KEURUU/VIIKINHOVI

”Ponsa”, Central Finland.

One more continuation series…

…When I climbed up to the attic, I encountered strong traces of the life that had been lived there. On hangers/wooden beams, me and my parents’ old clothes still hung neatly, untouched for a while, but telling their story of the house. Everything looked so much the same as before, albeit more worn. The old rocking chair stood in its place, and the table next to it. The only thing that distinguished the present from the past was the absence of a suitcase on the table. That table had long been tasked with carrying it throughout our visits. The same drawings and my paintings were also still on the attic room’s wall….

I returned to the present moment only when we came back to the car and drove to the center of Keuruu, where I met an old friend/family acquaintance which I hadn’t seen in years. I heard from her that some of our local family acquaintances had passed away. More of these sad news again, which have been coming at regular intervals over the past few years.

Later we went to eat at a pizza-kebab place recommended by my friend, and they truly had delicious kebab dishes!

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This song brings to mind our cottage and the village it’s in.

Tuesday, August 8th.

The day of departure had arrived. The morning started once again with a delightful breakfast that set the tone for the day. The lovely kitchen staff woman brought me Karelian pasties (when we went to breakfast so late that they had already started clearing away the dishes). Those, along with the coffee, were the best, and the Swedish hash were also good! (Swedish hash (=”pyttipannu”) is a Finnish dish made with diced potatoes, onions, and various types of meat (such as sausage or ham), often served with fried eggs on top. It’s a hearty and flavorful dish, commonly enjoyed in Finland and Sweden.)

After breakfast, we returned the keys to the friendly receptionist and started driving back home. The return day had been forecasted to have storms, but luckily they didn’t affect our route too severely. A couple of times, we briefly drove through heavy rain showers, but only for a short while.

Kangasala: ”In the top branch.” This titled poem is written by the Finnish poet Aaro Hellaakoski. He was born in Kangasala in 1893.

”Kaarinanpolku is approximately 60 kilometers long hiking trail, which was established in the autumn of 2001. The trail runs through the Western and Northern parts of Kangasala, connecting Lempäälä’s Birgitanpolku to the northern wilderness of Kangasala. It also provides a connection to Tampere’s exercise routes and extends from Taivalpirtti all the way to Valkeakoski. The route goes through forest roads and trails, with the passage facilitated by the construction of duckboard walkways and bridge structures.

The trail is marked with wooden posts and signs, featuring directional arrows, destination names, and distances. Additionally, there are three lean-to shelters and fireplaces along the route: Katajajärvi, Personkolo, and Norojärvi.

Kaarinanpolku is intended solely for hiking and skiing.”

We also came across the incredibly beautiful Ponsantie road, with stunning hills. I don’t recall ever driving along this route with my family (but it was suggested by Google Maps)…

Roughly 3 hours later, we were back home and so had this journey come to an end…

…Houses, like people, deteriorate over time… So many loved ones had departed… So many lives lived and lost… but they always remain within me and never fade away…

Until next time, take care!

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