Today everyone had a very relaxed morning. Once the girls had finally surfaced in Oksana’s sister’s house, Oksana prepared breakfast while I used their shower (no water in my place). A nice hour chatting & gaining input for yesterday’s draft diary note. After that I retreated to my favourite spot to read my online paper. Mariia & I had a very lively video call with Christine, mostly girly rubbish about make-up & hair, but in the conversation I inadvertently learnt that my home was undergoing unknown changes – only to be revealed on my return.
Meanwhile, Oksana & her dad had biked up to the village for barbecue provisions & at 15:00 our single line procession began the long, steep climb up to Sichlin, the picnic spot with its spectacular views & enormous swing. To Mariia’s disappointment the swing was already occupied & a small group of well dressed people were also there preparing for a wedding & within 3hrs had increased to 50 or more. High heeled ladies in their full refinery walking on dirt tracks in the middle of nowhere looked very odd indeed.
The guy getting married & many of the guests were front line soldiers, taking a short time out. One guest was videoing the event with a GoPro strapped to a drone. I went over & was pleased he spoke good English from working in England for 3yrs. I made clear my respect for him & his friends. Within days, they’ll be back on the front line fighting & as he put it – wedding today, kill Russians tomorrow!
For our group, we’d carried up what seemed like a months supply of food & drink & the adults got into action setting everything out. Though no one was given a role, without instruction, everyone worked seamlessly together – if something needed doing, someone did it – I think this was something they’d done a thousand times before.
Children & adults patiently waited their turn for the swing & Vitaliil & Gregory became its principal pushers. Throughout our stay, the swing was in constant use & sometimes it was easy to think Mariia had been glued to it!
Taking pictures was a big part of the day & between us all, we must of taken close to 1000!!
Looking out over Kosmach, Vitaliil pointed out Mountains Gregor (left) & Monchely (right). We also made plans for my next visit, to hike the highest one in Ukraine.
Vitaliil said – more popular with tourists though – Why?
Before heading back down, Peter, Gregory & Vitaliil led me along a narrow track to view the next two Villages, Prokurava & Sheshory. Less dispersed than Kosmach & in my humble opinion, though popular to many, not in the same league as Kosmach.
Back down, I was introduced to Lillia’s boyfriend, Dmitro – he’d kindly offered to take my bike to Chernivtsi. It’s a smaller car than Oksana had thought & will need to check it for fit tomorrow. The only remaining option is to ride the 113km & have my packs transported by others.
Another lovely day, though not speaking Ukrainian was an obstacle only overcome thanks to Oksana, Mariia & Vitaliil.
John's Epic Cycle Adventures 