Sodankyla to Salla
More history today ... and to probably misquote Hegel "The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history."
Visited numerous sites on the way and a Museum in Salla commemorating or detailing atrocities and bravery as the local population suffered, fought back and eventually capitulated to aggression from the USSR in the Winter War and then again from retrearing German forces in the Lapland Wars
And although obviously at no risk it is a discomforting feeling to get within yards of the current Russian border ... you can easily understand why Finland recently joined NATO.
Not really many lighter photos to share today.
One perhaps interesting, every now and then you see black plastic bags or sheeting hanging from trees and being from "dog loving" England it is easy to assume you know what these are... but no...apparently Sami herders hang these up when they are near a road to warn drivers!
Different reindeer today... the statue is in Salla Centre as are the huge rocks forming part of the origional Sapaline, anti-tank defences started by the Finns in 1940 and running all the way from the Baltic to Finnish Lapland. Still considered Finland biggest construction site!
Oh and the wonderful Finnish bust shelters ... and a couple of ostriches??? No idea...
