15 Dec 2016

After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, I’ve arrived in Helsinki airport. There wasn’t much sleep last night, and I was doubting my motives for travelling here. So, to settle myself down I’m sitting in a bar with a small glass of porter. It’s exactly the kind of thing I would have done in London. This is only a small glass given the 7.4% strength. This won’t be a success until I’m safely in my hotel room. It’s 1710, dark, and a manageable -1C. And very soon I’ll make the brave steps outside the airport and buy my ticket in to the city.

I here again after about a year and a half. And I remember it as the most relaxed place I’ve ever visited on my own. Plans to run a half marathon here in June never happened, so I’m here for some proper winter (not by their standards, as it’s a little warmer than normal) with a little bit of snow. I think this will tick both of my boxes. It just feels right to feel cold at some point before Christmas. I may even get to see a proper Santa too.

The main reasons to come here are to relax in some different air, visit Christmas markets, and do whatever I want. Most of whatever I want will be writing my thoughts down, and maybe develop that website I promised myself.

Now that my drink is drunk, I’m off outside to catch my bus…………………..