Tuesday 23 August: Helsinki to Tammisarri

 We wake to sunshine and decide to have another morning in Helsinki before heading off to our next campsite which is only a 90 minutes drive. We head to the Design Museum killing a bit of time wandering the Art Deco streets until it opens at 11. We are pleasantly surprised and find it quite thought provoking. For example the Kari chair which is the most widely distributed piece of furniture in Finland is inexpensive, stackable and used in many public spaces. The definition of good design: a product is a success when it works so well no one pays it any attention. And the iconic Fiscars scissors only have an orange handle because when making the prototype they used up some leftover plastic from the previous project and it just happened to be orange! Back to Karl Fazer cafe for more salmon and shrimp open sandwiches and to to stock up on premium chocolate and liquorice before checking out of the campsite. 

Simon drives us expertly around the Helsinki ring road and out along the coast where the roads become quieter but the speed limits are slow. Flat with lots of trees and occasional fields of small sunflowers. We find our campsite and pitch right by the water. We cycle into the town to get our bearings. It’s pretty deserted but picturesque Scandinavian styled wooden houses line the waterfront. Back for drinks by the water.