The last 2 days have just been a mixture of snowboarding, eating, saunas and watching the final games of ice hockey in the Sochi Winter Olympics. The temperature has been getting warmer but the wind stronger, so overall it doesn't feel much different. David needs to be careful he doesn't grow horns and get signed up for sleigh duty, he has been eating so much reindeer he might just turn into one - on pancakes with smoked cheese, stuffed into steak with pepper sau...

It had 'warmed' up overnight, it was only minus 17c when we got up in the morning but that wasn't going to stop us trying out the slopes of Levi. There was a bit of wind as well to make it feel even colder, so wrapping up was job number one. Six pieces of thermal underwear later we had the flexibility and movement of the 'Michelin Man' but snug and warm. The wind and snow was still ferocious but the condition of the pistes were good. The runs could be considered ...

With the temperature dropping and David having a sore ankle, it was an easy choice to have a lazy day before moving on to our next destination. We ventured out briefly to take Nena for a walk - being minus 10c, going as far as the lake was long enough for all of us. On our way back we stopped in by Eväskori where they make the most enormous pizzas with local toppings - only the optional oregano brings it close to resembling an Italian pizza. One Bear & ...

We were back on the slopes for a second day in a row today for some more snowboarding. We had some great runs and then for reasons unknown, David decided to try riding switch on a reasonably challenging red run. The heel turn was fine but the first attempt at a toe turn tested the new helmet and the second gave his ankle a good enough jar to cut the day short. Not too short though because we had to get to Timo & Jonna's for dinner. We hadn't seen them for 2 y...

The alarm was set early, well, at least in time to watch dawn turn to day which is about 9am. The aim was to get a morning snowboarding. In all the haste, we arrived at the ski centre without jackets & money so back home and take two. When we eventually hit the slopes the visibility wasn't great but the snow was pristine & no queues at the lifts. We managed 6.75km in an hour and our legs were beginning to feel it - it's mostly T-bars here so there is no c...