Just a quickie. More from the "aren't foreigners funny" files

Images of Helsinki

These two are from a park in Helsinki. The face carved into a tree I found particularly haunting. When I first saw the bear I thought it was rescuing a baby, then I thought it might be doing something less savoury with the child (this being Finland after all - heh) and then I was somewhat disappointed to discover it was a fish. Oh well.

The railway station is an impressive place. It's got these solemn figures carrying spheres. These have become icons for the transport network and so have been transformed into colourful cartoon characters. It's a bit of a travesty, but what can one do?

Rovaniemi massage parlour.

No, I didn't go. Although...

Santa

Horrible isn't it? In an overwhelming sort of way.

This is me on the Arctic circle. See? I really got there. And had you been looking at the santa webcam at the relevant hour this is what you would have seen

But Santa's house was not all joy (and I did meet the great man himself). Oh no. Santa's little helpers all had to dress 'appropriately'. The poor, poor people. She seemed terribly pleasant otherwise.

No train

Something missing from this Arctic image? Why yes. We are assured the train will be here soon and, seeing that it is my home for the next 12 hours, I'd better get comfortable with that idea. Thankfully, despite the latitude, it isn't actually freezing, and I could be inside. Bye bye Rovaniemi.

Arktikum

I took the overnighter from Lahti up to Rovaniemi, for possibly the most ridiculous day trip ever (back overnight tonight and then on to Helsinki tomorrow). That's a long way, but then, I may get to see Santa Claus. Not actually joking. And the Arktikum, which is an arctic museum. But away across the circle first.

Interesting thing sleeping on trains, so I'm going to need practice for the scarier ones to come...

I should also have mentioned that I saw Suomi Talent which is X-Factor for Finns. I've never watched any of the versions of this thing before but it is hypnotic in its revulsion. I think the added Clive James aspect of laughing at foreigners kicked in, because I don't believe it would be as funny when these are people you might actually know. The 'winners' (I'm not really sure how it worked) were some kind of contortionist and a little girl who belted out Aretha Franklin tunes. Disturbing.

I should have more time for this at the weekend, so I'll get some pictures up then and add some more colour. It is great to get messages from people - and I've extended the use of that UK mobile so you can still text me on that if wanted.

Iced Lahti?

Not at all, although you can feel the beginning of the chill. I've had a very good couple of days coming up from Helsinki to Lahti to catch up with an old work friend. And meet another family! Cute as two possums (without the attitude) and utterly charming, with Evalina's English/Finnish hybrid language very sweet. Baggieboy and his partner have taken extraordinary care of me as ever. In fact, people have been so good I'm beginning to think I should refer to it as 'ordinary' care! Although after the massage yesterday I fear my shoulders may never quite be the same again.

I have pictures to put up and will do so at the weekend on my return to Helsinki. Sorry photo fans. And if you've tried to text me or call me then you will have had no joy - I ran out of UK credits and my NZ phone card doesn't work here. Emails are better anyway really.

The lakes are fabulous, the locals friendly and the facilities excellent. Seeing the town from the top of the ski jump is impressive, and the rapidly expanding Sports Institute bodes well for the future sporting capacity. A fine place indeed.

Off further north tomorrow, so may have some new tales to tell.

Update

I blame the setup of this particular Finnish machine, but I can't find the Edit button on the screen to modify the below picture and change its orientation. It's still pretty good considering it is all done from the phone rather than on a PC.

Thankfully Finnish keyboards are arranged more or less the same as UK and NZ ones, although finding the @ sign proved a challenge (Alt GR + 2 obviously). (Groovy Scandinavian keyboard - löök whåt I cän dö!)

Helsinki is great. I was last here about 12 years ago (and will be meeting a couple of guys I knew from back then) but didn't stop at all. I'm not here long today either, but will be back at the weekend at the latest. As I mentioned, this is off-season so many of things I might consider doing may not be available. And for those denigraters out there (and I felt denigrated even if there was not denigratory intention) you might be interested to hear about the weather. Admittedly, I've had my first rain this morning, but when I arrived I was told in no uncertain terms to avoid getting cold as it gets very cold indeed. So I went for a walk in a few layers expecting a sudden drop as I left the bar after the rugby (poor, poor Ireland) and proceeded to overheat, necessitating a visit to another bar before my return. It is pretty darn mild at the moment.

Finnair provided a good service so, despite my journey-long battle for the armrest with Mr I-have-a-big-paper-so-I'm-going-to-read-it, it was very pleasant. Certainly compared with being sat on the tube and being unable to control the volume of two Aussie girls jabbering away about the rugby.

And congratulations to the Phoenix on the first home win of the season! I understand that the mercurial (or even capricious) Daniel was on good form while my bete noir Ferrante was dropped. Excellent (waggles fingers in a Montgomery Burns style).

Off to Lahti today.

Helsinki

Yes, I know the picture is from the Egypt section of the wonderful British Museum, but I didn't want you worrying. Now in Finland! I little grey, but warm and still lovely. Very much off season though, I think.