The storm Ulla arrived in the evening of our arrival  to Mänttä, bringing heavy rains and strong winds with her. The strong wind still prevailed in the morning but we headed out for a run nevertheless. Trails were quite muddy and the grass wet, and fortunately we decided to wear our wind stoppers (the only time during our four-week vacation!). After breakfast we headed straight to Pekilo and Mänttä Fine Arts Festival, theme of which this year was “No!”. We could not quite figure out how most of the works fit or obeyed that theme.

The following morning there was no sign of Ulla anymore, but the morning started sunny and cool, but not cold — just optimal for a short run to Joenniemi  along the Lovers’ Trail. By the time we were at the Vilppula railway station waiting to board the train to Pieksämäki, it was already quite warm.

From Mänttä our trip continued via Orivesi and Pieksämäki to Kangaslampi, where we spent the next two weeks, running hiking, and working.