On this day, 40 years ago, I was with a group of young people crossing the border from Finland into Russia, destination Leningrad. All we knew of what was happening in Czechoslovakia was the Russian papers.

It was interesting, but scary. We managed to lose our official guide, but as so few of us had any Russian it was difficult to communicate. We had to assure people we were English, not American, before they would speak to us.

I'm glad I went & saw it though, it was an eye opener.

Paws