June 15: Tallinn

Woke up tired and wet. Had not slept much due to the noise from the storm - the coverings on the masts stored near me had rattled thoughout the night, the tent had shook, and one guidrope/tent peg had been blown out of the ground the ferocity of the wind had been such.

The precipitation had now stopped though the gail force winds prevailed. I took the opportunity dry what I could: the sleeping bag was strapped around the masts and thrashed around in the wind like a kite; my sleeping pad was tied around a tree facing the wind; the tent was staked out on its side faceing the wind - like a sail. I went to the bathroom and took refuge there, sending text messages and generally trying to get warm. I walked to the nearby grocery store to get breakfast supplies - it was 8:10, they did not open until 9!

When I got back to camp the Finnish couple were lying in wait and summoned me. They had prepared hot tea and a salami/cucumber roll for me! This was just what I needed. I was running on empty and the banana/apple I had eaten had been burned off long ago. No sooner had I finished than they packed up and left for the ferry port.

The wind was so strong my gear was now dry and I repitched the tent and stored the relevant sleeping equipment. I found the tennis club adjacent to the yacht club/marina and paid the 40 EEK for a shower. To wash in hot water and shave was truly a luxury. Decided not to sit in the sauna today but knew I would be back to enjoy this pleasure before leaving for Helsinki.

Two chocolate pastries, a baguette and fruit juice were purchased from the now-open store and I boarded a bus to town. Following some confusion as to where I was supposed to go, I made my connection to bus number 2 and was en route to the airport to meet Lene. The gray, windy weather had become sunny, windy weather but I felt desperately tired as I arrived at the airport.

Lene and I spent the rest of the day relaxing, eating pizza and grocery shopping. We chatted with the biker from Sweden as the sun set behind the masts - he had lived in Tallinn for 5 years and provided us with valuable 'local' information. When I could no longer keep my eyes open I went to bed.