Sunday, April 23, 2006

Hectic Saturday

(Cross-posted on the Best Buy Blog and my Jacob's Blog.)

What a hectic day. The Saturday puzzle will appear tomorrow!

Here are some pictures that Joanna sent me today of Samuel and Daniel. The last one made me cry as Daniwel went down with gastroenteritis and it really shows in his face!

Daniel with flowers

Daniel with flowers


Merran, Daniel and Samuel
Samuel, Daniel and Merran


Daniel is poorly
Daniel is poorly


I left home at 6:30 am. I went to check out the discount at the SPAR Kaijonharju for my Best Buy Blog readers. When I arrived at 6:45 am, right across town, who should I see standing for the doors of the shop - Ilari and Ildikó.

They were a bit diasappointed as the discount was still only 30%, which is generally not good enough to merit a visit. Watch the Best Buy Blog so that you do not go on a wild goose chase. I do all the hard work for you!

The 50% discount at this shop will start at 7:00 am on Monday morning and by 8:00 am, the shop will be cleaned out. There will not be much to buy as most of the general goods are over already.

I went on to do my regular shopping, starting at Cassa in Rajakylä. I was there just before 8:00 am on saturday it opens at that time. (On weekdays Cassa opens at 7:00 am.)

Standing a few ten metres from me, as I waited for Cassa to open, there was a group of 4 men and they were drinking beer at that early hour.

Beer at 8:00 am
Beer at 8:00 am!


Was I surprised?

Not really, as this is quite common behaviour among certain sections of the local population in Finland.

On my way back from Cassa I passeed this Bus Stand at Toppila.

Vandalism - Smashed Bus Stand
Vandalism - Smashed Bus Stand


This is a degree of vandalism which is quite unusual for Oulu, Finland! Grafiti, yes; Smashing bus stands, No.

Today was such a beautiful day, I decided it was time to change from winter to summer tyres. I spent most of the morning cleaning the insides of the cars, vacuuming them and washing the carpets, etc,

Later in the evening I went to Reijo's Garage with the Kannan's SAAB. My back is too weak for me to attempt changing tyres.

Reijo changed the tyres and I had the car washed.

Reijo changes tyres on the SAAB
Reijo changes tyres on the SAAB


SAAB being washed
SAAB being washed


The best part of Reijo's work is that he even washes the tyres that he takes off, with high pressure water, making it easy to handle them at home without getting your hands or clothes dirty.

I then took the SAAB home and took the Ford Escort to change the tyres.

One look at my summer tyres meant that I had to change all of them. Reijo came to rescue and sold me 4 new radial tyres, for just Euro 215 for the set.

Fitting new tyres in the hub
Reijo fits my new tyres in the hub


Reijo fitted the new tyres in the hub and balanced all of them, changed the tyres, and then washed the Ford. Reijo's good friend, Jussi, washed the tyres of the Ford.

Jussi washes the Ford tyres

And all that work of changing tyres on two cars, fitting and balancing the new tyres in the hubs, washing the two cars and washing the tyres - all for just Euro 40 with a smiling face!

Could there be a better BEST BUY?

A tough and long day with me returning for a great dinner of curry and rice followed by a long talk with Samu in Newcastle about the Chelsea - Liverpool FA Cup semifinal game and an even longer talk about the World Cup.

Samu has got a fabulous book with all the details of players, fixtures, officials of the World Cup. I am going to have a great time watching the World Cup with Samu here in Finland. I can refer to the expert grandson to get all the details!

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