Thursday 17 February 2011

Thursday 17th February

We started the day off by visiting Parkunmäki Primary School, on the way to Savonlinna.

We were treated to Auld Lang Syne in Finnish, by the school band!
The children showed us how they sing and dance!
The girls taught English colours to their Finnish peers at Parkunmäki school.
Delivering the Powerpoint presentations.

Lovely salmon for lunch!




Snow football...Finland v Scotland
After playing snow football...check out the frozen eyelashes!

Before we left Parkunmäki koulu primary school at lunch time.



At Savonlinna. What a scene!
In Olavinlinna Castle.
Can you see the steam rising by the "boiling" water? !!


How deep is this snow?
Our accommodation, by night.


Some thoughts from a very busy and wonderful day today here.

Katrina: We went to a tiny school this morning and we had salmon there for lunch. We went to Oskari seal centre to learn about the Saimaaa ringed seal. In Savonlinna, we went to the supermarket to buy things. On the way home in the bus, we went a bit mad, singing songs!

Catriona: In the supermarket in Savonlinna, we bought some Finnish stuff. I bought these “functional chewy pastilles” which are really nice.

Amy: We went to Olavinlinna Castle and we got to see lots of things there. It was -35C when we left here this morning, and -27C this afternoon. It was really fun! We went to a restaurant for dinner and had really nice pork. I'm loving it here!

Iola: I thought the sledging at the school we visited this morning was brilliant. We visited a huge castle this afternoon- it was cold there, but good. I liiked the pork we had for dinner at the restaurant.

Frazer: We did lots of fun things today. We played snow football at the school we visited this morning. The score was Finland 1, Scotland 1. The castle we visited had great views. After that we shopped for some things, and I have eaten most of what I bought. I bought some Lego people and a car. Later, we went to a restaurant in Rantasalmi and I had lots and lots of mashed people. I have really enjoyed this week so far.

Ryan: I have enjoyed playing in the snow. I had great fun skiing yesterday, and the football today was good. The score was 1-1. Tonight we are going to try the sauna.

Irwin: Playing football was really good- I scored the goal for Scotland! I also enjoyed ice-skating yesterday. It's very cold! Tomorrowe I will be skiing at the link school.

Michael: I enjoyed going to the museum. I enjoyed playing football with the Finnish children today. At half time, Finland was leading 1-0. But we scored in the second half. The castle today was very good. I bought a historic envelope opener at the castle. So far, I am having a great time!!

Kyle: I have enjoyed the music museum and the castle. The ice skating at Kuvansi school was very good. Tomorrow, I am looking forward to going skiing. The weather is really cold- it's freezing!

Ewan B: I liked the ice skating and the museum was funny. I am quite excited about going to try the sauna. Finland is really great. It's cold. The snow football this morning was cool. This afternoon we visited Olavinlinna Castle and it was weird going out this morning when it was -35C!

Dean: I really enjoyed the snow football because it seemed to have no rules. The final score was 1-1 and Irwin scored the goal for Scotland. Afterwards, I had frosting of my eyelashes- Mr Purves took a photo of it! I am really enjoying Finland!

Mrs Hilsley: We are having an absolutely fantastic time here! The children are real stars, and they are an absolute credit to you and the school. The children have thrown themselves into everything we have done, and we are being very well treated by all the Finnish people here.

And some final thoughts, after the sauna!

Quote from Lewis: That was AWESOME! It's the best thing I have ever done in my life!!!

He is referring to the fact that when the boys all went to the sauna, they raced out and rolled in the snow afterwards!! It was certainly an experience of a lifetime!

20 comments:

Linda Hummel said...

WOW! Everything looks so beautiful and you look like you're having a great time. Hmm, hope the staff enjoyed the bus singing as much as you did!

Fiona Kent said...

sounds like u all had another amazing day. and well done to irwin for scoring the equalizing goal. hope you enjoyed the sauna ryan!!! LOL. Love everyone xxxx

The Riva Family said...

Wow, another action packed day. I must say again we REALLY wish we were there, it all sounds so fantastic!! You all sound as if you are having the most wonderful time and making every minute count. Dean we are missing you a lot but are delighted to see that you are having such a great time. I think the football game sounded great and the sauna experience even better! Keep enjoying every minute of the holiday. Dean your eyelashes are amazing! Take care, love to all.
Andrew, Tracy and Beth Riva

Ethans cousin, Niamh said...

Looks like you are having a great time, I'm pretty jealous to be honest, looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back. :)

Gunn Family said...

-35 brrrr! Looks like your having a brill time. Good to see Scotland not losing at football for once. Loving seeing the photos and reading what you've been up to.

Granite said...

Hi Kathryn
You must be having such a great time. Here I am writing because humans obviously cant spell. Looks so cold over there but so much fun. Really enjoying seeing the pictures. Enjoy skating tomorrow. Hope you see the Northern Lights at some point.

Beth Riva said...

Hi Dean and P7's, I am very, very, very jealous. I really wish I was there. You all look to be having a lot of fun. Dean your eyelashes are cool!! I have had lots of fun here too but miss you. Beth x

trotter family said...

hi amy-surely the food can't be as good as your dads cooking-maybe just as well you can't reply to that.read your comments on your activity for today,so glad you are having great fun.will keep looking at the blog to keep up with what your doing-oh by the way-wear that hat.loads o love dad n adam.x

Donaldson family said...

What a fantastic day !Shaping up to be a trip of a lifetime.Sauna and rolling in the snow is definately for the young ones!Have a great day tomorrow

Margaret Grindlay said...

What a great time you are all having in Finland. Looks absolutely fantastic. Hope your eyelashes have defrosted Dean! Looking forward to hearing all about your trip when you come back. Have lots of fun. Granny & Grandad

Janey Jack said...

That's what you call snow! It looks lovely and sounds like you are all having a great time. The house is very quiet without you Ewan. Have a fantastic time and remember to take some photos.

Janey Jack

Lisa Kielty, Lol and Sam said...

You are certainly making the most of your time there! Well done on the football, (especially scoring the goal Irwin - your snow boots musn't be too big then!)
The castle looks beautiful enough to rival any we have in Scotland. Dean looks like an extra from The Chronicles of Narnia!
Have a super day tomorrow and thanks Mr Purves for keeping us all posted. P.s.Irwin and Harry ; Sam and Lol say hello and that it looks like you're all having a cool time and they're not mising you ONE BIT. Meanies! - and Lol's braces look cool Irwin!
p.p.s Desperate to see you in your snowsuit and scarf.

Stephanie Heawood said...

We love seeing the photos and hearing what a fantastic time you are having. We wish we were there too! We hope you see the Northern Lights. I wonder what a Finnish supermarket is like?
Have fun tomorrow.
Stephanie and Richard xxx

Parkumäki 5-6 class said...

It was very funny, that you visited in our school. We hope that you have nice time in Finland. Next time we will winn you in snow football!

Bye, bye 5-6 class from Parkumäki.

James Coleman said...

Hi Mike glad you are having a great time hope you have got some photos.
Well done to Yester football team 1-1 !!
Take care hope you all have a great last few day see you soon Jim.

Unknown said...

Glad you are having such a great time - it looks fantastic!

Love to you both,
Tina & Mike (Cumming).

Unknown said...

Glad you're having such a great time - it looks fantastic!

Love to both of you,
Tina & Mike.
x

Jürgen Hummel said...

Your trips sounds amazing so far. I can't believe nobody is complaining about the cold temperatures; all your activities must be keeping you warm. Keep having fun!

Mrs. Cusack said...

Primary 7 it looks like you are having a great time. Looking great in all of the photos. I can't believe how cold it is. I believe we have snow forecast this weekend, but I doubt if it'll be anything like the snow in Finland :-) Enjoy every minute. Take Care.

Hanna Dzikowska-McKirdy said...

The castle looks amazing! ...and you all seem to be having such a fantastic adventure.

Megan, I hope you are having a great time on your birthday. It'll certainly be one you'll remember for years to come! lots of love Mum :-) xxxx

Carry on having a great time everyone! Take care, Hanna