76 :: April Scenery

Jaana: Suddenly there is no snow in sight (apart from a few odd piles here and there), but we're still waiting for some fresh, new green to show up. Today the length of day is 16h 40m, sunrise at 4:56 AM, sunset at 9:36 PM.

Kia: It has been raining regularly for the past few weeks with just a few sunny spells, and the weather is still colder than it should be at this time of year. Today the length of day is 15h 10m, sunrise at 5:40 AM, sunset at 8:50 PM.

A reminder of how our sceneries looked like in March, February and January.

74 :: Looking Up (A Building)

Jaana: The sun playing with shadows on the brick wall of the Oulu Museum of Art.

Kia: Fyvie Castle dates back to the 13th century and is the finest example of Scottish Baronial architecture.

66 :: Classic Architecture

Jaana: The building was originally designed in the style of Renaissance Revival by Johan Ludvig Lybeck in 1883, but in the middle of its construction it was redesigned and got a Gothic Revival look with the spires. In the past the building has functioned as a town hall and a police station, among others, but since 2008 it's been the home of the Cultural Centre Valve.

Kia: A classic of Scottish Baronial architecture, Craigievar Castle is a seven-storey pinkish harled castle built by the Forbes family and completed in 1626. The contrast of its massive lower storey structure to the finely sculpted multiple turrets, gargoyles and high corbelling work create a classic fairytale appearance. During World War I it was used as a hospital, and as of 2006 the castle and its estate are owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

41 :: Moss

Jaana: That rock looks like it's been padded and upholstered by layers of moss.

Kia: Because of the damp climate, moss is everywhere in Scotland, adding color and interest to the most mundane of the scenes, like this moss-covered spot at Castle Crathes.

36 :: Window

Jaana: Something very traditional Finnish, pelargoniums on a windowsill of an old farmhouse at the Turkansaari Open-air Museum.

Kia: A typical dormer sash window at Castle Fraser.

19 :: At The Harbor

Jaana: Hailuoto
Kia: Boddam

15 :: Lighthouse

Jaana: Hailuoto
Kia: Fraserburgh

7 :: Barn

If there is something specific you would like to see about our countries, drop us a note in the comment box and we'll see what we can do. Thank you!

4 :: Jackdaw

Thank you for the heart-warming welcome back, much appreciated.

2 :: Spring Flowers

Jaana: Crocus
Kia: Spring Snowflake