Our first sight of rain!!!

Monday 23rd July 2007

When I woke this morning to our first sight of rain, I thought for a minute I was back in the UK!!

So, after eating our home cooked breakfast, we decided rather than go somewhere and get soaking wet, instead to head out in the car to go and visit one of the nearby areas. We decided on Kolari and as we had a small list of things to get for our cabin, we thought that this was probably as good an opportunity as any to spend walking around the shops and looking. The journey was 38km and took us just 37 minutes (probably speeding a little) and we had a good look around the shops, purchased a few things including a new kettle and then decided to go and head for Sweden or Sverige as the road signs read. It was surprising that just about 3-4 minutes later that we were crossing the bridge and halfway across we were into Sweden. About 20-30 minutes later, we were arriving in the pleasant little town of Pajala and by now we had left the rain behind and the sun was shining. It was mid afternoon now and we decided to try a local cafe for lunch and had some great pizzas and chips. Upon leaving the cafe, the sky had somewhat darkened and the rain that we had left behind was now on the verge of catching us up. The rather dark pic shows the owl statue in Pajala (I think this must be some sort of symbol for the town) and the dark skies were about the darkest we saw it get at anytime during our stay.

Shortly after our late lunch, we headed back to Akaslompolo and the supermarket to replenish the stocks before finally returning to our cabin for a sauna and to watch a dvd with the kids. With my eldest daugher being a keen dancer, this was about the 3rd time we had watched Grease in as many days!!!

That's all for today folks, please check back soon, there's really so much more still to tell!!!

Day Two

Sunday 22nd August 2007


Today we got up a little later and once we had eaten breakfast in the cabin, I took a couple of photos of our Lapland home (see pic) before we decided to venture out into the nearby woods and walk around Lake Akaslompolo. The experience was quite rewarding as the weather was pleasant and the whole perimeter of the lake (or the boggy bits anyhow) was nicely laid with duckboards so there was no danger of losing your legs in the mire. My youngest daughter Hannah thorougly enjoyed this experience leading the way and marching ahead of the rest of us and really taking after her favourite cartoon character Dora the Explorer. About halfway around the lake we passed the little beach area and then climbed the watch tower to look over the lake before finally proceeding through a little more of the wooded area and back onto the road. Once out on the road, we had a quick look at the Yllashumina Hotel and Karaoke bar before heading down the road past the school and on to the Post Office where we stopped off for a coffe and cake and the kids had an Ice Cream.

After a leisurely afternoon at the cabin, we headed over to the Pipola Restaurant http://www.yllaksenkaivohuone.com/ where we joined our neighbours for our evening meal on their last night before they headed off to stay in Rovaniemi in preparation for their flight home. I enjoyed fresh salmon, Helen my wife had Peppered Steak and the kids tucked into Mashed Potato, Chips and Sausage and we all sat at a long table that had an excellent window view of the lake. The meals were all excellent and while the adults chatted away after finishing, the kids headed off outside to play by the lake. Over the next few postings, I will talk more about the Pipola Restaurant but must say that everytime we ate there, the food and service was first class and we are all thoroughly looking forward to returning there in December for our New Years Eve meal where we will enjoy watching the firework display on the lake.

Finally, after a few drinks and desserts, we headed back to our cabin to watch a dvd before retiring for the night.

That's all for today folks, don't forget to check back soon!!!