Holiday wrap-up

I’ve been working for a day and a half already, but haven’t got time to inform my both readers about our escapades in the north. Sorry about this, running a company seems to take its toll.

Tuesday was, against my forecast, a rainy day. That didn’t stop us enjoying one of the best sceneries in Taivalkoski (so I’m told) in Soiperoinen. We packed a backpack with all necessary items to do mild trekking with a two year old toddler.

It was raining cats and dogs when we arrived to the recreational area, but fortunately there was a cottage (looked a bit like tepee) with fireplace, so we could make a fire and roast some sausages. I think that this was the best part for Aapo, he enjoyed the hot sausage and juice immensely.

The weather got better while we were eating and then we walked around the small lake. The views were magnificent from a ridge between two lakes, and I took a ton of pictures. Aapo walked a long stretch, and then Sanna carried him on a special backpack.

We drove to Oulu on Wednesday afternoon. Weather was again very nice, maybe we should have spent the whole holiday in the car to ensure constant sunshine… Sanna’s schoolmate Aino-Kaisa and her family provided accommodation for us. Aapo was joyful, as they have a boy only three weeks older than him. A lot of play, some wrestling and screaming.

On Thursday I met a couple of my former colleagues from Continuent, had a nice lunch and talked about this and that. I also found a new pair of sneakers that I’ve been hunting down for a couple of weeks in Joensuu, Helsinki and Espoo. Bought also two t-shirts.

Thursday evening we met another Sanna’s schoolmate in their nice flat facing the sea. Weather was beautiful and we had excellent time together.

Friday morning we got a boat ride by Arttu (Aino-Kaisa’s husband) on Oulu river. The weather was perfect, the river was still when we cruised towards Oulu downtown — near the dam that blocked our way to sea. Then Arttu took us some way upriver and then back home. Fantastic trip, maybe a boat would be nice for us, too…

After lunch we drove 300+ kilometers south to Tuuri, to visit the world’s biggest village shop (been there before) and spend a night at the adjoined hotel (read review). The place hadn’t changed that much — the concept is still working; we ended up spending almost €300 in less than 20 hours.

We arrived home on Saturday afternoon and took the rest of the weekend easy; unpacked stuff, read a couple of books, had a good sauna and so worth.