Not for Russian bullets or sables, but for once again heavy rain. But the drive here was all full of sunshine and the sky this morning was totally clear. So I saw the Ukrainian flag all the time, the yellow fields and over it a clear blue sky.

But now it’s raining cats and dogs. I hope it’s just a short thunderstorm, which will pass. At least the thunder is quite intense. And the temperature has gained all day. As I came to Poltava it was nearly 30 degrees.

Poltava battlefield is not much to see, but to feel the history. The have built up a nice little museum with some artifacts. But most copies from Swedish and Russian archives.

One thing, which was interesting, was that the exhibition, naturally, pays more attention to Peter of Russia than Charles of Sweden. I mean the Russian won the battle. And here in eastern Ukraine people are more pro Russia than in the western part. There they are more proud of the Ukrainian history. As a matter of fact, we were allies in this battle against the Russian. That is, if you call the Cossacks Ukrainian. But I think you can. It has a nice touch to it. Being blue and yellow, as we both are.

The difference in how they look at Ukraine is easy to see as you drive, In the L’viv area I didn’t see any Russian symbols, like a flag or so. Only the Ukrainian flag hang proudly at every pole. Here, in the east, it’s always accompanied with the Russian one.

I just got the menu, all in Cyrillic. Oh, not everything, the drinks are in roman. But I don’t want that now. I’ll have to see if the waiter knows any English.

Short break – I’m talking to the waitress, it was a she.

That was exciting, she knew a little English. But we didn’t really understand each other. But I gave her a “free card” to bring me a small lunch. Let see what that will be.

Just as it began to rain a couple came up to my bike. It was a biker from Poltava.. Actually he is from Georgia, moved here and got married. I quote: “You can’t stay in celibacy in the Ukraine”. Constantin was very nice, we exchanged addresses and I will log on to their internet site later. Once again a bike is a door opener. Just like a dog when you walk in the park. His wife told me to take another way down, it should be better to drive.

Here comes the waitress, with a soup. (Tasting) Vegetables and sausages, spicy, I like.

They first 200 km were a smooth ride. They are constructing a highway and it was almost only new tarmac. Due to construction work speed limit was 70. But no one cares. It was easy to follow the flow at 100 to 110.

The last 100 km was a bumpy ride. I am glad my bike is high with a good suspension. I’m more worried to break my suspension the having a flat tire. I have tire repairs on the bike, but nothing for the suspension. But I trust it.

Oh, here she is again, with another dish – for me! Hmm, small lunch… Well it looks interesting. She says “cow” so I think its meat inside. (Tasting) Nice, not “fat” at all…

The rain is decreasing. I hope I can be on my way soon. I want to go to Zaporizhzhya. There this Cossack island lays. Hmm, garlic. And gräslök (I don’t know what’s in English – try Google translate from Swedish if you are curious). But the bread was dull.

So the rain has stopped. That is my q to get out of here. The stop was longer than I planned. But it is really no problem. It’s not getting dark before nine o’clock.

The waitress came to get me a dessert as well, but I managed to stop that. Now I just have to pay. I wonder how much it will be?

Oh, dear! 46 Hryvnia. That is 40 SEK or about 5 €. I will not get poor here 🙂