Many years before the office water coolers were invented, public water pumps served as a source of free cool and clean water for everyone (not always clean though, especially during the epidemiс times). And for those with no water supply system in their homes these pumps were (and still are) the only possibility to get water for all household needs. Some houses in Russia are still not provided with running water but despite that reports of removing public water pumps emerge here and there in the media.

Recently I joined the local history group on their guided walk along Valovaya street, one of the oldest in town. This water pump was not on the agenda that day but I recorded its sound as well. So, a short recording of the water pump – hear this while it’s still here.

Recorded August 15th, 2010 (CA-14)
Published August 29th, 2010.


This is how the heat sounds. Sun-dried acacia pods cracking and falling down on my head and then to the ground as I’m standing under the tree in Bereznyaki, six kilometers to the east of Sergiyev Posad. The daytime temperature remains over 30 deegrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) for nearly four weeks now, we are hit by the heat!
I guess it would be fun to listen to in winter.

Recorded July 17th, 2010
Published July 22nd, 2010.

P.S. This recording was made with my new CA-14 mics from Church Audio. Next time, I’m going to give you more more details on that. Stay tuned!


Sberbank banking hall, Sergiyev Posad, Valovaya street.

Recorded May 18th, 2010
Published June 24th, 2010.


Those muffled strokes are produced by the basketball players at the 2nd floor at the Loutch sports centre in Sergiyev Posad. Their footfall is perfectly heard all across the centre’s hall on that Sunday morning making the old ceiling lights shake, tinkle and treble.

Recorded April 3rd, 2010
Published June 18th, 2010.


Radonezhye (aka TVR), the local TV station aired a nice footage that is only half a minute long. This is the frog’s choir heard somewhere near Tryokhselischy village. Here’s the video – and what is more important the audio – by Dmitry Zaytchikov.

Published June 18th, 2010.