Northerners

When we were in Krakow and then Lviv, we would try to explain Northermers - their openness and down to earth humour ('banter), and also their kindness and generosity. We had an example of this today when we were sitting at the front of our house. A neighbour from the bottom of the road, who we only know by sight, passed by and we introduced her to our guests. On hearing that Anna and Olha are from Ukraine, she broke down in tears and gave them a hug. She told them to let her know if they need any help, e.g. a lift to the shops. We know she meant it because she came all the way back up the road with her phone number.

This is a generalisation of course - there are kind and generous people in the south too - our sponsors, especially. 

Anyway, whilst the mums spent the afternoon shopping and Bob paid another visit to the Blues Festival, I had the pleasure of blackberry picking with the boys. Then, later, we went on a bike ride to the local Ball Grove Park. Whilst the boys were occupied, I saw the strangest prehistoric-looking creature, about 5 inches long, crawling on a rock in the stream. I saw, on an information poster, that it's this creature.