The last days cycling from Oulu via Savonlinna to Helsinki we had some epic riding.
Many lakes to jump in and cool off during the hot temperatures.
Challenging, fun and very undulating gravel roads (whoever said Finland was flat??)
Always making sure we have our comfort breaks - the obligotary "Kahvi" (coffee) and icecream at Service stations.
We fitted in a bit of Education, as we cycled to Valamo, a Russian Orthodox Monastry and one of the main tourist attractions in "Lakeland", the Southeast of Finland.
Our guide explained it also is a "miracle making" Monastry with three icons that pilgrims visit and pray to for miracles. It's a great place to come for some peace, contemplation and great food!
Aprospos food, Scandinavian campsites are fantastic as most have a kitchen and eating area for campers, so we hardly ever had to use our own stove.
And festivals....this is during the Garlic - Festival in Oulu. Finland has got some interesting festivals on offer...so far we have missed the air guitar festival, the wife carrying festival, the mobile phone throwing festival...and the list goes on.
We love that everyone cycles. This was in Oulu, which has a brilliant infrastructure for cyclists (and really should be on that list of the best cycling cities)
So now its GOODBYE Scandinavia - we had a fantastic month!
Hello Estonia and Russia. Today we take the boat to Talinn and then the train to Moscow. Exciting times ahead.
Lovely to see you both looking well with your (cycle) tans and we in Wales, UK are very envious of the weather as we have rain, cloud and cool temperatures. Glad your adventures have given you plenty of insight into Scandinavia and now onwards to Moscow etc. Look forward to reading next blog. Love from Bill and Mary.
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