End of May

The end of May is always hectic with lots going on before the start of the school summer holidays. There are dance performances (H-M), circus performances (Henry and Thomas), music performances (Henry) and spring school trips (Henry and Thomas).

The sort of logistics formerly only found in invading armies is needed to get everyone to the right place at the right time. This year there was only one major hitch - and yes, it was my fault. (Snippet of phone call:"What do you mean, Henry's got circus practice today?")

There aren't many photos as the camera tended to get left behind in the rush. But below, a few to keep you entertained.

Part of Thomas's circus performance.

(Photo courtesy of H-M's friend, Mervi)

Thomas's turn to stand on the ball.

(Photo courtesy of H-M's friend, Mervi)

The weather this May was very dry and sunny, as the following photos show.

An aircraft parked at Lappeenranta Airport.

(18 May 2009)

The aircraft caught Henry's attention so we popped into the terminal building to find out more. The airport staff told us it was a plane chartered for holidaymakers. It had arrived from Portugal and would then fly to Joensuu before continuing to Turkey. (Information for aircraft fans: Boeing 737, registration TF-JXG.)

The airport at Lappeenranta is going through troubled times; there just aren't enough passengers. The local airline, Fly Lappeenranta has daily flights to and from Helsinki (flight time: 35 minutes, operated by Scotland-based Highland Airways) but most people take the train. Attempts to build links to St Petersburg seem to be getting stuck in the wheels of Russian bureaucracy, and low-cost airlines don't see enough market potential in the area. The only exciting aircraft to be seen are chartered airliners flying holidaymakers to the sun.

A rather ostentatious-looking motorboat moored in Lappeenranta harbour. (18 May 2009)

(Photo taken with Nokia 5500 Sport)

If you really like it, I think it might be for sale, click here. Mind you, the asking price of EUR 670 000 is a little steep for the likes of Elks Street.

Below, more views of Lappeenranta harbour in the sun.

(Photo taken with Nokia 5500 Sport)

(Photo taken with Nokia 5500 Sport)

The yellow stuff floating on the water is not algae but birch pollen. There is so much in the air that people with allergies really suffer.

As well as trees, Finland is also home to many wild animals. Below, one of the less dangerous species - seen by Henry on the way to school.

Hedgehogs

(Photo taken with Nokia 5500 Sport)

While our garden is frequented by hares and hedgehogs, the east side of town has recently been visited by bears; not the kind of animal you want to see in your backyard - they are anything but cuddly!

In recent years, there have been quite a few so-called 'city bears,' who somehow find themselves in urban areas. To see bears in their natural habitat, click on the Live BearCam link here.



Of course, no school year is complete without the dreaded school reports. Here, a brief resume.


Thomas:
Top marks for everything except handwriting and geometry.

Henry:
For the first time, some of Henry's grades were in the form of numbers. He got 8/10 for Finnish language and literature (and in my opinion would have done even better if his stories had been a little less 'minimalist') and 9/10 for mathematics (which was somewhat of a surprise). He did well in science, English (unsurprisingly) and music. His weak areas? Religion, art, and physical education.


Now that school is over, what is everyone up to?

Henry, Thomas and H-M are visiting Tiina in Tapiola, where the boys are at a handicrafts workshop at Espoo Museum of Modern Art, and H-M is taking some dance courses at the University of Art and Design Helsinki. And I'm still at work - anyone want to proof-read a text on evolutionary algorithms? No, me neither!