SAVONLINNA

While Lieksa is wonderful, it's also great to see a bit more of Finland. The area around Savonlinna is especially pretty and rewarding around the Opera Festivals. 

Punkaharju - a small strip of land, just about as wide as the road, surrounded by water. It feels like driving on a lake. Beautiful! This is what we saw from the car to our left and right:

 At first, the rain just wouldn't stop, so we needed to take breaks in the car to find dry shelter.

 But Samu got a waterproof suit and was happy as long as ge could push his stroller.

 The Olavinlinna castle in the rain.

 When the sun finally came out, we spent all day outside.

The castle in the sun.

As it got warmer and warmer, the harbor and the beach had to be explored.

On the way back we stopped and the world's largest wooden church in Kerimäki. Samu was more impressed with the rocks he collected in front of it.

FAMILY

When the children come to visit and bring their children, a house easily gets full and loud. That's the way it's supposed to be - at least a few times a year. 

As a grandparent, you might find yourself building a house in your own house, which is then inhibited by overexcited children and a dog. 

Thank God for playgrounds! And thank the city of Lieksa for the one right opposite Marko's parents' house.

Helmi and Samuel.

All swings taken by one family: Samu, Helmi, Vilho, Antero (=Ukki)

Story time. 

And more story time. 

Cousins. Easy to imagine those three roaming the woods in the years to come.

ROKKI JA RAKKAUS (ROCK AND LOVE)

We did it! We left Samu with his Finnish grandparents for a whole day. They did a wonderful job taking care of him (THANK YOU!) and we enjoyed a wonderful day, our 5th wedding day, at the Ilosaarirock Festival in Joensuu. See, we still rock (at least till about 9 pm).

Driving in Marko's old car with loud music on, feeling like 16. Ilosaari, here we come!

 Which bands should we see?

How the city of Joensuu changes during this festival time! The only older people are those collecting bottles and cans (for the deposit). Otherwise the area belongs to 20,000 hippies and freaks. Yesssss!

Ah, yes, the joys of rock festivals: Crowds, lines and chemical toilets. We were so lucky! We arrived just before the masses and found everything to be fast, clean and organized.

 Reggae at the beach.

 Lapko - very friendly, these guys.

 Paleface. Good.

 Apocalyptica. M-hm.

 On the way home ...

 Happy wedding day!