Trees and views

We both felt the need for something other than an urban environment. So after perusing the weather forecast, it was decided that it was better for me to take today off and then work over the weekend (that blasted essay **will** be finished by Monday). This didn't seem like much of a plan when we left the flat in teeming rain and face-blasting wind at 7am, to go to the airport. Nor did it seem very sensible as we set off along the ring road in a hire car around 8.30am, trying to avoid acqua-planing. But by the time we got to Nuuksio National Park about 45 minutes later we could start to see some possibility that the weather would clear. We pottered around for a little while, and waited for the cafe to open at 10am so we could get a much needed mid morning coffee. Then boots on, and off we went, around  one of the trails through the woods. A lot harder than it looked, although it was only 4kms. Like Scotland, Finland doesn't do "easy" paths. But from time to time the sun shone, and the light was good, although for part of the walk it was so dark we could have used head torches. It didn't, however, start raining again.

After lunch, we went off in the car to see a bit more "Finnish landscape", before heading back to the airport to drop off the car. The most stressful bit of the whole day was trying to get the bloody petrol cap off so I could refill it with fuel.

All in all, a grand day out. A couple of extras to give you a flavour.