Steven's arrival & Bday & rest of Aug

My apologies for the serious delay with updating this blog. We only got internet in the flat just under a week ago and it has been a busy one what with Steven's birthday and a weekend break. 

We're getting used to life with 2 in the studio flat and it's feeling like home. On returning from our trip we both felt like we had returned home so that was a pleasant realisation! There is a slight chill in the air now and we feel like cramming in as much as possible outside whilst it's still warm and snow free! We've been (mainly me, Amy) getting really excited about pictures of the northern lights taken over the past few days both near where we live and near where we went away. Eeeeek! So planning a trip to Lapland is definitely on the cards. Perhaps before Christmas, but we shall see.

I decided it would be easiest for me to add a selection of photo's and captions to show you what we've been up to. I hope it's not too boring with the lack of much insight into my views and thoughts at the time. The pictures are in chronological order over the month, so view away. 

Lotta from work kindly took me for a swim at a nearby lake on a sunny day after work. She showed me the way and showed me how to bike to another one and to the local bar and local pub. This little bit of  lake is surrounded by forest and other tiny lakes and is only about a 15 min cycle from home :)

At the second lake Lotta showed me. Forest and huts...stereotypical for a reason!

Charming li'l toilets at an animal sanctuary I visited with Tiina (a mum at Kinderi and part of the committe who run it) and her daughter Ella. 

Ridiculously stunning sky taken whilst lounging on my bed through my bedroom window. 

Sky on the same night just in a different direction. 

Getting really excited for Steven to join me! Eeeeek! A hamper of all the things he has at home. 

Toby and Duck Duck - our lifelong soft toys- finally meet and hit it off a storm! (Toby's definitely winning)

Tooley looking rather at home with his new air rifle. 

Our first target...not so bad! Pretty close range though...we're developing now as we find more good woodland to play in!

Steven looking all Scandinavian with his bike, gun, yellow field and red hut. 

Me, looking all Scandinavian on a bike ride and stroll through some fields and forest. 

Casual regular stunning view from in bed. And yes, I mean the toe. 

Steven's Birthday! As seeing as we're in Moomin Land and he has Moomin Eyes, it only seems right that he should get a Moomin cake! Excuse the unneat decorative finnish...I had very limited time and a birthday boy to visit on my lunch!
Later, we used to car that Chris (Tiina's husband) had lent us and drove to the nearby seaside town of Vaasa on The Ostrobothnian Coast. That's the Finnish coast of the gulf that's between Sweden and Finland...we're about halfway up. Aka, the Baltic Sea. We played some good miniature golf (which I won *ahem*) and then found a gorgeous sunset on one of the little islands. 

Steven at said lovely sunset. 

Kinderi Carnival week! We had made bunting and carnival masks and this is them enjoying a video of Leeds Carnival Parade. 

Totes driving a car. Successfully. Note the lovely hoody, it was made for me by Outi at work cause she's really nice :) It was a lovely surprise!

Target shooting from much further afield...expensive toy but I must admit it's pretty fun!

Just looking badass with the gun. 

We went to Oulu for the weekend (Ostrobothnian Coast again, but much bigger town and much further north). We ventured out on the Friday night heading into town and found ourselves in a street of 32000 roses! Flowers flowers everywhere!

Cheap evening drinks by the bustling harbour amongst the local students and families. Behind us is several restaurants/bars in old old wooden huts and the market square. 

Aahh yeah :D Found me some nice strong British Cheddar in the market hall! Hangover cured :)  

Steven trying to keep on the good side of the police. This was Oulu's famous statue of a policeman with a traditional end of summer festival wreath. 

We had Lingonberyy wine and Cloudberry Sorbet in an old salt mill. Again, rustic hut :)

Bike Envy. We saw an old rusty bike that seemed otherwise in working order in a junk shop for 35euros....project maybe. 

Still in Oulu. A snap of one of the many old rusty looking wooden huts that lined the harbour.

Coast in Oulu (there are several small islands)

Home becoming more home like. Plants, lamps, cushions and curtains have been added. But due to their stupid non sensical bedding sizes and them not matching with the quilt sizes available, we have no bedding still.