Spring Newness in Estonia

Sun & birds return, driving again and renewal abounds

“"Lumikelluke” are popping up everywhere

As we landed in Estonia last June right at summer solstice -- Jaanipäev – this is our official first spring season here at Tamme. While I’ve always been a seasonal gal who feels the changes of Mother Nature’s clock, everything feels amplified and new this first spring in Estonia, along with a lot of fun surprises, including early flowers popping up everywhere.

We arrived back home a few days ago from what is hopefully now our annual winter jaunt to a “blue zone,” heading as far south in the EU as we can to catch some natural Vitamin D and keep outside and active. I have a few more updates to share from our Tenerife adventures in the Spanish Canary Islands, but first, some spring highlights after returning to Estonia:

Return of the Sun

Life in the Baltics is a study in contrasts, especially when it comes to daylight. While I learned to appreciate the darkness of winter, I’m now happily reversing course and embracing the energy of light and spring. A true kiss from Mother Nature.

The sun is moving so quickly now, with the sunset already at 8 pm and quickly moving later toward solstice and mid-summer when it feels like it never sets.

A bonus of springtime in Estonia: Totally magical, long, colorful sunsets.

Another bonus of the sun’s return: Cheers to the new solar system is finally generating some kilowatts. When it was installed in October, we were heading right into the dark season, knowing things would perk back up come spring. Will write a more detailed. update on that new 15kw system, but suffice to say for now: we’re generating some power!

Bird Migration

Estonia is like Denny’s Diner for birds: everyone stops here for a respite on a road trip. With 4,000 km of coastline, that’s a lot of coffee breaks with over 60,000 birds stopping annually, including threatened waterfowl species.

We now live in what’s called the East Atlantic Flyway, one of the world's largest migratory routes for birds traveling between North America, Europe, and Africa. We are a short bikeride from the Kabli Bird Centre, a hidden gem of a natural spot studying bird migration.

Can you hear the birds in this video? I can’t quite walk out fully to the shoreline yet as the ground is still too wet, but I can still hear those birds! Especially in the morning and evening.

Garage progress

While a big reason we fell in love with this property, Tamme, was the fact that it was newer strawbale construction and not a fixer upper as we had enough of that with our 150 year old Wisconsin farmhouse . . . there were some things we knew we wanted to add, including the solar system, greenhouse, woodstove and garage – with the garage being our final big project.

The garage will serve multiple purposes including car storage, a workspace and place for tools and garden gear and general storage. Tamme was originally built as a summer house and while it definitely has the insulation for year-round living, it lacks in closets. Working with a local contractor and construction crew, MP Ehitustööd, we broke ground in September and are on the way to completion hopefully this month.

While there are new processes to understand in construction in a new country such as a different inspection process that happens after the building is completed (still mulling that one), most is same as anywhere: working with contractors, crew gets sick and things delayed, materials are delayed. Same old same old.

The original schedule was to have this wrapped up in December before we left for Tenerife but that wasn’t in the cards. We really like working with these local Estonian contractors (who fortunately speak great English!) and their prioritizing Estonian-made materials, like the siding and roof which are made in Tallinn just arrived this week. More to come!

Driving again

After our (smart!) decision to just use the (fabulous!) public transportation in Estonia for the winter and not put winter tires on our car (and use that money toward our “protect winter blue zone” in Tenerife), we’re back on the road for the season. Snow tires are required by Estonian law from December 1 to March 1. Welcome spring.

That said, unless we’re taking a longer trip like to Pärnu and need the car, I’m also back on my biking routine where I have an easy (Estonian roads are flat as a pancake) 20 minute ride to our local Coop grocery store where I can carry home any key essentials in my backpack.

Spring planting & greenhouse starting

John planted the first seeds yesterday: radishes, spinach, arugula and beans. We have a new learning curve with the greenhouse and understanding how and when to plant, but right now we can already feel the heat on a sunny day.

The crew doing the garage construction also added a nice ramp up to the greenhouse so we can get the wheelbarrow inside.

But . . . just as a reminder that Mother Nature is indeed in charge: After a week of sunny highs of 15 C/60 F and John breaking in the outdoor dining season on the deck and Artie the new cat loving her new outdoor playground . . .

. . . .we woke up this morning to this! Merry Christmas and yes, it’s quickly melting but looking like an indoor day here at Tamme.

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