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  1. #41
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    Overland to Scandinavia and more!
    Spring 2017


    A day around the area outside Iin Sillat Motel & Camping

    Interesting that this tree on the campsite is dead, however the fungus appears to be thriving!.......



    Setting off on what we thought was going to be a short walk, we saw this board and notice about 200 yards from the campsite that described a village called Haminan, so come with us as we wander around it as we thought it was fascinating!……























    What’s inside the strange shaped little wooden box?......



    It’s an old Water Well that used to have a winch and bucket, but this one has been converted to electricity……



    The ‘Booze’ story!……





    This is possibly the oldest house in the village!......





    The Fire Department, which you need in a village where all the houses are made of wood!……



    The Outdoor Auditorium……





    The modern church which was locked so did not get to see inside……



    We then found a small Museum, but that also was not open……



    As we then spotted a Café which had just opened for the season, so we went in for a coffee and slice of homemade cake …..





    The Café Owner then told us that we were welcome to have a look around upstairs as that was also a bit of a Museum, so off we went and found the Child’s School Desk as we got to the top of the stairs……



    While the two rooms were laid out as though the family still were in the house……







    Yes this place also had a Singer Sewing Machine……



    Back outside and we spot 3 boats used in Logging Operations on the river, as this one had a centre winch for holding the logs together as the boat went down the river......



    Riverside Monument……



    Children’s play area……



    The local middle school with all the students bikes……



    As this ‘Mini Quad’ and small Motorbike came roaring up the road……



    Do NOT adjust your glasses, this girl really did have a head of long Blue Hair, it was not a wig!......



    As we then find ourselves in another part of the Haminan, with a really nice story on this board……



    The Parsonage, still in place……



    And the story, which I hope you can read……



    The new Parsonage behind another of those water wells, which could not be opened……



    The older Parsonage……





    We then went down to a short walk along part of the river and saw this piece of Finnish ‘Art’ but no description could be found for it……











    The river in the upper part of the next picture still has ice and snow on the surface……



    While the water coming away from that part had quite a current in it as it came from near the border with Russia……





    Back on the road again tomorrow!......

  2. #42
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    Spring 2017


    After leaving Iin Sillat Motel & Camping we get a couple of hours in Oulo as we make our way South

    Interesting for me to make a return to Oulu as it was the first city outside Helsinki that I went to a long time ago and it hasn’t changed much!.......
    The first building that I remembered was this one down on the water front as it is the Theatre and the shape is rather strange, which was the trigger!......



    In this channel there used to be a couple of twin mast sailing boats that had been converted to restaurants but they have gone, still they were expensive or at least the food was!.....



    Looking across the water towards the Waterfront Market……



    Then the other way to the large Hotel……



    The ‘City Street Cleaners’ get Bikes with Trailers & Baskets on the back for the garbage that is collected……



    OK! Be nice!......



    Some of the old waterfront buildings which have now been converted into café’s or restaurants……



    The front entrance to the Waterfront Market, with the ‘Fat Jolly Policeman’ outside……



    Inside the Market……







    The ‘Fat Jolly Policeman’ who existed in real life and kept a check on the vehicles on Market Days……



    Strolling up into the town centre……

















    While this ‘structure’ seems to ring a bell as the starting point for a Car Rally as each car shot off a ramp that was connected as it started the race!......



    Just to the right of the stone ball that rides on a cushion of water is a Café that serves a cake that is reputed to be the oldest recipe in Finland. The cake is made up of Apple, Sponge, Cream and a Meringue top coat and served with a Vanilla sauce……









    Original old wooden buildings down along the waterfront……







    Then it was back on the road to our next overnight halt!......

  3. #43
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    Spring 2017


    Oulu to Viitasaari

    After our short stop in Oulu for a quick look around we were back on the road to a place called Viitasaari and an overnight stop at an ABC Rastplats which is supported by the Finnish Caravan Club……

    Never seen a traffic island with a Propeller in the middle…..but we have now!......



    Rolling down the road we actually passed this sign, turned around and went back out of curiosity!.....



    Parked the outfit and started to climb the wooden stairs to see what was over the top……



    It is a very large Reservoir……







    While the bannister is too wide to slide back down to the bottom!......



    Then we see the information board……





    Passing the ‘Infants School’!......



    As we get to the ABC Rastplats we see this interesting sign for a ‘Ravintola’ (Restaurant) on the other side of the road……



    Heading over after parking up, the first thing we see is this ‘Bell Telephone Rain/Snow Cover’…….



    Then we start to notice more Bells around the place……

















    Although this sign mentions Church bells from Germany, there were bells from all over the world at this restaurant, as the restaurant itself had literally hundreds of smaller bells inside!......







    The holder of the liquid metal when casting a bell……



    A church clock mechanism that was inside the restaurant……



    Then as you went in to the restaurant itself you saw the collection!......





    With 2 quite large bells on the floor that we think came from Russia……





    As we then made our way back to the Rastplats we saw these large rocks by the entrance which were glittering with what looked like ‘Fools Gold’!......





    The downside of staying there was that even though we were behind the main ABC building in the rear parking area which is set up for campers and caravans, at 02:30 the ‘Bell Restaurant’ let out a rather LOUD peal that certainly woke me up!......

    Next stage sees us meeting up and spending a few days with friends we met in Morocco but whose parents have a Summer House in Finland!......

  4. #44
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    Viitasaari to Sorsakoski

    Time to get back on the road for our ‘Days in the forest’ with our friends Henri & Julia as we start off with a nice clear road in front…… ……



    As we pass this monument to the Military!.....



    After a couple of hours on the road it was time for a break and a coffee, so we turned off the main road into a village called Lapinlahden to look for a Café……



    Then spotted this nice church, but once again could not go inside……



    Traffic island in the centre of the village, but no café. So we came out and found a café on the other side of the main road in a Teboil Garage……



    Nice wide tractor coming towards us!



    As we follow the GPS we then spot the Red Balloons that Julia had put at the entrance to the forest road to their place......



    Then for about 2km we are on the Forest road……



    Then we see this sign with Henri (The Rudolph came from him being Finnish)……



    Having then got the ‘TinTent’ sorted out and after a bit of lunch Henri & Julia asked if we would like to make a trip to a Gorge named Orinoro which has a nice forest walk to get to it, ‘Yes’ was the reply, so off we went!......



    As we make our way along the trail we pass this sign which is alongside a fresh water well, and before the city laid the pipes to supply fresh drinking water the well was used as the supply using the long lever and bucket in the bottom left of the picture to get it out of the well, which is on top of a hill!……



    This is the well but now no lever while the bucket was just for show…….



    Passing a house on the pathway we see this ‘compost maker’ with a built in temperature gauge to show how the compost is doing……



    With the lack of rain over the last few days in the area, this pool of Frogspawn was drying out, and nothing could be done to save it……



    The pathway then passed a moss covered low wall which seemed a bit strange in the forest, but then we learn that the wall was built to stop small Military Tanks from moving forward and it worked…..



    As we continue we come to the Orinoro Gorge, which is quite deep and still has a lot of snow and ice at the bottom……









    As we find a path down to the bottom we then see a wooden walkway that has been built some time ago as the ground each side is very soft and quite muddy in places……

    Then going back into the Gorge we see that unless you had boots with spikes in the soles it would be very difficult to walk over the snow and ice!......



    So we about turn and find a bit further on that the wooden walkway is being replaced as a number of the planks are quite rotten……



    As we then come to one of many lakes on the trail we see this place which you can come to and make a campfire in the centre of a pile of very large stones. The chopped wood is provided by the people who manage the forest……



    You can fish in the lake for free and swim if you want, while this new small wooden house can be used for cooking any fish you have caught……



    Back on ‘Walking the planks’ as we make our way back to the start of the trail……



    Spotted these on the trunk of a dead tree and weren’t sure if they were old Wasps Nests, but could not see an entrance hole, while the base seemed to be made of something different to the side!......





    Then on another small lake we see this pair of Swans……



    Who a few minutes later took off and flew overhead as their wings made the sound that only Swans can when flying……



    While back near the start of the trail we come across this larger cabin with a central fireplace for groups to meet!......



    As we then go back to the summer house and the temperature was climbing, we stop off in a town called Leppävirta to enjoy an ice cream and see this statue of a horse……



    Then it was back to the house for dinner......

  5. #45
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    A day out with our friends

    Henri & Julia wanted to take us to one of the large Canals in Finland which is still used for transporting logs to the paper mills, so off we went to have a look, and it wasn’t long before we got there……



    As we got there, we spotted a small powerboat waiting to go through the lock gates, so we were able to see the complete operation as there was a difference of around 4meters between one side of the lock and the other!.....

    As the ‘gates’ in the side walls are opened to lower the water, the gates are also opened slightly which we have never seen before while the torrent of water comes through with a lot of force!......







    Finally as the water nearly levels out in the lock, the gates are opened up fully……



    Allowing the small power boat to proceed, while the ‘Dark Wall’ of the lock was the height of the water before it was drained to bring it to the level of the lower lake!......



    At the end of the Lock Gates is this Swing Bridge that can open for tall vessels on the canal while the bridge has railway lines on top......



    Once out of the lock gates on the far side are two distinct piles of Logs, this one was Pine Tree Logs……



    While this one was Birch Tree Logs which makes up a significant part of the forests in Finland ……



    Then just around the front on our side of the canal we come to the ‘Old Canal’......





    But sadly it does not go very far before it stops…….



    At the top of the next picture the old canal went for another 500yards and came to a stop as the road that was built meant that as there was no bridge then high vessels could not pass, so it was easier and less costly to build a new section of canal with a bridge……



    While on the other side of the road, this is the place where the old canal went out from the lake……



    Getting over to the higher lake, we then see the different boats some of which are still used for moving the logs through the lakes and canals to the paper mills…..









    Back in the car and it wasn’t long as we pass one of the paper mills, with its large mounds of Wood Chips that will be converted to paper!......



    As we also see the name on the building of the paper company……



    Our next stop was unique as they only seem to have them in Finland, which are Water Towers with either Café’s or Restaurants on top!
    The ‘Brown’ walls are the water tower……



    On top you can enjoy a snack, coffee, meal and sit in these ‘Ice Cream Cone Chairs’ while taking in the view!……











    Time to go back to the Summer House for dinner........

  6. #46
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    Spring 2017


    Sorsakoski to Helsinki

    I think ‘Tempus Fugit’ came to mind this morning as we said good bye to our friends after a short but very enjoyable time with them, and headed for Helsinki using the main trunk road with a lunch stop on the way.

    It wasn’t long before we were outside Rastila Camping which is the only campsite in or near Helsinki and so has a very nice monopoly as it is also a Council owned site……



    After checking in and also paying for our stay as you are not allowed to pay just before you leave, a visit to the ‘facilities’ provides this ‘notice’ which makes you stop and think as the campsite is supposed to be 5 Star rated, so you would expect a high level of security!.....



    While a walk around part of the grounds took us past what is a ‘Troika Sleigh’……



    With this old house just behind……



    The campsite is listed as having a Restaurant onsite which as their ‘High Season’ started on 01/May/2017 you would expect to be open?
    All we could find was a very run down old large building which tied in with the position on the campsite map of the restaurant but this was definitely closed……

    While the campsite ‘slots’ for Campers and Caravans reminded you when you saw them of parking spaces in Motorway Services except you had a row of low level bushes between each ‘slot’!



    One of the Cabins you can rent as well as an area for Tents!



    Some more cabins......



    Looking back up the row to the block of flats that overlook the campsite…



    ‘Slots’ come in two sizes ‘Narrow’ and ‘Wide’, this is a ‘Wide’ one that costs €6 more/night in High Season.



    This by far has been the most expensive campsite we have stayed on during this trip!......

    The cost per night here comes to €35 that includes a whopping €6/Person Helsinki ‘Tourist Tax’ and another €6/Night Electric Hook Up charge.

    While the facilities seem to have been in place since the campsite was first opened they are really in need of refurbishing.
    Internet speed is very fast, BUT you have to be stood in front of the Router to get it! If you move away to your ‘slot’ and its over 25 feet away then you cannot connect, and as the connection is completely open with NO security you cannot send or receive your email if using a different program to online only like Google or Yahoo mail!

    Conversely the 'Camping Crew' have been really helpful with all our questions about getting around and also help in the area.

    Updating the travel blog has been fraught with ‘problems’ so I am running a bit late!

    Off for a look around Helsinki tomorrow. I bet a lot has changed since the first time I came here……

  7. #47
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    A day in Helsinki

    As we had a day before our 3 night Visa Free Cruise commenced to St Petersburg we went into Helsinki for a look around and also to sort out a small ‘problem’ with the hotel voucher for St Petersburg.
    For me it was also a chance to see how much this city has changed.

    Firstly we made our way to the cruise terminal to sort out the voucher ‘problem’ and as we got off the Tram we see this ‘new addition’ to the city!……



    ‘Problem’ sorted but it led to something else which I will come onto at the end of this stage.
    We then made our way around the port area towards the two Cathedrals that are in the city!.....





    ‘55’ was a Naval Vessel but has now been turned into a place to go for a Sauna and a Beer when you have had a hard day at the office!......



    Or you could try this alternative that was close by!!......





    WOW! Didn’t expect to see the Google Map Car around here, but I hope it keeps coming back regularly as there are a heck of a lot of roadworks ‘in progress’!......



    The old waterfront market building…



    Now turned into a number of small snack bars inside…...



    Old part of the city architecture……











    Now back down on the waterfront looking across to one of the small inhabited islands……



    As we then stroll through one of the many parks in Helsinki……







    Then over the hill and we see the first Cathedral……



    Then more to the right is the second one……



    Quayside stalls……



    The Presidential Palace with the Guards safely tucked behind the railings!......



    The view as we climb the steps…..



    To see the other Cathedral close up……



    But we then went back to the other one also for a close up view!......



    Moving into the City Centre to find somewhere for lunch……



    Helsinki Main Railway Station, which is very plain inside……



    Sauna ‘selling’ in the City Centre……



    Different ‘models’……



    The ‘Show Model’ was operational with a fire and a bucket of water inside……



    Possibly a ‘Barbie Tram’……



    A rather strange sculpture in recognition of the founder of the restaurant ‘Fazer’ on the right hand side of the next picture……



    Then we pass by what was the most expensive hotel in Helsinki, and as I don’t want to faint, I have stayed away from seeing if it still is!......



    The hotel now looks like it has been extended from the original corner plot to the dark section down the side with all the Scandinavian Flags hanging over the second entrance doorway…..



    Another garden leading down to the waterfront……



    One of the very old restaurants in the garden……



    While back down on the quayside the Navy had arrived……







    Replacement crew going aboard, while the Officer (The last one in the line!) was ‘piped’ aboard……



    There was something going on near the Navy boat as the place was also surrounded by Military Personnel and Police while this boat dressed ‘Overall’ with the flags was flying the Danish Flag both fore and aft, but no one could or would divulge who or what was happening!......



    As we started to make our way back to the campsite we saw the downside of living in a high rise flat near the waterfront as you had to settle for a ‘Blow Up Dog’ to look after your property!......



    Now for that other ‘Problem’!……

    We were given a cruise brochure by the St Peter Line Cruise Company as it showed us the type of cabin that we would have that was not made clear by the company called ‘Scandi Classics’ that we made the reservation with, as we then learned that the cabin came with a Shower & Toilet.

    While it also gave the prices for the trip when booking direct with the cruise company, when worked out for 2 people came to €309. This in no way came anywhere near the price paid to ‘Scandi Classics’ which was a WHOPPING €678!

    After finding out the full address of ‘Scandi Classics’ with the help of the campsite staff which is in Helsinki as it was not provided on their documentation, we decided to pay them a visit the next day to ask how they justified a difference of an extra €369 for the same thing……
    Results will be made known in the next update……..

  8. #48
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    Helsinki to St Petersburg! All Aboard!!

    On the morning of the cruise across to St Peterburg we decided to pay a visit to the supposed ‘HQ’ of the company called Scandi Classics which turned out to be an office in Helsinki that was a ‘front’ for several companies and when we asked about Scandi Classics we were told that they were very rarely seen at the address! However the lady in reception called their contact number and I spoke with a man called Alexi.

    After explaining my concerns about the cost difference I asked for a justification and was told to email my concerns which I advised was impossible for me in Helsinki so I was told they would get back to me within the hour by email with an answer.

    Then after leaving the office, 30 minutes later and my mobile rings with the call being identified as coming from Russia!
    Reluctantly as I had no idea who the call was from I accepted it and found it was Scandi Classics while the voice on the other end started to give me the ‘9th Degree’!
    However as soon as I advised the person that I had been advised to contact Helsinki Police the attitude changed completely to offering me a full refund as they 'did not like unhappy customers’!

    Quick decision…..We took the full refund which within 45 minutes was back in my credit card account, however that meant that our trip was cancelled……..or was it?

    A quick call to the Cruise Line and we had our Cruise at €309 instead of €678………
    So…..’All Aboard’ for what was a very smooth crossing……

    The Princess Anastasia, which was formerly a P&O Car & Passenger Ferry on the Portsmouth – Bilbao run……



    After getting on board and a wander around we found ourselves just by the information and reception desk.....



    While this is a bit of a write up about Princess Anastasia, which I apologise for as it did not turn out as clear as I would have liked to be able to read……



    The Princess herself……



    Up on the top deck as we left Helsinki……



    Then after a very peaceful crossing we enter the outskirts of St Petersburg passing a fuel terminal……



    Then the outer port area, which looked a bit run down......



    Passing a Floating Crane and a Traffic Bridge that had two levels allowing vehicles on the upper level to travel one way while the lower level went the other way……



    Having then had breakfast and disembarked to be transferred by Shuttle Bus into St Petersburg we were dropped off in St Isaac’s Square, with this very large Cathedral on our left……



    As our first objective for the visit was The State Heritage Museum we started walking across the city towards it, passing one of the entrances to the Admiralty Building…….



    Then there was a small diversion to go to a place called ‘The Strelka’ which is a good viewing point for the city at sea level!......
    ‘The Strelka’ is a spit of land that sticks out and is between two pillars, one on each side, this is the first……



    The centre of the ‘Strelka’ semicircle is this ‘anchor’……



    While this is the other pillar on the opposite side……



    Then as you get to the point of ‘The Strelka’ down at Sea level the centre is the filled in arch of rock blocks……



    As you then turn through 180 degrees you get to see the Peter & Paul Fortress on the other side of the river……



    While over to the left is this rather grand 3 masted ship which is now a restaurant!......



    Then turning back and going a bit further around you get a very good view of the rear of the State Hermitage Museum……



    But before we headed back over there we had to have a closer look at one of the Souvenir carts on ‘The Strelka’ as they still have lots of ‘Gorby Dolls’ but have now added President Putin to the collection!......



    The on our way over to the State Heritage Museum we pass this building which we think is called ‘Kunstkammer’ but not sure what it’s purpose was……



    Another of the Admiralty building entrances, while this one was on the end of the building……



    As we continue we see these 3 ladies in old style uniforms. When I motioned for the to stand together I was advised by the blond girl on the right that to take a picture would cost me 200Rub!

    I declined with a sharp ‘Niet’ (No!) and continued to the Museum……

    (It seemed that all the people who were dressed in period clothes were asking for around 200 Russian Roubles to have your picture taken with them)



    Which we will get into in the next update as having seen the inside it was easy to see how the opulence of the place led to a very unhappy city……

  9. #49
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    The visit to The State Hermitage Museum

    When you get to the front of the Museum I think unless your camera has a wide angle lens then it’s impossible to fit the whole of the front into one picture!
    So you can join these three together and go from there because the place is HUGE!!!……







    Then we joined the queue of visitors which as we got to the front and looked back it was stretching out past the main entrance into the middle of the square in front, but it was the first day of the month when entry is free!……



    Finally got the tickets and found out I could use the camera but NOT on exhibits in Temporary Exhibitions which was OK, so off we go and there are a lot of pictures and not many words!!!……



    Up the main staircase……











    Throughout the museum I found the floors were amazing as they are all marquetry and considering the number of visitors they are in very good condition, and this picture is one of a number all with different designs on!......



    This clock was taller than a human being!……













    A collection of some of the restoration work in pictures that has been carried out!......







































    One of the Canals that run through the city, that we spotted through a window……





















    A very ornate writing desk……



    Another one……



    The ‘Gold Room’ and it really was!......





    This Gold encrusted cabinet was rather nice!.....



    While there were a lot more pictures that I took, I think the best ones are what have been uploaded and really show the opulence of the life style of the family that lived there……
    While back outside this was a BIGGER Canal……





    The Kazan Cathedral……



    A ‘Princess Coach’……



    As we started to make our way back to the boat we pass a nice reminder of the UK!......



    More on the next update as we set off for another interesting place in St Petersburg!......

  10. #50
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    The Metro and The Church of the Spilled Blood

    There is a bit of a mixture of ‘Dry & Wet’ pictures in this next part as we went from the State Hermitage Museum for a bite to eat and then to find the Church of the Spilled Blood, also called the Resurrection of Christ, as the weather was dry but very cold due to an wind from the North East.
    When we got to the Church it was closed for ‘Day time’ visiting but opened at 18:00hrs for evening visiting, which we though was a bit tight to get back for the Shuttle Bus so we decided to come back the following day, however…….

    Not a very nice start to today as we made our way with the Shuttle Bus into St Petersburg the rain was almost hammering down!
    So we decided to ‘stay dry’ and headed for a trip on the Metro (Underground Railway) as we understood that there are some interesting stations that are highly decorated……















































    As it looked like the rain had stopped as the Metro Passengers were looking decidedly ‘drier’ while the stations were not proving to be that good, and it was moving past lunch time we decided to go back ‘up top’ get some lunch and then head over to the Church, while this was the view as we came around the corner and saw the Church……



    A stroll around the outside to the back of the Church was first thing……





    This was the rear view of the Church……



    The souvenir stalls leading away from the Church……



    Then we go back to the front to buy our entrance tickets and go inside……





    As you go through the small entrance door, this is your first view inside……





    Then as you move inside the pictures in coloured Mosaics are quite stunning……













    The view looking up into one of the domes……



    The view in another dome……





    The wall and doors at the head of the central nave……



    The doors close up……



    One of the panels in the doors……



    The upper section of the centre of the doors……



    The roof arches……





    While in another dome up at around 75ft+ was this face looking directly down……





    A bit of the history about the rebuilding of the church……





    With a final look at one panel……



    It was time to head back to the cruise boat and hope that the Shuttle Bus was there at the drop off point to pick us up!....

    Back to Helsinki tonight, then get sorted out and 24 hours later hit the road for the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn!......

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