retro-Car-Club-Party-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Group-Photo-Kaliningrad-Retro-Car-Club-Party-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C900&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10061,"url":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/kaliningrad-victory-square-flowers-of-condolence\/","url_meta":{"origin":14049,"position":4},"title":"Kaliningrad Victory Square Flowers of Condolence","author":"Captain Codpiece","date":"24 \u043c\u0430\u0440\u0442\u0430, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"24 March 2024 National Day of Mourning 24 March 2024 ~ Kaliningrad Victory Square Flowers of Condolence Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared 24 March to be a national day of mourning. As the death toll from Russia\u2019s worst terrorist attack for almost two decades reaches 137,\u00a0moving scenes in Kaliningrad\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0412 &quot;Kaliningrad: Mick Hart's Diary&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Kaliningrad: Mick Hart's Diary","link":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/category\/kaliningrad-mick-harts-diary\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Kaliningrad Victory Square Flowers","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Kaliningrad-Victory-Square-Flowers-Day-of-Mourning.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Kaliningrad-Victory-Square-Flowers-Day-of-Mourning.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Kaliningrad-Victory-Square-Flowers-Day-of-Mourning.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Kaliningrad-Victory-Square-Flowers-Day-of-Mourning.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7068,"url":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/alena-kravchenko-photos-1940s-english-home-in-kaliningrad\/","url_meta":{"origin":14049,"position":5},"title":"Alena Kravchenko Photos 1940s&#8217; English Home in Kaliningrad","author":"Captain Codpiece","date":"26 \u0438\u044e\u043b\u044f, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Alena Kravchenko writes about her love for photography and a past project in the present Published: 26 July 2022 ~ Alena Kravchenko Photos 1940s' English Home in Kaliningrad About Alena Kravchenko, Professional Photographer Alena Kravchenko: I have been interested in photography for as long as I can remember. It began\u2026","rel":"","context":"\u0412 &quot;Diary 2022&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Diary 2022","link":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/category\/kaliningrad-mick-harts-diary\/diary-2022\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Alena Kravchenko Photographer, Kaliningrad","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Alena-2.png?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Alena-2.png?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Alena-2.png?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Alena-2.png?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/expatkaliningrad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Alena-2.png?fit=1200%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14049","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14049"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14049\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14172,"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14049\/revisions\/14172"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14156"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14049"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14049"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expatkaliningrad.com\/ru\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14049"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}