All changes are more or less tinged with melancholy, for what we are leaving behind is part of ourselves

As we near the end of our trip, this is the last post for you, unless some major incident occurs tonight worth reporting that is! We have both had an amazing time at the Helsinki City College and we could not have asked for better hosts. We visited a lot of places, spoke with people from all walks of life, have eaten well, heard the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, been rather cultural and even did a spot of participatory teaching! We had a reflective session this arvo and along with our new colleagues from the Netherlands discussed what each of us had enjoyed in our trip to Finland. For me, I must confess I enjoyed the Helsinki World Cafe session and the plenary that followed. Isobel, as I did, thoroughly enjoyed our trip to the Helsinki Clubhouse, a rehabilitation community for the citizens of Helsinki, who have a history of mental illness. We spoke with some quite incredible people there and Isobel has even taken a copy of their newsletter to try and improve the one she edits for her church! Active learning is what this trip has been all about for sure! http://www.helsinginklubitalo.org/index.php?page=english

We have been blessed with the amazing weather and cannot believe how many jumpers, scarves, hats, winter coats that we brought. That said, we were advised to and even the locals cannot believe the weather. The downside has been that we have been inside, but what an incredibly clean city this is. Edina, take note!

We have learnt a few words, but not many. The Finns have catered for us beautifully by speaking English all the time.

So, the last andragogic comment for the day afore we hit the city centre in case you ever come to visit this wonderful country.

• kiitos is thank you.


• moi or hei is an informal hello, I think.


• tervetuloa is wlecome.


• puhutteko englantia? is do you speak English?


• sairaanhoitaja is nurse


• jossa on karaoke bar is where is the nearest karaoke bar!

We hope you have enjoyed our daily blether and I will see you on Monday and Isobel is back in on Tuesday. Kippis, M and I