Hyvää iltaa (Good evening in Finnish)

Good evening from the Arctic Circle in Finland!

After my long ride through Russia / Siberia and the Scandinavian countries I had a dream: I would love to see the Polar Lights (Aurora Boreali – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_%28astronomy%29) before I die one day.

Last year I met Tuija and Hiski, a Finnish couple living in the forests next to a huge lake about 71 km west of Rovaniemi. If anything speaks for my riding style (stop and smell the roses), Tuija and Hiski speak for that. If I had raced down the road last year I wouldn’t have seen the reindeer next to the road, and at the end I would have missed the chance of meeting these two wonderful people.

Tonight is the third night here. Tomorrow is going to be a sunny day. We hold all thumbs that the Aurora B. would be visible tomorrow night. If, then it could be any time of the night. Please let us be up and awake if it happens …

Here are some photographs I want to share:

This is where we are staying.

Golden autumn leaves.

With enough wood available fences etc. are made like this.

Breakfast time: Candles burning …

… and Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” playing on a record player. Priceless.

Dinner on Saturday night: I missed the game of the Boks and I didn’t mind. Grilled salmon and my present favorite cauliflower with a white sauce! Marike Valster supervises that I eat enough.

Having a fire like this who cares about the Boks?

I met a Finnish couple at dinner. The gent is a biker as well. He took off his t-shirt and gave it to me as a present. It will go to my memory wall at home.

Bikers, all of us.

Sunday morning: We went cycling. It was cold but worth it.

We saw reindeer in a forest. This male had a massive pair of antlers.

Fund raising for the Magrietjies: It was fitting that the donation of my friends living in Egypt, Makkie and Herbert Hattingh, took us over R 20 000.00. R 30 000.00 is well in reach now. Thank you bikers! Thank you friends and strangers supporting our cancer support group!

Information on our Cheese and Wine for the Magrietjies on November 9, 2013:

https://acrossafricaagain.wordpress.com/?s=ons+nooi+julle

Information on the Ride for the Magrietjies:

https://acrossafricaagain.wordpress.com/?s=byt+vas

Regards from the cold Finland!