Petrodvorets, Pushkin

Everyone one needs a little bolt-hole, especially the Tsars, to get away from the trials of life and spend the summer holidays.
I got a bus out to the Catherine Palace with Nick and Matt, the 2 English guys I'd been hanging out with from the Hostel. The fountains are supposedly naturally fed, without using motorised pumps to create the water pressure.Scenic view down to the gulf of Finland. Inside the Catherine Palace the interior designer had gone for the ostentatious look. Away with the fairies, or should that be angels? There was a lot of gold around, but I think they'd been watching Changing Rooms as there was more gold paint than gold leaf.
Probably one of the best ledge and step skate spots I've ever seen (better than Victory Park) and I didn't even take my rucksack off. There was a huge square with big hubbas and steps everywhere; I would have gone nuts back in the day but now I just crave some transition.