Feeling very welcome in Iisalmi, Finland

Zagan the motorhome is feeling very welcome, parked up by the sea in Iisalmi, Finland. He’s next to spaces specifically designed for motorhomes and caravans (i.e. they are extra long) but has chosen to stop in a standard space, because he can fit and it has a better view (N63.55464, E27.18686).

Today’s update will be short because I’ve already had some cider and now moved onto some shandy – so my fingers aren’t working very well!

I slept so well last night after the sauna, I felt really relaxed and my skin is really smooth now, I can see why the Finns love them so much. I’ve never really been a big fan of the sauna because of the dry heat, I prefer steam rooms, but the smoke sauna and lake were the perfect combination, even if we weren’t allowed to bash each other with birch branches…

This morning we headed further north, the weather forecast didn’t look great for the national park, so we’ve skipped it and made our way to a lakeside town instead.  Stopping at a Shell petrol station on the way, as our database said it has an ajokaivot (service point), we topped up with fuel then hunted around for it for a while. In the end I went in and asked in my best Finnish where it was. they got the idea and fetched someone who spoke great English to show me. Turns out we had already spied it, but it was locked and we needed to go to the station for the key. Once Zagan was full of one liquid and empty of others, we hung around for a while to let his tyres cool, before checking those too (they’ve stayed well and truly inflated, no need for any air!), then it was back on the road.

The view out of Zagan’s side windows – Finland sure has a lot of trees!

We reached Iislami and the motorhome parking, extra long bays where you can stay for 24 hours. We also know of another parking place nearby for tomorrow if the 24 hours are strictly enforced, so we’re here for a couple of days. There is thunder rumbling around over the lake, but we’ve managed to squeeze in a short walk and a drink in the local cafe (€11.50 for a beer and a cider!).

The weather can’t make its mind up today

The smallest restaurant in the world, seats two inside, plus two outside in good weather!

We didn’t believe it until we saw it being used – a communal carpet / rug washing point, complete with mangle and drying area!

An expensive, but refreshing, cider by the lake

Right, time for tea, tomorrow we’ve got a run planned, so I’d better not drink too much – happy humpday everyone!

Ju x

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