Daily Archives: July 4, 2014

Friday, 4th July, 2014

Country: Finland
Distance travelled: 130km
Weather: cloudy with showers clearing in the afternoon

We feel we are not giving Finland it’s due. It’s a lovely country and great people. We really enjoyed our visit here in February. But now, in summer, it’s almost impossible for us, particularly Mark, to step outside. The mosquitos don’t seem nearly as bad in the towns but once in the countryside, they swarm you as soon as you step from shelter.

I sat in the van this morning admiring the trees and the lush undergrowth and wanting to go for a walk out there. I suppose I could coat myself in chemicals but that holds no attraction. I’ll admire the view from the van seat. This does have one advantage though. We are having quite a restful time of it, not getting up until after 10am and stopping before 9pm. No energetic outdoor activities. And even from the roadside, Finland is a beautiful country.

Our View of Finland in Summer

It is beautiful though...if you can brave the mossies

We crossed the Arctic Circle southbound today. Not quite as much fuss as in Norway. A monument by the side of the road, a small souvenir shop just around the bend. We took a snap out the car window and drove on. We have been over two weeks above the Arctic Circle and I wonder when we will start noticing evenings getting dark again.

Finland Arctic Circle Monument

As in Norway, there is still reindeer everywhere. They seem to find it necessary to walk on the road frequently. Because obviously there is too many trees to walk anywhere else easily. Not many animals have a full rack of antlers anymore and they quite often look shabby from molting. Not the handsome creatures one sees on Christmas cards. We prefer to see them on our dinner plate anyway.

Another internet stop, this time in Kuusamo. No response to our emailed queries so we may have to stay elsewhere in St Petersburg. Another stroll, this time to the local shopping centre and we finally found raw lingonberries to have with the packet of reindeer meat we bought. We had tried lingonberry jam but I think it is too sweet. Mark worries the raw berries are too sour. We asked a contact about how to prepare the meat and he emailed back the method his wife uses.

Another rest stop out in the countryside was selected and Mark started cooking. He needed to sauté the finely sliced meat in butter, then cover in water and simmer for an hour or two. He filled in time while that was happening by cooking up our lingonberries with some honey and sugar and preparing the mashed potatoes. The result was delicious, although he was correct and the lingonberries were still a little sour however they went very well with the reindeer meat and mash. I wonder if we will be able to source reindeer in Australia or if some other venison will suffice.

Finland-Reindeer Night