Juhannus 2012 - Saint Jean

It is Juhannus again. A day to remember that in the first place and until today we are worshiping the sun. So for a night, everybody try to be in the country side, close to our so-called roots, and drink together while waiting for a dusk that won't come that day. And make a large bonefire, the kokko, to burn any bad thoughts left from the winter night.

Excellent time on Valborg. Some beautiful weather, some cold drizzle, some castle island, some alias and trivial poursuite in Finnish. Thank to the Valborg crew to make this possible. 23.06.2012

It wouldn't go any darker than that.

Visiting Käärmeluoto

 And what about paying a visit to the archipelago? It is just there, always laying in the background that we forget it.

So here I am, loading the kayak with tent and food for a day and hop. On the way, some small talk with other kayakers, greeting some fishermen trying hard to get the zanders and some colonies of seabirds. They reproduce our human society on tiny rocky island. Not 20 m long but separated in three zones for three different species. And what a fuss when a goose goes in the tern district! It feels then war in the sky.

I went to Käärmeluoto, selected with so much care the camping spot and enjoy my menu: pasta, sunset and view on the archipelago.
09.06.2012

For sure we find fine accomodation in Helsinki.

The seagulls and the floating sauna.

Speaking Finnish seriously opens doors.

On Tuesday, työväen retkeilyliitto members meets at 18h at Laajalahdensatama. For 4 euro, it is possible to borrow a kayak and join them for an paddling evening. It seems that not everybody is here for profit after all. So big up for the people who organized this.

We went paddling around Seurasaari. The wind was quite strong at the start, making shorts splashing wave and a bit of excitement. Around Seurasaari, there are a couple of islands that are off-limit for visitor to leave the nesting birds in peace. In peace? They can be hundred, flying above the island in flying shouting ball that is stinking strong bird shit. That's worth the trip.
On the way back, beautiful light that was turning water into pure gold and silver. On the middle of the bay, a raft, a sauna on top of it, a man cutting wood and a fishing rod. It is like that. 05.06.2012

Sea adventure

My first boat: Bourrasque. I paddle it from Vuosaari to Laajalahti on a beautiful day. I saw the very rich shore line of east Helsinki, the busy south harbour, I was surrounded by sea birds near Puolimatkansaari. I got the triple greeting of MS baltic princess, a 200 m long ship that felt like saying me:" you are smaller, get out of the way". Then the very calm laajalahti.
27.05.2012

Baltic herring frenzy

The guy who created this country thought it was so harsh to get one's food here that for two weeks twice a year, there would be free fish for all.

 Twice a year, balting herrings (silakka) comes in huge flocks mate by the shore and their meeting point in Helsinki is where  Lauttasaari bridge meets Ruoholahti. For two weeks, the place is full of eager fishermen taking bucketfull of baltic herrings in 2 hours, catching up to 12 herrings at one throw! The docks is full of a sort of euphoria, it is a bit like if everybody was winning in the casino and that there was enough for everybody.

For you that would like to try: look at what is awaiting you the same evening:

Silakan perkaaminen, cleaning of herring by Jaakko Kolmonen 

11.05.2012

Working on Valborg

Suomenlinna is not only the best place to go for a pic nic from the city or to go read a novel away from everything in the summer.
At winter, the shipyard becomes busy from the work done on old wooden sailing ships. The very old looking dry docks are filled with the finest ships you can find around Finland and the long necessary work begins, going from changing most of the hull to painting a bit the visible nails (I did that part).

Many thanks to the people of Valborg!
http://www.valborg.fi/

En meute - bike trip to Nuuksio

... et retrouver des vieux et doux souvenirs, tous sur son vélo, en bande dans la fin du jour à faire route vers la forêt. Du coup j'ai rien à écrire, tout est là:

http://sub24helsinki.blogspot.com/2012/05/and-dont-forget-your-toothbrush.html