Art in a Former Prison...

On the way to the brewery, we walked next to a former prison complex...

…and we walked through it on our route back to the hotel. 

Although there was a museum on the opposite side, most of the complex was still abandoned with a variety of sculptures brightening up the place.

That evening we had dinner with Cosmo at a funky restaurant with yummy food...

…and very unusual artwork. 

 

A Visit to Pohjala Brewery...

After the circle, we made a quick stop back at the hotel, where we would be spending an extra night because our flight wasn’t until early the next morning.

We were happy when Cockatool invited us to join him for the walk to Pohjala Brewery; we had really enjoyed one of their cinnamon beers in our first beer advent calendar in 2020. 

 

Founded in 2011, Pohjala (meaning: northern realm) is the largest and highest-rated craft brewery in the Baltic states. 

I was tasked with ordering flights for me and Opee, but with over 20 of their beers on tap, it was a difficult choice. 

I must confess I had flight envy after doing a better job picking out five porters for him. My beers were interesting, including the Sea Fog with sea buckthorn and carrots, but not as tasty. 

 

Interscandi Hangover Trail....

After a hearty breakfast on Sunday morning, it was time for the Hangover Trail. Unlike many hash weekends with several trail lengths, this one was truly short. It started with a walk along Tallinn Bay...

…and across Linnahall, an abandoned Soviet-era concert hall built for the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

It looked like something out of a dystopian movie set.

We circled up less than a 10-minute walk away from the hotel. Luckily the trees provided some shade.

I can’t remember why Opee called these harriettes into the circle for a down-down...

…but do know that I called Granny Tranny into the circle for her amazing singing the night before. We really enjoyed ourselves and were excited when we heard that the next Interscandi would be in Hamburg, Germany in 2024.

 

Interscandi Viking Party...

After a nap, we joined a bunch of hashers in the hot tub. While we were well-behaved, others were not and ended up banned from the pool. 

Dinner was held at Kochi Aidad, a nearby tavern-brewery. The spread at the buffet was quite impressive...

…and so was the choice of local brews.

The theme of the party was Vikings. I must confess that I borrowed the hat just for the photo. Since there’s proof that the Vikings were in Scotland, I was glad to finally have somewhere to wear this tartan dress that I’d bought with Veronica on a daytrip from Exeter to Totnes.

As usual with these big group photos, you’ll be able to spot Opee but good luck finding me. 

We danced for hours to the great Estonian band Nukker Kukeke (The Sad Cock-a-Doodle). I was surprised when Granny Tranny said she wanted to sing with the band, but she was really incredible.  

Interscandi Medium Trail...

The medium trail started near the Tallinn TV Tower, Northern Europe’s highest open viewing platform built for the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics.

I didn’t do a lot of running since it was 88°F (31°C) and after so many years in Holland, I melt in the heat. While the first bit was on hot asphalt, luckily we eventually entered the cooler woods. 

This was the swim stop that Opee missed and I opted to skip. Didn’t look like much swimming actually happened, except for a few ballbreakers who swam across to find true trail on the other bank. 

Saw this nice view of Pirita River further along trail.

Trail went around about 3/4 of the Pirita Velodrome...

…and eventually ended in a park for the circle and a sandwich.
 

Interscandi Ballbreaker Trail...

After a hearty buffet breakfast at the hotel, Opee caught the bus to the ballbreaker trail. 

It was a long and mostly off-road trail.

Despite the heat, he was still smiling...

…however, he was sad when he realized that he’d missed the chance for a dip in the river. 

The lead RA for their circle was Biggles, who Opee said was extremely entertaining. Their group was smaller than mine, but their circle lasted longer, which seems to be a ballbreaker tradition.