Day 47 Kosmach UA 14Aug’26

Today was a full day’s trip to Kolomyyia city. Oksana thought a visit to their local city, & away from the mountains, would provide a nice change. To secure our seats on the 8:30am 1 hr bus ride, we left home at 7:30am for the 4km walk – any later we would have certainly been standing. The small, 20 seater bus arrived, & Oksana paid our fares, 90UAH each (£1.50). The bus bounced & weaved down the 300m hill that I’d peddled up seven days before & I took pleasure in reminding Oksana of her overlooking this climb when estimating my ETA to their house. By 9:00am we got to Yabluniv when silence broke out – at this time, every day, for 1min, all Ukranian people should give thought for their soldiers. Until this moment, I’d been totally unaware but will certainly participate from here on.

From the bus station we headed to the centre &, as with all places in Ukraine, images of the fallen are honoured. Nearby, flower sellers were doing brisk business as people purchased them to place by their loved one’s picture. Still fighting & dying in a war with no end in sight is very distressing. We both spent time here.

We chose a restaurant for breakfast that delivered excellent food but rubbish coffees. Oksana agreed & recommended we move to her No.1 coffee choice, the Dolce Factory on the edge of the square. Here, a coffee was created to my precise instructions & was the best yet. This opulent place with stunning views across the square proved perfect for our second breakfast – Two enormous croissants, one chocolate & one cherry & cream.

Our first cultural visit, the Pysanky Museum, dedicated to the Ukrainian Easter Egg (pysanka). A little different but very worthwhile, the intricate craftsmanship applied in their creations is mind blowing. The craft originated in the hutsul region, to which we are part, but is now widespread throughout Ukraine & beyond, each region having developed their own designs, colour preferences & techniques.

The museum left us in need of exercise. We needed a good walk, found Motuzkovyy Park lake, walked around it & had refreshments, before heading back to the centre for the Museum of Hutsul Art.

The museum though interesting, after a while, were more interested in food & less in culture.

We ate in a traditional hutsul restaurant, very nice but not a patch on Oksana’s mums cooking, then hurried back to the bus station for the 15:30 bus home. Here you must buy your ticket from the ticket office where, if lucky, you’re allocated a seat between 1 & 20 – if no seats then you’re standing for a very long time!!

We arrived back in Kosmach & Peter was already waiting on his bike to take me then Oksana back home. Only back home 30mins when Oksana brought over her mum’s freshly made doughnuts & pastries. I’m desperately trying to fight these temptations but they were delicious & I’m only human!!

Oksana went back to spend time with her mum while I did stuff & returned for dinner around 19:00. Then I learnt that Peter was to go potato picking. Thinking, at last, this was my chance to be of help, I headed straight for the field. I found him picking enough to fill only one bucket so we all stood by and watched. On the way to the field, I’d passed Bumir, their dog, not seen until now because he’s kennelled in the day & let out only at night.

To close the day, we all sat down & had a nice chat, this time including Mariia. Miroslava & Peter were keen to gain a better understanding of my UK life & me attempting the same with them, though now I have the big advantage of being here in Ukraine. Of course, the topics also included Mariia & the grandparents made clear their delight & admiration of her fluent English.

Another lovely, full day.