We've spend a week in Muonio in Finland near the Swedish border. A great area to hang out if you like outdoor activities. We spend hours in the forests of the Pallas Yllastunturin Kansallispuisto National Park, jee mouthful! And when you keep in mind that day light is about one hour, we've been out there in the dark for a long time.
All this in temperatures from -5° down to - 26° Celsius.
So what you really want to find after ten hours in the cold is a nice coffee. Let this now be the problem. Lappi's, that is what they call the locals, are amongst the most coffee drinking people on our planet. But I guess they only looked at the quantity and not the quality.
Kahvi is the translation for coffee in Finland, but most of the time you find instant coffee. You can't expect five coffee shops in a "town" with 2200 people. So in Muonio is one!
Only problem it is situated about 3km from Harriniva were we had our base camp. No transport really, so that means walking. Lovely, all the clothing you can find, two pair of socks, boots, thermo clothing, jacket, special overall, buff, beanie, gloves and out the door for an hour walk along the frozen river in deep snow (was the shortest way).
Surprise, surprise, the name of the joint is "Swiss coffee house". Chocolates? Watches? Nope, pretty good coffee and nice cakes.
This was the best we could find.
They had a whole range, from cappuccino, latté and of course the Swiss liquor coffee, but without liquor. The lady had no alcohol licence!
Any way, a fantastic week full of action, dog sledding, reindeer riding, snow scooter, walking and .... our first bike ride of the year. On fat tyre bikes, great fun but a big effort in the snow and uphill to a ski station. Oh and no warmer then -15 !!
When we were back in Harriniva we had the choice between an instant coffee and a Finnish beer. I took the beer, not that was any better tho.
In the meantime, probably with a difference of at least 35°, the National Road Championships were held in New Zealand and Australia. Lucky we had internet acces even in the coldest part of Europe.
I would like to nominate as youngster of the week. James Fouche (Team Wiggins), winning the U23 road race and time trial. Fantastic win over a field that included all the New Zealand World Tour riders!
The Mike Greer Homes female team dominated both U23 road race and time trial, with wins for Georgia Christie and Jenna Merrick.
I hope to get an interview in a Gent coffee shop with these aces when they arrive in Europe.
In Australia the titles went to Nick White (Bridgelane) (road) and Liam Magennis (Drapac) became TT champ.
Sarah Gigante won both road and TT title.
The season has started! Bring it on!!!
All this in temperatures from -5° down to - 26° Celsius.
So what you really want to find after ten hours in the cold is a nice coffee. Let this now be the problem. Lappi's, that is what they call the locals, are amongst the most coffee drinking people on our planet. But I guess they only looked at the quantity and not the quality.
Kahvi is the translation for coffee in Finland, but most of the time you find instant coffee. You can't expect five coffee shops in a "town" with 2200 people. So in Muonio is one!
Only problem it is situated about 3km from Harriniva were we had our base camp. No transport really, so that means walking. Lovely, all the clothing you can find, two pair of socks, boots, thermo clothing, jacket, special overall, buff, beanie, gloves and out the door for an hour walk along the frozen river in deep snow (was the shortest way).
Surprise, surprise, the name of the joint is "Swiss coffee house". Chocolates? Watches? Nope, pretty good coffee and nice cakes.This was the best we could find.
They had a whole range, from cappuccino, latté and of course the Swiss liquor coffee, but without liquor. The lady had no alcohol licence!
Any way, a fantastic week full of action, dog sledding, reindeer riding, snow scooter, walking and .... our first bike ride of the year. On fat tyre bikes, great fun but a big effort in the snow and uphill to a ski station. Oh and no warmer then -15 !!When we were back in Harriniva we had the choice between an instant coffee and a Finnish beer. I took the beer, not that was any better tho.
In the meantime, probably with a difference of at least 35°, the National Road Championships were held in New Zealand and Australia. Lucky we had internet acces even in the coldest part of Europe.
I would like to nominate as youngster of the week. James Fouche (Team Wiggins), winning the U23 road race and time trial. Fantastic win over a field that included all the New Zealand World Tour riders!
The Mike Greer Homes female team dominated both U23 road race and time trial, with wins for Georgia Christie and Jenna Merrick.
I hope to get an interview in a Gent coffee shop with these aces when they arrive in Europe.
In Australia the titles went to Nick White (Bridgelane) (road) and Liam Magennis (Drapac) became TT champ.
Sarah Gigante won both road and TT title.
The season has started! Bring it on!!!
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