Summer weather complaints

 Kompassi café in Eiranranta.

I guess there is no such thing as a summer without people complaining about the weather. 

Maybe it's because I spent last summer in the cold and rainy Brussels that I have now enjoyed the summer in Helsinki greatly. I've been quite surprised by my friends and family complaining about the weather - it's Finland after all. 

Actually, today was the first day I had to use an umbrella on my way to work. At home I realised how nice it was that it was raining heavily; hearing the rain drops against the roof and no hurry to go out.  There was no need for justifications to stay inside with a beer and a good book. 

It was a good moment to go through my summer photos. As a result, here are some pictures of the sunny Helsinki to stress my point. 

A little boat trip (4 EUR) to the island of Harakka just a few hundred meters off Kaivopuisto park. On the other side of the island, a view of the great wild sea surprised me and I forgot I was so close to the city.

                                         Island of Harakka seen from the Kaivopuisto coast.

On my way to work, I always try to enjoy the nice mornings. Peony flowers in Tähtitorininmäki.

Café Köket and the Esplanade 8 am.

One Friday after work, I did a little trip ex tempore to Suomenlinna fortress (Unesco world heritage site, a 15 min boat trip off the Kauppatori). Afterwards it was amazing that I had also worked that day. Never underestimate the power of escaping routines.

Mattolaituri where people come to wash their rugs (how do people do this in other countries?). Next to the trendy Mattolaituri terrace bar. 

Youngsters of Helsinki come to hang around on the grass between the new Music House and Kiasma museum. I'm one of them.

Market stuff at Kauppatori.

On Wednesday I will start my holidays in Africa so I guess my Finnish summer is close to its end, August in Finland is already the beginning of the autumn as the evenings are getting darker in an amazingly fast pace. New ways to escape routines need to be invented then!

Katajanokka and Kruununhaka, on my way to work.