today i went on a bit of a family outing with my brother, who is visiting, and dad. we drove to nearby rihtniemi because there was a strong wind, and the cape is great for lovers of crashing waves. but first we stopped by a medieval stone stack called vihitynmaanrinki (circle of ordained land), a burial site according to local lore. i suppose they occasionally dig up the stones from the overgrowing undergrowth, otherwise the forest would have devoured the site long ago.
the wind was so strong by the sea, i had trouble balancing myself on the rocks. i also wore wellies which made everything more slippery and treacherous. but they were good for wading through the stinking bay of seaweed to get to a nice spot with ponds full of small seashells and other sea life.
being the only one with a 'proper' camera along, i felt obliged to take lots of pictures even though i really just wanted to pick the sea buckthorn fruits, which were still mostly good. i only gathered a small handful (besides all the ones i ate on the spot!) because my fingertips froze in my fingerless mitts. seems like winter might be on its way to us. there's already snow up north.
we followed the shore farther to a bird watching tower. while walking there, a man in a neoprene suit came jogging down the path, which baffled us until we saw his windsurfing gear by the tower. i thought him crazy for going out there into the rocky, trashing sea, and alone as well, but he looked very happy when we chatted with him a bit. reminded me of the irish surfers...
the view was amazing, open sea wide open before the eyes. ironically, no birds. just some gloomy dead, cut-half birch trees.
all in all a great but tiring day. lots of fresh air, cranberry pie and tea, a whiskey toddy for my sore throat (from mouse-poopy dust while clearing the storage a bit... eww!) and a gorgeous, bright full moon now high up in the sky. i bet i will wake up knowing i've been skipping about on those rocks, though...
