Maggie

The time had come again to bring a dog back into the family.  After some discussions of what breed we would like we decided on a pug.  Finding a breeder was our next challenge. There are a few in north Tasmania and we didn't fancy a drive up there just to pick up a dog so when I found a breeder in New Norfolk I was happy.  We put a female puppy on order before she was even born and had to wait over 10 weeks for her, firstly to be born and secondly for her to be 8 weeks old. The wait was worth it though, she is adorable.  Yes she comes with all the work required for puppy's but with plenty of boys to help it's ok, it's good for them to clean up after her occasionally. She has slot into the family really well.

On a sad note our oldest chook Barb got sick in the last couple of weeks so we had to "deal with her".  This is her in the house when she snuck in when no one was looking, she had been a mother twice and gave us eggs to the very end.  We've had plenty of chooks come and go but Barb was special.  xxx

   

It's good to be home.

After an amazing trip it was nice to come home.  Getting back into the school routine, catching up with work, getting my head back into study has well and truly got me back into normal life, it is so good.  It's great to get out on the bike as well, had to dust it off however it still does the same thing as before, it gets my heart rate up and has me puffing, feels great sometimes.....  I prefer riding to walking as I feel I can see so much more on a bike.  It's also great to have a riding buddy firstly it's great motivation and secondly it's a lot more fun.   Here is a couple of pictures from the valley on my rides.  I will over the next little while blog the trip photos, there are simply so many it will take time...

My favourite photos.

Thank you Finland you have been good to us!

Great family portrait.

Second last day in Finland consisted of us driving to visit Jon's god parent's for lunch and Jon receiving an early 40th birthday present a finnish scarf, he'll be the only person in the valley with one of those I'm sure.  Next stop was a flying visit to Jon's uncle in Mikkeli to see him and visit our last grave yard visit of Jon's Grandma.  I found a classic photo of Leila's family (Jon's mum) on his shelf. Great family portrait.

Suomi Boy

So we bought a track suit out fit for Marcus and he so looks the part of a typical finnish boy!

Lammi Mummo

The house still had all the photos from when my Mummo was alive the photos she had placed there of her children and grandchildren.  I can even see a photo of my sister in her wedding dress. Mummo is the lady on the bottom shelf second in from the left.

Apparently I look like my mum on the right......

Grandma was buried at the local church graveyard, yet another huge grand old church. 

Sompala

We've been able to come and see the house my mum grew up which is still standing and had plenty of room for us all along with my cousin and her 3 children as mum was the oldest of 9 children.

Soon after we arrived we went and lit the sauna and went swimming. This lake I swam in when I was 12 years old and now I've got my boys swimming with me, special moment.

Kaustinen

Kaustinen is the closet town to Salonkylä.  This is where Jon's grandparent's are buried.  In Finland communities are built around these grand old churches most of which are maintained and are beautiful.

We also found some old photos of Jon when he was christened and when Jon visited Finland last time with his family.

Salonkylä

We spent nearly a week in the little village called Salonkylä where Jon's dad grew up.  

We got to see Eltsi with her fiancé, we're looking forward to see you in Australia soon. xxx

This is people dropping in country style.

We spent a couple of evenings around the fire, in the sauna, swimming in the river, playing mölkky and simply enjoying family time. We would like to give a big thank you to Jaana & Tuomo, Jaakko & Ira and Jenni & Aki, for letting us stay at their place. xxx

Vehl. Järvelä Oy

We visited two of Leo's cousins Juha & Matti along with their wives. The brothers have their summer cottages on a lake with the savusauna on the water which was ready to go when we arrived. They put on the amazing hospitality that finns are famous for, the salmon had been smoked, and the finnish pancakes were cooking when we finished in the sauna. The two brothers run a business out of the their vans and travel around selling their wares to builders and so on. The summer cottages were delivered completely finished inside and out on the back of a lorry, all they had to do was hook up the water and power and then they were ready to put the kettle onto boil.  They are also placed in such a way they can be moved to yet another location. I personally think they are a brilliant idea. They were both decorated country style so I was in my element checking out both of the cottages. Kiitos Matti, Marianne, Juha & Pirkko.