The Weather's Grimm, Let's Treat Ourselves.

ASIKKALA.

The workshops are up and running by 7am. We put on a final tumble and snooze until 8. We feel obliged to buy something from their shop to repay their hospitality. Especially as we use their toilet this morning as well.

A town called Lahti is on route to our destination. We were talking to a guy dropping his caravan last who came from their who suggested that it was worth a visit. We have plenty of time so call in. We can't find a parking place but it seemed to be a modern concrete town so move on. Later, we learn that it has a harbour so maybe we should have persevered.

The run is at a lovely spot, a man made canal between two lakes. Plenty of parking we even contemplated sleeping but the electric boxes are locked. Get the bikes down and cycle along the canal. Spot a Great Spotted Woodpecker which seemed to blend into the tree bark. The weather is chilly but dry.

At the harbour, Rosie asks if we can use their electricity. No is the reply, but a hotel along the road offers such a service. We return to the van and consider our options over a cup of tea. Then the rain comes in. We get soaked putting the bikes back onto the cycle rack. That settles it, we're going to check out the hotel.

They are doing a deal. Suana, swimming pool, breakfast, parking and electricity equals 48 euro. Much more than we are used to paying but the miserable weather persuades us to stay. We take advantage of the pool and jacuzzi but the saunas are separated by gender. I talk to a guy who is part Swede part Finn. He is staying here for two months' whilst his flat in Stockholm is refurbished. He later joins Rosie and I in the lobby. We talk eastern European politics along with other subjects such as travel and Eurovision Songs. He is a fascinating character, able to socialise but here to meditate and prefers his own company. Later, he brings us a present of one of his favourite foods, dried bread beans. He explains that they can be used as a cereal as he does with muesli, or as a supplement with falafel. Full of fibre and protein with low carbohydrate.

The weather is grey and drizzly as we settle down for the night: