Today I am a Grandfather congratulations to My Daughter Lizzy and her son (no name as yet) John of course is a good name

Happy Christmas to all My Readers

Swimmin with Wimmen

The Doc, The Nurse and Genny The Beautiful (GTB) all agree I need more exercise, can't think why I do 20 press ups each morning 10 with each eye then I get out of bed.

In reality It is a good idea both of us need to keep fit. So it was decided swimming  would probably suit best.
Next question where? Our beloved leaders agree we senior folk should be fitter and have suggested that swimming ought to be free for us.
Our Authority seems to have chosen not to listen, fair enough, however across the border not so far away the Authority has a different attitude, no charge.

Anyroad up free or fee paying our local pool turned out to be the best bet.

GTB suggests we should try Aquarobics as a start, something she had done in the past and enjoyed.
So one Thursday I am in the pool waiting for the fun to begin, the only male surrounded by lovely ladies, it's to much I nearly have a stroke, just couldn't quite reach. (stop it thats not funny)

Now it begins. "Well," Another disaster, jumping up and down is ok but then comes the swimming aids, we are supposed to stand on them and stuff, I ask you "Have you tried standing on something that is naturally buoyant?" it's impossible, I look around, all is serene ladies bobbing up and down, for them no problems. Splash! all eyes are now on me, one helpful soul says "try putting your knee on it first" I try again, I am getting there just one more push then, Wham! it slips from my grasp shoots to the surface clouting me in the face, I yell fall backwards creating a large splash and wave, swamping the nearest ladies all are laughing they're swimming aids bob to the surface, class disrupted.
I have decided this is not for me, the giggling lifeguard says you can swim up the other end if you wish.

I am unanimous that from now on I am only going to open or adult sessions and doing lengths.

I Didn't Wanna Do It

I've been sitting here looking out the window and thinking you should be doing something useful,  USEFUL  HA!  This morning GTB got my friend Ray and I clearing out the garage, two hours of heartache and pain as I watched my life disappearing all those things I thought I had a use for and had not looked at in fifteen years, how to books, how not to books, books about cats, books about dogs, as well as  books about books, How many bits of string Tangled leads and cables should a man have? and why did I keep this and whats the good of that, an imponderable? all those old videos that I meant to watch again, ancient  computer games and programmes according to GTB all had to go. She is right of course. I did find my Train set and track a load of 8track tapes and a goodly collection of LPs.

That brings me back to the beginning “something useful” ( ooh thats clever the quote marks put themselves round the right way I never noticed that before) to continue Umm yes! useful, put all those records onto the computer mind you have to borrow a deck for the job. Most all is done a few boxes to go through.

I give Ray lunch and me a pat on the back Genny gives us a big smile and a look which says “when are you going to sort out those boxes” Cheeky Monkey.

Dartmouth

A quick visit to Dartmouth to Look at Peters new Boat a cuppa a walk and home 

Back to School

Saturday, August 29

Today all children in Ukraine return to school. The previous week preparation have been made for this Event, new uniforms, pencils pens and paper bought, books covered, school bags unearthed, as well as my grandson disappearing a bit of a mystery Hmmm!

It’s 8 am we are walking to the school many others are doing the same, the children all smartly dressed clean shirts, ties neatly tied, shoes shining, each carrying flowers for their teachers, most seem eager to arrive.
In the grounds parents and children are chatting reacquainting themselves,” waiting for what I ask you’ll see they said”.
Soon we move to the playground here a huge ballon Arch has been erected under which some tables are set, a man twiddles knobs and faders as he tries to coax the sound system into life a few screeches from the speakers, then to the sound of Sousa Liberty Bell March it all kicks off.
Each class parade into the area led by its teacher to line up around the perimeter, the the centre is left for performances by various groups and individuals. it’s a real colourful sight balloons flowers dresses and pom poms the youngsters perform with aplomb brimming with confidence. Now I discover the mysterious disappearance of my grandson, He has almost the final part of the morning, walking over to a little girl he lifts her onto his shoulder, she is carrying the school bell which she rings to signify the commencement of the new term as he parades her around the assembly. Now the balloons are released one for each child, as they disappear the senior class move forward to escort the new arrivals to their classes.
Thats it it’s a beautiful day as we walk home the anticipation of a nearly traditional english breakfast helps to keep the smile on my face.

Bazaar Activities

Saturday, August 29

It has been a long time since I went with the girls to the Bazaar. First was the produce market.

It’s early morning the place is heaving with shoppers, lorries and trucks weave around The rows of stalls packed with the freshest of fruit and vegetables,straight from the fields, I looked at the cardboard boxes piled high beside them, names familiar to me Geest, Dole and others, I thought ah ha this stuff is imported, but none of it each box is full of local produce recycling at its most basic. There were sellers of apples of different varieties willing to cut a slice to sample, vast piles of potatoes the earth still clinging to the skin, great bags of onions, sweet carrots, long rooted parsnips,  strings and boxes of huge plump bulbs of Garlic, the lovely purple skinned onion from the Crimea, displays of salad crops, large Radish, Chervil,Parsley, Dill, Spring Onions Knobbly Gherkins, Aubergines and Bulbs of Fennel all artfully arranged to catch the eye. large creamy headed Cauliflowers, Mountains of fragrant Melons, Water Melons the size of footballs,luscious plump Figs, Plums and Pears, Huge fleshy Tomatoes ripe and almost bursting from their skin still more boxes of cherry and vine tomatoes,” try try” I am urged so very tasty. Fresh eggs by the tray-full  and  this seasons honey great golden jars and containers full of this sweet amber liquid its has got to be tasty judging by the amount of wasps buzzing about, no seriously it is so good full of the scent and taste of the Acacia.

The range and variety of Produce on offer is almost to much to describe, prices vary from stall to stall no one seems to worried there is enough choice to suit all sizes of shopping bag, there could be some sort of pecking order but I dont know.


This is I suppose a farmers market the goods not traveling that far, although some stuff comes from Moldova just over the border with other coming up from The Crimea, even so from farm to plate It's no great distance.

Now we go to the Fish and Meat Bazaar, here slightly different it’s a covered layout still row upon row of counters, we pass quickly through the fish department not our mission for today I get glimpses of gleaming scales clear bright eyes, fish of all sizes surrounded in ice I can smell the sea!!
   

Here in the meat area Butchers are cutting up the carcasses using what I can only describe as large heavy axes with a curved blade looking very like the ones a woodcutter would use but shorter handled. No fancy beechwood chopping blocks here they look more to me like tree trunks. The counter staff are  busy trimming and laying out the cuts of meat presented in an unfamiliar way to me, I mean I know what Pork, Lamb and Beef joints look like but not cut this way.


Another department has Poultry on sale not so much here today, as before counter staff are busy preparing the birds, each seem to have a small lit candle and are burning off the feather stubble. No battery birds here. Nothing goes to waste everything is for sale all the bones fat skin etc even the chicken feet, down to the pigs oink.

Moving on the dairy counters, stall upon stall of cheese looking different but tasting the same well to me anyway I wonder with the amount of tasting on offer its possible to forgo a meal. last and by no means least Bread, now I am not a great lover of the black breads and so forth but here is a variety of loaves of all shapes and derived from many places and like so much when fresh from the bakery unbeatable especially the one derived from Georgia thats my favourite

Maybe the huge supermarkets will take a lot of trade away from these places I hope not. Progress??

Thats it we go home. 

I've Been Graped

Sunday August 30

Another sunny sunday not so hot +28 ish
Its noon we are visiting a friend Natasha.

We are sitting In the garden under a bower of grapes that are hanging invitingly in great bunches the temptation to scrump them is very strong, another month and they will be perfect for wine making.

The barbecue's hot and the smells from it tantalizing, great pieces of pork are slowly cooking to a golden brown, the table is as usual groaning with goodies, one of the best bits the tomatoes newly gathered from the garden,freshly prepared sauces sit ready to embellish the meat. The wine is flowing generously the plates are waiting, we get stuck in, delicious!

Much later the eating has slowed to a hunt and pick situation, the talk flows animatedly from one subject to another until Natasha produces a knife and starts to gather some of the grapes, soon a huge bowl is on the table, we all dig in, Oh Boy! I've not tasted anything as good as this for years it's almost a shame that much of this crop will finish up as wine but I bet it tastes good.

“What's the variety”? I ask “Lydia” is the reply, well all I can say is "fruitfully gorgeous".
All to soon the taxi arrives and we make our goodbyes well fed and watered complete with a large basket full of delicious Lydia grapes.

Fortress

A Very Tall Ship

The Sail Training Vessel Amerigo Vespucci  paid a visit to Odessa, 

Over a couple of days as a courtesy it was open to the public for viewing I took the advantage to go look at her, unfortunately for me half Odessa had the same idea. The upshot being I didn’t go aboard, she is such a beautiful ship that I was happy to admire her from the Quay.

Montenegro or Bust

24 July

Some ungodly hour 03-30 in the morning commencing our holiday to Montenegro.

Drive to Kiev, interesting to see sun rising over the fields of sunflowers is about 6-Hr journey but with stops we arrived just about right for check in about 90mins before flight. Ok so now we hungry find the only place to sit is bar area us get told unless you by something from bar we can’t sit there £4 for a bar of chocolate rip off merchants or what.

Finally we board the plane short flight about 2-hrs uneventful and arrive at Tivat airport simple transit through to coach taking us to the apartment in Budva.

Temperature gauge on board shows a warmish +46

Hmmm this is ok Air Conditioning luxury,two large rooms 2 double divans, kitchen,bathroom satellite TV please the kids, balcony own front door pretty good. Ira and Yura have similar apartment upstairs [cause the old man wouldn’t climb them lazy so and so].

Soon its time to go to the beach, A ground floor apartment means it is an easy 5 minute walk, I dont believe it thats what the man said 5 minutes and it is brill. a short stroll along the esplanade I suppose you’d call it lined with the usual junk and beachwear plenty of eateries and bars bet” these get louder as the night starts up” Oh Dear! bit of a disappointment the water is dirty the beach itself is ok if you could find any among the loungers and sunshades the sea is grubby full of detritus of all kinds odd that usually it’s the other way about water Ok beach grubby, but today was like that, the water was cold which is a surprise as the air temperature was +46 but it felt cold. Anyway we had a good swim a very good swim everything was ok as long as you kept you mouth shut ha ha.

So that was that went home had some supper and off to bed at the end of what had been a very long 14 Hour day.

The following morning we awoke early and it was beautiful the sun hadn’t sort of really go to strong and was throwing a wonderful light on the mountains around us I mean the view from the balcony of this place is just amazing really lovely, we sat there for a while and around eight am set off for the beach where we were having breakfast at one of the beachside cafe’s, and that was erm that was lovely. A good breakfast of eggs as much as you could eat, all part of the package that the family had put together, so we had our eggs and bacon well not bacon it was some sort of a sausage fried, bit greasy to be honest but tasty, we couldn’t have coffee in the morning only juice or tea and hells teeth the tea was dreadful but I suffered in almost silence.

Then it was decided to wander along to the old town of Budva the original one. This was a walled town and there were 2 or 3 gates going into it and of course very very narrow streets everywhere paved absolutely gorgeous every turn you took was something new narrow streets wonderful little courtyards everywhere, and gorgeous views out to sea.

The old town has catered well for the tourist plenty to interest the girls as well as gift and souvenir shops with many cafe's restaurants and bars for the inner man.

After having a good old wander round we found a coffee shop and bumbled in for coffee. The family stuck with cappuccinos I had an iced latte very nice after which we made our way back to the apartment because by now it was getting very hot.

It was midday we decided to have lunch well we didn’t really we had a liquid lunch which was very all right, then sort of middle of the afternoon well early afternoon really made our way down to the beach. Everybody had a plan Plan A, we would go to a new beach one we had passed in the morning which looked a little less crowded, bit cleaner we thought, so down we went.

Well, when we got there forgot or hadn’t realised that it was all shingles and very slippery under foot, and umm! We found a spot got undressed,

I took my shoes off ouch! That was a mistake, I was burning the soles of my feet on these red hot shingles, so decided take a dip in the water straight away. Well hmph! the seabed is covered in rocks and stones and I didn’t really manage to keep my feet terribly well, got out as far as my knees and it was really uncomfortable and I was slipping and sliding around, I thought I’m not having this, so turned round to come back took three steps and there was an explosion, well I dont know what you might say but there was arms and legs and arse and head flying in all directions and I landed up flat on my face in four inches of water, much to the amusement of everybody watching, and of course they probably realised something like that was going to happen anyway cause it wouldn’t be the first time. So I got up huge grin on my face took a step backwards promptly tripped over again landing on my backside, the look of shock and surprise on my face just set everybody into paroxysms of laughter and I had to be half carried and dragged up the beach where I sat in abject misery for the next half an hour while the family went off for a swim. But a small consolation was the fact that they also got cut and bruised because the rocks really were quite sharp under the water.

So then we decided on Plan B that was to go back to the beach that we had gone the night before which we did, wandered back and found ourselves a lounger and parasol guy came along and demanded some money, and we said well we are staying at the apartment up the road, “No no no no thats all right” he said “thats all booked and payed for” so after all the fagaries we had been through earlier to find that we already got places booked on the beach was ha ha quite good. So that was it we went in.

Actually By this time there had been a breeze and bit of a tide I suppose and the water was pretty clean in fact and it was also warmer maybe we were getting used to it but was certainly warmer and that was it, I had a wonderful swim great stuff.

The family disappeared off they wanted to do shopping and various other things I said “no I’m not going I’m going to be blinking miserable I’m staying here” which I did for another hour just watching life go by.

One Mr Adonis Who’d been posing all afternoon getting the rays got collared Mrs Adonis indicated that she wanted the Parasol moving because the sun had gone round, well Iv’e never seen anybody get in such a bloody muddle trying to put up this blooming parasol and move it reminded me very much of the guy trying to put up a deck chair in the wind on the beach in Blackpool, at least I wasn’t the cabaret this time. I then wandered back to the apartment.

The girls are off putting some sort of an itinerary together for the rest of the week some excursions that we want to do, so thats our next discussion I suppose when they come back, tell us what wev’e decided ha ha that were going to do for the rest of the week.

Now it is evening the sun has swung west throwing a differant light on the mountains, soon it will sink into them and the night owls will emerge. Already the fun fair is waking the evening air will be filled with the screams and laughter from the Kamakaze ride and the distant throb of music from the disco dance floors of the bars around.

A Wedding We Will Go

Poltava 

We have been invited to a family wedding in a very ancient city called Poltava. Site of a great battle between Sweden and Russia the latter vastly outnumbered their enemy 58k Swedish to about 150k Russians it ended any thoughts of dominance Sweden had. A monument to the great victory stands on the hill over looking the City.

Some 600k from Odessa it takes us over 10 hours to drive here. 
Katya is the granddaughter of Genny's cousin Galia today she is marrying Sasha having met while studying at medical college. A truly lovely girl I saw a few times when visiting Galia in Kirovograd. 


A very simple but beautiful civil ceremony accompanied by a string quartet who played various pieces including I will always love you and the ubiquitous wedding march, then as always loads of photos,the pros taking over proceedings as they usher shape and cajole us unwillingly to smile and pose self continuously. The one guy had an unusual approach to getting us to pay attention and smile he would waggle his ears or bark, it did the trick though.  Champagne and confetti in the park, a meal with dancing etc to follow. It's been 6 hrs and we are still eating not got to the cake yet. Oops more dancing, BH but not me ha ha, Galia 82 rock and rolling like a 16 year old I am ashamed sort of. 


There are many little ceremonies and traditions performed throughout the reception, as always the tossing of the brides bouquet, the removal of her veil which then becomes a wifely scarf, and special bread baked and offered much of what is going on goes over my head but I get the gist of it.


12 midnight now back to apartment sore feet full and not a little inebriated     
Time for bed said Zebadee.

Rambled Jottings

I wasn't going to write this then I thought what the Heck so here goes.

It's been almost two weeks since we arrived, reminds me of the saying about Time and Flying when you're having fun, I think there is quite a bit of truth in that remark. I have been busy acclimatizing, A visit to Valla and Anya for pedicure, manicure and haircut ( well why not)? Sevetlana has been over a few times to give this aching back neck and legs a good massage and will continue to do so for a while longer I hope, No need for hilarity as Genny The Beautiful says I deserve.

So where am I? Ah yes! Far removed from the soggy +17 rain and clouds of Blighty to +28 being kissed by the sun in Odesa UA, visiting the family Ira,Yura,Tolik, and Genya.

This all happened on the 8 July.

After a couple of days Tolik decided it was time to go for a swim "I am all in favour of that" I said the heat was getting to me in a nice sort of way. Later by noon I found myself on the beach, what joy the hot sand almost burning my feet the surf gently rolling ashore and then I was in the water, this was it, this was what I had been dreaming of ever since booking the flights all those weeks ago in March, the water took my weight I was cool and could move easily, swimming? Ah well there's the rub, to many GTBs meals,long sitting in arm chairs, with many sessions behind the wheel meant that at first it was hard going, many stops for breath and aching limbs but worth every grimace and grunt, at last I felt alive.

The problem with Riviera Beach is also its downfall for me at least, you see it's extremely popular therefore very crowded with about 150 steps down, ok not so bad, but 150 steps up again Oh Nnnnun No! Add driving and parking into the mix and well. GTB had the answer bit of a drive from the city but somewhere she knew well the Dniester Liman at Karolina-Buhaz. Its just a sandy bar a few meters wide 100-150 at a guess in places. The railway and road follow the line of the beach which is accessible only by crossing the rail track ( not as dangerous as you might think ).

Bit dodgy for this ship landed up here after big storm.

Whew! Last night was humid sleep did not come easily, this morning cooler just right for a drive.

We arrive early at the Liman some 30 km from Odesa. Complete with parasols and sun block, enough food to feed an army, Already the sun is well alight some folks are swimming the fish are inshore I sit under the endless blue sky and watch Storks and Gulls fishing for breakfast oblivious to everything but the task before them,

I am perched on my comfy chair I too am eating breakfast boiled eggs sausage rolls and lemon tea. A skein of geese fly past, far on the horizon ships wait for orders to load or discharge their cargoes, I idly wonder where they are bound Odesa,Ilyichevsk,Constanza,Varna,Istanbul?

Soon the Beach is filling with happy children,

Bronzed youths and Pretty girls in their skimpy costumes ( I keep looking out to sea ).

                                

It's looks like good fishing Yura retrieves his rods and

Manages to land a few tiddlers so far, Genya has more luck he is able to catch nail fish with his hands.

Once again the sun

Begins to overpower us and we head for the car home and our AC flat.

Now I am pretty well up to date, just a few rambled jottings I missed.

10 July

Flamenco Dancers at University Theatre.

Not as I presumed a Spanish troupe, but a class of Ukraine students,much foot stamping skirt swirling and posing, the guitar player accompanist was highly accomplished on stage throughout the show. Very entertaining missed the castanets.

16 July

Harry Potter Movie.

Harry Potter film quite good but only gives a passing nod to the book, the kids seem to like it so thats all right then.

19 July

Theatre

This was a weird one a sort of grim very Grimm fairy tale base on a story by Gogol, its about three friends who go to a village have a great time an old hag takes a shine to one of the guys and leads him on, he not interested and beats her up, she is a witch and makes him spend three nights at her coffin where she taunts him until on the third night he hangs himself. Laugh a minute. It's such a well know story that the theatre is full lots of children in the mix. Is it ME?

Actually it was very well staged and performed high energy on the part of all the cast.

Always worth a visit these theaters concert halls and so forth are superb venues large big stages technically excellent,ornate decor, comfortable seating plenty of legroom. My thoughts initially were I hope the people of Odesa appreciate just how lucky they are to have such places? But that's just not the case the places are packed out every night tickets not always that easy to get, I've been often to the them winter and summer with similar results.

Around St Johns Lock

This is GTB (Genny the Beautiful) we were taking a walk to St Johns Lock near Lechlade, on Saturday what a superb picture skew place it is, had to go back today Sunday and take a few more when the light was better

The First of the Few

As the title sez I am not going to write so often as I have little to say on any subject.

At retirement age I am happy just to let the world go by and occasionally give it a well deserved Kick up the ****.

You might find the odd Photo or three as I sorta enjoy taking a camera with me when Genny (the Beautiful) and I go out, well you never know what you might see.

I will not rant and rave about B****y Bureaucrats, Politicians, Jobsworths,

et al. They tend to give everyone a pain in the Butt so I leave that to the more erudite.

That's about it for now my starter for ten.