Day 12, Still Lovin’ It.

Start point. Kangasniemi, Finland.

Finish point. SF-Caravan Hymenlaaksory. ( I think ).

Distance. 160 Miles.

Total. 2940 Miles.

Not too many words today, I’ve got camped about 2 hours from Helsinki and the drive here was fabulous, I had my first stretch of motorway for over 1000 miles and that was a simple two lane affair. I soon turned off and sought out a campsite. The campsites here have to be experienced when you compare them to the regimented affairs in the UK, the owner walked me around the site, pointed out all the important bits, like its the men’s Sauna at 7:30 for an hour and half and then you all go for a swim in the lake, its a COOL 19’C in the water, don’t think I have baths that hot..

I stopped off at two towns today, just to do a bit of the touristy stuff, and I’m pleased I did, I’ve seen when passing through the towns how nice they look but I now know what I’ve been missing by just driving past them.

The following pics are from Puumala..

There’s a cafe at the top of them stairs.

The next ones are from Ruokolahti…

Apparently thats the biggest Walnut ever found !!!!

Yes its a bear, and yes it does s*** in the woods, well it did until it got shot..

Google maps must be one of the best products ever invented and for it to be free is even better, I just click on my position, zoom out a bit and search camping and it comes up with results you can go through and pick one out based on the reviews given and then it gives you the directions how to get there. Soooo easy, and its a winner every time.

Yet again I pulled off the main road onto a gravel track for about a mile and good old google brought me straight to the gate of the campsite. I tootled on into the reception where once again the lady manning the desk spoke perfect English, as did her two elderly sidekicks who were more than welcoming, once signed in she then proceeded to walk me around the site with the usual ” park anywhere down there”, she showed me the swimming area of the lake, ( straight in front of where I’m now parked), the Finnish sauna, (that I’ll be using late), and the shower, ablutions block, kitchen, laundry room and the outside BBQ area, unfortunately the bar and entertainment are Friday and Saturday nights only, bugger, its so nice to get that personal touch.

I think that Finland is very much overlooked as a holiday destination from us brits point of view, it’s not expensive like Sweden and Norway, it may not have the Fjords and stunning mountains of Norway but it has great places to visit, excellent summers, there are lakes and parks in the smallest of villages that the locals use all summer and they really know how to make you feel welcome, if I could stay anywhere for longer I think this would be the place, the fact that there’s basically a kebab shop on every street corner is irrelevant.

One thing I did notice was how well the cemetery’s were kept, yes its a strange thing to notice, but considering the church and its surroundings are usually central to any populated area it does stand out, wether the date has any relevance I’m not sure, but 75 years ago today our brave boys ( for thats what most of them were) landed in France to start the campaign to put an end to Hitlers dominance of Europe. Thanks to there bravery and tenacity they succeeded to free Europe from his tyranny so that we can live in a free world, it’s a shame that others cannot see that there is nothing but death and destruction when you try to impose your beliefs on others. Rant over.

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