Day 11 - Wednesday 16th July

This was taken at exactly midnight last night.

This morning we were faced with something new on this holiday- no sunshine to enjoy as we got up! It was still warm though, with the temperature rising as it has done every other day. A quick check of the up-to-date forecast suggested rain and possibly thunder, so we decided to head off to Petäjävesi Old Church, which is a World Heritage Site, and is situated about 30km west of here.

In the village of Petajavesi.

 
Completely made out of wood- Petajavesi Old Church.

Inside the 250 year old church.

There, it was still dry, and at 22C it was feeling quite pleasant, and we spent some time walking around the 250 year old wooden church and looking inside it. As we walked back to the car, it got darker and just as we got in, the heavens opened. Back home half an hour later, it was starting to rain here too but it didn't last long, and the sun was soon out once again.

 At the top of our road, about 1/2 km from the cottage.

Anna, close by our cottage.

These tiny blue butterflies are everywhere by the roadside here.

Anna and Olivia visited the local "zoo" that we have all visited in the past two years, while Sandy and I stayed at home relaxing. I cleaned the sauna out and restocked the wood supply, and also cleaned out the hot-tub while waiting for them to return, and then after dinner Anna and I went off for a wee walk up the road to explore another of the small gravel roads that are all over the place here.

 Another gorgeous evening, another dive into Lake Palvajarvi!

Keith relaxes by the lake after several long swims again today!

Back at the cottage, we all enjoyed some more swimming and diving in the lovely evening sun. Fantastic! Keith has continued to swim for hours each day- he really loves the water and the sauna.