The heart of Finland

The road to Joensuu took us deeper into Karelia. The landscape changed, slowly. Still lots of trees and lakes, but more pastures in between, and more farms and villages.
In Nurmes we had our first break and some karelian pies. In Lieksa opposite famous Koli mountains the next break and coffee (for me). Here the Lieksa Brass Festival had just started. Music and stalls everywhere. I managed to get some urgently needed new socks with the festival's design on it - nice souvenir.
In the small Lieksa harbour we were lucky to arrive just in time for the boat across the lake to Koli. It was a nice calm two hours' trip, weather getting better slowly. On the Koli mountains, the sun was shining bright, and we enjoyed the famous and much praized view from Ukko-Koli across the surrounding lakes and islands (see panaromaview). The heart of Finland!
Then on to Joensuu, the capital and university town, and Resfeber's home. With him (whom we know through hc-chat) we went to an island nearby and the beach, and had some chats and Sandels (finnish beer you can actually drink) until midnight. Then back home and to chat with Viivi, to arrange for our next meetings. She had left Joensuuu only a few hours ago to work in Ypäjä. We were all so sad about that. But we'll meet again in Helsinki next Tuesday where Elsis arranged a picknick on Suomenlinna for us. ;-)