Day 53: Rest Day Rovaniemi - Racpat Scandinavia and the Baltics 2024 - CycleBlaze

August 23, 2024

Day 53: Rest Day Rovaniemi

A Few Errands Done

"Are you the Frenchman?" Patrick asks. We are walking around downtown pushing our bikes and notice a guy looking at us in recognition. "Yes," he says and we talk awhile. He is catching the night train to Helsinki today and then ferry across to Tallinn and a bus to home. We've talked about how different the cycling world is today, at least in Scandinavia where so few stop to talk.

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This has been a nice respite staying at Lotta's place. We only wish that we were meeting again after such a brief encounter in Tajikistan. And we are trying to remember the connection with Maren and Chris with Lotta.

Maren and Chris stayed with us September 2022 through WS. They met up with us in Kirnbergsee and showed us the back roads to their home in Kirchzarten (near Freiberg). https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/racpatmoroccotoholland/day-102-kirnbergsee-to-kirchzarten/
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 Patrick asked Lotta if the yellow bike in the storage shed is "Lady Princess" and she said yes it is!

We've made a pile of gear that we figure we won't need for the last part of the tour...like the overbed mosquito net, extra clothes, water filter and bladder, Patrick's license plates and such. We ride into town and look for the orange sign Posti and not knowing if we need first to find a box. Turns out to be very easy, gear is packed up and mailed to Bjorn in Stockholm.

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Next on the list is finding another sketch/watercolor book for Rachel. She mailed the one that is now almost completely full so wants a second book for the second part of the tour. We return to the shopping mall where Patrick bought the knives and Rachel finds a book/art shop and a new sketchbook.

Part two of the tour: Baltic States and Poland, Tallinn to Gdnask.
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Kathleen JonesWhen you’re back home, I humbly request a gallery page so we can see all the drawings in one place. I think that would be a wonderful way to wrap up the whole trip.
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3 months ago
Rachel and Patrick HugensTo Kathleen JonesThanks Kathleen, nice idea. Should the sketches still be paired with the picture.
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3 months ago
Kathleen JonesTo Rachel and Patrick HugensNo, I think the drawings will (and should) stand on their own.
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3 months ago

We have lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant that offered a set menu of Vietnamese Soup and Salad, a main dish and dessert. While walking around the main downtown, we talk with the Frenchman that we met  a day ago. 

We buy some things for a light dinner and then head back. 

Today's ride: 12 km (7 miles)
Total: 2,694 km (1,673 miles)

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