These photos were captured using the Kodak EasyShare DX4900.
All images are © TomSettle.Communications.
Monday June 23 2003
Hung out at Harri’s mokki in the morning, watched another movie.
Packed up and went back to Lappeenranta in mid-afternoon. Antti and Minna picked me up there. We stopped to buy some things in Imatra, then went on to her parent’s summer house near Puumala.
Minna’s mother cooked dinner…was the first time I tried moose! After dinner, Antti and I did some prep work for installing a new swing. Went to sauna, then stayed up late talking with
Antti and Minna.
Tuesday June 24 2003
The warmest day of the summer thus far. Worked on building the swing (Antti is seen doing some prep work here) and cleaning the motorboat.
Took lots of pictures during the day: Minna’s parents’ summer house, Minna, Lotta and Ella, Minna’s mom and the girls, Lotta and Ella, the view of the lake, the yard and sauna, another view of the water and some wildflowers.
During the day, we went by car to search for Minna’s father…he had wandered off to do some work in the woods. Antti let Ella “drive” the car, applying the gas/brake as she did the steering…not bad for a 7 year old!
Chef Antti cooked dinner outside on the grill. Antti and I finished building most of the swing by late evening, then we went to sauna. Stayed up late drinking and eating some smoked salmon.
Wednesday June 25 2003
Left Puumala at 830, Antti dropped me off at Harri’s around 10AM.
Saw Harri’s daughter Minna for the first time this summer. She’s now living in the Kouvola area, working at the local amusement park while on break from school.
Went with Harri to Hamina where he had some work done on his car. He took me to lunch at Rosso, then we stopped for ice cream and walked around Hamina. We visited his mother-in-law, got gas for her lawnmower and came back for some afternoon coffee.
Later, Harri drove me to Alapihlaja for Liisa’s birthday celebration (birthday was actually on June 9). Nearly two dozen people attended, including friends Raija and Jenni.
Some more pictures from the party: 1, 2, 3.
Thursday June 26 2003
A quiet sunny day in the countryside. Liisa worked on building a little place to have her morning coffee, using tree trunks as chairs and a table.
Went to Terttu’s for coffee and a game of Rack-O. Moved Liisa’s boat closer to the beach and brought back some rocks for the new “coffee spot.”
Friday June 27 2003
Another beautiful summer day in Finland.
Liisa and Terttu rowed us over to their cousin Irma’s cottage. We then went by motorboat to a nearby island for a little picnic.
Irma’s boyfriend Olli took us quite close to the Russian border…an island with guard tower is seen in the distance.
Saturday June 28 2003
Terttu drove us to Virojoki and Vaalimaa for groceries and booze. As always, there was a long line of trucks near the Russian border.
We also visited a local marketplace and “flea market bus.” The owner actually drives the bus from town to town and people come aboard to browse and shop.
I heated up the sauna in the afternoon. Liisa and Terttu went to a church concert in Miehikkila in the evening. Went to Terttu’s to play cards later.
Sunday June 29 2003
Liisa grilled makkara and potatoes, Terttu and Teuvo came for dinner.
Walked to Teuvo’s to check email while Liisa and Teuvo watched an old Finnish movie.
In the evening, we went to visit Terttu’s friend Elina and her sister Marja. Elina’s parents were teachers at the church village school and she now lives in a small house near that former school.
