It was a strange arrangement. We paid for a tree, and within 2 days we were one of the main attractions at this festival, where hundreds of Estonian and Finnish tourists came to see traditional arts and crafts in a mini medival reconstruction of the city. And there we were in the middle, standing knee-deep in a pile of tree bark and wood shavings, hacking away like puppets on a Duracell advert with a couple of curved axes. By the end of our second day, we had already done two television interviews, some radio stuff and the press had all been round for some shots. I have sent a couple of papers home with photos of us slaving over the canoe..
So for three weeks we lived chiefly on Sausages and beer, and when we weren't working we were taking saunas, swimming in the river, or the sea, or trying our hands at archery and axe throwing. The national parks around Estonia are fantastic and we spent many evenings with Aivar and his family in Soomaa NP either on his unique floating sauna, or around a fire cooking sausages and drinking vodka. here have been heaps of celebrations in Estonia.. First day of Summer, Mid Summer's day, longest day.. and whatever other days you might be able to dream up which might be worth acknowledging with a shot of vodka.
I haven't yet said anything about the canoe itself... if you wanna see a webbified documentary of the canoe carving, visit our canoe carving website , (hope that works).. There is a calendar navigator on the right hand side, and heaps of photos buried under a labrynth of links... enjoy! And incase you are wondering, it was VERY hard work and we all suffered blisters, cuts and aching backs.