Mom and Dad's First Visit to Finland (part 2)

Monday 19th July
We exploded the rest of Hervanta in the afternoon. We did the washing and chores in the morning. Then went to Tampere Ikea... mom found some things they want for their new kitchen so they maybe importing stuff from Finland =) We brought more things we didn't need but I wanted =D

Tuesday 20th July
We went to Ahvenisjärvi and saw baby ducks, mom and dad enjoyed walking around the small lake we did it whenever they wanted too. We went into the shopping centre and spent sometime in there. We got shopping for dinner and made 4 home made pizzas. This is a meal I worried about with dad as he's not a lover of tomato sauce but he really enjoyed the pizza!

Wednesday 21st July
Mom, dad and me went into city to explore the rest of what we hadn't finished yet! We spent 3 hours looking around the city. We went into Kauppatori mom got a cake and dad got a potato cake (forgot the name at this minute). We came home and got changed and went to Perti's summer cottage. Another wonderful night, barbeque and more fish. Sun set on the lake was so pretty and mom sat on a rock watching the lake and talking most the night. We then left the summer cottage around 9pm and Eero took mom and dad on a little tour around Lempäälä.



Part Family shot



Sunset at Perti's summer cottage, Lempäälä



Me looking windswept

Thursday 22nd July
Tonight we are going to the 3rd summer cotttage and barbeque of the week. In the day we walked around Hervanta and Ahvenisjärvi. Baked two more cakes to take to the summer cottage. This summer cottage was a friend's and was in Valkeakoski (white rapids). Another nice night mom and dad got to met Eero's brother and sister's and the rest of the family. We talked into the night... We all had sauna and a swim in the lake. Mom and dad didn't go in but regretted it later.



Sunset at Valeakoskii



Eero resting <3

Friday 23rd July
Jouko came by to fetch us and we went to Viikisaari with him and Kati. This was an excellent day... we got to see and do lots of things and places I didn't know about. We had lunch in the resturant and had a little walk around the island. Then we went to Pyynikin Näkötorni, we went to the top of the observatory and took a few photos. Jouko drove us around some old houses to show mom more homes. Then we went back to Jouko and Kati's house and had doughnuts and coffee... Kati got me some bread I could eat =)



yes, this is photographic evidence of mom on a boat...

This was one of mom and dad's favourite days. They loved meeting Eero's family and seeing them so much.

In the evening we went to Ideapark, I got a new Halti bike bag and a new Halti coat that cost €200! whoohoo. Mom, dad and Eero had chinese takeway.

Saturday 24th July
The penultimate day, cloudy and cool matched the mood of the holiday almost over for me at least! We got up and went to Jyväskylä. We showed mom and dad the area where I was moving too in August and probably where Eero and me move for the next 2 years before we return to Tampere to settle. Though we did some house shopping while in Jyväskylä but there was nothing we wanted to buy! lol so rent it is! hehe mom and dad even did some summer house shopping.

We then showed mom and dad the university buildings I will be in then to the city centre campus where my language course is. We then parked up and went for an explore around city. Mom, dad and Eero ate lunch in Amarillo, looked lovely but they had nothing I could adapt to be allergy friendly. I also discovered Stockmann is only in Helsinki, Tampere and Turku... so I now its a certainty we will settle permanently in Tampere now! but I am excited about our two years in Jyväskylä.

Sunday 25th July
Home day for mom and dad. We were going to Helsinki but we decided not to bother. We talked all morning then went to get some kotipizza. Then in the evening we drove to Helsinki. Mom managed to cry, who knows why but I can't see her cry without crying so that was the goodbye. Mom managed to cry in the airport again and Eero was trying to wave to her but I told him not to cause she wass crying enough. There flight home was delayed by 2 hours, which annoyed me as delays can leave a bitter taste in a holiday's memories but next time they fly with another airline!

Mom promised Eero they would visit a month next year and also come for Christmas 2011... so the excitement begins. They loved their trip more than we thought they would. They loved to see so much to Eero's family and how welcome they made them here.

Mom and Dad's First Visit to Finland (part 1)

Wednesday 14th July
We have had such a hot summer here but today there's a thunderstorm. It lasted a few hours mostly just fork lightening with a the odd rumble of thunder. It did rain but not really for long just a very heavy shower.

We left for Helsinki around 6pm and stopped off at Hanna and Antti's in Helsinki. Then we went to the airport to fetch mom and dad, it was cloudy but still 30C! tropical almost... While we were waiting for mom and dad I heard a man say "Go, I wished it was this hot at home but it was raining when we left"... I smiled, happy we were getting the best weather! We didn't have a long wait until they left the arrivals door. We had a 2 hour drive home so we put the suitcase in the car and started for the services where mom, dad and E could get something nice to eat. It was a quite ride home with mom just looking at the amount of trees and lakes (she thought we exaggerated I think!).

Thursday 15th July
So on their first proper day we decided to stay local, show them Ahvenisjärvi and get a little something for lunch. We brought the ducks some bread and we all went and feed them later on in the evening. Kirsti and Perti were coming for dinner Friday so we baked two cakes for the occasion. It was hot and sunny.

Friday 16th July
Another hot and sunny day. We had another walk around Hervanta then we cooked two quiches and homemade a pizza. Early evening and Kirsti and Perti arrived, it was a great night and everyone got on great and talked and talked and talked! Went so well they planned their next meeting for a few days in the holiday.

Saturday 17th July
Hot, hot, hot! We went into city on the bus. We walked around Finlayson and the library side of town. Dad and Eero had an ice cream, Dad had pear flavour and Eero had mango. We then went into the Kauppatori (indoor market) I had some wild Finnish river salmon and dad got some smoked reindeer. In the afternoon we went for a swim and sunbathe in Suolijärvi, the lake was full of people but the water was warm too. Even mom went in!!!



mom in Suolijärvi



mom and dad on Suolijärvi beach

Sunday 18th July
Jouko came to fetch us to take us to the summer cottage. They then met Kati when we got to Orivesi. Today was warm but cloudy, threatened rain but it never came. We ate reindeer and goats cheese burgers (omg food heaven)herring in sauce, smoked perch fresh from the lake. It was the start of moms eating week (she doesn't normally eat much like a sparrow!)

Spring is sprung

Tonight's walk we only went to feed the ducks on Ahvenisjärvi while we were there, I spotted this;



Walk was late due to the hockey game going over which we lost in penalties... I will walk Suolijärvi alone tomorrow evening as Eero is at Heikki's =)

Sunshine

Saturday was another hot day, no breeze most of the time so you could feel the sun burning you!

I didn't feel too bad in the morning yesterday so we went shopping for food (my rice wafers which were almost out of stock!!!). We also got some Rice ice cream I tried some at Hanna's it's not bad, if you can't eat dairy it is a very good alternative... I don't tolerate Finnish milk only Luomu doesn't cause much problem.

We decided as I felt a little better we would go picnic at Suolijärvi (everyone else in Hervanta had the same idea). So off we went armed with drink, rice wafers and some chips. We also found a nice blanket we used to sit on. We lay by the lake talking and reading for a few hours. We even braved a paddle (omg the water was sooo cold, not helped by the scorching temperatures)and lost feeling in my feet when the water got half way up my shins.



We then went for a walk around Ahvenisjärvi which is where we took some photos and found the last of a snow pile.



We came home and ate and I didn't feel too good so I canceled going to Nina's (which I was looking forward to all week!!!) lay on the sofa and watched some 24.

Today (Sunday) I slept better than Saturday night. Got up and finished the women pain of leg waxing (lol) I also managed to get wax on the sofa (not a good move). I was ill again today but I have my suspicions to what caused it and if it's right then it should get better from today.

Warm today, not as hot as yesterday. There is also a breeze and some clouds. Leaves are on the trees now and it looks like summer!

Hopefully we get the basket on my bike today and then I will take a photo =D Not much planned today; a walk, film and chill out!

Days of war

Well, today in the glorious sunshine we were going into city and going on a picnic but alas I was ill. Didn't even start until midday but continued until Eero was back from work around 2.30pm by that time I was tired and didn't feel well enough to go into city. So we stayed in Hervanta, went and sat by the lake and did some shopping.

26C today and very humid, we heard one rumble of thunder whilst walking around the lake and it even tried to rain (poor attempt at try, few drops) then bang sun and humidity back. Lovely weather I called home to gloat, cold and cloudy there!!!

I cleaned up the apartment a little and sorted a few things out I had meant to all week.

Mom and dad have booked the flights now so I am happy as a pig in poo! Such a busy summer.

Donna (Sherry) still hasn't had Libby May and James and Cory can hardly contain themselves (much like me!) I predict tomorrow will be the day.

Had a look at my temporary student accommodation, need to apply for it tomorrow but I am excited about September and getting a proper apartment in Jyväskylä.

Still annoyed that we were meeting Irina in city for an art gallery and picnic (don't know what made me that ill).

We went to get some stuff for my bike, all we need now is a kick stand and I'm good to go everywhere! photos pending. Whilst at äiti Suominen's I saw another orava (squirrel) running down the drive with a baby in her mouth, cute!

Feeling HOT, HOT, HOT!

Ok, so I went out for my first walk of the day and EVERYONE is at the lake (well more like a pool.) Anyway its called Ahvenisjärvi. First, I walked to our favourite duck feeding spot, someone was there. Then I walked around to the beach part and all the benches were filled of drunk people. Round the other side of the lake I walked, fast losing hope that I would be able to sit and chill out for a while in the sun listening to my mp3´s on my phone. Finally I found a shaded bench, no one around. No bugs around really, compared to the midges around by the duck feeding spot.

I sat down with my ear phones on, looking at the lake in a world of my own. Something touches my leg, I jump out of my skin. Wondering what just landed on me. Alas, I see a cheeky red fluffy squirrel sat on the bench right beside me. Gutted that I didn't have my camera...

Orava (squirrel) after a minute of staring at me; moving closer and back, bounced off the bench. Picked up a nut and ran up the tree. It was obviously used to being fed. The next sunny day I will go back and see if it comes back, with my camera.

25C and the sun's shinning! a good day. Oh yeah tomorrow is a national holiday so Eero is home!!! hopefully we get my bike ready for riding =)