Salla to Hossa
A harder one today.... rained on and off which made looking out for memorials difficult.
Started day as usual with reindeer...seeing wandering about and then in my breakfast quiche.... what?
Crossed the Arctic Circle for the final time and rode through the ski resort of Ruka.
Learned from a local that the reason there were so many reindeer on the road now is because the mosquitoes are in full swing in the forest and the reindeer have learned they can get relief in the middle of the carriageway..... makes sense I guess.
I also had another question answered. I couldn't understand why there were so many memorials to people - women, children and babies included - killed by "partisans". I associated partisans with civilians who fought against an occupying enemy.... why would they be killing locals. It transpires that in this Finnish context the patisans were a paramilitary forces of Soviet mercenaries who attacked villages and remote houses in the Finnish eastern borderlands during the Continuation War 1941–1944. They burned the houses, stole food and cattle, and killed civilians indiscriminately. Saw some horrendous accounts.
Enough.... also saw some work by local artists..... !!!
Oh and a park where you could pay to see reindeer... mmmm!
