A long morning blending a gastronomic K'AVSHIRI Georgian rosé with Vladimer Kublashvili,using co-fermented Saperavi-Mtsvane, direct-pressed, barrel-fermented Ojaleshi, some Aleksandrouli, and air-dried Aladasturi bled from a qvevri after 24 hours.

For a Briton used to seeing his countrymen using the cross of St George as a nationalist-anti-European symbol, it is surreal to be here in Kutaisi, Georgia's 3rd city, where protesters firmly associate *their* flag with being fervently pro-EU.

Tbilisi, midnight 29, November 2024.

"Back in the USSR"

You can't see the protests, but they're happening down there, and older Georgians are openly talking about their fears of being controlled by Moscow

Again

The Carpe Diem wine shop in Chisinau, Moldova, is also a great place to drink a glass or two (from a wide range) with some ham and cheese.

Foucault Pendulum in National University of Moldova

Bonjour Cafe, from the other side

One of my favourite places: Bonjour Cafe in Central Park, Chisinau, Moldova