Beautiful Virtasalmi

The beautiful village to which we are attached is called Virtasalmi. The population, I have found from doing some research is about 1125. I don't know where they all are though, as at most I've seen about 25 people at once in the shop. And that was a holiday weekend....I presume the area is quite largely spread out.

It is built besides a very large lake. As you enter the village, a road has been constructed right over it. It's part of the Maavesi. This is a shot of it from the road looking towards the village centre. Lovely isn't it?

The village 'centre' itself consists of a few houses, a pub/pizza place, a factory (but I haven't found out what it produces yet...), a supermarket and a chemists. And....oh, that's about it. Apparently, the area is known for it's beavers - although I have never seen one. I read recently that you can take a kayaking trip over to where they live - although locals have told us they taste great, so maybe they got wise and moved out; or remained dim and became dinner. Hopefully next year will solve that mystery. Within our village, is a model village! It depicts old buildings that used to exist in the area, and some that are still there. I think it is a largely farming community.

Although our place is about 8-9kms away from the 'hub' of the village and our house is not on the edge of a lake; there about 20 lakes within a brief 5-10 minute drive. I have suggested that we walk to our local lake (Iso Tikkala - The Great Woodpecker. So named because it is shaped like one!) Actually I may have spelt that incorrectly, it may only have one 'k'.....The area around us seems to be used a lot for dairy farming or wood. Each year we go, more and more of the surrounding forests have been chopped down. However, I know that the Finns farm trees a little better than we do and replant regularly. I presume that is one of reasons birch is grown; it's fast and can be thinned out over periods of time.

It's very quiet in the village and I am concerned a little for it's survival. Last year, someone told me that the pub had closed. I'm not sure if I understood correctly, but each time we drove past, it did not seem to be open. I can see that apart from the shops and the factory, there seems to be very little in the way of job opportunities. The nearest proper 'town' of Pieksamaki, is about a 20 minute drive away and the larger town of Mikelli is about 40 minutes away. Quite a way though, should you need a 'specialist' item (don't ask about the 6 hour hunt for a dehumidifier....).

But we love it. It's serene, quiet, friendly. I have a sneaking suspicion we are known as 'The English' to the locals and we are quite often given the once-over in the shop. I remember one year, waiting in the supermarket queue of the Midsummer weekend, an older chap striking up conversation with us. It was mainly about football and fog. He was very pleasant though, as has everybody been. A wave of a hand as you drive past, a smile, a little salute. And the best thing is, we can't hear our neighbours.

Next time - I think I'll take you on a tour of the house itself. Yes?