Sunny Days

During a very wet summer there have been a few sunny days. Below a few photos of what we have been up to when the sun has been shining.


Thomas and Hwei-Ming washing mats. Finnish homes generally have wooden floors decorated by mats, which need to be washed once in a while. Traditionally, this is done in a local lake and the town provides outdoor facilities where mats can be washed and dried. For children, it is great fun.


Thomas and Henry paddling in Sammonlahti. After the "hard work" of washing mats, the boys got to spend some time enjoying the lake.


A few days later we were invited by some Chinese colleagues to a sauna and barbecue at the university's "beach sauna". Below some more photos.


Our hosts around the barbecue. The menu was very Finnish and included potatoes, grilled courgettes, grilled mushrooms and the ubiquitous Finnish "makkara" (sausage).


Henry practising his rowing.


Meanwhile, Thomas is in shallower waters.


The final photo is at the request of Hwei-Ming, who wishes to provide evidence that I can indeed be persuaded to make contact with cold water.


Luckily there is a warm sauna nearby. Brrrr!

Watercolours

Hwei-Ming, Chairman of Elk Street Ltd., decided recently to try her hand at watercolours. This was a new medium as previously she had done oil-painting. She joined a course at Joutsenonopisto, an adult education institute, and below are some results of her efforts.

Swans

Orchid flowers

View from the veranda of the school

Visit to Suomenlinna

When Elk's Street is visiting Helsinki, I am sometimes given a couple of hours off to "go and do something" (quote: Chairman). One of my favourite ways of spending some free time is to take the ferry from the marketplace and visit the Fortress of Suomenlinna. Suomenlinna, in Swedish 'Sveaborg', is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Finland's main tourist attractions.

Below are a few photos taken when Finland is showing its sunny side.

The ferry to Suomenlinna leaves from the marketplace. The photo shows the red "Koff" beer tram passing the marketplace. The tram has been converted into a bar and tourists can hop on board and enjoy a beer while looking at the sights.


It's difficult to believe that this is in the heart of Helsinki.


A Silja Line vessel setting out on a cruise to Stockholm, Sweden.


A small bay on the island of Länsi-Mustasaari. This is a part of the fortress complex that is ignored by most visitors, who tend to stay on the main island of Susisaari, where the main attractions are situated.


The view from Tykistölahti (Artillery Bay?) looking towards the straight of Kustaanmiekka.



The Finnish flag. Those with sharp eyes will notice that it is a little different from the 'normal' Finnish flag. The swallow-tailed state flag, or 'war flag', is flown on Suomenlinna.


When I returned on the ferry to the marketplace, there was a rather handsome sailing vessel, Sea Cloud II, moored in front of the Palace Hotel. This is a luxury cruise ship, Helsinki being a popular stop for many cruise liners.


Another view of Sea Cloud II. To find out more go to the Sea Cloud Cruises website.


One attraction on Suomenlinna deserves to be mentioned, an attraction that brings me back to the start of this post; Suomenlinnan Panimo. This is a small restaurant that brews its own beer. I usually have a glass while waiting for the ferry back to the mainland and it's much better than the insipid brew 'Koff'. So, next time you are in Helsinki, skip the beer tram and get the ferry over to Suomenlinna. Unfortunately, the Suomenlinnan Panimo website is mostly in Finnish but click on the 'Oluet' link to see the beer labels and the 'À la carte' link to see what I can't afford to eat.