Hanko

Another town, another run route - along one of the further town beaches. Bit windy & bit chilly - not many out. Back in plenty of time for breakie - would it be sufficient to get through to a late lunch / early tea. Slight cause for concern was a couple of girls eating outside in the chill - just hardy Fins. On closer inspection there were plainly too few tables for the full hotel - we were going to have to be hardy too - at least there were blankets. That said I was still a bit warm from the run. What irked was a couple of people who had downstairs sun rooms next to the lounge chose to eat in the lounge. Not fair. Inspite of the chill, filled up with multiple dollops of porridge, pancakes, Finnish meatballs & fruit. The onset of light rain suggested a beach day wasn't in the offing so a walking day it was to be. Nearby headland walk - apparently named the lovers path, which rather incongruously had numerous remains of Finland's part in the war. Eventually the sun appeared & helped the views of Hanko. The bunkers & gun emplacements were interesting, though still need to determine where Finland figures in the cast of WW2. Back to town & stumbled on the toursit info - got some recommendations, 1 of which was to climb the water tower, though it wasn't open for 20 mins. She gave us an architecture tour brochure to tide us over. Where a bizarre seal / worm / loch ness monster sculpture figures on that is open to debate. The watertower / watchtower was only 2 euros - for once sonething in Finland that is cheap. A creaky lift took us up & the views of the town & the Batic Islands were great. Picked out where we were staying & even our car. Popped into the church on the way back - typical Scandinavian minimalism - yet again.Read more