Today, for the first time since we arrived in Ukraine, something actually worked as promised. They said come back at 2 pm and you can collect your money and we did. All over in about 15 minutes which has left us in a state of shock.

We still canât explain why it had to be 2pm and not 9am which would have allowed us to travel to Izmail and get the car, but then that is probably asking too much.

With the money in our pocket we took our interpreter lady friend for a celebration tea and cake in a very smart cafe and had a debrief about all that had been going on. She said that the experience had been an eye opener because, although everyone knows the system is corrupt, unless you have dealings with the Government you never see it in operation. We agreed that the people of Ukraine are great, itâs the system that stinks. She was convinced that the reception area in customs, where all the little windows are and the one telephone on the wall,  was bugged because conversations she was having with the people from Belarus and with us whilst we were on the phone to The Brit Embassy appeared to have a very sudden effect on the attitude and behaviour of the lady dealing with us.

All very interesting. Anyway here we are back at our very nice flat, planning to go out tonight and I (Sand) may allow myself a little extra to drink to celebrate this small but significant victory!

Watch this space