Learning...

.... is what we've all been doing over the past (nearly) 2 weeks. The boys have completed their second day of school in Park High, Colne. There are 11 Ukrainian students, all belonging to "Phoenix House," which they think is an appropriate name.

On the first day of school there was a panic session of the boys learning to tie ties, just as it was time to leave. As I was reminded, in the UK we have a long time to prepare ourselves for wearing uniforms in high school, unlike Ukraine - so it is very new for them.

The two Mums went to their first English language class today and I took Anna to a session of active (and sweaty!) Yoga last night, which was new for both of us. The Yoga instructor has made the very kind gesture of offering her classes, free, to the Ukrainian families who have moved here. She said, "I just want you to feel welcome."

Bob and I have been on a rollercoaster learning curve of how to be a sponsor, which I'm sure all you seasoned sponsors will recognise - endless bureaucracy, filling in forms, and going here, there and everywhere. Some things are relatively straightforward, others anything but. The positive is that the professionals, from the visa centre in Leeds to the job centre in Nelson, have almost all been very kind, patient and friendly.

There's also been time to do some walking, enjoying the beautiful Pennine countryside and planting flowers. We've learned that heather (erica) does not grow wild in Ukraine so we rushed to see some on the moors just before it turns brown. There was one of us who just couldn't resist taking a bit of erica, but I couldn't possibly say who!

We've had to revise our portrayal of the North of England as being constantly damp and clothes never drying on the line, following the exceptionally dry summer in the UK, which has left local reservoirs with barely a trickle of water at the bottom. Tonight, though, the heavens have opened, and so the reservoirs should be full again for when we return in January.

The final thing we've learned is that Ukrainians, at least in our village, like to go for a walk at any time, day or night, and in any weather!

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