A wish for 2023

I hope Blipfoto will forgive me for blipping this today rather than the day it was shot on the 19th December.  

There has been a lot of memorable news in 2022, but overshadowing everything to my mind has been the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  On this grey day in December, I walked down to the prom to post a parcel, and there was a late clearance of the threatening clouds with the sun breaking through shortly before sunset, with just a touch of blue sky.  On the pier the Union Jack and Ukrainian flag were flying together.  Arnside is hosting many Ukrainians who have sought sanctuary from Putin's violence.  The symbolism of the scene is why I held on to this photo until the year end.

Every war has an ending eventually.  Dare we to hope that this one may finish in 2023, and that Ukraine will remain a proud and defiant free nation after this dreadful, senseless war?  If only we could pool our collective will and make it happen.