Finnish Midsummer
A very traditional holiday in Finland is "Juhannus" which is Midsummer. Although there is no start of summer, at least it is possible to know when it is half over. Unfortunately, in Finland, summer sometimes refers only to the part of the year and not to the weather. At any rate it is a great excuse to go to the country, relax, go swimming, barbecue, and of course enjoy a good sauna.
Juhannus 98 was not warm at all as you can see in the pictures below. In 1998 I was in Hanko with my friend Maria and her parents. Hanko is the southernmost point in Finland. Juhannus 99 was spent with my friends Ari and Richard. It was much warmer than in 98 except for the water which was still pretty cold. Everything is cold after sauna.
'98 - My friend Maria and her mother (Not warm at all)
'98 - Maria's father and me.
Boating in the middle of nowhere. Midsummer '99
Enjoying Midsummer with Rich and Ari. '99
Ari's summer cottage. The weather was great right until we left when it started to rain.