Leaving again

Tomorrow we leave for Krakow and then on to Lviv, after collecting our Ukrainian visas. Our first task will be to pick up one of two UK donated ambulances in Krakow. Bob (with me) will drive one and Marc from MAD Foundation will drive the other to a town east of Lviv, from where they will be taken to the frontline. A donation from the Trawden community volunteers will help to pay for the petrol.

We have lots of mixed feelings. We will be sad to leave our Ukrainian guests, who have become like family. We're glad to be going back to Lviv, and to see what we can do and where we should go to help Ukraine most. We're also scared of the rapidly changing situation there and what will be the cost of Ukraine's recent gains.

Our guests will be in good hands, as nearly all our neighbours have been kind and supportive in many different ways. We also have friends in Chester and Keighley, who will be coming over to make sure the families are ok and to take them on outings. And, of course, there is the local Ukrainian community, who they'll probably meet out walking at any time, day or night, as that's what they like to do!

As we've been out and about these past few weeks, we've occasionally spotted Ukrainian flags, which always feels supportive, e.g outside a pub in Haworth (first photo). The most unexpected was walking through a farm on the way up Boulsworth Hill, when we saw a flag beautifully painted on the side of an old wooden shed. 

For us and our Ukrainian families, a new chapter begins.