Visit to Pyynikki and doughnuts!

Another fantastic day in Tampere courtesy of my brilliant host Pirjo and her son, Toomas (apologies if spelt wrong - will check with Pirjo!), and their pekinese dog, whose name I don't know how to spell either!

They picked me up from my apartment and drove me to Pyynikki. I have copied this from the internet rather than writing it myself :

The Pyynikki ridge, one of Tampere's most remarkable natural areas of beauty, is the city's most important recreation area and it is located only two kilometres away from the city centre. The Pyynikki ridge forms a narrow isthmus between the lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi.

The ridge was formed during the last ice age about 10,000 years ago. On the slopes of the ridge there are ancient shores, i.e. natural banks and formations left by ancient seas and lakes. Pyynikki is part of a line of ridges which is over 200 kilometres long, reaching from Kankaanpää to Salpausselkä. The Pyynikki ridge is the highest of these ridges (162 metres above sea level), rising 85 metres above the level of Lake Pyhäjärvi. Thus, the Pyynikki ridge is regarded as the highest gravel ridge in the world. Apart from the gravel ridge, Pyynikki also comprises a moraine ridge and bedrock formed long before the ice age.

Pyynikki has been part of the city since its foundation in 1779. At the time Pyynikki was a cattle pasture, a hunting area and a place from which residents could obtain firewood for their homes. Early on, the beautiful ridge became an important recreation area for the residents. In the 19th century, there were villas and industry on the shores of Lake Pyhäjärvi and part of the area formed a recreation park.

On top of the ridge there is an observation tower with a famous cafeteria. The tower was completed in 1929.

The famous Pyynikki open-air theatre with its revolving auditorium was founded in Joselinniemi in 1948.

Pirjo had planned a quiet walk for us through the forest. However, is was the day for the Likkojen Lenkki women's running event! 

Thousands of women gather to run this event. It is part of 3 women's running events in Finland. The first was in Jyvaskyla on 12th May, the second was here in Tampere today and the third is in Oulu on 18th August. The event started at mid-day when thousands of women gathered in an arena where there was live music and a very famous Finnish rock star - again must get his name from Pirjo. The runners set off about 1.30 beginning with the runners, followed by the nordic walkers and finally the walkers - including some in some great costumes. 

We walked down to the beach - the Finnish people call the lakeside a beach and when you see the size of the lake it is understandable!

Toomas and the pekinese

We then walked round to the open air theatre which is mentioned in the earlier piece:

The revolving theatre

We passed some very beautiful scenery:

After that we walked up to the Pyynikki tower. This is certainly part of Tampere that is not flat! Pirjo is obviously concerned about the number of cakes I am eating and so made me do the steps twice whilst she stayed at the top and took the photo!!!

Second time and still smiling!

We carried on up to the top to the tower:

We walked down the other side to where the runners were gathered. On the way we were looking at the trees which have just come out into leaf and so are really vibrant in their colours. I commented on some moss that I did not recognise and was informed that this was tundra - this was amazing for me. I remembered learning about the tundra at school but never imagined that I would see it for myself!

The tundra is the light green bit in the centre!

We found the main arena and a famous Finnish rock star was singing - unfortunately I could not work out how I had managed to do a video recording before so can't share it with you!

The runners gathering before the event

Most of the women wear link t-shirts. They do not do this as a sponsored event though which was quite strange for me. We then walked quite a large part of the course to find the Tays tent. Along the route various businesses and organisations have a tent or stand. Tays - the hospital where I am based had one on the shore of the lake. Along our way we again passed some beautiful scenery:

Tomorrow Pirjo and I are having lunch in the revolving restaurant at the top of this tower!

It was at this point that my camera announced the memory card was full. I didn't have my book with my instructions from Helen how to delete photos and I kept pressing things but nothing worked so there are no more pictures today! 

We found the Tays group and I am hoping that one of the team will send me her photos so that I can put one into my blog. I saw my friend Pia again - she was on the stand serving drinks and snacks to the runners. They also had scarves with the Tays logo on and so I was given one too. It is the 50th anniversary of the Tays hospital so I felt a bond with it!

We then walked back up to the tower for the promised doughnuts! Pirjo kept telling me that this would be the best tasting doughnut I had ever had - she was right!!! I'm not sure if it was partly because of the over 2 1/2 hours walking we had done but it really was very tasty! 

I then went up the tower - there were a lot of steps but the view from the top was absolutely amazing. I may get back to take some photos and should see similar views from the restaurant tomorrow.

We then walked back to the car and Pirjo and Toomas dropped me off - they kindly helped me to discover the washing machine and so now back to domestic duties - I will need to go and hang my washing!!