Here some festivals pics etc. so harmfull that at last moments Mickey Dunne was so sick with some bad infections that couldn’t come … so Pure drop band had bodhran player replacing him…but any way, we have good festival here.
http://www.irishmusicsocietyofoulu.org/pics.htm
I’ve just spent the week in Seville basking in balmy temperatures in the mid-20s C. As I’m off to Jyväskylä on Sunday, I thought I’d better check the weather forecast for there: minimum minus 12, maximum minus 7, then turning milder to a mere plus or minus 1 or 2 degrees with snow. 
I’ll get me long johns.
Yes, but think of the Lapp dancing! 
djm
… ouch. Inhaling coffee is a painful experience.
Not to mention the activities of the sinister rabbit-worshipping sect known as Lapin Kulta.
Arrived in Finland this evening, temperature minus 19. Never mind the long johns, the athletic support is more important if structural damage is to be avoided.
It’s now 02.00 local time, but it’s only 01.00 by my biological clock, so that’s OK. Just had a good old singsong instigated by an Irish colleague from Strasbourg who probably achieved as much in terms of creation of a common sense of purpose as some of the conference proceedings. I had come lightly armed with a whistle, which was greatly appreciated by colleagues and new friends from Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the US, New Zealand and other exotic places.
The conference dinner this evening was preceded by a performance by a Finnish skiffle group which includes some crossover skiffle-cum-tree-worshipping-Lapp and whatever-you’re-having-yourelf stuff in its repertoire. They’re called the Werner Brothers http://www.wernerbros.net/english_main.html. High-enregy hilarity, best experienced live: believe me, they do exist, in spite of all the rational arguments that would have you believe their website is a spoof.
Never underestimate Finland. Stalin did, to his cost.
This is dangerous country 