I love Ranua Zoo. I’m not normally much of a zoo person, I have little time for animals being kept in captivity. However, Ranua Zoo is one of the few zoos I’ve ever visited where the animals have homely looking enclosures, and really large spaces to move around in. There is plenty of natural habitat for them to hide in and not be on display if they wish and the animals, with the exception of the polar bears, are all native to Finland – not lions and tigers being kept in cold climates etc..

You can read more about a visit I took to Ranua Zoo, here.

Late last year, a baby polar bear was born at the zoo. Three months later, the little bear took her first steps out into the world. And the gorgeous little cub was caught on video.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv6_Ko1RxME

How wonderfully cute.

I want one. Only if it’s not going to grow up into a great big bear, mind.

The first time you ever go skiing you will struggle. Turning and stopping are two of the most difficult moves to accomplish when you have no clue how. The beauty of skiing is the fact you can only do it at certain times of the year, however this is also a problem in terms of preparation. You need to be ready, but practise is difficult to come by.

There are exercises you ought to do to ready yourself for your trip. And while the temptation to go on Finnish Party Poker or Facebook instead is probably high, you should do these exercises as often as possible.

Endurance

Skiing takes a lot out of you, so you need plenty of cardiovascular endurance at your disposal. Your legs will no doubt feel like jelly after a long day on the slopes.

Prepare your heart and body by doing any of these activities up to five days a week if you can: running, step aerobics or roller blading. Completing a variety of exercises that last from 20 – 45 minutes will also be beneficial, as will a long but slow workout to condition your lungs and legs for the slopes.

Strength

Skiing requires every muscle in the body, so you want them to be strong. The most used muscle for skiing is probably the quadriceps. They are the ones that hold you in a position as you ski and protect your knees. Squats and lunges would be a good idea to maintain them.

Skiing downhill, you will normally lean forward from your hips and hold it. To do so you need to have strong hamstrings to stabilize your body. Hamstring rolls, step ups, dead lifts and pull throughs are all proven exercises to improve their strength.

Meanwhile your inner and outer thighs will work hard to stabilize your body on the slopes. Try and practise lunges, inner thigh squeezes and side step squats to minimise the chance of cramping.

More information about skiing in Ruka

When to go skiing in Ruka

Ruka Ski School

Ruka lift passes

Equipment hire in Ruka

This year we have been very fortunate to witness some of the strongest and brightest displays of the northern lights in over 20 years in the north of Finland. Sadly, I seem to have managed to be out of the country for every single one of them.

However, last night they came out again in full force giving us a magnificent display that spanned right across the night sky, green trails swirling and twirling across black canvass, dancing to unheard music, curling, stretching, running and waving. Like the after-burn trail of a child’s sparkler, the furthest points often fade out to nothing to be replaced at next passing with brighter stripes of green.

I stood, open mouthed, head pointing to the sky, turning slowly around and around with my arms held out attempting to take it all in, watch each part of the performance at once, head snapping left and right as movements in the corner of my eyes drew my attention this way and that.

It was a heart lifting and soul restoring performance that left me with a spring in my step and a goofy smile on my face. Sadly, the photographs go nowhere near to capturing the scale, colours or movement of the display but I wanted to share with you what little I did manage to freeze in time on my camera.

I hope you enjoyed them, you can also find out more information about the Northern Lights and see more beautiful winter northern lights pictures and late autumn northern lights sightings on this site.

Living in the frozen north of Lapland, heating ones house can be quite a challenge. Especially when the all heating comes from a log burning stove. But at least you’d think, wouldn’t you, that we’d make this as easy as possible. Do clever little things like store the logs near the house, to make this issue less of pain in the rear end.

But, no. We keep them in a log shed. All the way at the other end of the farm. Which makes heating even more challenging. Especially when it’s -20C outside.

Step 1.
Get dressed in snow suit, balaclava, thermal boots, gloves and scarf.

Step 2.
Locate empty log basket and cart.

Step 3.
Drag cart, with log basket, 500 yards through snow. Get mugged and slobbered on by horses as you cross horse field.

Step 4.
Load basket up with logs in the wood shelter.

Step 5.
Drag now heavy cart back through snow, pausing at horse field to run the ‘crazy horse gauntlet’. I don’t know why the sight of a full basket of logs has this effect on my horse but this is what I face every time I try to drag it through her field.

Step 6.
Lift incredibly heavy basket full of logs, stagger up steps, attempt to rest it against house and balence it on one knee whilst reaching for door handle. Almost make it before basket tips and logs spill over steps.

Step 7.
Pick up logs. Leave very snowy ones where they are – snow doesn’t burn so well anyway. Prop door open and stagger inside with logs.

Step 8.
Lay fire.

Step 9.
Light fire.

Step 10.
Re-light fire.

Step 11 – 15
Re-light fire whilst blowing on paltry flames until you almost pass out.

Step 16
Consider opening wine.

Step 17.
Give it one more go before giving up.

Step 18.
Perform happy dance as fire crackles into life.

Step 19.
Scream in frustration as it goes out again.

Step 20.
Give up and spend the rest of the day wearing a slanket and hugging a water bottle.

Oh the joys of rural life in Finland.

Natasha French 
Guest post

You’re looking forward to a sunny break in these dark days of winter. Your bags are packed, but your dog won’t leave your side and the cat has most likely stalked off in a fury. That’s unless you have a cat like my beautiful chocolate and cream Burmese cross. She takes to sleeping in my suitcase, clearly believing that this will ensure she gets to come along.

Sadly, it’s not always possible to take your pets on holiday with you. So what is the best way to ensure that they are safe while you are away?

I’ve had various combinations of animals throughout my life – mainly horses, cats and dogs, although as a child my menagerie once included a snake. Suffice it to say that I had a very forbearing mother.

I always take my dog with me when I can. A few weeks back she had a blissful break in Dorset with our friends who had an almost identical black Labrador. Playing, walking, lounging beside a log fire and someone to share her basket with – I think on balance she had a better weekend than we did!

But it’s not always possible. And most people think that a kennel or cattery is the only option. But it’s been years since I’ve taken that route. The more animals you have, the more sense it makes to have a house-sitter; once you’ve added up the cost of housing several animals and the benefit of their staying in familiar surroundings (and more than likely being spoiled rotten), it can often make sense.

Mind you, our biggest quota was two horses, a pony, three dogs and two cats. On that basis, a house-sitter seemed positively cheap. Of course, she was also an able horsewoman – she needed to be!

Most people don’t have quite so many animals of different types. So if you have to board your animals, do take time beforehand to vet several establishments, ask lots of questions and feel free to drop in unannounced – if the staff are not happy to offer you a tour without warning, it’s not a place you would want to leave your pet.

Ask as many awkward questions as you like, and expect them to have plenty of questions in return about the preferences and peccadilloes of your pet. How does he like his food – warm or cold? How does he like his walks? Does he like to be cuddled or is he a bit standoffish? They should insist that you provide an up-to-date vaccination certificate, his insurance details and the phone numbers of your vet.

My favourite cattery had individual outside runs for each cat – the attached indoor runs resembled miniature living rooms, complete with overstuffed armchairs. Each Christmas, we received a card with a photo of our lucky moggies curled up in it during their last stay. These days, the facilities may well include a webcam so that you can check on your cat or dog no matter how far away you are.

Cats are often happier left at home and though personally I’m not prepared to do this for more than a weekend, it’s possible to have somebody come in to feed them while they let themselves in and out through a cat flap.

For dogs there is another option – instead of sterile and boring kennels, they can be boarded in individually-vetted private homes. With any luck they might have a better time than you do!

And don’t forget to make sure that you have your pet insurance up to date before you go. Some insurers may even pay out if you have to cancel your holiday due to an ill pet – but don’t have travel insurance.

We’ve always had Burmese cats and they love travelling. So much so that we have to be careful to inspect our friends’ cars as well as the vans of any repairmen before they leave our cottage. Once I gave our nanny the afternoon off. When her husband came home that night he said, ‘I take it you realise you have a cat sleeping in the back window of your car?’

And when we gave my sister an old armchair for her playroom, we strapped it carefully to the roof of her Volvo. Luckily, just before she and her husband piled the kids into the car one of them said – ‘Look! The cat is in the chair!’ Well, it had been her favourite armchair. We could hardly blame her. I just suppose it might not have been quite as comfortable when it was moving down the motorway at 70mph.

Image source: Daisy Meow

The northern lights this last week have some of the strongest for years, amazing in dire hard locals who don’t go outside for anything less than a full on display. Typical, since this last week I have been in England and I have missed them completely.

But never fear, here is a wonderful time lapse video taken in Norway to show you what they were like.

As if the unsettling under water ice fishing was strange enough, a group of divers in Austria it seems have come up with a new craze: underwater hockey. It’s only a matter of time before this takes off over here in Finland too!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=58sa4r5k0zk

I was going to write a post about how much snow we have here in Kuusamo, but a picture, as they say, paints a thousand words. So here’s three thousand words for you. And every single one of them is snow.

What happens when you mix a couple of bored fisherman, an iced over lake and an underwater video camera? This crazy and unsettling video. It took me a lot longer than it should to work out they were upside down.

People who consider themselves a bit of a globetrotter will always tell you; moving light is the best way to travel. You won’t be burdened by heavy bags which can interfere with the enjoyment of your trip. When travelling anywhere – be it locally or internationally – you want the focus of the journey to be on the destination, not on the heavy luggage you’re lugging with you everywhere you go.

Another advantage of lightweight luggage is that it can actually save you money. Think about your baggage allowance. Airlines are strict these days and will penny pinch where possible. Most will charge you if your bags are over the allowance. Costs can be high; and always unnecessary.

The most experienced of intrepid travellers will tell you to try and reduce any baggage issues with simply taking carry-on luggage. This may be only possible for short trips, but will save you time on the cost of your ticket and any unnecessary time spent watching the airport luggage carousel.

Here are a few tips to become a lightweight traveller today:

Start With Your Luggage:

The general definition of a lightweight suitcase is that a 22-inch upright suitcase should weigh at or below 10 pounds when it is empty – any higher amount of weight at this size and it is not considered lightweight.

The following features are also worth looking at:

• Shells – You can choose from either a hard shell or a soft shell. Hard-shell suitcases are stronger than soft-shell cases but are also heavier.
• Frames – The frames on lightweight luggage add durability and stability to the travel accessory. These are usually made from light but durable materials like aluminium, graphite and fibreglass with many actually being collapsible for easy storage.
• Extras – You should also consider the extras before buying one piece or a set. These extras include telescoping handles, spinner wheels and compartments etc

Have a think about your travelling habits. Where do you go? How often do you travel? What are any issues you could experience with your luggage while away?

Packing

Now we’re not about to start telling you how to fold your clothes, well actually we will just a little bit, but it is a handy tip.

Travelling light is all about planning. What does your trip entail? What are you going to need? Do you really need that extra pair of shoes? Remember be ruthless and pack only what is essential for your trip.

Now comes the packing bit. Roll your clothes, don’t fold them. You’ll be surprised the small spaces you can fill. This is an old backpacker’s tip, but one that shouldn’t be ignored by any traveller.

Whether it’s to see the northern lights

Visit Santa

Sleep in an igloo

Take a husky safari

Or maybe go on a snowmobile trip through the pristine wilderness.

Or perhaps you’d prefer summer to see the midnight sun

Hike through the unspoilt forests

and swim in lakes so clean you can drink them?

Or perhaps it’s a visit to Helsinki you’d prefer?

Whatever is on your wish list, Visit Finland can help it come true. Simply tell them who you’d like to take to Wonder Land and why, for the chance to win a trip for two to Finland.

Competition closes 31st March 2012.

Yup, STILL snowing here in Kuusamo. At this rate we are going to have a record winter of the white stuff.

And whilst it may be a pain for us adults at times, it’s nothing but joy for the kids. Up at the playground in Ruka, the slides are so slidey you fly right off the end and there’s a veritable snow mountain to be slid down.

Here’s a video of my two taking out unsuspecting adults walking too close to the bottom of the slide and throwing themselves of the snow mountain. Who needs a sledge?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCkPXk-V40M

Happy New Year to you all!

2012 looks set to be a very snowy one in Ruka and Kuusamo, we have had nothing but snow now for about 4 weeks; a continuous deluge of white stuff falling from the sky. And whilst it makes it things a little more difficult in every day life, things like having to dig the car out every day…

It does make things very, very pretty.

One of the AirBaltic  planes gets a festive make-over at Riga airport. I really wish I’d been at the airport to see this.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-UinluQJpE

AirBaltic are a budget airline that fly from Riga, Latvia, all over Europe. They don’t fly to Kuusamo airport, sadly, but do fly to Oulu and Rovaniemi.