via Helsinki home

I had hoped to avoid the cheap flight world to get home, I didn't manage it for various reasons, including the internal desire to get settled and start writing on the PhD. So I got to see a tiny portion of Helsinki from the terminal building for three hours! I'm not going to go into a long justification of my choice (though I'm tempted to), I am glad though that I am back and that I even managed to see a friend in Manchester en route ( ... ).

The last day before leaving was spent reading a novel, hanging out with the family, visiting the State Art Gallery and going to an amazing tea house. The gallery shocked me for having such a dearth of religious art in it; obvious point really, it was the way the Soviet control over this country hit home for me. There were photographs of communist party members coming to the gallery and also snaps of the statue of Lenin being removed from the place back in 1987.

More pics ...

The shot above is afternoon tea, four years on from the image immediately below. Both teas were provided by Aivis's mum, though on this second occasion it was at her city residence, not the basic farmhouse in the country as previously ... her same home-made jam though ... nothing like it.

Some inland water from the day at the beach (nice one Aivis!)


There's so much I could say about the chilled out way that Sarah and Aivis are bringing Josh up; they all are so relaxed and yet focussed about life, in a peaceable and thought out way. It was inspiring to be part of the family for nearly nine days.