Took the Boomer to the garage for routine service. Taxi into town and caught an early ferry to Soumenlinna Island, 15 minutes ride away, in drizzling cold rain but the day improved. Another UNESCO World Heritage site. The"fortress of Finland" has been described as "the Gibraltar of the North" and you can certainly understand why. Considerable fortifications and numerous large cannons spread over 2 Islands, along with about a dozen buildings that are now restaurants or cafés, and 6 museums. 800 people actually live there full time.

Found a cafe open, had coffee and walked around until the visitor centre and museum opened . Excellent movie on the history of the fort, that was built by the Swedes in 1748 and has been Russian and then Finnish in its life. Looked at the dry dock, once important in building warships and now somewhat dilapidated but still repairs wooden boats. Walked to the southern tip, King's Gate Quay, then had a picnic on the headland and could almost touch ocean liners passing in the narrow sea channel.

John went aboard the mini submarine, holds 20 sailors but with only 6 beds used on a shift system! Very small.

Lastly the church of St Nicholas, once Russian orthodox, but lost its "onion domes" in the transition through military to civilian Lutheran church. Only church in the world to have a functioning lighthouse in its tower.

Back to the city and had salmon soup in the Fish Market of the quay (Kauppatori) before some shopping and back to collect the Boomer.

Then went to stay with Johanna, who had been an AFS exchange student with us in 2001. Last met up in 2006. Lovely to see her again, see her new apartment and meet Mushu, the cat with character! Great gossip catch up over dinner.