Pieksämäki

Finally leaving Helsinki behind (for now), I made for the town of Pieksämäki.

Pieksämäki is about three and a half hours, by train, from Helsinki, and is within the boundaries of the electrictrified rail network, so you can count on a smooth trip, and a resturant carriage.

Arriving almost exactly on time (11:42, one minute late), I began my tour of the town (after first being cooked lunch by a friend (bacon and eggs on piirakka (a rice or mashed potato filled savoury pastry (YUM!)))).

Like most towns/cities that I have visited in Finland, Pieksämäki has all the usual attributes; a Marimekko store, at least 3 small supermarkets, a market square, a Hess Burger, a pizza place (RECOMENDED!), and of course, lakes and trees aplenty.

Aside from the usual Pieksämäki boasts the privalige of the Moilas baked goods factory. On the day I visited it was 26 degrees celcius, oi.

Here are a collection of their various treats...


My constant companion these last few weeks, the sun.

A veiw from the overpass, above the railway lines.

Midnight light

The Sea Fortress: part 3 (final)

After walking around the town portion a little longer I went in search of the large guns and fortified outer wall.

There were a lot of people enjoying the summer sun on these rocks.

Spotted: A Hobbit hole

Spotted: A Russian gun.

Ahhhh, the jagged outter wall.

Spotted: Another, very antique looking cannon pointed seaward.

I walked around the tall walls and through some of the dark tunnels for a while longer before admitting to myself that I had seen enough for one day. So, with a slightly sunburnt neck and a hankering for another jam doughnut I ambled slowly to the main quay to catch the ferry back to the city.

The Sea Fortress: part 2

After walking around a bit more on the Little Black Island I walked to another island appropriately called Länsi-Mustasaari (West Black Island).

Veiw to Pikku Mustasaari from Länsi-Mustasaari.

There was not much there to hold my attention (mainly residential flats), and my stomach was causing a fuss so I made the walk back to the island I had landed on (Iso Mustasaari).

With the mass of tourists departed I headed for the cafe/snack store. I bought a meat and rice filled pastry, a jam and custard filled doughnut, and an ice block.

I recomend!

These are some images of the central parts of the two largest islands; Iso Mustasaari (Big Black Island), and Susisaari (Wolf Island)/Kustaanmiekka (Gustav Sword(?))

The Sea Fortress: part 1

On the second day of Midsummer, with the majority of shops, museums, and almost everything else of interest closed, I decided to take the ferry to Suomenlinna (or Sveaborg, if you are Swedishly inclined).

"Founded on islands off the coast of Helsinki in 1748, the Suomenlinna sea fortress is a cultural treasure. It's construction began in the 1700s when Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden. The guns that still face west on the rampants at Kustaamiekka [Southern most part of the largest island] are a reminder of the period under Russian rule in the 19th century"-Suomenlinna brochure

As well as being an outdoor museum, Suomenlinna also houses a permanent population in period residential buildings. The island also has a church, post office, small supermarket, and more icecream kiosks, cafes, and souvenir shops than you could poke a stick at.

Walking out the door wearing jeans due to the windy and overcast look of the weather I hitched a ride on the Metro, which luckily started service just as I got to the station (around 11am the sign told me. How usefully vague). Getting into town a little later I walked to the ferry terminal near market square. Buying a return ticket for just €3.80(?) I hopped on the waiting ferry which departed 5 minutes later.

15 minutes later...


Arriving at the island I hopped off the ferry and immediately walked away from the crowd, over a bridge to the island of Pikkumustasaari, which by my translation = Little Black Island.

Doesn't look that special... Scroll down.

I found this giant ring fixed securely by the sea shore. Still not that special I guess. Shoes still quite white.

There wasn't anything in the brochure about this island, but there weren't many people walking there so I veiwed this as a good place to start. The buildings were all closed but there was a sort of dingy, dark, and slightly scary looking opening guarded by a creepy effigy, so, onwards...

Thanks to the benefits of flash photography, here is a blurred image of the inside of the cave(?). I promise that it was a lot darker than it looks.

The floor was also littered with bones to help with the ambiance...

While the cats away...

I'm still here in Helsinki while everyone else has gone away to their summer cottages in the countryside for Midsummer celebrations. Well not everyone.

Though the streets are much quieter where I am now (the suburbs), earlier this morning the city center was bustling, especially the market place. So, after completing the full circuit of the 3T tram I dropped by the markets and enjoyed a sugar doughnut with apple in the center, and a cup of coffee. The doughnut was saturated in ungoodness which made it particuraly crispy and delicious, and the coffee was, ok...

I also had a look through the less transitory market, a lovely brick building also on the waters edge.

In the background on the right is an Alvar Aalto office building, with the Uspenski Cathedral poking out the top of it.

Hyvää Juhannusta

Happy Midsummer Everyone!