It's starting to get dark

My calf was quite stiff today and conditions still not great so we decided not to ski. Buthers kindly gave us a lift up to the nature centre where we had a look round and a bit of a catch up with buthers, G and E.

When we got back to the hotel Toivo asked if I'd like to join him, Keith and Jeremy returning 4 snowmobiles that needed to go back to yllasjavi. An excellent offer I couldn't refuse.

It's quite a thing just getting the kit on to keep you warm, down trousers, jacket, gloves, balaclava, helmet, goggles. It was getting late in the afternoon and after one thing and another we didn't set off till well past 4pn.

These machines are quite amazing. An 850cc engine and a long rubber belt to drive it at the back with two skis on the front for steering. The throttle is on your right thumb and the brake on the left and no gears. a bit difficult to manoeuvre at low speed and they weigh. 300kg and don't have a reverse gear.


Once you get going they are frighteningly powerful with acceleration you would not believe. Fantastic fun! It's a bit disconcerting initially as it's on a bumpy rutted track about the width of a cross country ski track you first notice that it does not always go exactly where you point it. But over time you build confidence.


Toivo has fantastic control of these machines and goes very fast. Once we get to an open bit I'm soon eating bits of snow kicked up by his machine.

It turns out the route we need to take is about 45k as it is too misty on top of Keur to go the direct route. The light is starting to fade by the time I took this but we can still see well enough for a final blast across the lake.

A fantastic trip and a great way to end the holiday. Needless to say we had a few beers in the humina pub afterwards discussing our exploits.