Monday morning and we had to get up early. My girlfriend had made some plans for me helping her with a lot of errands. We started with another drive around Elva and this time in daylight, I guess I insisted because I had missed the place, being away from here for more than 6 months.

We drove by the newly renovated train station and some other nicely renovated houses in that area; it was nice to see that the old houses were coming back from distant glory and back again enriching this little village. It was calm driving around there, you have this feeling of holiday season constantly, like being in one of the metropols in northern Europe in end of July. Everything is moving in slow motion. 

After this little sightseeing we drove to Tartu to get some electrical supplies and to do some shopping.    

I arrived at Elva around 8pm after almost 2 hours of driving from Tallinn to there. I picked my girlfriend up at her apartment, she had arrived there a week earlier, and we went for a drive in the village because we wanted to check up on some things in Elva.

I really like this quiet town, it is usually very calm and quiet but this weekend it was full of people due to that the they were hosting the national championship in biking. We went out rather late but there were still lots of people in the centre of the village, all cheering. I later found out that they were handing out the medals at that time.

We drove around and as always when we go for a ride I get the history tour of the city, the whereabouts of the family and so fort, and I really enjoy it. We followed the little creek that runs through Elva and I admired many of the old wooden houses in different colours. Everything reminded me of my youth in Sweden. 

Last time I was there I had taken some pictures of the old forster home, which I think is a wonderful building, this time I was facinated by the old post office, which were transformed into a small city spa. I especially enjoyed the tower in the middle of the front and I am still wondering whats behind that design.  

I would never have found this little city if it was not for Kaija. In fact I think it is a little pearl - the wooden houses have most of them seen there best days, but now there is focus on painting and taking care of them again. I will try to take some more pictures next time I go there.

I think that this city has been stuck since the Russians invaded the country because the houses seem to look like they all are from the same period and haven't been taken really care off since. It is very natural that if a family have to make improvments that they will start with the inside. Today this is changing a lot. In the city there is now coming new houses as well and the distance of 22 km from the second largest city in Estonia Tartu is increasing the interst for the city.

The city is in an area where there is a lot of water which is adding to the visual value. A lot of the house are placed between  threes and have water close by either as a lake or a small river. Overall the city is a lovely small city and it has qualities which charm its visitors. Due to its variable landscape, peaceful pinewoods, clearwatered lakes and the picturesque banks of the River Elva, this town has been one of the most celebrated summer resorts over the past century for the Estonians.

One the biggest things in Elva is the sport activities - the local bike team have always been amongst the best in Estonia. Kaija has biked there for many years and has a lot of national championships to show for her effort - I think she has more than 20 and one Baltic

The main street Kesk Street - is a street like many others in a small city it is lined with the local shops, cafes and banks. It is also the site of Elva Town Government. You can spend a evening in the local bar, restaurant or pub but you will for sure get some attention - I have when I am there. Accommodation is easy to find in a motel or guesthouse nearby. Visitors are also welcome to take part in cultural and sports events in Elva

The reason that I went to Elva was because my girlfriend was looking for an apartment in this little village which also is the town from where she comes from originally. The town is very nice - it reminds me of my childhood in Sweden. The area is covered with fields and most of all forrest. There is a little lake and everything is very calm.

I have been in the city a couple of times since as well and I have always enjoyed coming back. It is in all of its charm a wonderful city where you really can have your batteries recharged. This is just on the calmest places I ever have been.

In the summer the old ladies are sitting next to the supermarket and they are selling all there homemade products like honey, even cakes but mostly fresh fruit or vegetables.

Elva is just a small town on the outskirts of Tartu - it is situated 26 km outside of Tartu in direction of Letland and only 60 km from the border city of Valga. Elva is a nice little city that really reminds of the old Sweden I knew when I grew up.

Meeting a girl from this area is great because it means that I met a girl who knows the different mushrooms in the forrest and who have the same relationship as I have to wild berries and blueberry. Driving around in the city is more than cosy - almost all of the houses are made of wood in an old country stile. Most of the houses in city were build before WWII and show that there was welth here before the russians took over. The houses down look that great now but more and more families can now afford to forcus on the houses again so there is a good development in place.