Summer House

Today is Sunday
 
First we went to the museum in Hamina. It is a museum that shows how the people have lived here over the years. The parking was free and so was the museum.
Finland does not have a large tourist industry, we haven't seen any since we have been here, as a result little is written up in English. Luckily we had our own translator.

In this traditional room the large white construction in the corner is the wood fired heater, the tiled column is filled with rocks to act as thermal mass, these heaters are in all the living rooms. The temperature in the winter drops to an average of -20c . So good heating is important. Many of these heaters are still in use, some have been converted to electricity.
Anna-Maija and Heikki's house uses geothermal heating. 

 

Sunday is traditional dress day and there were people reading poetry and telling stories.

Then it was off to Anna-Maija and Heikki's Summer house on the Island of Kujasaari, this time leaving from a different harbour on a different boat. Unfortunately half way there we discovered that the petrol tank had been stolen. We discovered this when the engine stopped. We only had one oar.
Fortunately a nice man who passing by towed us the rest of the way there.
 













 













The pier with more islands in the background.
It is possible to buy a small Island with a house on it for around $300,000. But you have to use skis or a motorised sledge to get there in the winter.

The island is covered in wild berries, Blueberries are in season and the ground is blanketed by them, Steven did his bit by picking some. Not many, but some. It was difficult because Tehvi (the Tin Tin dog) eats them quicker than you can pick them.

 





The Summer house is brilliant, there is also a kitchen house and store, and of course, a sauna. 



We went for a good walk around the island, it is unusual for us to be able to walk through tall grass and bush without shoes and not worry about being killed by the wildlife.
The island is beautiful. It is what you picture when you think of a perfect island.


 

We wrote in the guest book after finding the 24 year old entry from Sally, Peter and Benjamin.  Kiitos.










  



The boys, Aapo and Antti take a dip in the Baltic Sea.
The water temperature is about 19 degrees.
The boys are very confident around the water and are used to being in boats since they were tiny babies. In the winter they will be just as comfortable on their skis going across country, or their favourite, Slalom.



 



Anna-Maija, Tammy, Tehvi and Heta take a rest to watch the sunset.







 





We watched the sunset at about 10.30, had a sauna and went to bed.