Trip into Tampere

I had decided that today I would brave the bus and go into Tampere and have an explore. I misread the bus timetable - realised that the time given was when it left the starting point Linnainmaa not when it came to my stop! Still was able to chat to a girl who reassured me that I was at the right place and when to get off. I had my map and followed the route into the centre. We stopped at the Rautatieasma (railway station) - useful for when I have to go back to Helsinki. Then the centre - Keskustori was 2 stops further on.

It is a bank holiday here today for the Ascension and typically it is overcast and wet! However, I was armed with my map and camera and set off. Pirjo had left me a guide with some walks so I decided to do the red route - Tammerkoski - In the flow of the city. This follows the rapids and seemed a good place to start.

The shops are all closed as it is a bank holiday so there were no shopping distractions! I first called at the Apteeki (pharmacy) - my running career came to a sudden end last Thursday. I had been struggling with my knee and bunion but trying to get beyond it. After my run on Thursday I developed sciatica from my left hip radiating right down to my foot. Ever since I have been really suffering to walk never mind run. On Saturday Andrew persuaded me to take my running shoes out of my case (I had to lose some items for my luggage allowance). I have been taking regular anti-inflammatories and painkillers and keeping moving but it is still troublesome. Therefore, I have almost used up the small supply I brought with me so have bought more - the limit here is 30 40mg Ibuprofen and 30 500mg paracetamol. Anyway, enough of my aches and pains!

I started my walk in the square:

I went down to the south-side harbour

I walked around the harbour and looked at the boats - I shall be having dinner with the University of TAMK group next Tuesday on one of these boats. I walked over the bridges and then continued round the harbour following the walk. This took me across the Tammerkoski rapids and the power plant which harnesses their energy. It used to be a major industrial area with a large cloth mill but this has now been replaced by a hotel and MacDonald's!

possibly one of the boats I'll be on

I tried to show the movement of the water in this picture

I followed the water round to the Hameensilta bridge which has 4 statues on it depicting the Tax collector, the Finnish maiden, the Tradesman and the Hunter.

I think the figure here is the hunter!

The building in the picture above is that Theatre. I carried on to the Tammerkoski rapids. Apparently these were formed about 6,000 years ago when the waters from Lake Nasijarvi came across the narrow isthmus of land between Lake Nasijarvi in the north and Lake Pyhajarvi in the south. The market place was developed here in the 17th century and King Gustavus III founded the city of Tampere in 1779 (history lesson over!).

I walked to the Koskipuisto park with the monument honouring the Finnish soldiers - known as the "Will-o'-the-wisps).

I now realise that where I was getting "low battery" on my camera the pictures I thought I was taking were not actually being taken! I shall have to go back to the rapids. Another lesson learnt - always carry spare batteries and change them straight away! Then I found a couple of photos so hopefully this will give an idea of their power and force. unfortunately thy are doing work on the bridge and so it is closed. The water is right in the centre of the picture, the white rectangle

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I then walked back across the water and made my way back to the main square.

The Wooden Old Church

The central square - Keskustori

The church above is the oldest building in the city centre - 1824. The plan was to have 4 churches of different denominations in the four corners of the square. However, the other 3 were never built and now it is the home of the Swedish congregation in Tampere. I found a very nice coffee shop (one of the few that were open that was not Subways / Macdonald's etc..!) which finally service decaff coffee and I couldn't resist her freshly made cinnamon whirls!

I thought I ought to walk this off so carried on picking up the blue route - Architectural pearls! Some of the buildings I had already seen were part of this. I walked along Kaunpakatu and saw the Tirkkonen building. Apparently this is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Tampere - I'll let you make up your own minds!

I continued along Kaunpakatu towards the main library. In front of this there was a market - most of the stalls were French and there was a band playing.

The Metso - main library

The library was closed - I had hoped to go there as it houses the Moominvalley museum. Some of you may be familiar with the books by Tove Jansson.

The library is called "Metso" which means wood-grouse. Apparently when viewed from the air it resembles a woodgrouse spreading its wings!

I had a wander round the market and was amazed to meet Pirjo. She was there with her son! We are meeting later for my riding lesson and I was really pleased to hear that Pia is coming along too (my sauna and swimming partner!).

I shall report back on my riding lesson another time!

I have just previewed my blog and realised that somehow I did a video so you can even hear the band!!!