Christoffer Petersen blog

Just shooting straight across it, actually. Trying to catch another boat!

And it’s Day 21 in A Dog called Blitzen on Patreon!

We made it to Helsinki, and got as close to the city as I wanted to be. I’m not anti-cities, but I don’t need to be in them for very long, either.

Leaving Finland was bittersweet, of course. And while the photos don’t do it justice, and can only ever provide a snapshot of our trip (especially as I didn’t add much in the way of description) you can be sure it continues to provide fantastic memories of a fantastic country.

And then it’s back to business – typing up the “Ramshackle Magic” poem I was playing with…

And catching the makings of a beard in the mirror! Yeah, I’m hopeless!

Petra rolls her eyes at this point. And, if you want to know what she’s getting up to, I can tell you we’re on Day 20 of A Dog called Blitzen on Patreon!

The designated campsite was, naturally, our last before returning to the paid campsite where we had left the car.

Re-entry is always a little strange, but there was time to catch up with things such as reading…

Desperately trying to beat Jane at a board game – a recurring problem, as documented on this page.

And writing my own poem, inspired by Mr Hughes – he and Sylvia Plath are firm favourites of mine!

Petra’s also a bit of a favourite and currently on Day 19 of A Dog called Blitzen on Patreon!

It’s all Indy’s fault! I blame Indiana Jones for my interest in the outdoors. I wanted adventure, and in my late teens I embarked on a life as an instructor of outdoor pursuits as it was called in the UK. Basically, I worked at outdoor centres in the UK and USA, focusing mostly on water sports, and specialising in providing inclusive activities for people of all abilities, regardless of any special needs they might have. It’s how I met Jane. So, in a way, Indy brought us together. Still missing the connection? Raiders of the Lost Ark happens to be in that fabled top 3 of my favourite films. Yep, may as well reveal it now… In no particular order, we’ve got Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, and Top Gun. Hopeless, I know, but damn those movies are good! Which is why, when I noticed my shadow (above) I had an Indy moment. 😉

I have superpowers too! Tent cleaning before the off!

And then back on the water! Engine one was out again! But we had a little wind.

And, finally, we discovered that the anchor symbol on the Lake Saimaa map means free campsite for all!

Fortunately, Petra is a little faster on the uptake than Jane and Me. I also think Petra has superpowers.

Find out in Day 18 of A Dog called Blitzen on Patreon!

Rest day! When you find a good spot, and the skinny dippers have moved on, it’s a sign. One has to stay another day!

Petra can’t rest in A Dog called Blitzen. Day 17 is live on Patreon!

The photos don’t do them justice, but it’s quite a strange feeling to look at images that are so old (5000-3200 BC, the Comb Ware period, apparently – we read the sign), and yet, taking a look at the surrounding environment, so in tune with the nature.

You can almost picture the hunt on frozen lakes and the struggle for survival in the wilds of Finland.

We did not struggle.

And we had the place to ourselves… Until (no pictures) a boat of Finnish skinny dippers anchored in “our” bay. 😉

No skinny dipping for Petra… at least, not so far in A Dog called Blitzen. Day 16 on Patreon!