Spring turning in to a summer.

Snow has melted, so rivers and creeks have plenty of water. Weather changes from warm summer-like days to chilly and rainy. You can see small leaves on the birched and willows. Birds singing summer tunes.

At this time of the year I like to hike on trails. Can't let the dogs running free, as they could do damage for nesting birds. Ducks, capercaillies, and grouses have their nests on the ground, just to name few.

Good season for hiking, forests are not that wet anymore and mosquitoes haven't arrived yet.

At this height we have plenty of tall forest like this, easy to walk, trail or not.

Forests have been without snow for a while now, but lakes and ponds have some ice left still. By the end of the winter it was 80-90cm thick, so takes time to melt.

North sides of the fells have some snow left. In the creeks away from the sun you can find snow still in June, sometimes even in July.

Nice view from the top of Otsamo fell near Inari. There's an open day hut as well.

Kumu and Pyry enjoying the view too. Well... I think they're just waiting to get going again.

Forest and forest as far as you can see. Not the biggest wilderness areas in the world, but you won't run out of hiking grounds easily here.

Interesting spot for a pine to grow. One would imagine a strong wind had taken it down already.

Just a while ago I was forging some puukko blades. Charcoal forge does the heating.

Blade making starts from forging a stick tang.

Then the bar is cut and blade shape is forged.

Bevels forged. Spine is left curved, as forging the sides to rhombic cross section will straighten it.

Sides forged, maker's mark stamped.

Bevel forging is finished, tang straightened, and the blade is normalized.

Forging finished.

Blades ground for heat treatment.

This set of blades will be made in to puukkos, and they should be for sale later this week. 

So stay tuned!