Day 2 - Friday 6th July

Our large apartment is on the top floor, so this is one of the windows in one of the bedrooms!
This little park is more or less next to our hotel. It's a popular attraction each time we walk out of the front door!
In Helsinki, coffee seems to be served in a glass!
At the train station.

We had a lazy morning, walking down towards the centre of town in the sunshine. Already at 1pm, it's 24C- and climbing- today should reach around 27C. This afternoon, we're heading down to the South Harbour to meet up with friend Pauli and his son, from where we'll head out on the little ferry to Suomenlinna island in the archipelago.

Now back home from a very enjoyable afternoon trip to Suomenlinna. We met up with Pauli and Santtu at the South Harbour in hot sunshine and got ourselves onto the boat for the 15 minute trip over to Suomenlinna island. There, we strolled around admiring the wonderful surroundings, drank and ate snacks and eventually headed back to the mainland at around 5.15pm. There were lots of people on the island, some sunbathing by the edge of the sea, others simply happy to wander around in the lovely weather. What a difference from back home, where it appears there has been more rain today.

Heading down to the South Harbour after lunch.
Olivia was desperate to have a go on this pony. You should have seen the smile on her face afterwards.
On the island. Sandy spotted a football, so we had Santtu trying some shooting while Sandy was happy to practise his saves!
On one of the cannons.

By the King's Gate.
All of us together with Pauli and his son Santtu.
Returning to the mainland, we passed the huge Silja boat, departing for Stockholm.