Sunday, 25 June 2023

Iron Curtain Trail

 Ilomantsi to Uukeniemi via Mohka


A quick change day today ....one minute riding in boiling sun next raindrops the size of tadpoles rattling tank and visor!

Great breakfast though with Leena and her husband ... never did get his name. He chattered away constantly to me in Finnish and we had no idea of what each other  was talking about except when I indicated I wanted to park my bike on level concrete so I could check the oil he brought me an oil change pan so something must have clicked.

The farm had been in Leena's family since the 1750s and the stories she told me about the many - and in her mind recent  border conflicts were harrowing.

On Leenas recommendation went on slight detour to Mohka.... glad I did for the ride - saw this memorial and nachine gun emplacement and the barge  - but the destination disappointing...












The day was then spent riding alongside the border, marked by yellow posts and signs -  in some places there was farmland withing the exclusion zone but you were warned not to go onto it without a permit which presumably locals have.8










The verges with the wild lupins - have I mentioned them  - were beautiful.

Just past one border crossing still in operation ... but didn't go!







Faith was apparent in the region... many churches had been built  and rebuilt after the conflicts as some were destroyed and or their parishioners and congregations forced to flee as land was taken by or ceded to the Russians.  


The most isolated cabin I have so far.... miles from water  - other than the lake, which I did swim in - but at least I had my own toilet!





And finally ..... imagine being the idiot in this village .... twice blessed....


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