Another chapter...

...began very slowly this morning. The van we are taking with humanitarian aid from Poland to Ukraine got stuck in the mud and had to be towed out by our host! Reconfigured the garden in the process:)

After that, however, all went well and we made our first solo border crossing, which was a bit daunting - getting into the fast track lane for aid vehicles, getting stopped by Police and persuading them to let us go on. Then trying to find a border guard to explain who we are. Initially failing miserably, with the threat of a 4 hour wait. Not giving in. It could have gone either way. Finally a senior guard let us through. This was facilitated by a phone call from Poland by a friend of the boss of the border guards. So it works here. And we take any help we can. 

And then the ritual of going from one little checkpoint cabin to the other, with passports and the requisite bits of paper. And we did it! Most of it with kindness and smiles. Maybe they see two old f*"ts and think, let them through before they do themselves a mischief! 

Now we're back in Lviv and preparing for a 5-6day journey, delivering aid and trying to make new connections.

Through a contact in the food tent in Krakow all those months ago we have got to know two independent Polish aid organisations, who are making this aid drop possible. Not words here but actions that count. We are now collaborating with them and delivering aid to a refugee centre, an independent aid facilitator and an orphanage where the children have almost nothing. It makes the journey worthwhile.. A round trip of 2000km again.

And finally Fi driving to the Poland-Ukraine border.

Just to finish off, we spent a night in the house of supporters of Ukraine and, now, friends. That strangers take you into their home....

But not only this, they have two amazing hounds. The van would not be touched....ever...

Finally a shout out, to a young lad, 17, who didn't know us from Adam, who made our supper. There will be things we won't forget.