Eternal Love, forest party decoration and a Wild Sea

 

Today is my last day here back to cheese country tomorrow, so even while it was rather cloudy and my grandmother had a seriously nasty temper tantrum, we just had to escape for a bit to listen to the rustling of the wind and freeze our butts off in a not so warm sea. It is such a nice feeling to roll down hill with your bike, a strong wind in your face and a nice smell of forest and sauna in your nose. It was extremely cloudy but it didn't matter. We made it to the 15:00 O'clock sauna which we had all to ourselves, it was stormy almost but we weren't going to miss out on the I- am- almost- having- a- heart attack- but- am- loving- it- feeling that you get when you go from 80+c to a 18c. The sea was wild and the waves were big but it felt great. And then you run back to warm up in the sauna again. There is nothing that revives your system better than that. If you do not feel alive then something is seriously wrong.

Then we set of to have a last look at Kuuva Nokka probably my favorite place here in Ruissalo. There was one path that we hadn't explored yet so now was the time. The forest floor looked as if there had been a party the previous night, as if someone had sprinkled yellow confetti everywhere. Birch leaves turn into the liveliest bright yellow in autumn and the ground was just covered in them! We had a look at the sea and a walk on the rocks. They are covered in brightly colored green and yellow mosses and have stylish patterns on them. It is not hard to see where all that famous Finnish design comes from!
The place was deserted but beautiful, the sea was almost green, there were dark
heavy clouds and the wind was making the leaves dance. Normally the sea is friendly and tranquil but not today. I will miss this place. Then we saw these 2 or should I say united trees. Never ever have I seen two trees embracing each other.

They looked like to old lovers that were forever entwined with each other (I told you I have romantic tendencies sometimes). Embracing each other and joined at the hip as it can be.

To soon it was 17:00 o'clock and we went for another sauna (such luxury) our friends were there to (the nice lady with the pictures) and we had a good time chatting and enjoying the sauna. It was hard to leave the water knowing that tomorrow I would be in a plane back to Cheese country. The thing that makes it better is that trainingcamp will start shortly and I have exciting things to do as choosing a master. The water felt so cold that it felt like it was biting you instead of softly caressing you. Stingingly cold but it felt so good. I had to get out because it was almost Sauna time for the men. We had some coffee and pulla with our friends and said goodbye. I made my first blueberry pie today and Korvapuisti they are delicious. No more munchies for me when I get home. I totally understand why everybody is so fat here.

Killer geese, wolves and a poor moose

Today it was another Sauna-Swimming day; the summer is incredibly good here it has just rained a little bit nothing compared to the showers we get in the Netherlands. My mother is just telling me that it was 29,2c yesterday! Wow incredible and everybody in the Netherlands is convinced it is freezing cold here during summer (winter is a totally different story).
Today we read something in the newspaper that you would not expect near a reasonably big city for Finnish standards. In the morning some people who live at a farm not far from Turku found a half eaten moose in front of their house. It had been killed by wolves that very night. It had been chased by wolves during the night and apparently was so frightened that even the protection of a farmhouse looked like a good idea. Well the wolves didn’t care and went for the poor animal anyway.
My grandmother was deeply shocked and thinks they should shoot them all. She is still from a time when it was dangerous to go through the woods because there were many wolves. I tried to ask when the last fatal incident with a wolf was but she could not remember. Well wolves gotta eat too, they cannot be vegetarians. But I can imagine that it is shocking to find such a large animal on your doorstep, we are already horrified when the cat leaves a dead bird as a little token of its affection and hunting skills! Having wolves in the garden isn’t the most comforting thought too. Imagine if your house is very old fashioned or like a holiday cabin and the toilet is outside….



A fine example of an outside toilet



Well my grandmother lives in a flat so unless the wolves learn how to climb or walk stairs she should be fine. Of course there are always the two legged wolves to worry about.
Today when we were on our way home again we spotted the airplane from a few days before. It was taking off from the water. I love flying and planes hmmm imagine how beautiful it must look from up there! I have a picture from the plane for you and also of me cycling and being almost attacked by the Canadian geese that found their way to the shores and have no intention to leave; as they are protected they have turned into a plague that is hard to stop. At the moment they have baby geese and are very alert and protective. They like to stand on the cycling patch and hiss at you when you pass and there is no doubt in my mind that they will attack when you come to close to their young.



I am sure many Finnish people fantasize of putting a fat goose on the grill for a change instead of the traditional sausages.

27c and bright blue skies yet again

Today i climbed into this watchtower that is on the way to Mepala. The vieuw is great looking all over Ruissalo and the sea, this is how Finland looks like.










Mama picking blueberries



Even the sheep seem to be smiling contently!























the Pinetrees have this most amazing bark and in the evening sunlight it becomes even more red brown i love the contrast with the blue sky!