Signs of winter

Today was really hot and a bit humid, so it wasn't surprise to hear a bit of thunder rumbling around as we caught the ferry out to Suomenlinna, an island just outside the main harbour.  The 15 minute trip delivered us to a small dock from where there were footpaths going in all directions to allow you to explore this fortress island.  

We started by walking past a naval training centre then went back to the biggest island and walked right down to the seaward-facing fortifications started by the Swedes and which the British shelled during the Crimean War.  Without a doubt it was all superbly over-engineered with extravagant officers guest quarters, gardens and farms.  Today it is a community of some 900 people with lots of craft studios and cafés along the track.  It is clearly a weekend favourite destination for local families who came loaded with picnic cool boxes.  It was also a tour from some if the cruise ships going round the Baltic and there were a surprising number of Japanese tourist groups.

We popped briefly into the island church which doubles as a lighthouse.

As we took the ferry back to the mainland the skies got increasingly black and lightening streaked from the skies all around the, city.

We went for coffee and chocolate cake at a pavement cafe, picked up picnic supplies and then, as the skies had cleared, walked round another area of the harbour where 5 ice-breakers were parked up ready to tackle the winter freeze.

Over the next 3 days we've a lot of rail and bus travel as we head north up the Gulf of Bothnia and into the Arctic Circle.