Odesa.....

The natural beauty of this place never fails to make an impact. But on first impressions, it seems different, more unsure of itself and it's future. A little quieter, although music still plays through the centre. 

I'm here to take aid once more to Kherson area, which probably remains one of the most challenging places for people to live in Ukraine at present.

But nowhere near the front line is good. Unfortunately the Russians have adopted a new tactic of incremental gains. Throwing vast numbers of personnel and artillery at small communities, just obliterating them. 

The Russians don't seem to care how many soldiers they lose. We got to know first hand of the consequences of this. The aid we recently delivered to go directly to one of these villages, can't now be delivered due to a forced evacuation of that community. People dispersed wherever accommodation can be found. The aid will try to be distributed to these displaced families. One moment you have a home.....then nothing. How do they manage this?

As you probably know, we have a deep affection for Ukraine and its fight to keep its freedom and liberty. But....

There are things that drive me up the wall....there's something with the police here, especially some at the checkpoints that can be quite absurd. Any Ukrainian who can explain to me why this is, I would be grateful?

So, after a very long drive to Odesa, I arrive at a checkpoint. There are no vehicles. Not one. I see the policeman, change lane, and pull over near to him to show documentation. Immediately, he tells me that he's now going to give me an administrative fine of 1000 hrivnia (about £20) which is a lot of money here in Ukraine, for having pulled into the so called red lane. Apparently I should have stayed in the middle or right lane. Also which red lane....it was quite beyond me? It took me about 15 minutes to explain it was a mistake,  but that I wasn't going to pay, and he could arrest me if he wanted. I informed him I was going to be delivering aid to Kherson. He was adamant I had to pay. I said no, and asked to see his supervisor, who came. 

The supervisor came and said that the red lane was for ambulances and important people. I asked if any of the said vehicles or important people were currently present? In the end they let me go on without a fine. 

However, this is an occasional aberration. For the vast majority of the time, immense kindness is shown by Ukrainians we meet.

We had a day off, the other day, and visited Kharkiv zoo. To say we were amazed would be an understatement. Some of the enclosures were the best we've ever seen. The highlight had to be the brown bears, with a massive enclosure, as well as several caves. Never seen anything like it. 

Fi was especially taken by the pelicans.

And yet the incongruity of this peaceful place wasn't lost on us. 30 miles away, amazingly brave Ukrainian soldiers were fighting against tremendous odds to hold back the Russian army from breaking through the line. Such is life here.