Sunny Days

We are having beautiful warm weather and the forecast is good so the shorts and summer tops are out, just like these people in Finland making their way across to the island of Seurasaari.  Located just a few kilometre from Helsinki the island has been described as "a tranquil oasis in the midst of the city".  The traditional Finnish way of life is displayed in cottages, farmsteads and manors of the last four centuries in buildings that have been relocated from all over Finland. 

"Open air museum, Seurassaari, Helsinki"

and are scattered amongst the forest landscape of the island. The stamp is one of two on the theme of 'Tourism' issued in 1991, the 9th time of Norden, when the Nordic countries of Finland, Faroes, Greenland and  Åland issued stamps on a common theme. On midsummer's eve a huge bonfire is built on a small isle off the coast of Seurasaari and a newly wedded couple is rowed to the island in a traditional rowing boat and they will light the bonfire to great celebration.

Here is the largest lake in Finland, the Saimaa, and a lovely old boat making its way along some of its 1,700 square miles.

Steamer on lake Saimaa

The back of the card paints a most inviting picture when it says "Cruising in Saimaa Lake District offers unforgettable experiences in a labyrinth of islands and lakes - a most typical Finnish scenery.  Cruising on Saimaa also reminds us of the time of old romantic steamers, when ships were an important means of transport in this area".

An entry to Viridian Postcard's Sunday Stamps "anything you like" theme here.