year they had a beautiful baby girl, Iris Amalia. So we booked our flights and headed to Helsinki to meet this new addition to Russ’ family. We had taken Thursday and Friday off work, to return on the bank holiday Monday. Our flight on Thursday wasn’t until early afternoon, allowing us plenty of time to get to the airport…or so we thought… We left the house with an hour to get to Heathrow on the tube. Delay after delay had us running frantically to the check-in 
desk (which is actually quite a way!) with one minute to spare before the check-in was due to close, 30 minutes before our flight departed. Check-in had actually already closed so I spent the next few minutes looking as upset and puffed as I could so they would feel sorry for us and let us on the flight! After a few radio calls regarding our bag, they stuck a standby sticker on it, telling us that if our bag was at the boarding gate when we got there, they’d let us on… It was and we made the flight with minutes to spare!! Close call!!
That night, while Duncan met some of his friends in an underground sauna – a favourite Scandinavian pastime – Russ and I walked around the city checking out some live music as Helsinki had a festival on that weekend. The Finns love their heavy metal and rock!! There were stages propped up all over the city to entertain thousands. We made our way to a great street with bar after bar after bar… Inside we enjoyed some expensive Finnish drinks at €5.60 for a pint of beer and €5 for a bottle of Bacardi Breezer!!
Russ and I spent most of the day in the city, taking a cruise around some of Helsinki’s many islands. We cruised past some idyllic islands full of summer batches and saunas. Apparently Finland has about 2million saunas.
desk (which is actually quite a way!) with one minute to spare before the check-in was due to close, 30 minutes before our flight departed. Check-in had actually already closed so I spent the next few minutes looking as upset and puffed as I could so they would feel sorry for us and let us on the flight! After a few radio calls regarding our bag, they stuck a standby sticker on it, telling us that if our bag was at the boarding gate when we got there, they’d let us on… It was and we made the flight with minutes to spare!! Close call!! 2½hrs later we were met at the airport by Duncan.
After a short ride on the bus to their apartment we met Iris for the first time. Ohh, she is just gorgeous!! She was six weeks old on the Saturday we were there. She is such a curious little baby. Always with her eyes open, scanning the room and everyone in it. She looks very wise. We had lots of cuddles!
Friday was a day of sightseeing… We walked around the city, people watching, checking out Finnish designer store Marimekko, listening to an opera-singing busker, visiting the two dominating cathedrals of Helsinki, eating liquorice ice cream along the waterfront (and being bullied by a Herring Gull), tram spotting, then taking a ferry out to an old sea fortress, used to protect Helsinki during warfare. Suomenlinnan.
Suomenlinnan is also a working community with around 400 residents living permanently out 
there. It is made up of a few smaller islands joined by bridges. On the outer parts of the islands, looking out to sea, cannons and barricades still stand strong. This fortress is a great place for kids as well with hundreds of tunnels into the ground and in the stone walls. Great for exploring!
there. It is made up of a few smaller islands joined by bridges. On the outer parts of the islands, looking out to sea, cannons and barricades still stand strong. This fortress is a great place for kids as well with hundreds of tunnels into the ground and in the stone walls. Great for exploring! 
That night, while Duncan met some of his friends in an underground sauna – a favourite Scandinavian pastime – Russ and I walked around the city checking out some live music as Helsinki had a festival on that weekend. The Finns love their heavy metal and rock!! There were stages propped up all over the city to entertain thousands. We made our way to a great street with bar after bar after bar… Inside we enjoyed some expensive Finnish drinks at €5.60 for a pint of beer and €5 for a bottle of Bacardi Breezer!!
Saturday was a great day to check out some Finnish landscape in the form of the Seven lakes National Park, just north west of Helsinki. Here you find edible mushrooms and berries growing all over the forest floor. It’s incredible there! It was so peaceful being surrounded by moss-covered rocks and trees. It felt very Hansel and Gretel. We spent our time searching for delicious wild blueberries. They’re so much tastier than those in the supermarket! It was here that Russ also found an adder…
That afternoon we went back into the city to browse the shops and met Duncan for dinner. I always like to try at least something traditional when I’m in a new country, so I tried their creamy salmon soup and Russ the meatballs. Delicious!! It was a really cosy little restaurant, a family local. So we were surprised when the bill came with a 22% service charge added!!! Very tasty though and the meals were huge! On the way home I lost my Salmiakki virginity. They 
love their salty liquorice out there!!
love their salty liquorice out there!! Sunday was a big day for little Iris. She was to be introduced to Anu’s extended family in a type of non-religious christening.
Russ and I spent most of the day in the city, taking a cruise around some of Helsinki’s many islands. We cruised past some idyllic islands full of summer batches and saunas. Apparently Finland has about 2million saunas. That evening we returned home where Anu’s mum had come to help with the final preparations for Iris’ christening. She was dressed in a very sweet little white dress with pink ribbons and a little wreath made with irises to wear on her head. She looked absolutely adorable!!! Iris was so 
we behaved all evening, sleeping most of the way through being handed from one relative to another. She didn’t make a peep, just looked sweet and made everyone fall in love with her.
we behaved all evening, sleeping most of the way through being handed from one relative to another. She didn’t make a peep, just looked sweet and made everyone fall in love with her. Monday it was time to say goodbye. We had an excellent long weekend relaxing in a new city, visiting Russ’ family and meeting the lovely little Iris! We’re sure to be back soon!
See the rest of our photos here.
Moi moi!
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