Sailing, Brazil and Windows

Back in April the members of the Somero English Club all went out for a meal at Jussi's Baari, and one of the topics of conversation were things we would love to do that we had never done before. Kirsti told us that she had dreamt of going sailing all her life and hoped one day that this would be possible. I thought this was a great dream to have, and found out that it would be possible to charter a ship to take us sailing for the day in the Turku archipelago on 1st July.

The ship can hold twelve people. A few people who were going to come orginally are now unable to make it next Sunday...so is there anyone who would like to join us for the trip?  Let me know if so, it should be a fun experience and would also help to make Kirsti's dream come true!

Three other things for this post.

The first is a message to anyone who has tried to get hold of me by phone over the last few days. I managed to lose my phone whilst in the UK, so I have not been reachable on my normal number. Sorry if you have tried to contact me. I now have a new sim card and can be contacted on my normal number.

The second is HELLO TO BRAZIL!  This blog has had regular readers from Brazil over the last couple of weeks, and I love the idea that there is someone so far away reading about the little town of Somero in Finland. Whoever you are, hello to Brazil from Somero, we are delighted to have you with us!

And the third is this. A couple of people close to me are going through a hard time right now (believe me, I know the feeling...). I can't fix those issues, but please remember you are not alone. I was standing at a bus stop today and saw these wild flowers by the side of the road. They are humble flowers, but beautiful nevertheless....and they are for you.

When things are really tough all any of us can do is take one day at a time - and as Marja-Leena said to me the other day, some doors may close, but a new window will open soon, sometimes when you least expect it.  I hope that the rest of the summer is full of new windows for all of you.

with love,

Jody

Juhannus at Zoolandia

To celebrate Midsummer's Day we went to Zoolandia, which is an amusement park close to Turku. We had a nice day despite the fact that it wasn't very hot. There was lots for the children to do and Luca kept himself very busy going on all the rides with his big brother Charlie who is visiting us from the UK this week.  Here are some pictures of our day.


Luca shows us his train-driving skills

Minttu finds it all very funny

Cameron and Luca go shopping

Cameron learns to fly

Luca and Charlie go for a ride

A view of the rides at Zoolandia

What are you looking at?

Luca weighs some apples in the children's shop



Luca and big brother Charlie go rowing

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.