The Black Sea and my other name

This photograph was taken on my last visit to Russia in 2019, when I spent a few weeks in and around Sochi and Moscow. This photo was taken on a beach called "Velvet Seasons", in Russian: Бархатные Сезоны, near the border with Georgia, which you can see in the background. Very cold water, which I discovered after a toe dip... as you guessed, I didn't go swimming!

So, just a small insight, as you know I am half Russian (and proud, despite all the political chaos in recent times), but my name is very British, right? That's true, except for my middle name, which is Nadezhda, after my grandma (mums side), but also Nadya in it's short and easier form, and that is what I get called by nearly all my family in Russia. It also makes for a confusing time, especially the first day or two, when I often don't realise they are talking to me 🙉