Not a lot can really be said about our last day in Belarus. We woke up, had breakfast, packed all of the bags. We had a lovely lunch with all the family who were here. Mum, Dad, Sergey, Galia, Yuliya, myself and the kids. We drank wine and vodka and ate the baby goat that had been slaughtered this morning (it had been due to be killed a while ago but they waited so we could have fresh goat). After lunch we said our goodbyes to Sergey and his girlfriend and they departed for their holiday away with Galias family. I have said this couple of times about Sergey but he has changed in the couple of years I was last here! He has mellowed and I hope he does not return to his more serious side. He showed his boyhood charm to us and the kids on this trip. We had our disagreements (and to be honest be had quite a fiery disagreement on the Ukraine on our last day together) but brotherly love goes beyond arguments and becomes lifelong with shared experiences ( of which we have have had many on this trip). I feel I have gained a brother and I told him so as we hugged and said our goodbyes.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing. The kids played and we took them to the lake for a short swim. I swam back the long route enjoying that last moment of solitude in the middle of the lake. Marina, Mascha and Maxime came over to say their goodbyes.

I sit in the sunlight on this, the late afternoon of our last day to contemplate the holiday as a whole and what my family have experienced. As for the kids they have thrived on this holiday. They have built relationships with all of the family members. Everyone has been so generous with their time in regards to our children. They have been welcomed with open arms into the Belarusian fold. From aunties, to grandmothers, to uncles, and cousins the children have gained so much. They have come on in leaps and bounds, they have loved the experience with the animals and have participated or observed every aspect of it from feeding, to cleaning, to milking, and even aspects of slaughtering. Maia has had an appreciation of where her food comes from and in this insular environment it is not only right to have seen this but essential to embrace it as everyday life. They have had the opportunities to try Belarusian food which they have done on the whole but have relied on essentials such as chocolate when they required some homely comforts. They have loved it and grown from the whole experience. I look forward to returning in a couple of years where Jamie can have a more independent view of life on the farm, and is not so needy of his mothers affections.

Yuliya of course I can't really speak for her but I know she has loved being home and seeing her family and friends! It has been difficult at times because Jamie has been very needy and has demanded huge amounts of her time and attention. This will not be the case next time we come as I said earlier. We have both loved seeing the kids enjoy this experience and get the family attention. She wishes she had had a bit more sun, as this last week has been quite cloudy and rainy.

As for me you all know how I have felt from this massive blog I have written. I have throughout been like a fish out of water, which has been amusing and challenging for me but I have always been part clown so it has suited me. Why on earth have I written this blog some of you have probably asked? The honest answer to this is because I needed something to do. It is very difficult for me coming over here as I know not a conversational word of Belarussian. I sit for large portions of the day either reading or staring at people trying to understand what they are saying by their signing or intonation of their language. I also thought I would add a memory of the holiday for all to read, It is something for the kids to read when they are older, It was a way to pass the day in a constructive way, I have been thinking of doing some kind of blog for a while now so I am dipping my toe into the process, and it was a way for friends and family to experience a little of what Belarus is actually like.

I love this country and I love my Belarusian family. There are so many positives and some negatives, but it is all an experience that I remember fondly when I look back on it from the easy home comforts of England. Victor and Tanya are coming to England next year for a couple of weeks. What a culture shock Victor is in for. I will have to set him to work on my garden to give him something to do, as I think I have only seen them both stop for a couple of hours on this holiday. They have both been the most gracious and generous hosts.

But for now apart from sleep, long car journey and flight this is the end of the Belarus adventure 2014! Oh and the total number of sets of shoes Yuliya wore was 4 I think but "at least she had the choice". Bye for now. Let's see where this blog ends up next.

Steve x