This is where my journey started, the little railway station of Jokela. Our village has grown around the railway, there was nothing before the railway was built in the 1860's.
On the way up the fields were still too wet and cold for the farmers to start their work.
The lakes were free from ice again, reflecting the blue sky. The houses you can see are summer cottages.
This is the main street of Tampere, the Hämeensilta bridge crossing over Tammerkoski rapids. The red and yellow flags are the city's flag, our national white and blue flag is on the City Theatre (yellow building in the middle) and Town hall (further back). On the right is the old Main Library.
On the bridge are four statues by a famous Finnish sculptor Wäinö Aaltonen. This one is called Kauppias (the merchant). The story tells that he will drop whatever he is holding in his hand if a virgin over 18 years of age walks under it. I have proven it wrong several times! I studied in a school next to the red building behind the statue (not in the picture).
Here you can see a fisherman under the bridge. The Lake Näsijärvi on the north side of the town is 18 m higher than the Lake Pyhäjärvi on the south side. They catch trout, rainbow trout, whitefish and grayling there.
After a little shopping in town I took a bus and arrived here. The lake is on the other side of the house.
This horse was made by my father. It used to be placed on the stone wall down by the lake where he taught me to swim and I hurt my leg in underwater stones. The leg was bleeding and we put a plantain leaf on it to heal the cut. The next time I went in the water I knew how to swim on my own. I miss my father. I had a lovely time with my mother.
Hello, What a lovely trip ,the countryside is beautiful and your hometown is too, I bet your Mom was thrilled to have you come for a visit.So many special memories when we go home to visit. Hugs, Marie
ReplyDeleteWhat a special visit with your mom and how lovely to have a special reminder of your father. Was carving a hobby or his trade?
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely tour of your home town. I almost feel like I've been there now.
ReplyDeleteGreat tour. I see that your talent comes from both sides of your family. How nice. I remember my mother mentioning the plantain leaf and others as to what they used on the farm in Viipuri when she was growing up.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful countryside, Ulla - the sky is so blue! Thanks for including a fishing photo, too! Your mothers house looks like something out of Hansel and Gretel - how lovely! Your father was quite the stone carver as well!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
What a beautiful sculpture made by your father. It has weathered totally in keeping with the spirit of the horse.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely trip- Finland looks so beautiful even without the snow. I learned to swim in the river, but I'm sure if I had grown up near you, I would've learned to swim in a lake too. The picture showing the summer lakeside houses is idyllic.
For several weeks I've been a "silent" reader of your lovely and inspiring blog. Now, I want to say you a little hello, after seeing pictures of Tampere where I have been many, many years ago (almost 40). I am still a beginner in the art of quilting but I love it very much too. I'll certainly come back to your blog.
ReplyDeleteHave a good time!
Barbara
thankyou so much for taking me on this trip. it looks so beautiful, x
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