We will be heading to the Western Taiga on horseback, the journey will take three days. There are wolves in the hills so we need protection.

Using a hammer and pliers, the father of the family – our guide, prepares the bullets, whilst his wife having set the sheep soup to cook, kicks back with a cup of salt tea and a slice of bread spread thick with curds and wey.

He is deconstructing small bullets and pouring the gun powder into  larger shells. Using a pair of pliers, he removes the lead bullet heads then pushes them into the large shells then hammers them home with the pliers and crimps them into place.

It is a country man’s necessity to be armed. Tonight there is a full moon, all that is left to fill the scene is the howl of wild wolves high in the forest.

Ten bullets fashioned, the smith is set for the journey into the taiga.