Thursday 23^rd October 2008
Bev and Charles update
Everyone should be home tonight!
The last section of the convoy has been renamed. Bev's boys are those that went to top up with wine and beer, and Charlie's angels are those that went to a supermarket! The weather has been beautiful and Chas treated the team to another greasy spoon brunch, followed by Vivienne's Dundee cake. Everyone is well and the Grumpies are happy!
We are expecting to catch the 8pm ferry, so should get home late this very evening.

There has not been an official update from the HGVs, but they should be home by now, as are the advanced four 7.5 tonne trucks.

Wednesday 22^nd October 2008
Charles report on Bev's boys convoy
The HGVs have split with the 7.5 tonne trucks as they are heading for different ports, HGVs to Vlissingen and the others to Calais. There are both expecting to get home on Thursday.
We (Bev's boys) have stopped at Bad Camberg for the night, which is between Frankfurt and Cologne. There is the choice of sleeping in the hotel or in the trucks. Hoping to get to Calais at 7ish, so may get home on Thursday evening.

Bev's report
A greasy spoon fry-up was enjoyed by Bev's boys in the sun, just over the border in Germany. This afternoon, we have experienced the first rain during the whole trip! Everyone is well and looking forward to the last day of driving before getting home.

Tuesday 21^st October 2008
Bev's report on Sunday night out at Irish KFOR.
A bus was hired to take 46 of the crew and support to Irish Camp Clarke. Wonderful hospitality with a great atmosphere was showered on us with refreshments and a band playing. It was like a different world after the day we had just had. Anna and Kate took to the stage playing flute, guitar and singing, bringing quietness to the room! After that Frank sang which was fantastic. The Irish troops thanked our crews for all that they have done and the difference the aid and their presence had made to the people of Kosovo. Anna continued to entertain the crews on return to the hotel.

Charles report Tuesday
The return convoy has split in two as some trucks need to get home as early as possible. The HGV's with four 7.5 tonne trucks are leading, with the rear party (Bev's boys) of five 7.5 tonne trucks following. The truck called Yummies is now Gummies driven by Coxy and Graham C, as Donna and Kate flew home.
This evening, Bev's boys have stopped near Linz, some staying in a hotel and some sleeping in the trucks. They

Monday 20^th October 2008
Bev's report
The convoy are on their way home. At 9pm (UK time) this evening, the convoy were all together and waiting at the Serbian/Hungarian border. They have now travelled a short way into Hungary and stopped for the night at a hotel which they regularly use. A quick meal then off to bed. So far so good.
The airborne crew, flew home safely earlier today, and are going their separate ways. It is always a culture shock for the teams coming home as they are mentally and physically tired. They will have many stories to tell their friends and family about their experience in Kosovo.

Sunday 19^th October 2008
Dawn's report from Busby.
Today we went to South Mitrovica for two drops of 50 and 59 families. The numbers of families went up but we were able to give them the last of our aid and they seemed very pleased. I give a teddy to lovely little 2 year old girl from my own daughter, Emily. I hope she will be as pleased with my choice as I was. I also noticed that children are children wherever you go.
On the second drop I was lucky to meet a family of a grandmother,her daughter and her two young daughters aged 14 and 9. The grandfather, husband and son were killed by the serb police in 1998 as they tried to escape from jail. They had been in jail for 4 years because they were albaninan. In the same year her daughter's husband was killed in the street, and the young girl of 9 never knew her father except by his photo. They told us they received 130 euros per month of which 100 was rent for a 3 room flat where they all slept in one room as the rest were too cold. Their diet was mainly beans and pasta. They lived wondering "what next" as they could be moved again with little notice. They were pleased we had come to give the aid. I was amazed at such resilience and the fact they could still smile.
The last story is a family who had 9 living in 4 rooms with large cracks running down them and in a poor state of affairs. The baby was handicapped. We were able to give them a double buggy and extra clothes. It just is incredible to think they can survive on so very little.
Once again they have little money to live on and they kept saying....thank you so very very much... it was hard not to be humbled. We are now going to start the long drive home but once again I wish to say thank you to the British people who have supported us as you will never know what joy your aid brings to these people. Please keep giving, we need to keep supporting these lovely people for a few more years until the EU starts to
kick in with some support which I feel will come one day.

Bev's report.
Robin Hood, Pirates, Anna, Hannah, Hilary and Judy went to Cesmin-lug and Osteroad Roma camps in north Mitrovica. These camps house 150 families where all are affected by lead poisoning due to resettlement after the war. We spent time with the families and children. A quick stop at Vushtri Fire Station to see the fire engine we took out in 2002, showed that it has done 17,000 miles assisting fires since being in Kosovo, the last one being two days ago.

Charles report from C-dogs
John, Charles and Celia went to the Hader centre, Prizren. We played table-tennis with the children on the table we took out at Easter, and also table football. They made us gifts out of cardboard and paints, which we plan to auction tonight to raise money for the centre. The weather has been glorious.
For our last evening here, we have all been invited to Irish KFOR base, as they have been working with us all week. Before we start our journey home tomorrow, C-Dogs has one last delivery to do to the centre for torture victims.




Saturday 18^th October 2008
Report from Claire
I saw a sow with five piglets under an oak tree in a wooded area. The sun streaming through the autumn leaves, a perfect scene until you turn round and see a dilapidated building, unfit for habitation. On closer inspection , you realise this has been the home of an elderly person for a lifetime, and made handing over a duvet, all the pleasure in the world.

Bev's report on Robin Hood
We took clothes and bedding to the Stime institution and went to the children's building, meeting the Director and Burim, who has lived here since he lost his legs in the war. 93 families in the village received aid. We then went to meet a man who is building an extension for a new kitchen for his home. Next was a visit to the Irish KFOR who are fund raising in order to build homes for approx 6000 euros. One of these homes is for a vulnerable family of 8, the father having lost his foot from a land mine in his garden.

Charles' report from C-Dogs with Judy and Roddy
At Obilic for two good drops. After the distribution, the children lined up to shake hands with the crew to say thank you. The children did not look healthy, many with facial sores.

Bernie's report on Pirates.
Today, "Pirates" made a delivery of aid to the "RAEs, (Roma, Ashkalia, Egyptian) minorities at Plementina. Since their last visit, many of the shacks, provided for these displaced people after the war by UNHCR, have been replaced by a couple of 6 storey buildings, but their circumstances otherwise were unaltered. Incredibly poor, hungry and badly clothed, but they were very excited by the prospect of receiving help from Hope and Aid Direct. 92 families were supported with food, and clothing. The greatest excitement was seen in the faces of the children, many of whom received new shoes. These were to be distributed by the school headmaster on Monday to those who attended. While three of the crew visited families in their homes, the driver waited in his cab besieged by children hanging on to every part of the front of the truck while a few sweets were distributed. Even the UK flags attached to the wing mirrors were eagerly accepted.


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