Taken in July 2008 from Linnamäki (Castle Hill) which overlooks the lake and the whole area surrounding Mairela Retreat.

The picture zooms into the place where Mairela Retreat is nestled amongst the tress on the lake's edge and although it is not possible to see it as the summer foliage is so dense you get an idea of the location. Until last spring this particular hill was covered with a beautiful spruce forest but that has now been logged and you can see the huge wall of tree roots awaiting collection as the camera pans round 360 to show the whole view. The area on the hill now consists of beautiful golden grass rustling in the wind and a few odd trees scattered around that the logging company didn't want! The clearance has also provided me with an opportunity to show the miles and miles of forest surrounding Mairela Retreat, there are trees as far as the eye can see and from this particular hill that is quite a long way!

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This video was taken in March 2008 when the winter freeze was still upon us thus enabling me to stand in the middle of the Retreat lake Linnajärvi (Castle Lake) and pan right round the surroundings starting at Mairela Retreat showing the lakeside sauna, the house and the red cottage.

The view takes in the lake stretching down towards the road at the other end, then back up to the cleared hill Linnamäki (Castle Hill ) just visible behind the immediate rise of spruce and birch trees, round to show Linnavuori (Castle Mountain) which is the old Iron Age fortress site which gives the whole area its castle names. You can see my footprints coming across the lake as I walk my dogs there every morning and in fact you can see the dogs waiting patiently for me whilst I take the video. The ice is at least 2 foot thick and offers me the yearly opportunity to walk on water! It's an amazing feeling and as you can see from the video the winter weather produces some amazing scenery too.

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This video was taken in May 2008 and shows the views and scenery around Mairela Retreat from the opposite side of the lake.

You can clearly see the lakeside sauna, the house and the red cottage all nestled amongst the forest on the shoreline. At this time of year the earth is just coming back to life after the long winter freeze and you can really appreciate just how gloriously blue the sky and the lake are. The video also takes in the patch of young birch trees on the shore opposite Mairela Retreat (my left) which have just started to produce new leaves coloured that amazingly bright spring green that is so very much associated with the heart space and love and healing. I'm standing on Linnavuorentie (Castle Mountain Road) which is a small forest road which ends half a kilometer away at some summer cottages on the lake behind Castle Mountain. The heavy breathing is provided by my two dogs!

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This video is taken from the shore of Linnajärvi alongside the lakeside sauna at Mairela Retreat. It was taken in May 2008 and shows the spring time look of the surroundings but in particular shows the wonderful mirror like reflections that happen frequently on the lake at the retreat.

The depth of the vision of the trees and the clouds below your feet open up another dimension to the mind and are stunningly beautiful to see. The patch of young birch trees on the opposite shore have their new spring green leaves shining brightly as they announce the coming of a new year of growth and you can see the contrast on the hill behind with the dark spruce trees and the birch. As we progress into summer the difference will become less distinct until autumn throws them into a new light. An added bonus is the spring bird song that starts in late April and continues almost 24 hours a day with the lightening days until all the offspring have arrived.

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The red squirrel which lives in the forest around Mairela Retreat has now decided that it would like to partake of the sunflowers seeds on offer in my bird feeder. It looks quite grey in this film because it is in its winter coat but it still has the distinctive red squirrel tufty ears

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This video was taken in January 2010 after a long bout of exceptionally cold weather which had left the trees coated ina beautiful white frost for many weeks tranforming the entire landscape into a real winter wonderland.

From the vantage point up on top of Linnamäki (Castle Hill) the video takes in a 360 degree look to take in the surrounding forest which disappear off into the distance for miles and miles.

Freija my german shepherd is seen sitting in the snow patiently waiting for me.

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Imagine yourself in a peaceful moment sitting on the pier and watching the patterns of the raindrops on the water whilst all around you birds are singing and calling

This video gives some of the imagery taking you into a peaceful place

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At Mairela Retreat in the spring the butterflies are abundant.

These male brimstones have mistaken an apple tree label for a female brimstone because of the white colouring and are dancing to get her attention!

The sound of the spring time birds are heard in the background along with the sound of the breeze blowing through the pine tree

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As you come off the highway and head towards Mairela Retreat there are small forest roads creating a beautiful and peaceful enviroment to drive through.

This winter video shot in January 2010 shows the forest trees laden with snow and frost after a long spell of very cold weather.

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