Ice cream at Espa (yum!)

It was about time! Since I don't live in Helsinki, I almost felt like a tourist when checking out the city centre and places like Finnish National Theatre or the Senate Square after a loong while. Personally I think the last picture is just.. artistic. :)

Signs of Spring 2010 (grande finale)

I think this case can be closed. It sure helped to have around +25C for two weeks, and after it plenty of showers. Tomorrow is the first day of the summer season, but I couldn't help noticing the dirty piles of snow that are still slowly disappearing at the railway station.. ;)

Summer Cottage Fun

we had a really nice and relaxing weekend at a friend's summer cottage. It was fun to try out a new sport, the "frisbee golf". The weather was rather brilliant for the first few days, although at some point it started to rain. I welcome the warm and sunny summer days to return soon..

My winter holiday ;)

A few pictures from today - the Vesijärvi harbour at Lahti (I have a few days of winter holiday still left and I think weatherwise now is the perfect time to spend them). :)

Back In Da Hood

Today we went for a family visit to the 'hood where we used to live some years ago. Naturally the place felt a bit different than back then, but recognizable. In overall it was nice to reminiscence our life there a bit.

These pictures are naturally intended to be a bit "black-and-white" as suburb potrays, with the graffiti tags and all.. :)

Vanhankaupunginlahti

Thought I'd take a few pictures also today, as the weather around here has been so very amazingly nice for the past few days..

"The One Day Thing" @ Hyvinkää

Ascension Day holiday well spent with the kid in sunny Hyvinkää! First a visit to the Railway Museum to see the "Old Saab cars Gathering 2010" event, then heading to the public "spring market/fair" event at the main City Hall square.

Finally we ended up to Hyvinkää Speed Park, to see (and hear!) some "everymanclass" racing action.

The event was called Yhden Päivän Juttu, seems that it's a traditional spring event endorsed by the City of Hyvinkää, for nine years in a row already.

Sincere apologies if my -ahem- direct translations are not 100% correct.. ;)

Helsinki from the sea

Too bad it's not every day that one gets to enjoy the spring sun like this! =)

Classic Motorshow 2010 @ Lahti

Had a really good time here during all the ~six hours spent on-site... next time I will bring my son along!

Just plans: St. Petersburg

Hmmm.. Newly started (St Peter Line) is having a tempting offer for May. A return cruise to St. Petersburg from Helsinki with a class B cabin for a total of 200 euros for two persons.. One major advantage is that there are no extra charges for a Russian visa required.

The city is celebrating it's 307th birthday on the 27th, and there is a big "City Day Carnival" on Saturday the 29th. It would certainly be nice to see St. Petersburg in the spring time..

Signs of Spring 2010 Vol. 4

Almost there.. It's looking a lot greener out there than last week.

Yesterday was 1st of May, the "Labor Day", thus the big festivities on the town's "central square".. an accordion orchestra and all, wow.. ;)