I decline the Baltic, snakes and book group

Let me just start by giving a big shout out to the local wifi.  Go the Finnish wifi.  Almost everywhere - strong - reliable - time to lift your game Aotearoa.

Also a couple of resolutions.  Plant more dill.  Learn to bake finnish cinnamon buns.

There was a snake. More later.  Yes, readers, I've been drinking.

Yesterday was a rest day.  We rested.  We walked the barefoot art installation forest walk (pics on instagram and facebook), we visited the 'beach' - ugh - weedy, algal, I decline the Baltic for purposes of swimming.  We visited Korppoo village by bicycle - we bought food for a dinner picnic - we had a hedonistic lunch at the Buffalo restaurant (also illustrated elsewhere), we found a geocache...

Today was day 4.  The last full day of the cycle tour.  To be honest we had low expectations, but in some ways it was the best of the lot.  The ferry rides were beautiful and the cycling, tho' more hilly, was the best of the week.

Now, here we are in Naantali.  Here is a blurry night photo.

Here is a dinner time evening sunset photo - very red and pink...  Dinner was fine - even when the waitress spilled quite a bit of red wine on G.  We were gracious - esp after G convinced them to make good the loss with more wine.  We left our waitress a tip along with much affirmation.

Here is Geoff picking wild raspberries for us at the side of the road.  He is my hero.  For this and so many other reasons.

Here, again, is the flag of Finland.  Get over it and stop selling us out you Tory bastards.  End of the political part.

Here are Geoff and Ward on the penultimate ferry ride...

Here is Eva (partner of Wart - citizens of Belgium) on the same ferry.  She has read Janet Frame.  So there.  Also, might start the first international chapter of our book group. (Did you get that, people, chapter?... nice.)

Here are Louise and Mike from somewhere in England... also on the ferry.  OK, from Warrington or somewhere like that between Manchester and Liverpool.

Here is the chruch at Nauvo.  All the churches have a ship.  They are lovely, straightforward buildings (plus chandeliers).

Here is the church from the graveyard.  Well-tended, as they all seem to be around here.

Here is our last selfie, taken shortly after viewing the snake, so I imposed on G's good humour.  Our barman at the hotel tells us it was the venomous kind.  Apparently there are two kinds in Finland. Very poisonous, and not poisonous at all.  He was sure ours was the first.  So pleased.

Here is the snake.

We have had a fantastic week.  Apart from our sore bums we are not keen to stop.  Certainly not best interested  in returning home.  Harrumph.  Good night.