Finland pictures in March driving from the Santa Clause Village back home to Tampere.
Taken on our trip to Lapland, these pictures in March start where we begin driving down south.
At the end of this page, I'll take you to Tampere, for a walk in a park and a flashback memory of our wedding ceremony at the Finlayson church in Tampere"
From where Santa is at the Santa Clause village. And it looks like this.
It's the 'Santa is Here' sign!
We are journeying by car from Rovaniemi, Lapland where we visited Santa Clause at the Santa Clause Village, now on our way south to Tampere. See the more detailed trip to Lapland here.
Santa in LEGO!
Perhaps LEGO made this Lego Santa Clause for his truly?
Wooden toys
Inside Santa's wooden toy store.
It is the beginning of March in Finland. Snow covers all of Finland. To make driving safer, automobiles are equipped with studded 'spiked tires', since the roads are usually caked with snow and ice.
Pictures in March -White, Grey, hazey misty blue at times, lot's of snow.
Between Posio and Kuusamo
There is a snow storm blowing, but I manage to find a break in the sky, stop the car and get out in time to get this shot across a lake at a rest-stop between Posio and Kuusamo.
A rest stop near Posio
The hazey sky clouds our view across the lake.
Panning 180 degrees, across the street is this view.
Near the village of Posio
After an hour drive we take a rest and stop to shop for reindeer products, or any sorts of little gift item for our house sitters.
Reindeer foods
Reindeer stuff everywhere in all shapes and sizes. Canned, pickled, minced, fresh.
Reindeer and Knives!
Canned Reindeer bottom left -- Right: Handmade wooden carved cups, knives.
Pictures in March of a short lazy Sunday walk.
To and through the Näsipuisto park, with a surprise memory!
Street trees in March
First I'll take a look around. Leafless trees on each side of the street on my left side
Now turning my head to the right, against the clear blue sky is the Näsinneula observation tower.
Näsinneula tower & restaurant
A para-glider is near the mast!
From here, I'll walk toward the center of town, for 5 minutes to enter the Näsi park Näsipuisto
Trees at the park entrance.
Towering spruce tree at the Näsipuisto park!
And to think, these trees are no higher than 25 meters (82 feet), with a trunk diameter of around 50 centimeters (19.5 inches). Compared to many American tree species, these Finnish trees are dwarfish.
At the very top, the canopy branches into two trunks
FYI -The Näsinpuisto park has non-indigenous tree species too. Not shown here.
A typical looking Finnish birch in March
Canopy of the previous birch
From the park, near the birch tree I notice people walking out on the ice.
Pictures in March of people walking on ice!
Lighthouse at lake Näsijärvi near the Särkänniemi amusement park
But why are they all out there? A closer look reveals the walking paths created in the snow which lead out to the lighthouse with all kinds of activities. Food, paragliding, skating. Here is a close up the winter playground
On my way out of the park I'll walk along the most outer path which circles around the park until I arrive at the bank of the Tammer river. Tammerkoski
Tampella residential apartment building near the park.
Pictures in March of interesting buildings along the way.
The Tampere art center taidekeskus building.
Zooming in on the building's round windows
Now I am on my way to the Finlayson area in Tampere.
Here is the Tallipiha cafe where you can get warm with a mug of coffee or hot cocoa.
Old building opposite of the Tallipiha cafe
Tallipiha cafe building
As I walk past the cafe toward the Finlayson area, memories come to mind of a major event that took place at the Finlayson church over a decade ago.
The event influenced the person I have become.
Before I capture the front view of the Finlayson church. A photo of the church's side.
At the church
The next four pictures in March are of the outside of Finlayson church.
Finlayson church is where Aura and I were married back in February 2000. The weather then was cooler.
Side of the Finlayson church with a city tree
Zooming in closer!
More tree!
Even closer!
Contour and surface of a city tree in Tampere, Finlayson!
This tree is significance since it shows up again a few pictures later. Watch!
Finally, the front of the church!
Front of the Finlayson church
As I am taking this picture, one memory comes to mind I just have to share with you!
In my memory...I can hear the church organ playing. I can pictures the 300 + guests as they walked slowly into the Finlayson church populating the benches. Friends and relatives from near and abroad.
Inside the church, an atmosphere of excitement and hope!
It makes me teary eyed to think about it.
For the memory's sake...a few pictures of our wedding at the Finlayson church in the winter of 2000.
Inside Finlayson church the bride and groom face each other!
After saying "I do" or in Finnish "Tahdon", we are pronounced husband and wife.
Exchanging rings!
Rice throw and guests cheer at Front of the Finlayson church
Above my head -the tree
After the wedding ceremony, we make a dash for the car. Aura is hiding behind flowers.
Front of the Finlayson church
Some wise guy is pouring rice on my head. Still remember picking rice out of my clothes for the longest time!. By God's grace, after 11 years, we are still married!
End of memory!
Now I'll walk from the Finlayson church toward the center of town. The last stage of my Sunday walk.
About 50 meters from the church is the Finlayson factory outlet shop.
I'll walk past the Finlayson factory outlet shop. The shop is interesting for tourists and locals.
Outside entrance of the Finlayson factory outlet store in Tampere
Buy towels and other Finlayson fabrics from this story at reduced rates!
See the area I walked on a map at and around Näsipuisto park.
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