Welcome to Finland

10th August, 2016

Leaving Russia wasn't too bad. In fact we had a quite pleasant fun up the coast and even managed to fins somewhere to stop for coffee overlooking the sea. tad chilly though. But the Finns were very inquisitive indeed about the bike when we arrived at the border and we were held back whilst they found a 'specialist' to check our documents. Is this something to expect now that we are Brexiting? Rather unusually none of the border crossings asked to see our bikes or the bike's insurance documentation and this was a first for us.

Our 'big' hotel on the trip was a property on the Finnish side of the border which had belonged to a Czar and that had been converted into a hotel. Expensive but Scandinavia is expensive, we know that. And in the middle of nowhere on the side of a lake so it would not be a question of going out for a meal. We were grilled on arrival - what do you want for breakfast, when - because the cook needs to prepare it for you. And the evening meal, what, when, same reason - all sounding good even though we were still stood at reception in our rain gear. Finnish efficiency we told ourselves. Goes with the silver birch tress and lakes as part of the national identity - and the swans but we hadn't seen many of them yet.

We were shown to our room. A tad under impressed we must say. the bleach like smell of cleaning fluid was somewhat off-putting. Well we didn't need bottles of water in the room because the tap water is drinkable we said. Bit of a shame that there was not a kettle though at this price, but then again Scandinavia is expensive.

The views around the lake were nice and the place was very quiet. a short walk and we were ready for dinner. two dining rooms, both equally nice - we think , as we were kept apart from the other clients even though there was space. Not sure whether this was a 'positive' or a negative? Large bowl of Finnish fish soup as a starter - we were a bit chilled. 12€ the bowl. Well Scandinavia is expensive but the soup was pretty grim; watery, a bit of cream for taste, some bits of salmon, potatoes and carrots. Umm. The main course was worse; three frankfurters - and a lot more expensive. Scandinavia again. Motorway service station food was better and at least they use hot plates. We were waiting for that candid camera moment but it did not come. Or Basil or Manuel from Barcelona. At least we had decided that we would not pay a ridiculous amount for a bottle of wine with the meal and we almost managed to finish a bottle of Hungarian Rosé.

Breakfast followed the same path. Why did the cook require so much notice to prepare two fried eggs with a bit of lettuce and raw tomato? it wasn't as though the cook had to pour the fruit juice or make the toast either as there wasn't any. 









Welcome to Finland. Maybe this was a Brexit reaction? Luckily we were on the move.