Had to pick up the car from Kangasala, near Tampere, after the breakdown (alt.link). They had fixed it for mere 40€, though only a temporary fix: the heating system is now bypassed, so now heating in the rainy fall weather. But, on the positive side I managed to get a swim in a new place: the Kangasala swimming hall.
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October 2025
VMS Racing*, Kangasala, Finland; Kangasalan Uimahalli Kuohu**, Kangasala, Finland
Car*; Swimming** (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool); Sauna** (Normal)
Another surprise Volvo breakdown. Beyond towing back home distance, so car is being towed to Kangasala. Coolant hose connector broken. Now on the train towards Helsinki, after riding first on the tow truck and then a taxi.
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October 2025
Vähä-Koveron silta, Teisko, Finland
Car
Decided to drive to Lohja for a quick swim at the Neidonkeidas, the local public swimming hall.
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October 2025
Virkistysuimala Neidonkeidas*, Lohja, Finland; Lohjan jäähalli**, Lohja, Finland
Swimming* (Indoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool); Sauna* (Normal); Skiing** (None)
A few quick dips into the Adriatic Sea and one hotel pool. Sadly missed a sauna on this visit, had a visit to the hotel sauna lined up but their sauna had closed earlier than the rest of the spa, so missed it on a busy day. Oh well, at least I got a new country to swim in!
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September 2025
Bigova beach*, Bigova, Montenegro; Queen's Beach*, Pržno, Montenegro; Milocer beach**, Pržno, Montenegro; Avala Resort & Villas***, Budva, Montenegro
Swimming* (Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Sea,Beach); Swimming** (None,Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Sea,Beach); Swimming*** (Indoor,Outdoor,Water,Waterbody-Pool)
Had a chance to fly to Tivat, Montenegro. On Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and Air Baltic. The airport is called the Kai Tai of Europe given the tight maneuvering needed to land there.
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September 2025
Tivat Airport, Mrčevac, Montenegro
Flying; Travel
Another cottage swim, this time by the light fires and a sunset. Wonderful! A bit cold though.
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October 2025
Arkko summer cottage, Teisko, Finland
Swimming (Outdoor,Waterbody-Lake); Sauna (Normal)
Fail. I drove a long way to see this cave, but ... the coordinates are a bit uncertain and I can't find a safe way to climb the cliff on top of which the cave likely is at. The forest is also almost impassable. And I can't find a path that would take me through.
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September 2025
Vilina Pećina, Dragalj, Montenegro
Caving (None,Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst)
This was the backup cave after the failed trip (alt. link) to find the first one. But what a cave! Sometimes it is a raging tube shooting water at 50 m3 per second out to a waterfall and then free falling tens of meters to the lake. And sometimes it is a dry cave that you can explore. Very interesting! Just make sure you choose the latter time when you go caving :-)
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September 2025
Sopot Pećina, Risan, Montenegro
Caving (Basic,Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Surveying)
The Ivanovići Pećina is a small, 18-meter cave located east of the town of Budva on the Adriatic Coast of Montenegro. The drive to access the cave is a long one up the hills on narrow roads, then there's a well-marked half a kilometer hike down a small valley and then up to the cave. But it is well worth the trip! The cave is nicely shaped, and the hike offers wonderful views. Indeed, even from the cave entrance you can see the green hills sloping down to the sea, and the coast. Recommended.
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September 2025
Ivanovići Pećina, Bečići, Montenegro
Caving (Basic,Rock,Rock-Limestone,Morphology-Karst,Surveying)