Thursday, 4 April 2013
Chats with Ira
Today took a trip to Swindon and had breakfast at Boswells cafe whilst waiting for Genny to finish her shopping before we go to get light bulb and go down to Cirencester to the cemetery, it is mothers anniversary today.
The breakfast was of bacon, egg, sausage, baked beans, two slices of toast and butter and pot of tea very nice.
Had an email notification from Apple that the damaged keyboard for my iMac was being replaced,the new keyboard was in the post which should arrive today or tomorrow.
I'm still waiting for Lizzy to come and collect the jar which she asked me for, it has now been three days since we found one for her, so maybe this weekend she will remember to come and pick it up. Apparently it is for Sasha to take to Playschool for some project he is involved with.
Had an interesting chat with Ira last night she tells me that all the work in the flat is complete and is very pleased about that, I said were you getting the last little bit the corridor done as part of the job? She said that it was to be started in a couple of days time, I say that I thought Yura Would be delighted when he came home at the end of the month that they would have flat back to themselves.
Had a chat with Yura on Tuesday evening He told me that his contract had been extended for further two weeks, the new Dutch Captain would not be able to join the ship until the end of the month. This is timing may very well impinge on his holiday time coming to the UK in June,July,August.
The family cannot come to England before the end of June because Genya has exams to complete so therefore will not be possible, Tolik will be away at sea, he should start within the next two weeks to go to Coral Palmata once this paperwork is all in order. He will not be finished for six months which should take him back in October November time, when he will return in Uni.
The good thing is that with the Marine Traffic app I am using, I can track Tolik for the duration of his contract.
Monday, 25 February 2013
Hoping for the best
Today Monday 25 February, took a trip to Banbury sitting here in the cafe by the canal reflecting that this may be the last time for a while I can do this, tomorrow I start my chemo therapy, I have no idea how its going to effect me the general consensus is its not going to be very nice, so I am preparing for the worst but hoping for the best.
It's a weird feeling this. The doctor keeps telling me they are trying to ensure me a better quality of life, the maddest thing is right now and for most of the past year I have felt fine, apart from every time I get a pain somewhere Panic what's the problem, usually it's turns out to be nothing a muscle spasm or a strain,
My object is to keep doing my own thing for as long as I am able, if I am able to get my chataracts done I should be able to keep on driving for a few more years, the independence that a car offers is incalculable, I know I will miss if I have to give it up.
It's a weird feeling this. The doctor keeps telling me they are trying to ensure me a better quality of life, the maddest thing is right now and for most of the past year I have felt fine, apart from every time I get a pain somewhere Panic what's the problem, usually it's turns out to be nothing a muscle spasm or a strain,
My object is to keep doing my own thing for as long as I am able, if I am able to get my chataracts done I should be able to keep on driving for a few more years, the independence that a car offers is incalculable, I know I will miss if I have to give it up.
Posted with BlogsyWednesday, 6 February 2013
A Different Perspective
The Wheelchair Saga.
This is how I arrived in Odessa headfirst what a way to arrive. It all started in the middle of the night on 17 December, Edward my son has said that he would come and take us to London Heathrow,thank you son! he duly turns up at the appointed time and we set off arriving about 4:45am. We had a very easy walk to the check-in where the guy sorted us out very quickly and efficiently, I asked him "oh! by the way I booked wheelchair assistance from here all the way through to Odessa is that still correct", his reply "yes you are booked through until Odessa," as the chair was nowhere to be seen I asked him why it was not there for me? he said I should have gone to the desk which is at the other end of the terminal booking hall to be checked in and I said "I can't walk all the way up there it was bad enough coming as far as this,""I will ring through and get a chair organised for you" he said.
When it arrived a very helpful man pushed it all away through to the departure gate,I had to sit for a few minutes dumped in the middle of the departure gate area but that was alright it wasn't a problem, fortunately I was first on the plane our seats already have been reserved weeks before.
Prior to arrival in Warsaw the stewardess has come to me and asked can I manage the stairs I said that I could but it is difficult, “not to worry" she said "we will organise everything when we land”. We were last off the plane of course to make life easy for everybody and sure enough the wheelchair was waiting with a young man ready to push me. It was all uphill to get into the terminal and by the time we got there he was well out of breath.
We got to the gate and again I was dumped in the area, this was not so good as I wanted to be able to look out on the apron (see what was going on) however soon the flight was called, I was taken to another gate and down in the lift, outside it was bitterly cold having been snowing for the last three days, the snow was deep and I thought you never get a push me through this to the waiting bus, which was about 60 yards away, but no I suddenly find myself on the tailgate of a lorry Genny was gestured to get on the tailgate with us and we were lifted up into the back of the truck, something of a surprise a properly prepared vehicle with chairs that were strapped on the side with adequate belts and seats for everybody, So it was we made our way to the aircraft. We stopped and I thought know what? suddenly the whole body of this truck rose into the air the driver guy opened a door at the far end of the vehicle, there right in front of us was the aircraft its rear door open.
The truck had been positioned a few metres away, a gangway was extended just touching the door of the plane, I was able to walk easily onto it. It was brilliant the staff were fantastic the stewardess when I boarded was very very concerned about everything making sure that we were comfortable and that I would be fine the other end,she assured me the captain was going to radio ahead to make sure that Odessa could accommodate me.
Just before we landed The stewardess came back to me and said “please wait until every body's got off the there will be some people who will be there to assist you” I said I should be okay thanks.
While we were waiting to disembarked the plane Genny started giggling looking for out of the window, “what are you laughing at?” she answered “look” and coming across the tarmac was a forklift truck with an empty palette bouncing about on it she said “I bet that's what they are using to get you off” but of course it went to the cargo bay and loaded it with some large creates.
Eventually these two guys arrived with their high viz jackets, pushing what looked to be almost a sack barrow type arrangement, A seat on it just about wide enough to go down the aisle of the plane, I was sat on it and strapped in. blimey don't know what I let myself in for, they looked at the door picked me up and headfirst carried me down the steps it was terrifying, being no lightweight these two guys struggled to get down the steps I was rocked and rolled I've never felt so out of control, what a relief once we hit the tarmac.
Still it was not over, by the time we got off the aircraft the bus had departed to the terminal and we were left standing in the freezing cold, we had to wait for the bus return, when it did I was plonked on it taken into the terminal. This was wonderful pushing right ahead and in front of everybody queueing to go through customs and immigration, a young lady look over the desk at our passports smiled stamped both of them and we were through, that never happened before. Except there was one last Gotcha, the truck would or whatever you want to call it couldn't squeeze between the cabin and a pillar where the custom person worked, preventing it from easily getting through, therefore I was wriggled and jiggled until we clear the gap.
The guys dumped me in the middle of the baggage reclaim unstrapped me and just walked off and said “that's it,” “thank you” I replied.
We staggered through to the customs department and were waved straight through, never been done before. Then out to awaiting hordes of people in the arrivals hall and our family.
What an experience and I Get to go through all again on the way home.
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
Last Days of Summer
Dateline Saturday 22nd September 2012
We are on the last knockings of summer as I drove into Banbury on a glorious morning the light was superb, every bush, tree, blade of grass, was giving its all showing off their greenery as if in defiance of the change of season. The cotswold and ironstone buildings glowing gold in the sunlight, the almost cloudless sky as blue as only a blue sky can be in England.
As I write I am sitting by the canal a cappuccino at my elbow, looking at the boats lazily swaying on the gentle water, the sun creating reflections bouncing off their hulls in wondrous watery patterns, a gentle breeze just takes the edge off the suns heat making it oh so comfortable sitting here.
There is little movement on the water many craft are on moorings their owners busying themselves with things that must be done at seasons end, some will be making their way home, scattered to all parts of the canal system, whereas some are preparing for a winter afloat, others, I think waiting for the big event of the year Canal Day.It is due to take place on the first Sunday of October.
All to soon it's time for home my coffee is finished and GTB is waiting for me.
The smell of newly turned earth wafts through the open window of the car emerging from the tree lined road, once fields golden with the summer bounty are turning chocolate brown under the plough, the huge machines of summer give way to the huge machines of autumn the computer controlled GPS positioned tractors creating arrow straight furrows in the rich loam, others are tilling the ground ready for sowing seed. Ere long green shoots of winter crops will be pushing through striving to get their roots down into the still warm soil before the early frosts of winter arrive.
I am still wondering where the migrating birds gather? As a young person I would see them sitting patiently on the telephone wires waiting for the off, today, nothing, have they gone already? Am I to early? ah! But of course no telephone wires.
How long are these golden days going to last? In a little over a week October will be here heralding the start of autumn my favourite month, the sun still has warmth to it the trees blazing with colour, yes that will do for me.
We are on the last knockings of summer as I drove into Banbury on a glorious morning the light was superb, every bush, tree, blade of grass, was giving its all showing off their greenery as if in defiance of the change of season. The cotswold and ironstone buildings glowing gold in the sunlight, the almost cloudless sky as blue as only a blue sky can be in England.
As I write I am sitting by the canal a cappuccino at my elbow, looking at the boats lazily swaying on the gentle water, the sun creating reflections bouncing off their hulls in wondrous watery patterns, a gentle breeze just takes the edge off the suns heat making it oh so comfortable sitting here.
There is little movement on the water many craft are on moorings their owners busying themselves with things that must be done at seasons end, some will be making their way home, scattered to all parts of the canal system, whereas some are preparing for a winter afloat, others, I think waiting for the big event of the year Canal Day.It is due to take place on the first Sunday of October.
All to soon it's time for home my coffee is finished and GTB is waiting for me.
The smell of newly turned earth wafts through the open window of the car emerging from the tree lined road, once fields golden with the summer bounty are turning chocolate brown under the plough, the huge machines of summer give way to the huge machines of autumn the computer controlled GPS positioned tractors creating arrow straight furrows in the rich loam, others are tilling the ground ready for sowing seed. Ere long green shoots of winter crops will be pushing through striving to get their roots down into the still warm soil before the early frosts of winter arrive.
I am still wondering where the migrating birds gather? As a young person I would see them sitting patiently on the telephone wires waiting for the off, today, nothing, have they gone already? Am I to early? ah! But of course no telephone wires.
How long are these golden days going to last? In a little over a week October will be here heralding the start of autumn my favourite month, the sun still has warmth to it the trees blazing with colour, yes that will do for me.
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Let The Train Take The Strain
An old slogan which I never thought I would be using, But! A few days ago Genny Ira Yura and I decided to go to Birmingham, I was not feeling up to driving so it was suggested we go by rail. What! You kidding me? After giving it some thought, well maybe not so bad an idea.
I discovered the train ran from Banbury station the parking easy and it's a short hop from home.
“Four tickets to Birmingham” I said to the ticket clerk, “which station she asked? The nearest to the Bullrings please, well if you go to Moor Street I can do you four tickets return anytime travel today for £26 what! You serious? How close to the bullring is it? right across the road, that'll do for me thank you”
Lifts gave me easy access to the platform good information on arrivals displayed, train arrived on time, plenty of room, comfortable seats, is this for real? (Ok it's a Saturday) sitting at a table take stock good signage, then I discover free wifi yes wifi for free great for surfing or emails bit much to expect streaming video and of course you can't but for everything else very good. Mind you how fast and accessible it would be at peak times I don't know. The train manager (apparently not called guards or ticket collectors anymore) was cheerful and helpful so different from the old days.
We arrived on time.
The Bullring was as described right outside the station, Irina and Genny enjoyed their wander round. I found an Italian cafe come coffee shop dispensing excellent cappuccino, I was happy, Genny too we both agreed a further trip to Birmingham will be called for.
If I can get the use of a mobility scooter I will not be confined to the coffee shop whoopeee, I can now visit the apple store I subsequently discovered is there.
Our return journey was a carbon of the first, arrival at Banbury punctual, a short gallop to the car and home. Probably the least stressful journey I have taken for a long time. Would I do it again? Sure of course, well if that scooter bit can be arranged.
I discovered the train ran from Banbury station the parking easy and it's a short hop from home.
“Four tickets to Birmingham” I said to the ticket clerk, “which station she asked? The nearest to the Bullrings please, well if you go to Moor Street I can do you four tickets return anytime travel today for £26 what! You serious? How close to the bullring is it? right across the road, that'll do for me thank you”
Lifts gave me easy access to the platform good information on arrivals displayed, train arrived on time, plenty of room, comfortable seats, is this for real? (Ok it's a Saturday) sitting at a table take stock good signage, then I discover free wifi yes wifi for free great for surfing or emails bit much to expect streaming video and of course you can't but for everything else very good. Mind you how fast and accessible it would be at peak times I don't know. The train manager (apparently not called guards or ticket collectors anymore) was cheerful and helpful so different from the old days.
We arrived on time.
The Bullring was as described right outside the station, Irina and Genny enjoyed their wander round. I found an Italian cafe come coffee shop dispensing excellent cappuccino, I was happy, Genny too we both agreed a further trip to Birmingham will be called for.
If I can get the use of a mobility scooter I will not be confined to the coffee shop whoopeee, I can now visit the apple store I subsequently discovered is there.
Our return journey was a carbon of the first, arrival at Banbury punctual, a short gallop to the car and home. Probably the least stressful journey I have taken for a long time. Would I do it again? Sure of course, well if that scooter bit can be arranged.
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
I wanna tell you a story part 4
The story continues now with what happened after Yevgeniya she came to the UK.
It was 14 June in 2001 I was standing in the arrivals hall terminal two London Heathrow a mixture of nervousness and excitement my beloved Jenny was coming to stay in the UK. Thoughts are rushing through my head was she okay did she make the flight alright was she having a problem with immigration and customs? what was happening? minutes seem to be hours before finally she was coming through the exit gate to me. That was 11 years ago and since that time we have never been apart, 24 hours a day seven days a week of the most wonderful time I have spent ever.
The following day we had to go shopping I will never forget Yevgeniya’s face first time she walked into a supermarket. There are large food shops in Odessa but nothing had prepared her for what she was seeing.The variety and sheer volume of goods on offer was amazing, the biggest surprise was the delicatessen counter she had never ever seen such a display or variety of cheese. Ukraine's cheese is to say the least fairly dreadful there's a lot of it in many different types, much of a muchness tasting just about the same, pretty awful.
We began to settle down as a couple, doing the things couples do. Conversation was still troublesome, Genny started to teach herself English, every day writing down and learning five new words, my excuse for not learning Russian!? well: I'm lazy, no not really, its just that Genny's need was greater than mine, everyone around her is chatting away she is unable to join in, this did lead to a few comical moments, as Genny became more proficient I had less need to help with the shopping, however I continued to hold her hand, this lead one day to me a asking do we need tea? “Nesquick” she said, I handed her a tin, “no not Nesquick not that Nesquick next week” I know I speak with a strong accent but: Another time she referred to toes as feet fingers, and chicken hairs for feathers.
Do you know I can't remember how we went about settling Genny in. I think getting her granted residency was not to difficult the big effort came much later when she applied for citizenship, but that's for later on.
We were engaged and wanted to get married, except for an obstacle I had not divorced my children's mother, as it happened we had been separated for some years, I think she was relieved,when I finally got round to sorting it out, she readily agreed, a solicitor was found the papers signed, just like that a chapter of our lives wiped out in a pen stroke simple.
Yevgeniya was readily accepted by my friends and my workforce, the close family were much more reticent, Mother didn't know what to make of her son finding this foreign person “what on earth are you thinking of” she said there was no malice there just puzzlement, her boy who had never done anything so adventurous before. The children didn't know what to make of it either, Lizzy has never properly accepted her,this has been a big sadness for us both. Edward, though slow to come round decided that if that's what Dad wanted and she made him happy, well that was alright by him.
Eventually we decided to try and set a date for the wedding, the registry office in Oxford was chosen. The date set for the sixth of October, new clothes were bought and hired all the trappings of the day arranged including a translator, we were fortunate in finding Penny a fluent Russian speaker,she had spent much time in Moscow and was only to happy to do this for us. My favourite Uncle said he would be honoured to give her away, my son Edward was my best man.
My family and friends attended the ceremony, the sadness was that our other children were unable to do so, timing and visas being the issue.
Later that evening we were discussing this,anxious to get over to Odessa as soon as practical, the following month we were able to book a flight. A thought suddenly occurred to me,”would you like to be married or at least have a blessing in church” I said, (Oh Yes!) she replied “I have never been married in church,” (in soviet times it would be a five minute civil ceremony) I could feel a lump in my throat a mixture of sadness and elation
7th November dawned cloudy and rainswept nothing was going to spoil our day though. Our girls had a surprise in store for us, they had managed to find an almost forgotten little church set in woodland, it had recently been restored and was looking wonderful, a number of Yevgeniya's friends were waiting to wish us good luck,the little bell in the tower was ringing as we approached the entrance, the doors swung open, a wonderful sight greeted us, rich colours deep reds glorious golds breathtaking blue paintwork, polished and burnished gold fittings, painted icons richly adorned in gold, the frames heavily carved and gilded, a full choir the sonorous Bass and Baritone voices filling the church with this extraordinary beautiful moving sound, candles glowing in the darker recesses, I got that lump in my throat again.
The ceremony for me was so different from anything I had experienced before, of course carried out in Russian I had no idea what was being said, this lead to a incident which produced great mirth with our congregation, the gist of it was, we were making our vows, the priest asked me a series of questions I had no idea what he had said but a nudge from Genny prompted the reply Da (yes) another question, he looked very serious Genny too, I took my cue Niet (No) shocked silence, again he repeated the question I thought better guess right this time boy, I could feel the eyes burning into my back, Da (yes) I said, smiles, you could hear the release of breath back in Chadlington. The service continued without further incident Genny was holding my arm so tightly and sort of squeezing it if she thought I needed help.
After it was all over Yura said to me “do you know why we all grinned at your answer, the priest asked you first do you love this women will you be good husband?” “Da” “will you behave yourself not look at other women, gamble, get drunk or in other ways misbehave” “Niet) oops that was it big laughs all round.
The bells were ringing as we walked down the steps, as is tradition our friends were waiting for us with a bottle of champagne to toast our good fortune and happiness, it was raining the water slowly running down or backs, I didn't notice it, I was dry and warm inside the cloak of love and friendships offered to me this day.
Afterward home to a feast only the Ukranish people no how to put on, a speciality dish prepared by our friend Luda was a fish which was skinned and deboned the flesh being mixed with vegetables and herbs the skin being filled with the mixture, cooked and served cold,it is totally delicious. There were of course the famous Russian salads,dishes of caviar supplied by Ira’s friend Vitali, with copious amounts of vodka,wine and champagne.
I had met Gennys friends before of but this time it was different I was now part of her family, they had accepted me curiously before as her friend, now my changed status put me on a different possibly more intimate level. Sasha Litvin and I got on like a house on fire, we had from the start. A fascinating fellow trained to fly by Genny, he went on to a distinguished military career flying jets, piloting Mig fighter jets, he was shot down in Afghanistan rescued by another friend Sasha, (more of him later) finished his service as a ranking officer. On retirement he pursued his hobby as a model maker and artist going full time producing unique pictures which are part model part painting giving genuine 3D appearance, soon taking commissions he has produced a fine body of work.
I first met Luda and He in Derabasovska Square where they had a pitch selling his works of art to the tourists,I bought a couple of them as presents, subsequently he has gifted us with many of his pictures which now have a wall to themselves at home. Sasha and I hit it off almost at once he has become a firm friend someone I always look forward to seeing on my return to Odessa. The other Sasha was also trained by Genny he to had a distinguished military career his final work was test flying their version of a Russian Jump Jet the Yak 38 on and off aircraft carriers, these planes as I understand are not so dissimilar from the Harrier, I believe it used a separate engine driving a central fan mounted in the fuselage giving vectored thrust to produce the vertical lift. As with most military personnel there was little work for him at retirement, a very small pension was not enough to live on. Sinking his money into a second hand Lada Sasha started a taxi business, this is how I met him and his wife Nina, they brought Sasha and Luda (oh this is confusing)to the church for our wedding,as I had a similar business we found some common ground we haven't kept in touch but they did come to our 10th wedding anniversary party.
Tanya and Valoda are Gennys oldest friends she and Tanya go way back, she is another remarkable lady, she too was in the military as a parachutist holding the record for the highest jump from a balloon not quite as high as Joe Kittenger but very high. Her husband Valoda was a parachute instructor, he is a real character I have to be careful in his company he has a tendency to keep topping up my glass with vodka, (my tolerance for alcohol is not that high), it is sad that he speaks no English, my russian is non existent, however we do sort of communicate by nods and gestures if the chat is to difficult a call to Genny usually will give us the translation, he is such a rascal though we have to be careful what we say.
Vassa and his wife Luda are very close to Genny, a smart dapper man Vassa was a navigator a regular part of Anatoli’s aircrew. Living only a few doors away in the next block of flats their children grew up together, again a great guy full of laughter and stories,we always go to them a least once during our visits. Luda was a professional cook her food is very traditional and very very tasty, she is a brilliant hostess,when we visit she always ensures that she has prepared at least one of my favourite dishes. What an very emotional day, the richness of the choral voices always able to move me, the colour and splendour of the little church was delightful, but mostly the warmth of friendships and joy we experienced,to this day never fails to bring a lump to my throat.
On our return as I have said before we settled down to life together,me to my Private Hire business, Genny to sorting out this bachelor place turning it into a home. It has taken a long time, a lot of paint and much elbow grease, but she has more than succeeded turning this house into a home. For me after a long drive it was wonderful on arrival to be greeted with a kiss a cuddle and a cuppa tea.this flat oozes her personality it's cheerful warm and oh so comfortable. Having made the inside to her liking to my chagrin she set about the garden. My son Edward and I had laid out the front and rear gardens to suit our (my) needs we had built raised beds and covered the ground in weed suppression membrane a liberal covering of wood chips all to save work, we knew neither of us had time to do much to it once it was established, it looked in our eyes very good a courtyard style at the rear and raised beds and gravel in the front, specimen plants and ground cover formed the basis, with splashes of colour from bedding plants in the spring and summer.
Genny however had other ideas she believes if you cant eat it its not worth growing, I've tried hard to change her mind with some success, but still she has gradually replaced the non doer plants with fruit bushes,herbs and other such tasty things, Genny has what is called a green finger, plants seem to love her and respond to her ministrations, now the garden looks great a bit of a cottage style with vegetables dotted here and there among the shrubs and flowers.
Genny is a most resourceful person, she never fails to amaze me at what she comes up with,making an oil lamp one night from cooking oil and strips of and old tshirt when the power failed(My torch battery was flat) to a wonderful system of watering her indoor plants when we are away, this consists of water containers linked to a collection of her plants by strips of cloth, using a capillary action they can survive for weeks before the water need topping up, clever or what? I've marvelled at her needlework, the house is now full of her tapestry pictures, crochet table mats and coasters, she actually produced a beautiful dress this way,even a rag rug for the front door (my poor old shirts), the one small gripe I have is that space being at a premium I was cajoled into sorting the cupboards, numerous boxes of precious things? the garage, you get the idea. Anyway most stuff was dumped or given away I know it had to be done but a big chunk of me just went, (there’s that bloody lump again), of course she was right it needed doing now uncluttered the place is so much easier to keep up together.
The next major event was to establish a permission for residency, Oh Boy! I do not wish this rigmarole on anyone. We took trips to first to Birmingham, only to be told she had come UK on the wrong visa and therefore was required to go to London, Croydon to be exact, to a place called Lunar House,it is the sorting hat for all persons wishing to stay in the country, all asylum seeker applications are processed through there, and it was a nightmare to deal with. I had been warned of this by a client who some years earlier had this experience. I thought he was joking but nothing had changed, he it was who advised if we had to go there to arrive as early as possible the doors didn't open until 9 am but be there at least by 7-30. Duly doing so I was astounded to find a crowd of people already ensconced some I was told had been queuing since 3am. We took up our position at the end of the line, within minutes dozens more folk had arrived. We waited and waited almost on the dot the doors opened the queue. started to move, then stop then start and stop again. The nearer we got it became clear that a screening process was in place a single machine to scan everyone entering the building, our turn came we were given a number and sent up stairs there we waited for our number to be called, at last it was our turn we had been 7 hours up to this point. The clerk took Gennys paperwork scanned through it stamped something and passed it back that was it, in a few days he said she would receive her national insurance number and notice of resident status. That was it nothing more to be done for a further three years until she applied for citizenship.
That's it really, in eleven years of marriage we have achieved so much My Darling became a British Citizen.We've visited many places with Ira Yura and the grandchildren, Istanbul, the Crimea, Moldova, we have sampled the delights of Vienna, holidayed in Majorca. Personally I have seen things and been places I would never have done had it not been for this wonderful lady and her family.
Now retired and not in the best of health I am spending as much time as I can with my extended family, Lena and Nick in Shaldon, Ira and Yura in Odessa. The good news is that Ira and Yura now have a long visa meaning it is much easier for them to visit us in UK I am finding the journey to and from Odessa more difficult each time so this is wonderful news.
It was 14 June in 2001 I was standing in the arrivals hall terminal two London Heathrow a mixture of nervousness and excitement my beloved Jenny was coming to stay in the UK. Thoughts are rushing through my head was she okay did she make the flight alright was she having a problem with immigration and customs? what was happening? minutes seem to be hours before finally she was coming through the exit gate to me. That was 11 years ago and since that time we have never been apart, 24 hours a day seven days a week of the most wonderful time I have spent ever.
The following day we had to go shopping I will never forget Yevgeniya’s face first time she walked into a supermarket. There are large food shops in Odessa but nothing had prepared her for what she was seeing.The variety and sheer volume of goods on offer was amazing, the biggest surprise was the delicatessen counter she had never ever seen such a display or variety of cheese. Ukraine's cheese is to say the least fairly dreadful there's a lot of it in many different types, much of a muchness tasting just about the same, pretty awful.
We began to settle down as a couple, doing the things couples do. Conversation was still troublesome, Genny started to teach herself English, every day writing down and learning five new words, my excuse for not learning Russian!? well: I'm lazy, no not really, its just that Genny's need was greater than mine, everyone around her is chatting away she is unable to join in, this did lead to a few comical moments, as Genny became more proficient I had less need to help with the shopping, however I continued to hold her hand, this lead one day to me a asking do we need tea? “Nesquick” she said, I handed her a tin, “no not Nesquick not that Nesquick next week” I know I speak with a strong accent but: Another time she referred to toes as feet fingers, and chicken hairs for feathers.
Do you know I can't remember how we went about settling Genny in. I think getting her granted residency was not to difficult the big effort came much later when she applied for citizenship, but that's for later on.
We were engaged and wanted to get married, except for an obstacle I had not divorced my children's mother, as it happened we had been separated for some years, I think she was relieved,when I finally got round to sorting it out, she readily agreed, a solicitor was found the papers signed, just like that a chapter of our lives wiped out in a pen stroke simple.
Yevgeniya was readily accepted by my friends and my workforce, the close family were much more reticent, Mother didn't know what to make of her son finding this foreign person “what on earth are you thinking of” she said there was no malice there just puzzlement, her boy who had never done anything so adventurous before. The children didn't know what to make of it either, Lizzy has never properly accepted her,this has been a big sadness for us both. Edward, though slow to come round decided that if that's what Dad wanted and she made him happy, well that was alright by him.
Eventually we decided to try and set a date for the wedding, the registry office in Oxford was chosen. The date set for the sixth of October, new clothes were bought and hired all the trappings of the day arranged including a translator, we were fortunate in finding Penny a fluent Russian speaker,she had spent much time in Moscow and was only to happy to do this for us. My favourite Uncle said he would be honoured to give her away, my son Edward was my best man.
My family and friends attended the ceremony, the sadness was that our other children were unable to do so, timing and visas being the issue.
Later that evening we were discussing this,anxious to get over to Odessa as soon as practical, the following month we were able to book a flight. A thought suddenly occurred to me,”would you like to be married or at least have a blessing in church” I said, (Oh Yes!) she replied “I have never been married in church,” (in soviet times it would be a five minute civil ceremony) I could feel a lump in my throat a mixture of sadness and elation
7th November dawned cloudy and rainswept nothing was going to spoil our day though. Our girls had a surprise in store for us, they had managed to find an almost forgotten little church set in woodland, it had recently been restored and was looking wonderful, a number of Yevgeniya's friends were waiting to wish us good luck,the little bell in the tower was ringing as we approached the entrance, the doors swung open, a wonderful sight greeted us, rich colours deep reds glorious golds breathtaking blue paintwork, polished and burnished gold fittings, painted icons richly adorned in gold, the frames heavily carved and gilded, a full choir the sonorous Bass and Baritone voices filling the church with this extraordinary beautiful moving sound, candles glowing in the darker recesses, I got that lump in my throat again.
The ceremony for me was so different from anything I had experienced before, of course carried out in Russian I had no idea what was being said, this lead to a incident which produced great mirth with our congregation, the gist of it was, we were making our vows, the priest asked me a series of questions I had no idea what he had said but a nudge from Genny prompted the reply Da (yes) another question, he looked very serious Genny too, I took my cue Niet (No) shocked silence, again he repeated the question I thought better guess right this time boy, I could feel the eyes burning into my back, Da (yes) I said, smiles, you could hear the release of breath back in Chadlington. The service continued without further incident Genny was holding my arm so tightly and sort of squeezing it if she thought I needed help.
After it was all over Yura said to me “do you know why we all grinned at your answer, the priest asked you first do you love this women will you be good husband?” “Da” “will you behave yourself not look at other women, gamble, get drunk or in other ways misbehave” “Niet) oops that was it big laughs all round.
The bells were ringing as we walked down the steps, as is tradition our friends were waiting for us with a bottle of champagne to toast our good fortune and happiness, it was raining the water slowly running down or backs, I didn't notice it, I was dry and warm inside the cloak of love and friendships offered to me this day.
Afterward home to a feast only the Ukranish people no how to put on, a speciality dish prepared by our friend Luda was a fish which was skinned and deboned the flesh being mixed with vegetables and herbs the skin being filled with the mixture, cooked and served cold,it is totally delicious. There were of course the famous Russian salads,dishes of caviar supplied by Ira’s friend Vitali, with copious amounts of vodka,wine and champagne.
I had met Gennys friends before of but this time it was different I was now part of her family, they had accepted me curiously before as her friend, now my changed status put me on a different possibly more intimate level. Sasha Litvin and I got on like a house on fire, we had from the start. A fascinating fellow trained to fly by Genny, he went on to a distinguished military career flying jets, piloting Mig fighter jets, he was shot down in Afghanistan rescued by another friend Sasha, (more of him later) finished his service as a ranking officer. On retirement he pursued his hobby as a model maker and artist going full time producing unique pictures which are part model part painting giving genuine 3D appearance, soon taking commissions he has produced a fine body of work.
I first met Luda and He in Derabasovska Square where they had a pitch selling his works of art to the tourists,I bought a couple of them as presents, subsequently he has gifted us with many of his pictures which now have a wall to themselves at home. Sasha and I hit it off almost at once he has become a firm friend someone I always look forward to seeing on my return to Odessa. The other Sasha was also trained by Genny he to had a distinguished military career his final work was test flying their version of a Russian Jump Jet the Yak 38 on and off aircraft carriers, these planes as I understand are not so dissimilar from the Harrier, I believe it used a separate engine driving a central fan mounted in the fuselage giving vectored thrust to produce the vertical lift. As with most military personnel there was little work for him at retirement, a very small pension was not enough to live on. Sinking his money into a second hand Lada Sasha started a taxi business, this is how I met him and his wife Nina, they brought Sasha and Luda (oh this is confusing)to the church for our wedding,as I had a similar business we found some common ground we haven't kept in touch but they did come to our 10th wedding anniversary party.
Tanya and Valoda are Gennys oldest friends she and Tanya go way back, she is another remarkable lady, she too was in the military as a parachutist holding the record for the highest jump from a balloon not quite as high as Joe Kittenger but very high. Her husband Valoda was a parachute instructor, he is a real character I have to be careful in his company he has a tendency to keep topping up my glass with vodka, (my tolerance for alcohol is not that high), it is sad that he speaks no English, my russian is non existent, however we do sort of communicate by nods and gestures if the chat is to difficult a call to Genny usually will give us the translation, he is such a rascal though we have to be careful what we say.
Vassa and his wife Luda are very close to Genny, a smart dapper man Vassa was a navigator a regular part of Anatoli’s aircrew. Living only a few doors away in the next block of flats their children grew up together, again a great guy full of laughter and stories,we always go to them a least once during our visits. Luda was a professional cook her food is very traditional and very very tasty, she is a brilliant hostess,when we visit she always ensures that she has prepared at least one of my favourite dishes. What an very emotional day, the richness of the choral voices always able to move me, the colour and splendour of the little church was delightful, but mostly the warmth of friendships and joy we experienced,to this day never fails to bring a lump to my throat.
On our return as I have said before we settled down to life together,me to my Private Hire business, Genny to sorting out this bachelor place turning it into a home. It has taken a long time, a lot of paint and much elbow grease, but she has more than succeeded turning this house into a home. For me after a long drive it was wonderful on arrival to be greeted with a kiss a cuddle and a cuppa tea.this flat oozes her personality it's cheerful warm and oh so comfortable. Having made the inside to her liking to my chagrin she set about the garden. My son Edward and I had laid out the front and rear gardens to suit our (my) needs we had built raised beds and covered the ground in weed suppression membrane a liberal covering of wood chips all to save work, we knew neither of us had time to do much to it once it was established, it looked in our eyes very good a courtyard style at the rear and raised beds and gravel in the front, specimen plants and ground cover formed the basis, with splashes of colour from bedding plants in the spring and summer.
Genny however had other ideas she believes if you cant eat it its not worth growing, I've tried hard to change her mind with some success, but still she has gradually replaced the non doer plants with fruit bushes,herbs and other such tasty things, Genny has what is called a green finger, plants seem to love her and respond to her ministrations, now the garden looks great a bit of a cottage style with vegetables dotted here and there among the shrubs and flowers.
Genny is a most resourceful person, she never fails to amaze me at what she comes up with,making an oil lamp one night from cooking oil and strips of and old tshirt when the power failed(My torch battery was flat) to a wonderful system of watering her indoor plants when we are away, this consists of water containers linked to a collection of her plants by strips of cloth, using a capillary action they can survive for weeks before the water need topping up, clever or what? I've marvelled at her needlework, the house is now full of her tapestry pictures, crochet table mats and coasters, she actually produced a beautiful dress this way,even a rag rug for the front door (my poor old shirts), the one small gripe I have is that space being at a premium I was cajoled into sorting the cupboards, numerous boxes of precious things? the garage, you get the idea. Anyway most stuff was dumped or given away I know it had to be done but a big chunk of me just went, (there’s that bloody lump again), of course she was right it needed doing now uncluttered the place is so much easier to keep up together.
The next major event was to establish a permission for residency, Oh Boy! I do not wish this rigmarole on anyone. We took trips to first to Birmingham, only to be told she had come UK on the wrong visa and therefore was required to go to London, Croydon to be exact, to a place called Lunar House,it is the sorting hat for all persons wishing to stay in the country, all asylum seeker applications are processed through there, and it was a nightmare to deal with. I had been warned of this by a client who some years earlier had this experience. I thought he was joking but nothing had changed, he it was who advised if we had to go there to arrive as early as possible the doors didn't open until 9 am but be there at least by 7-30. Duly doing so I was astounded to find a crowd of people already ensconced some I was told had been queuing since 3am. We took up our position at the end of the line, within minutes dozens more folk had arrived. We waited and waited almost on the dot the doors opened the queue. started to move, then stop then start and stop again. The nearer we got it became clear that a screening process was in place a single machine to scan everyone entering the building, our turn came we were given a number and sent up stairs there we waited for our number to be called, at last it was our turn we had been 7 hours up to this point. The clerk took Gennys paperwork scanned through it stamped something and passed it back that was it, in a few days he said she would receive her national insurance number and notice of resident status. That was it nothing more to be done for a further three years until she applied for citizenship.
That's it really, in eleven years of marriage we have achieved so much My Darling became a British Citizen.We've visited many places with Ira Yura and the grandchildren, Istanbul, the Crimea, Moldova, we have sampled the delights of Vienna, holidayed in Majorca. Personally I have seen things and been places I would never have done had it not been for this wonderful lady and her family.
Now retired and not in the best of health I am spending as much time as I can with my extended family, Lena and Nick in Shaldon, Ira and Yura in Odessa. The good news is that Ira and Yura now have a long visa meaning it is much easier for them to visit us in UK I am finding the journey to and from Odessa more difficult each time so this is wonderful news.
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
I Wanna Tell You A Story 3
Yevgeniya
Yevgeniya story starts in WW2. Her father Vassily was a heavy engineer working in a factory in Odessa, the Germans advance was underway, Stalin in a stroke of genius decided to move the factory's as far from the front line as possible, men and machinery were put on trains and sent to the wilds of Siberia where workers and machines were put in fields hooked to generators and continued their production,the buildings were erected around them. Yevgeniya's father was one such engineer his skill and experience vital to the war effort. Her mother and young brother were housed in a city called Barnaul, Yevgeniya was born there in 1946.
The war having ended the family wanted to return to Odessa, each time Vassily asked for the transfer he was refused. One day in 1948 It was a rather confused husband who found himself on a train to Odessa, his wife having been very generous with the vodka the night before.
On arrival in the city he found that the property they had lived in previously occupied by a new family, this was not unusual at this time, complain if you wish but officials were not interested, housing was at a premium so much destroyed in the war. Anyone finding an empty property moved in and claimed it officials shrug their shoulders and look the other way.
Next was to find work, factories were beginning to restart men like him were needed but he was there without permission ostensibly on holiday At first company's were reluctant to take him on, eventually the director of a large factory said he would give him work, he could stay in an unused store room. All hell broke loose, the party were furious that this man had done this without their permission,the director made the case that he was essential to restart and maintain the machinery, there being few people with his skills available, reluctantly it was agreed he could stay,as a punishment they stripped him of his party card meaning that little or no help would be given to him or his family.
Back in Barnaul Yevgeniya's mother Irina was getting ready to follow her husband. Yevgeniya's Godfather was in Barnaul,he too was from Odessa,among other things he turned boiled sugar into sweets which He sold in the Bazar, totally illegal of course, he showed Mama how to make them, which proved a big help later supplementing the family income. Anyway his mother still lived in the city she agreed to let the family share her room. So it was some months later Irina and children arrived to join her husband. Eventually the company gave them a flat near the factory which was to be her home. School was only a short walk away.
Years passed, hard times Yevgeniya says, sometimes so little to eat she would gnaw on raw potatoes, in spring a treat was to eat the sweet flowers from the Acacia Tree, she became expert at foraging for berries herbs and fruit that were safe and good to eat.
Yevgeniya was a good student excelling in most subjects,she especially loved reading, with her parents encouragement she read anything she could lay her hands on. Books from the library introduced her to classic authors from Tolstoy,Pushkin,Chekhov to Dickens,Shaw, F Scot Fitzgerald,Mark Twain,Conan Doyle,along with many more. These books gave an insight to a different world far removed from the grimness of her surroundings.
Determined to make a better life for herself,she started searching for a profession that would help her achieve this. Eventually the idea of becoming a pilot appeared a good option,her headmaster had been one in the war and maybe he encouraged her I don't know.
However she started looking for a flying school who would take her on, she was 15 at the time to young to fly, somehow father pulled a fast one on the system and got her papers which gave her age as 16. She found a gliding school prepared to take her on, it was about an hours ride from home. Instruction would have to be fitted in whenever possible which meant some of them would have to be during school hours. With connivance from her headmaster she was able to go for lessens during school time without being marked as absent, this would not have gone down well with the powers that be had they not done so. Through diligence and hard work studying and finishing her school work late into the evenings she achieved very high grades.
The course started in October, theory only, the winter weather being to bad for flying. From May onward was the actual aerial work, before this could happen Yevgeniya and all other students had to make a parachute jump from a static balloon if she failed there would be no way she could learn to fly, ”I was so scared” she says ”but I had no choice if this was to be my life I would have to do it”, this proved to be something she did not look forward to every year from then on.
Once that was out of the way she took to the air and showed a natural talent for gliding, during her second summer she started successfully taking part in competitions winning many of them. About then she had to seriously consider her options,schooling was coming to an end, there was little choice,go to a factory or the military.
With her excellent academic qualifications she chose to go to a flying Academy in The city of Khalooga, though not strictly a military establishment she would learn how to march, strip down clean and fire small arms,as well as all the other things that are deemed necessary for the military at that time. More importantly she was taught to fly and maintain powered aircraft,training on a Yak 12, greater in depth theory,navigation,and managerial skills, essential later when passing out as a flying instructor.
A life changing event took place at this time Yevgeniya met Anatoli Mykhaylov another trainee pilot they became inseparable, before their Academy years were over they were married remaining so until Anatoli’s death in 1993.
The completion of their studies found them looking for work. It was not easy finding places for married couples, eventually they got jobs at the sport flying school in Odessa teaching gliding, well not exactly: there was only work for one instructor and one mechanic, they took it in turns Genny as instructor and Anatoli as mechanic, when Yevgeniya became pregnant he took on the full time instructors role.
All was well until the school decided to go over from purely gliders to the Yak 12 suitable for aerobatic sport flying. Anatoli was unhappy with this, after much discussion it was decided he should pursue a career with Aeroflot as a commercial pilot, Genny would stay on as instructor at the school.
Once more she was highly successful, over the next decade and a half produced fine pilots two of them went on to become cosmonauts, many others went into the military flying all types of aircraft, one I know of after military service in Afghanistan became a test pilot flying the Russian version of the jump jet on and off aircraft carriers. Yevgeniya's personality is such that many of these people have stayed friends to this day.
Yevgeniya had two girls Lena and Irina during this time. Occasionally in the school holidays they would be taken to the airfield where her students would look after them if she was teaching.
Genny herself won a few competitions but as she said she was a better teacher than aerobatic pilot, a modesty which some of her students say is not true, they are full of praise and tell me that her pilot skills and teaching and had got them out of difficulty on more than one occasion.
After some twenty years the strain of flying, the stresses put on her body during the execution of the more difficult aerobatic manoeuvres began to take its toll her spine damaged through the compression G forces, (special suits were unheard of at this time). Flying accidents to people she knew finally made up her mind, she would resign.
From student at age fifteen, to over 20 years training some 250 pilots, finally director of the school was a mighty achievement,having flown Yak mark 12 up to Yak mark 52 as well as Antonov's single and twin engined, she turned her back on all this. To take up a new position at an after school club called The Children's Palace.
Held in Count Vorontsov Palace this was free to any child where they could learn anything that interested them.
Yevgeniya’s department was devoted to crafts such as model building, boats,cars, planes,dress making, needlework photography etc: As department head she was responsible for ensuring staff and materials were available,overseeing the smooth running of the school.
Married life was a struggle for them, accommodation in the city was almost non existent the rule was that each person was allowed 4 square metres of living space, they finally were able to purchase a one room apartment,sharing kitchen and toilet,with four other families, bathing was done in a communal bath house down the road. The upside was that being in the city centre everything was an easy walk away.
Anatoli was frequently absent, distances between cities can be huge making return the same day impossible, so much so he never flew outside the Soviet Union, actually I think Genny did say he once flew to Dubai.
Life was pretty good, eventually they were able to buy a Dacha on the Liman at Karolino Bugaz it was a place to get away, to clear the stifling summer heat of the city, there, for about four months,friends would visit, the children were safe and free to swim, fish, water ski, make sand castles.
The building was pretty basic a shed Genny called it with beds, the kitchen another smaller shed: although most cooking was done outside. A bucket and chuck it toilet, some sort of shower, it was very much an outdoor type of life BBQ being the favoured form of cooking, seafood was plentiful. A good scheme was at the start of summer to buy half a dozen or so chickens these would provide eggs and some meat, at the end of the holiday the remainder being frozen for meat for winter.
Most days Yevgeniya would get the early train to the city, and from there 2 buses to the flying school,
it took she said a couple of hours each way, making for a very long day. Although holidays were a generous 42 days these could only be taken in the autumn or winter, summer being the ideal time for flying, this kept her busy 7 days a week, it was fortunate her mother was able to look after the girls, of course Anatoli would be there in between his routes. Later the children's palace had a less generous 35 days a year holiday the bonus being they could be taken in the summer, so she was able to spend much more time with them.
Nothing is forever things shatter the idyll the death of her beloved Anatoli was unexpected and a terrific shock, he had been fine until his last trip. Returning home he complained of not feeling well, soon he was in hospital, Genny nursed him for two weeks but it was not to be, this Big Man, this Wonderful Father, her rock and best friend passed on.
I've jumped ahead a little, the USSR collapsed the family struggled on as best they could all their savings disappeared overnight the banks just closed their doors and that was that. Inflation became an issue, worst of all food supplies became scarce non existent and expensive, the school money became insufficient to support the family, a new plan was needed.
Yevgeniya had heard there was a company starting to bus people into Poland to the Bazaars, where goods could be traded, things hard to get in Odessa could be bought fairly cheaply and sold for a profit, this sounded like a plan. Yevgeniya being the person she was arranged with the company boss to oversee the trips, sort of making sure people payed the fare, didn't miss the bus etc, for this she not only got paid but was able to make trades of her own. It was hard work standing around in all weathers but it helped keep the family going. This continued for about 5 years,until Anatoli died. At which point Yevgeniya's body gave out,she collapsed with spinal problem brought on the doctors say by the stress put on her from G forces inherent with aerobatic flying as well as her current situation. An operation which she was told may be successful or could result in her being a permanent invalid was offered. Genny chose not to have the surgery instead for the rest of her life carried out a strict regime of exercises every morning, in time she achieved a good amount of mobility. Of course being laid up for weeks on end meant she was unable to work. By this time her girls were married, Lena had a year old son Nikoli. Two weeks after her Anatoli died Irina gave birth to a son who they named Anatoli, he was the catalyst that helped Yevgeniya cope with her troubles she channeled her energy into looking after them while her girls worked. She found caring for these babies was something she could do, a couple of people heard she was available and asked could she babysit for them, she agreed,and did so for approximately a year.
One of her charges parents wanted her to work full time for him, she felt there might be strings attached so declined, however he told her that a business friend had taken on a franchise to sell Zeptor kitchen products, if she contacted him he might give her work selling these wares. Sceptical she applied and was pleased when she was given a job, quickly acquiring knowledge of the products she was soon selling these very high quality expensive goods, first to friends and family: Soon word of mouth saw her clientele grew ever larger, so much so that she became top sales person in Odessa, as a reward she and others from the sales force were rewarded by a holiday in Cyprus.
On her return things would never be the same again the company was changing many more sales staff were being recruited the lucrative city centre was about to be served with a store in the beautiful Passage Arcade.
A new plan was called for. Once again she found a company starting to sell medicines, it was a pyramid scheme, being an early adopter she had a clear field enabling her to engage over 1k people to selling door to door, things were getting better.
Always one to do the best for the family and looking for ways to help it was decided to buy a computer a bold move by anyone's standard but she felt that her grandchildren would benefit. Thorough as ever and knowing nothing about them she embarked on a course. Of lessons soon becoming proficient she had the advantage of being able to type and use the western alphabet. One day her Seven year old grandson said “Babushka (granny) now you have computer can you find me a Dedushka (grandfather)” this coming from the little lad who had helped her through those bad times was a wake up call to her. She began thinking well maybe it is time for some me time, her girls agreed, it had been a long time to be on her own.
So it was hairdo and makeup later armed with a set of photos, she found a company website able to assist in her quest. That is how in January 2001 I was sitting in my armchair looking at her email.
The war having ended the family wanted to return to Odessa, each time Vassily asked for the transfer he was refused. One day in 1948 It was a rather confused husband who found himself on a train to Odessa, his wife having been very generous with the vodka the night before.
On arrival in the city he found that the property they had lived in previously occupied by a new family, this was not unusual at this time, complain if you wish but officials were not interested, housing was at a premium so much destroyed in the war. Anyone finding an empty property moved in and claimed it officials shrug their shoulders and look the other way.
Next was to find work, factories were beginning to restart men like him were needed but he was there without permission ostensibly on holiday At first company's were reluctant to take him on, eventually the director of a large factory said he would give him work, he could stay in an unused store room. All hell broke loose, the party were furious that this man had done this without their permission,the director made the case that he was essential to restart and maintain the machinery, there being few people with his skills available, reluctantly it was agreed he could stay,as a punishment they stripped him of his party card meaning that little or no help would be given to him or his family.
Back in Barnaul Yevgeniya's mother Irina was getting ready to follow her husband. Yevgeniya's Godfather was in Barnaul,he too was from Odessa,among other things he turned boiled sugar into sweets which He sold in the Bazar, totally illegal of course, he showed Mama how to make them, which proved a big help later supplementing the family income. Anyway his mother still lived in the city she agreed to let the family share her room. So it was some months later Irina and children arrived to join her husband. Eventually the company gave them a flat near the factory which was to be her home. School was only a short walk away.
Years passed, hard times Yevgeniya says, sometimes so little to eat she would gnaw on raw potatoes, in spring a treat was to eat the sweet flowers from the Acacia Tree, she became expert at foraging for berries herbs and fruit that were safe and good to eat.
Yevgeniya was a good student excelling in most subjects,she especially loved reading, with her parents encouragement she read anything she could lay her hands on. Books from the library introduced her to classic authors from Tolstoy,Pushkin,Chekhov to Dickens,Shaw, F Scot Fitzgerald,Mark Twain,Conan Doyle,along with many more. These books gave an insight to a different world far removed from the grimness of her surroundings.
Determined to make a better life for herself,she started searching for a profession that would help her achieve this. Eventually the idea of becoming a pilot appeared a good option,her headmaster had been one in the war and maybe he encouraged her I don't know.
However she started looking for a flying school who would take her on, she was 15 at the time to young to fly, somehow father pulled a fast one on the system and got her papers which gave her age as 16. She found a gliding school prepared to take her on, it was about an hours ride from home. Instruction would have to be fitted in whenever possible which meant some of them would have to be during school hours. With connivance from her headmaster she was able to go for lessens during school time without being marked as absent, this would not have gone down well with the powers that be had they not done so. Through diligence and hard work studying and finishing her school work late into the evenings she achieved very high grades.
The course started in October, theory only, the winter weather being to bad for flying. From May onward was the actual aerial work, before this could happen Yevgeniya and all other students had to make a parachute jump from a static balloon if she failed there would be no way she could learn to fly, ”I was so scared” she says ”but I had no choice if this was to be my life I would have to do it”, this proved to be something she did not look forward to every year from then on.
Once that was out of the way she took to the air and showed a natural talent for gliding, during her second summer she started successfully taking part in competitions winning many of them. About then she had to seriously consider her options,schooling was coming to an end, there was little choice,go to a factory or the military.
With her excellent academic qualifications she chose to go to a flying Academy in The city of Khalooga, though not strictly a military establishment she would learn how to march, strip down clean and fire small arms,as well as all the other things that are deemed necessary for the military at that time. More importantly she was taught to fly and maintain powered aircraft,training on a Yak 12, greater in depth theory,navigation,and managerial skills, essential later when passing out as a flying instructor.
A life changing event took place at this time Yevgeniya met Anatoli Mykhaylov another trainee pilot they became inseparable, before their Academy years were over they were married remaining so until Anatoli’s death in 1993.
The completion of their studies found them looking for work. It was not easy finding places for married couples, eventually they got jobs at the sport flying school in Odessa teaching gliding, well not exactly: there was only work for one instructor and one mechanic, they took it in turns Genny as instructor and Anatoli as mechanic, when Yevgeniya became pregnant he took on the full time instructors role.
All was well until the school decided to go over from purely gliders to the Yak 12 suitable for aerobatic sport flying. Anatoli was unhappy with this, after much discussion it was decided he should pursue a career with Aeroflot as a commercial pilot, Genny would stay on as instructor at the school.
Once more she was highly successful, over the next decade and a half produced fine pilots two of them went on to become cosmonauts, many others went into the military flying all types of aircraft, one I know of after military service in Afghanistan became a test pilot flying the Russian version of the jump jet on and off aircraft carriers. Yevgeniya's personality is such that many of these people have stayed friends to this day.
Yevgeniya had two girls Lena and Irina during this time. Occasionally in the school holidays they would be taken to the airfield where her students would look after them if she was teaching.
Genny herself won a few competitions but as she said she was a better teacher than aerobatic pilot, a modesty which some of her students say is not true, they are full of praise and tell me that her pilot skills and teaching and had got them out of difficulty on more than one occasion.
After some twenty years the strain of flying, the stresses put on her body during the execution of the more difficult aerobatic manoeuvres began to take its toll her spine damaged through the compression G forces, (special suits were unheard of at this time). Flying accidents to people she knew finally made up her mind, she would resign.
From student at age fifteen, to over 20 years training some 250 pilots, finally director of the school was a mighty achievement,having flown Yak mark 12 up to Yak mark 52 as well as Antonov's single and twin engined, she turned her back on all this. To take up a new position at an after school club called The Children's Palace.
Held in Count Vorontsov Palace this was free to any child where they could learn anything that interested them.
Yevgeniya’s department was devoted to crafts such as model building, boats,cars, planes,dress making, needlework photography etc: As department head she was responsible for ensuring staff and materials were available,overseeing the smooth running of the school.
Married life was a struggle for them, accommodation in the city was almost non existent the rule was that each person was allowed 4 square metres of living space, they finally were able to purchase a one room apartment,sharing kitchen and toilet,with four other families, bathing was done in a communal bath house down the road. The upside was that being in the city centre everything was an easy walk away.
Anatoli was frequently absent, distances between cities can be huge making return the same day impossible, so much so he never flew outside the Soviet Union, actually I think Genny did say he once flew to Dubai.
Life was pretty good, eventually they were able to buy a Dacha on the Liman at Karolino Bugaz it was a place to get away, to clear the stifling summer heat of the city, there, for about four months,friends would visit, the children were safe and free to swim, fish, water ski, make sand castles.
The building was pretty basic a shed Genny called it with beds, the kitchen another smaller shed: although most cooking was done outside. A bucket and chuck it toilet, some sort of shower, it was very much an outdoor type of life BBQ being the favoured form of cooking, seafood was plentiful. A good scheme was at the start of summer to buy half a dozen or so chickens these would provide eggs and some meat, at the end of the holiday the remainder being frozen for meat for winter.
Most days Yevgeniya would get the early train to the city, and from there 2 buses to the flying school,
it took she said a couple of hours each way, making for a very long day. Although holidays were a generous 42 days these could only be taken in the autumn or winter, summer being the ideal time for flying, this kept her busy 7 days a week, it was fortunate her mother was able to look after the girls, of course Anatoli would be there in between his routes. Later the children's palace had a less generous 35 days a year holiday the bonus being they could be taken in the summer, so she was able to spend much more time with them.
Nothing is forever things shatter the idyll the death of her beloved Anatoli was unexpected and a terrific shock, he had been fine until his last trip. Returning home he complained of not feeling well, soon he was in hospital, Genny nursed him for two weeks but it was not to be, this Big Man, this Wonderful Father, her rock and best friend passed on.
I've jumped ahead a little, the USSR collapsed the family struggled on as best they could all their savings disappeared overnight the banks just closed their doors and that was that. Inflation became an issue, worst of all food supplies became scarce non existent and expensive, the school money became insufficient to support the family, a new plan was needed.
Yevgeniya had heard there was a company starting to bus people into Poland to the Bazaars, where goods could be traded, things hard to get in Odessa could be bought fairly cheaply and sold for a profit, this sounded like a plan. Yevgeniya being the person she was arranged with the company boss to oversee the trips, sort of making sure people payed the fare, didn't miss the bus etc, for this she not only got paid but was able to make trades of her own. It was hard work standing around in all weathers but it helped keep the family going. This continued for about 5 years,until Anatoli died. At which point Yevgeniya's body gave out,she collapsed with spinal problem brought on the doctors say by the stress put on her from G forces inherent with aerobatic flying as well as her current situation. An operation which she was told may be successful or could result in her being a permanent invalid was offered. Genny chose not to have the surgery instead for the rest of her life carried out a strict regime of exercises every morning, in time she achieved a good amount of mobility. Of course being laid up for weeks on end meant she was unable to work. By this time her girls were married, Lena had a year old son Nikoli. Two weeks after her Anatoli died Irina gave birth to a son who they named Anatoli, he was the catalyst that helped Yevgeniya cope with her troubles she channeled her energy into looking after them while her girls worked. She found caring for these babies was something she could do, a couple of people heard she was available and asked could she babysit for them, she agreed,and did so for approximately a year.
One of her charges parents wanted her to work full time for him, she felt there might be strings attached so declined, however he told her that a business friend had taken on a franchise to sell Zeptor kitchen products, if she contacted him he might give her work selling these wares. Sceptical she applied and was pleased when she was given a job, quickly acquiring knowledge of the products she was soon selling these very high quality expensive goods, first to friends and family: Soon word of mouth saw her clientele grew ever larger, so much so that she became top sales person in Odessa, as a reward she and others from the sales force were rewarded by a holiday in Cyprus.
On her return things would never be the same again the company was changing many more sales staff were being recruited the lucrative city centre was about to be served with a store in the beautiful Passage Arcade.
A new plan was called for. Once again she found a company starting to sell medicines, it was a pyramid scheme, being an early adopter she had a clear field enabling her to engage over 1k people to selling door to door, things were getting better.
Always one to do the best for the family and looking for ways to help it was decided to buy a computer a bold move by anyone's standard but she felt that her grandchildren would benefit. Thorough as ever and knowing nothing about them she embarked on a course. Of lessons soon becoming proficient she had the advantage of being able to type and use the western alphabet. One day her Seven year old grandson said “Babushka (granny) now you have computer can you find me a Dedushka (grandfather)” this coming from the little lad who had helped her through those bad times was a wake up call to her. She began thinking well maybe it is time for some me time, her girls agreed, it had been a long time to be on her own.
So it was hairdo and makeup later armed with a set of photos, she found a company website able to assist in her quest. That is how in January 2001 I was sitting in my armchair looking at her email.
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