Hello from Whitby!

My Dad will be 90 in September

I have just got back to Somero having spent the last week in England.  I was hoping to update the blog from there but it turned out that I had no internet access all week. Because of that I am doing what many of us do after a holiday...bring the postcard back home in our luggage because we didn't manage to post it.

Luca in front of Whitby Abbey

The town of Whitby

As usual, the weather in England was dull. This time they are saying that it is now set to be the wettest June since records began. It seems to me they manage to set a new "worst weather record" every time I go there. Still, there was one sunny day, and I took Luca and Minttu to Saltburn beach.  Saltburn by the Sea is a small seaside town in the north east of England.  I have never lived there but I have happy memories of going horse riding there every Sunday morning and I was also involved in the local theatre productions when I lived in the region.

Richmond in North Yorkshire

We stayed in another seaside town, Whitby, for a couple of nights too. The news headlines were full of the Olympic Torch which was being taken around the country in the build-up to the Olympics next month.

Healthwise things have been difficult recently so in all honesty the week was quite a difficult one but the highlight was seeing my Dad who will be 90 in just three months time.



I had the sad news that my Uncle Pentti, who I was very close to, passed away suddenly this week.  It highlighted even more the importance of seeing the people we love while we still have the chance. I feel very sad he has gone, but I'm glad I told him that I loved him the last time we met a few months ago.

Anyway, greetings from a dull UK and Happy Midsummer to you all. If there is someone out there who is important to you then make sure you let them know this weekend. It might be the best Juhannus present they could get.

Somero Seikkailu Pictures

The Miss Marple team at the start of the Somero Seikkailu

Saturday 9th June was the first ever Somero Seikkailu. Cars arrived at nine in the morning at the Nuppulinna building and the members of each team were given a "passport" containing nine destinations around Somero. Teams had to find each place on the list and then complete a task at each one in order to be given a stamp on their passports.

Elvi starting her self-portrait at the Kivimeijeri Art Gallery

Once the passports had nine stamps in them, participants were able to enter them into a draw for a selection of prizes, the top one being a voucher for 100 euros for use in any Somero business.

Tasks ranged from making up a hospital bed, making a rose out of marzipan, finding two bunny rabbits on a farm and drawing a self portrait!

Our car included Elvi, Cameron, and Luca and all in all the adventure was really enjoyable. Big congratulations go to Tanja Alenius who organised the whole event. The plan is to repeat the Seikkailu next year in the eastern side of Somero.  We're looking forward to it already!

Here are some pictures of the day.

Making marzipan roses at Koulun Konditorian Kotileipomo

Yli-Eskolan Talonpoikaismiljöö

The sheep at Witkan Tilapuoti

Making up a bed at Majatalo Myötätuuli



Counting the steps at Nummijärvi

Pancakes at Yli-Eskola

Elvi identifying some old objects

Cameron feeding his new friend

Sari Witka showing us how wool is made

Stunning view of Nummijäri

Today is The Somero Seikkailu

Tanja Alenius at the start of  the Somero Seikkailu

So if you are in Somero, make sure you are outside the Nuppulinna building by 9.30 at the latest if you would like to join in.

The idea is to have a bit of fun locating destinations round Somero and completing tasks at each one, in order to get a series of stamps on a Somero passport. You can't do this without the use of a car, and teams can include as many people as (legally) fit in one vehicle.

There is absolutely no restriction on an age basis...and my own car will include members aged from 2 to 80 to prove the point!

It is not a race, so teams can take their time anad stop for a picnic somewhere on the way. All the completed passports will be entered into a draw at five o'clock at Lamminiemi Rehablitation Centre in order to win various prizes including a 100 euro gift voucher.

The weather is predicted to be a bit unsettled tomorrow so it's difficult to say how many teams will turn up, but fingers crossed we have enough to make the day enjoyable for everyone.

I'll let you know tomorrow how the day turned out!