Saturday, October 15, 2005

A lighter blog entry today

Several of the last few entries were a bit too serious for my personal blog.

So, looking through my archives, I found a set of photographs from last summer, which I thought would provide a lighter feeling for this Saturday morning.

Since 5 am and I have been listening to my favourite Talk Show Host, Mike Malloy, who makes me feel that all is not lost against the war criminals, pResident Bush and Poodle Tony Blair, today who are destroying the world.

Mike was talking about Yusuf Hamied of Cipla. So I sent him an email. Mike just replied. Cathedralite 56er Yusuf Hamied, features in my latest blog entry on the Cathedralite Seventh Heaven Blog

The place that Annikki loves most to be at, is the beach. She loves to walk along the sea front, looking for stones, collecting sea sand for the Kampitie "beach front", and enjoying the wind in her face.

Another who shares this joy is grandson samuel. He likes to play on the sea front throwing stones into the sea, splashing water all over his "tolerant" grandpa, and generally ignoring all the shouts and commands from his grandpa and grandma.

This summer, as we drove to the sea front we noticed a new Children's Park just across the road from the beach. It was colourful and seemed quite different from the normal Children's Parks that we have been to.

We promised Samuel that after the walk on the beach, we would stop and play in the park, time permitting, as mother, Joanna, is rather strict about the times Samuel has to be home!

Indeed, it was a most intersting experience in this new park. Annikki and Samuel enjoyed the park and I marvelled at the use of polymeric materials and the layout of this absolutely simple play area, which captivated both ends of the age spectrum from grandson, Samuel, to grandma, Annikki.

General shots of the park

General shots of the park


The map of Finland is made from crumb rubber, which has found many uses in the park. The little mound representing the Finnish seal is just adorable.

The swings are suited to all age groups as you can see both grandma and grandson making hay.

Safe wings for all age groups

Safe swings for all age groups


One pair of the swings is made from car tyres. I had sent pictures to my late uncle, Kochappachen (K. M. Mammen Mappillai, former Chairman of the tyre company, MRF Ltd.) many years ago (pre 1990) and he had installed one in his backyard made from MRF tyres. I have a picture he sent me and will blog it one day. The other pair is made of steel which is rubber coated. Both swings will not hurt anyone should they slip and fall. The ground under the swing is made from crumb rubber. It is truly wonderful. Not only is it colourful, but it is extremely safe for the children.

Other uses of this crumb rubber allows children to have fun. Here are some close-ups of this material.

Crumb rubber is really beautiful

Crumb rubber is really beautiful


The use of crumb rubber is not the only use of rubber. A great fun area for the children is the "Stepper Area" where children can hop along a path made of old tyres buried into the ground and various wooden logs also buried into the groud.

Stepper area made from tyres and wood

Stepper area made from tyres and wood


And here are some shots of Samuel enjoying playing on this stepper area while Annikki sits at the end waiting for him, and enjoying the warm summer evening sunshine.

Samu enjoying the Steppers

Samu enjoying the Steppers


The hopscotch, sand pit and ship's mast are also quite unusual.

Hopscotch, sandpit and ship's mast

Samu enjoying the Steppers


The igloo area is great fun as well. More about this "igloo" which is a model of an igloo in the town centre, will be in a later blog entry as I focus on the destruction of old Oulu.

Cement igloo and totem poles

Cement igloo and totem poles"


The Castle in the centre of the park is a great thrill for the children as it makes the slides a great thrill besides just for sliding down.

Castle area is for sliding

Castle area is for sliding


And it certainly is for all age groups!

Samuel and Annikki enjoy the slide

Samuel and Annikki enjoy the slide


Certainly a great day for the entire age spectrum!

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