Churches and cakes galore!

I have had a really great day in Tampere today. I was a little bit anxious as to how I would fill a day on my own but it has been really good. I decided to go to the Baptist church this morning.

I went into the church and found a seat but was then directed to the "English translation" area. I was given a set of headphones. The service was just starting when a man came in, he came over to me and said "You must be Penny" and then explained that his wife would be coming to translate as their regular translator was away. It later transpired this was the Pastor and as always, his wife was filling in amongst her many other duties! The service began with the Chairman - this was not translated and at one point I realised it was more serious and most had their heads down so we must be praying! We then sang a hymn -well, I followed the words in the hymn book. This was the first time I had been able to read the Finnish that was being said - it is quite a straight forward language in that letters are always pronounced in the same way (unlike English) so I quickly picked up the tune and sang very quietly! (Unusually for me!). The choir then came up and sang and then we were straight into the sermon which lasted for a good 45 minutes. The Pastor's wife did a good job trying to translate. Basically we the theme was following on from Pentecost last week. We started with David and Bathsheba, then Job and then the letter of James. He was saying that it is not enough to receive the Holy Spirit but then we must live a life that demonstrates it. At one point he quoted "Dirty Harry" - "a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do!" The Pastor was then done and the Chairman took over again. After the sermon there was communion. This was slightly strange in that the elders stood at the front crumbling the bread, then it was brought round and we picked up our crumbs and the wine followed but we drank it immediately and put it back on the tray. After that there were prayers and then the choir sang two more items and then we had the notices, the offering and the final hymn. The Pastor's wife explained that there would be coffee as it was one of the older ladies birthday. I decided that it was just over 10 minutes to my bus so I would catch that and so went to the bus stop.

At the bus stop I met a lady from the church, Tuulo, and we travelled into town together chatting about the church, her job as a physiotherapist, her elderly aunt and her daughter. I then went back to the cathedral. A lady was putting a sign up to say there would be a christening soon. I went into the church but the gallery was closed so I still could not get up close to the beautiful stained glass and had to suffice with a postcard!

The resurrection (still not overly sure!)

Supposed to be organ playing and views but don't think it's worked!!!

One of the windows

I then walked part of the architectural and industrial walks (yellow and blue routes) that I had not completed previously. I went to the former business school which was designed by one of the first female Finnish architects, Wivi Lonn.

The business school (now a hotel)

In front of the hotel

After this I walked up to the Finlayson area. The cotton mill was founded by Scotsman James Finlayson in 1820 and was one of the largest industrial enterprises of that time. It now houses restaurants, shops, the Finnish Labour museum, and the newspaper Aamulehti.

The entrance to Finlayson

The museum

The Co-operative Store

It had been drizzling and now the rain was quite heavy so I decided to head back to the square and ahve some lunch. This was cake number one - a very nice "Pulla" (a traditional sweet Finnish bread cake). When I came out the sun was shinning.

The Keskustori in the sunshine

I carried on walking along the main street back to the Alexander Church. I spotted a bird in the grounds that has been intriguing me. It is like a thrush but seems a bit bigger to me and the plumage more spotted. It has the most amazing call - it is like wood "clacking"! I have asked Pirjo if she knows what this bird is but she did not - any twitchers reading this??!! (unfortunately he would not stay still for his picture - mid-left!)

I went to the Alexander Church and took some more photos of it and the "Spring" staute and went inside too.

The fountain "Spring"

The alter

The entrance and organ loft

The church is named Alexander church as the foundation stone was laid on the same day that Czar Alexander II celebrated his 25th year of rule (Finland was under Russian rule at this time - 1880).  There was a small table with a "daily thought" set up which I thought was quite poignant:

"Just today I found that one gentle touch is worth a thousand words. Forgive me, dear Lord! Forgive me, dear family, too often I've chosen the thousand words".

I walked around the church to the granite sculpture "Sorrow" which is set in front of the old cemetery.

Sorrow

The old cemetery

I then walked up to the Roman Catholic Church. A much more modern building with very beautiful stained glass.

The entrance way

The altar

The side chapel

The Madonna and child

I came back past a former granary:

I then set off for the forest area - Pyynikki as the weather was quite sunny and pleasant now. I recognised where I was - it was where the arena had been for the Lenkki and I remembered that we had passed a private art gallery so I went back there. It was the Willa Mac which is both the palace building and the art gallery. It was built like an Italian Palazzo. It had some interesting exhibits!

The Italian front

I then walked to the forest. It was so beautiful and green and very peaceful.

I enjoyed walking through the forest. It was easy to find paths where there were no other people. The birds were singing, the sun was shining and it was really relaxing. I made my way to the tower. I noticed a bench looking out over the southern lake (Pyhajarvi). I sat for a while enjoying the view and the sun. I wanted to capture this moment in my memory as it is a place I would like to remember.

The pictures do not do it justice!

I then went back up the tower and this time was able to take some pictures.

View of the Nasinneula tower where I was 2 weeks ago!

Looking across the city of Tampere

Out to the northern lake - Nasijarvi

The tower was only 24 metres high compared to the 124 metres of the Nasinneula tower. However, my legs felt it going up all the stairs! When I came down it was time for coffee and I could not resist the warm, cardamom doughnuts again! However, there was also carrot cake so I bought a piece for later too!!! I then went back to the bench and enjoyed the view and sounds and smells again. Then I walked back through the forest.

I really wished that my words and pictures could capture the beauty and tranquillity of this special place. It will always hold very wonderful memories for me.

I walked back towards the central main street. On my way I passed this lovely statue. I could not read the Finnish but I liked her anyway!

I then caught the bus back to my flat after a really lovely day and now I am preparing myself for my final week in Finland. It was only once I got back that I remembered that I had bought a very nice chocolate cake on the market yesterday but had felt too full to eat it so it rally has been a day of cakes and I think at least one if not both of my purchases will wait for another day!!!