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.
