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  1. #51
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    Overland to Scandinavia and more!
    Spring 2017


    Helsinki to Tallinn on Sunday then on to Tartu on Monday

    As we left the campsite in Helsinki quite early on Sunday morning I was rather thankful we did as the route to the Tallink Ferry to Estonia took us literally through the centre of Helsinki down narrow roads and along the old cobbles! ……









    One of the main roads in Helsinki as we pass the ‘Kamp Hotel’ on the right hand side…….





    Very glad this was a ‘One Way Street’!......





    Then around the Port on the cobbled roads!......



    As we get onto the ‘road’ to the Ferry Check In……



    We arrive and then sit and wait for the Red ‘X’ to turn Green and we can then check in……



    Then after some time it was drive around to be advised which part of the ferry we were going into……



    As we then follow the van in front onto the lower deck……







    Then it was up the stairs to a very nice area for the crossing. The ship has only been in service since February 2017 and was very ‘plush’ inside!......



    Just on 2 hours later we are in Tallinn and disembarking to go through Customs & Immigration Checkpoints with no security or checks being carried out on anyone going through……



    After calling into a garage for some diesel as I was just about running on fumes, we set off for the Pirita Harbour Campsite which we have used before……













    It was only about 5 miles to the campsite but the Ferry didn’t hang about as we spotted it on its way back to Helsinki!……



    While the potholed road entrance to the campsite has not been made good from our visit here 3 years ago!……



    Set up for our overnight stay……



    The very wide yacht harbour launch ramp……



    Brrr! Seems like someone is still having fun on the water?……





    Then the following morning the weather closes in and the rain starts as we head out from Tallinn towards Tartu and the ‘Rush Hour’ traffic heads in to the city! Glad we are going out and not stuck in that lot!!!......









    4km of Estonian ‘Roadworks’ while each lane of the remaining road is just wide enough to drive along, with very little room on either side if you happen to ‘wobble’!......



    This car looks like it ‘wobbled’ along with 2 others who were off the road in the field alongside and rather badly damaged!......



    Back on a good bit of road……



    Yippee…..we reach Tartu……







    Passing a very large shopping centre..…



    We get to the campsite and get set up, then later in the early evening we spot this coming up the river?......



    An evening cruise on an old wooden boat as the rain had eventually stopped……



    Off tomorrow for a look around the Old part of the town, as it is supposed to be a nice day with some sunshine!……

  2. #52
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    Spring 2017


    A visit to the Old part of the city of Tartu and a bit more

    While on our way into the city it was a quick look back to the ‘campsite’ that we were on in Tartu, which is really the Boat Trailer Area with a row of EHU (Mains Hook Up) places installed, while the 1 Shower and WC were inside the main building and only accessible between 09:00 and 17:00hrs which for a campsite was a negative point, while the outside Portaloo Cabin for out of office hours use was a real health hazard!!!!……



    The main road back into the city centre……



    We understand that the tall circular building is a Hotel!......



    While a little bit further along the road we see this strange building and weren’t sure if it was part of the Hotel or not…..



    As we get to the new part of the city we see these Umbrellas while underneath are some of the Senior Citizens of the town trying to see their home grown vegetables or flowers to generate some money to live on…….



    Outdoor Table Tennis Table with a wooden net!......



    Small garden with some nice coloured flower beds......



    Not sure where these two came from as there was no information plaque……



    Rather large building but for €0.20 if you are caught short then pay up and hop inside!......



    Then we get to the old Town Hall in the square……







    While the ‘Square’ is more like a rectangle in shape……



    The fountain in front of the Town Hall is called ‘The Kissing Students’ as Tartu has a very large Student population……



    A bit more Town history……





    Concrete Clogs used to prevent vehicle access. Novel!……



    I have never seen a ‘RUNNIPIZZA’? While it was the name of a Pizza Parlour in the street whose name was Runni!……



    This was the street……





    There are just two churches in Tartu, this one is Russian Orthodox called Uspensky Cathedral and is in dire need of a good painter & facelift, and gardener as the grass in the grounds is around 2 foot high…..



    We did not want to enter as there were a couple of people inside having a conversation with a church official so the picture which is not good was taken through the window……



    This is St John’s Church which has a special name for its type of construction as it is built of normal bricks, and there are a few churches in the Baltic States that have been built in this way……



    The church is very plain inside……



    While even though it has what seems to be a fairly new organ, there is an ongoing collection to buy a Baroque Organ, which from a picture seen would look totally out of place here……



    Presumably the new floor in the middle of the next picture is the intended ‘home’ for the new organ when it is purchased……



    Interesting seats in the old town with their very high backrests……



    Mother and Daughter sculpture outside a shop……



    Next it was down to the river……



    The ‘Arched Bridge’ currently being refurbished......





    The view looking towards the Town Hall from the river……



    The Tartu ‘Statue of Liberty’ on the riverside……





    The ‘Bridge of Liberty’......





    A normal traffic bridge downstream......



    Now we find out who this is as we passed the sculptor on the way in to the campsite but did not see the plaque with the details……





    Another sculptor on the far river bank..…



    Quite a ‘murky’ river as it reminded us of the Severn Estuary back home with its brown colour!......



    A not so ‘Little’ Miss Piggy outside the old town market……



    Which was interestingly on the other side ‘marked up’ into the various ‘cuts’ that a butcher would use for selling……



    Inside the market hall, as we saw Rib-Eye Steak reduced in price from €25/Kg to €14/Kg and then €9/Kg!……



    As we then left the Old Town and made our way back to the campsite we stopped to have a look inside one of the modern shopping malls which although nice and very clean lacked the character of the Old Town Market Hall……



    The ceiling looked like a cup of coffee with a cream swirl on top!......



    Back on the road tomorrow to the town of Varnu……

  3. #53
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    Tartu to Võru and a bit more

    With all the fields around us on both sides of the road as we made our way to Võru it did not seem that this Farm Machinery Outlet was a bit out of place……



    Then we ‘hit’ the roadworks which felt like the roadworks in Morocco were a piece of cake compared to these!......







    Roadside church as we passed through one of the smaller villages……



    Arriving at the Hotel Kubija with the campground in front of the trees which were in front of the hotel…....



    While one field over was this sign for the WC (Chemical Dump) and also the Grey/Kitchen Waste, but no water supply to rinse your WC Cassette out!......



    The ‘Spa’ section of the hotel from the outside which seemed to have a number of different pools and also massage beds in different sections……



    The ‘rentable’ wooden cabins at the hotel!......



    While a walk on one of the hotel ‘Forest Trails’ produced this picture of a Woodpecker who was just in the process of moving up the tree!……





    As we then moved on and towards the large lake by the hotel we see this bunker, but not sure what it is used for……



    While this was the lake which in season has a permanent Life Guard posted in a hut on the beach!……



    As we got back to the campsite and hotel the weather started to turn and the rain came in so we went off for a trip to the village of ‘Rõuge’ that only had about 6 buildings……



    While close by was a ‘Lookout/Viewing platform shaped like a Birds Nest at a place called ‘Oöbikubru’……



    Which sadly due to the mist and rain made any viewing from the top impossible……



    So we made a U Turn and headed back to Voru passing this new log cabin house that was being built!……



    And the Church at ‘Rõuge’!……







    As we got back into Voru you could not miss this ‘Pink House’ as I think we had around 6 pictures of the place after my good lady had finished pressing the button on the camera, even in the rain!…..



    So we then found a ‘Pub’ that served typical Russian & Latvian food for lunch while outside were some rather interesting wood carvings, while everything both inside and outside is made from solid wood! No Chipboard in this place!……

















    While on the way back to the hotel campsite we pass this factory with some interesting murals on the wall of what they manufacture......



    As the rain had finally stopped and the Sun had decided to make an appearance we took another walk around one of the lakes and could hear the Bullfrogs, as we finally spotted one……



    Back on the road tomorrow to Latvia and the town of Cēsis and the campsite called Žagarkalns which is a new one for us……

  4. #54
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    Võru to Cēsis

    So as we made our way from Võru very soon we cross the Border with only the signpost to let us know that we have entered Latvia from Estonia……









    Small Café/Rest stop, but on the wrong side of the road to get at easily!…….



    As we make a right turn onto the ‘Piste’ road (NO Tarmacadam)!......





    That looks a bit ‘tight’ to get through up ahead!...…



    It was ‘tight’ as ‘Flamenco Red’ was no problem but the ‘TinTent’ needed a bit of close watching on both sides to make sure it didn’t slide off the edge!......



    Then we get to Cēsis and wend our way around a few streets……





















    The Town Main Square……



    This wind feature was actually turning as the wind caught the ladles!......



    Not sure if this was a ‘watch tower’ or an old water tower……



    As we then spotted the top of the water tower, which we found out after asking what the ‘whine’ was on the opposite side of the river is filled from a 24/7/365 large electric pump in the woods that draws the water from a very deep well……







    The town’s Old Market……





    This was opposite the Town Library and is an outdoor ‘Help yourself to a book or books for free’ place……



    Suitably protected from the rain and snow……



    The Library……



    The Railway Station and Bus Terminus on the opposite side of the building……







    The Town Coat of Arms……



    Then it was down to the campsite Žagarkalns to get checked in……







    While the campsite has its own quite large natural sandy beach……



    Of exploring the town and the Old and New Castles tomorrow!……

  5. #55
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    The first half of a day in Cēsis

    Having found a place to park with no time limit we set off for a look at the Castle passing some rather nice buildings some of which were quite old, but still in good condition!……









    This wooden building was a Kindergarden School…….



    Russian Orthodox Church in which a service was happening, so no inside pictures......











    Then in through the entrance and we arrive at the New Castle on the left and the Old Castle on the right……





    With a little of the history of the town……



    The lantern that was found……



    After getting our ‘Seniors Tickets’ we set off for a look around and the first place in the Old Castle was to this iron ladder which was the Dungeon……



    After climbing down, all that was here was a ‘Privy’ (ECO Friendly WC)! Presumably any food or water was dropped down the hole with the ladder coming through as there was no other entrance!......



    Next stop was the Old Smithy where the man there is still making jewellry in both bronze and silver metals……









    Then we are into the grounds of the…..



    With a model of what it looked like when it was complete……





    Next was over to the vegetable and herb garden reconstructed as it would have been when the old castle was occupied and now once again in production……





    As well as the items listed we were told that there are 31 different items in the vegetable and herb garden now growing……



    Some history about the old castle……



















    The bricks used in the window archways along with the thickness of the walls must have taken some time to build……



    As we start our trip into the Tower with the Red Roof, we are provided with a candle to light our way up the circular stone stairs……



    Then with one hand on the wire bannister and the other holding the candle down by your feet you could find your way up in the darkness!......



    As we come to the Master’s Chamber……







    While the ceiling was huge, I did wonder how they got all the bricks to stay in place with the mortar as they built it!......



    Second half for the remainder of the visit is coming!……

  6. #56
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    The continuation of our day in Cēsis

    Out of the Master’s Chamber we continued up to the top of the tower with the Red Tiles on the roof and saw these views out across from the windows at the top……











    As I took this picture, little did I realise what we would see happening a little later on at the Tent in the Castle Grounds…….





    The inside of the Red Tiled Roof of the Tower……



    As we made our way down and out of the tower handing back our little candle which was quite effective in showing us the way!......



    Lastly seeing a couple of the ground floor passages…..



    We then went through the ground floor passages of the New Castle to start this tour next……







    The reconstruction of the face of a lady who committed suicide along with 299 other people inside the castle as they would not surrender to Ivan The Terrible and used the gunpowder room to kill themselves by blowing it up.
    It seems that the explosion also killed a Russian as his remains were also found under a section of the wall that crushed him when it blew out……







    The Library in the New Castle Tower……



    The heating system in the New Castle Tower……



    As we finished that tour we asked if the ‘Tent’ was for a special event and was advised that it was for a Wedding that would take place at 13:00hrs! So that gave us 40 minutes to get some lunch and get back, and as we did we saw some of the guests arriving, who were happy to have their picture taken!……



    The wedding coach for some of the guests which was an old Russian ‘Mini Bus’ that with all the ‘greenery’ inside looked a bit like a mobile garden!……



    Quickly made our way back inside the Castle Grounds as more of the family members and guests arrived……



    As the Bride then arrived……



    Then out of the door stepped, from left to right: Bridesmaid, Best Man & Registrar who would perform the Wedding Ceremony…..



    Followed shortly after by the Bride and her Father!
    We did think that because she had a long walk to where the ceremony wedding was going to take place on the lawn, that the wedding march music would finish before she got there, but all was OK!……



    Then the ceremony took place…….



    The Registrar they pronounced the couple ‘Man & Wife’ to their families & guests……



    Through the young man who was looking after the music that was being played I asked the Registrar if she thought it would be OK to go and meet the ‘Newlyweds’ and offer our congratulations?

    ‘Not a problem’ came the response, so we followed the Registrar over to the couple who then announced where we were from and what we would like to do!

    The couple spoke excellent English and the Groom’s eyes lit up when my wife told him that his wife’s wedding dress was beautiful, in fact I think he blushed slightly!

    Suddenly we were presented with 2 glasses of Champagne and were able to make a nice toast to the couple…..

    I then asked if they would mind if I took their picture in front of the ‘Wedding Frame’ as I then learnt that the Groom had made the wooden frame that we saw earlier being decorated…..



    After nearly having to get out my hanky, we moved off and into another part of the town with a large lake and fountains in……



    With a few of the fish in the lake who were ‘Sunbathing’……



    As we made our way back to the car park, we could hear music and following the sound we came back to the large church and a group of people who were Line Dancing to USA Country & Western Music which was fabulous to watch and listen to the music!......





    While on the other side of the square, the children were having a great time playing in the water fountains that ‘squirted’ but not in time to the music!......



    Then a bit further down the road we see ‘The Wedding Car’ (Russian Volga Motor) which was used to take the Bride & Groom away after the ceremony and celebration……





    Finally got back to the campsite and decided to go for a walk along the side of the river to see if we could see any Beavers!......



    This small family paddled away from the riverbank as we passed by……



    While a couple of miles further on we come to another campsite which seems to operate in Winter as it is also in a Ski area with a small Drag and Chair lift……



    As time was marching on we turned around at that point and started to make our way back, and then we saw a ‘Beaver result’ in the form of this tree stump with the way the trunk had been removed by a Beaver using its teeth……



    While the trunk was close by on the ground……



    Back on the road tomorrow to a campsite called ‘Zanzibara’ near the town of Ķekava……

  7. #57
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    Cēsis to Ķekava

    Hey ho! After a short drive on tarmac main road we find ourselves travelling around 15 miles on Forest ‘Piste’ road……







    Water towers are a different ‘shape’ over here!…..



    Looks like a LARGE Winter Storage Bunker!…….



    A section of the main road towards Riga which to be honest was that ‘bumpy’ if there had been more of that ‘Forest Piste’ it would have been better to stay on that!......



    100 Kmph and then suddenly you see 70 Kmph and a Railway Line going across the road!......



    Now we have some idea where we are and which way to go!……



    As we pass alongside a very large Hydro Electric Installation with roadworks taking place!......







    As the Daugava River flows into this very large lake, then through the Hydro Electric Plant and out the other side on its way to Riga……



    On the right hand side of the lake is this other building that has a lot of outlets on the roof and what look like gates going into the lake……



    Then after a few more miles we arrive at Camping Zanzibara……







    After a spot of lunch we decide to take off for a walk into Ķekava, so armed with a local map off we go!……



    New house under construction and in wood as opposed to other materials!……



    Following the path on the map we pass over this Dam on a lake which is used by the locals for swimming……





    Not sure if I would be tempted to dive in off the board as the water does not seem to be that deep!…..



    Then we enter a very large housing estate, which we understand was built to house the employees of the largest chicken processing factory in Latvia……





    Sports field with all weather surface……



    Mini Golf circuit just outside the housing estate……



    While in the town centre is the one and only church……



    As we read the information in the tourist pamphlet we understand that is has a unique attribute on the North facing wall.
    There is a Cannonball embedded in the wall from one of the wars!……



    While zooming in with the lens we get close up and there it is!……



    New housing estate behind the church……



    Time to head back by a different route as we pass more blocks of flats……





    Outside one of the blocks of flats is this Sundial, which is actually showing the correct time!......



    Next we come to a building that is repeated on nearly one corner of every block of flats. It is the Central Heating and Hot Water Boiler for the block of flats……



    Currently bad weather is curtailing everything for today! While it is also looking doubtful for getting the BBQ up and running tonight, while we are back on the road tomorrow heading further South!……
    Last edited by XCovlov70; 06-12-2017 at 06:47 AM.

  8. #58
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    Ķekava to Čižiškiai

    Back on the road as we come to a traffic Island with a ‘Plastic Billboard’ advertising the region……



    Next and it didn’t take long to get there is the Border Crossing between Latvia & Lithuania and once again no sign of any Border Security personnel……



    Large installation of farm storage tanks with billboards that appear to be stating that it is European Funding that is allowing this to take place……



    Strange ‘Cows’ on this traffic island!…..



    Who are not at all impressed with the weather!…….



    While the good roads are very straight and long......



    Small ‘deviation’ as a comfort break was in order as well as a coffee stop, as we head into this town......



    Bit bigger sign for the name of the place……



    While initial impressions were of some very old houses......



    We then see this church which was built of normal sized bricks like we saw in Tartu (Estonia)……



    This sculpture in either an alloy or stainless steel was outside the church……



    While this wooden pole with a detailed carving was outside the entrance door to the church……





    Inside the church, looking towards the altar……





    Then the view back towards the organ and main entrance door……



    One of the naves……



    With the window that was identical with the opposite side……



    The opposite nave, while the lady who was in the process of lighting a candle was surprised when her mobile phone started ringing, but she answered it, even though there was a sign at the entrance advising you that they were supposed to be turned off!……



    Then off into the town centre to find a café as we see this caravan that was a florists shop!......



    Could not find a café so we topped up on groceries and got 2 Kebabs, which came with salad, french-fries, meat and salad dressing for lunch which cost a total of €6, (£5.30) and they were HUGE!…..
    As the weather did not look at all promising we then went back to the ‘TinTent’ having parked by the Bus Terminus and had our lunch, then went back to a Garage we passed on the way in where Diesel was €0.89/Ltr (£0.78!) filled up and continued the trip……







    The ‘Road Repairs Team’ who were removing bad sections of the road surface in a rectangular format that were between 1 and 2 inches deep (25 – 50mm) which were eventually being filled in by the tarmac truck coming along later!
    With none of the ‘holes’ being clearly identified even though you were limited to 50Kmph it was like playing ‘Dodgem Cars’ getting around them and not dropping any of our 6 wheels in!……







    Another large farm storage installation going in……



    Next town……





    You could not help but take note of the different condition of the buildings as you travelled through……









    As we then come to......



    With the small memorial……



    Followed by a number of wooden carvings as you passed through the town……







    Followed by the rather ‘bumpy’ country road as you left……





    While this wooden carvings alongside the road met us as we entered Čižiškiai……



    We finally get to the campsite/hotel/conference centre……





    In the grounds a ‘See Saw Wooden Boat’ with Recycled ‘Car Springs’ to ‘rock’ with!



    The Hotel side Cabins……



    The swimming pool that needed a really good clean out!......



    The ‘Hot Water Boiler’! Luved the ‘Chimney’ and the construction of it!......



    A part of the area T(There are 3 areas) for Tents/Campers/Caravans……



    A Lithuanian ‘Beetle’ outside the hotel owners residence……



    While on the other side of the lake at the edge of the campsite is Russia with this Church and village! While you do not go past the ‘Buoys’ in the lake, one of which you can see just to the right of centre, if swimming or boating……

    We did see a small 'Rubber Duck' with FAST Outboard Motor go zooming past later in the day and it was on the 'other side' of those Buoys!!!......



    South tomorrow and into Poland!……

  9. #59
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    Čižiškiai to Suwałki

    Back on the road but a little bit of a clean up in the front locker before we set off and also open the fresh water drain tap as the campsite water has a fairly strong iron taste to it!……



    Another lake while the Russian Border is still quite close by……



    Then as we make a right turn we see this wooden structure that has been built around a very large tree trunk……





    While this was the sign on the back road that made you aware that you were just about to enter Poland!…….



    As the road became much narrower......









    Nice new house in the countryside, while there were quite a lot of new properties being built as we covered the short distance to Suwałki and ‘Eurocamping’ which was to be our next stop……



    Entering one of the smaller villages……



    Rather strange to see this sculpture outside a Delikatesen!……





    Christmas lights on the traffic island waiting for this years event!……



    Seeing a lot of Lupin flowers and all the same colour in a number of countries as we travel along……



    Blocks of flats as we enter the outskirts of Suwałki……



    Then we pass this supermarket which while having a large presence in the UK, they also have a large operation in Poland, and the two are completely separate except for some of the products they offer……



    Shortly after we are at the campsite……



    Which also has a large sports complex alongside……



    09:30hrs this morning as we got set up......



    17:00hrs that afternoon after 21 ‘Campers’ arrived on a rally with a Dutch organisation……



    While on the other side of the football stadium an outdoor concert for students was being set up as we then listened to the ‘Boom Boom Boom’ of the sound system being ‘tested’ then at around 18:00hrs the ‘Gig’ started!......



    As the concert goers started to arrive there was a significant security presence with over 23 security people (High Vis Overjackets) in the grounds, while the Polish Police maintained a presence outside the event……





    One of the local groups who were performing……



    While outside the area were a few examples of some student ‘art’……





    Around 21:45hrs that night the heavens opened again and the rain started to drop heavily then at 22:15hrs it all went very quiet as the rain had brought an early finish to the concert, which was a pity as it was a free event to go to while being funded partly by the food and drink that was being sold, however no drink was allowed inside the area in front of the stage by security.

    While more rain is forecast for today

  10. #60
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    Pictures from the town of Suwałki

    Here you will find maps in different places of the town!……



    At the edge of a quite large park are these water gates that can be used to regulate the small river that flows through the park……



    As we head off down one of the main roads into the town……





    Seeing all the nice detached houses nearby the town it was a bit of a surprise to then see these wooden houses which are still occupied…….



    While a bit further along are these blocks of flats......



    While one had some nice window boxes and wind chimes around the balcony……



    This is a flower arrangement of a mythical Parrot that is in children’s stories……



    The main shopping plaza……



    While inside is this convertible car from which a business is being run selling electronic cigarettes and vapour refills!……



    Then a bit further round we find actual buildings inside the plaza with shops inside them!……



    Flower shop in an older part of the town……



    Interesting wall mural……



    While in the pedestrian walkway are these special plaques to remember the Blues Festivals that are held in the town and the names of the groups who played at them, while 2016 was not found and this year’s happens a bit later this month……







    The pedestrian walkway……





    Church……



    With a wedding......



    While inside the church looked like this……



    With a statue of Pope John Paul II alongside the church......



    Across the road was another small park with a couple of nice flower gardens……





    The outdoor theater stage which was at the rear of the Tourist Information Office……



    While at the other end of the park is another church……











    Hopefully another dry day tomorrow so we can go off around the lake by the campsite……

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