A city woman is anxiously waiting to hear if her family's old home in Georgia has survived the onslaught of Russian troops.

Christine Bestavachvili, of Peartree Bridge, was all set to drive to Gori on an annual pilgrimage when war broke out less than a fortnight ago.

For years she and her Georgian-born parents – her father is 101 in November – have taken part in the grape harvest there.

The 57-year-old still plans to go out there, but does not know what she will find.

"Our friends and relatives have fled the Gori area – the only people left there are those who could not escape," she said this week.

Television news has shown deserted streets and damage caused by shells and bullets.

Explosions have been reported and much looting.

"We don't know if it's okay," said Christine. "We shall know more next week."

Christine said the conflict, the result of tensions between the two nations over the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossettia, was heartbreaking.

"I am very sad. Georgians are fiercely patriotic but I am not in the least political. Ossettians and Georgians have lived side by side for years and now this.

"I believe this is all a chess game and we are just pawns," she said.

Christine said Georgia was a beautiful country astride the old Silk Road to India, a crossroads between east and west.

"It is the land of the Golden Fleece, of olives, fruits, tea and wine," she told the Citizen.