One of my tasks here in Helsinki has been to do some research for my new book. Or one of them…I've long had an idea to write a fictional story about the life of August Strindberg and particularly something involving Siri von Essen, August Strindberg's first and most influential wife.Siri von … [Read more...]
A-z Blogging Challenge: H is for Helsinki
My theme: Writing and the business of writingWhat has Helsinki got to do with writing, I hear you scream. Well, OK, absolutely nothing, although, Helsinki is the setting for two of my books, and will be the setting for my next book too. (More about this later.)I just thought today, about third way … [Read more...]
The 5 most romantic places in Helsinki
Today I'm over at The Englishman blog where I reveal which places in Helsinki for me are the most romantic. Hop over there and see if you agree (some of the venues are a bit surprising….) … [Read more...]
My new Marimekko umbrella
I didn't have time to do much shopping on my last visit to Helsinki, but I did make one particularly excellent purchase out of sheer necessity. This awful rainy weather we've had here in London has also affected the Nordic countries and although we were lucky in that it only rained once during the … [Read more...]
Helsinki is as beautiful as ever
We arrived in Helsinki today for the second leg of the wedding of a dear friend's son. The Englishman and I had some free time this evening, so we took the opportunity to wander around the centre of this familiar city to take in sights and see our old haunts. Unlike me, he's rarely here as we tend … [Read more...]
Marimekko at Helsinki airport
I had a few hours to kill at Helsinki between my flights recently and although many of the shops were shut due to a refurbishment of the terminal, Marimekko was still open for business.I've written before how I love this label more now than I ever did living in Finland, so whenever I'm back at home … [Read more...]
My Nordic Adventure – Part One: Helsinki Airport
They're working on the terminals at Helsinki airport so many of the shops were boarded up. There was only one thing to do to pass the time between flights.Finnish lagerAnd a salad to keep the calories down...I was rather surprised to find there was a menu in honour of the late Finnish military … [Read more...]
A love re-found and broken equipment
I played a round of golf with husband week before last in Åland, on the lovely Slottsbanan. Before this my fair hands had not touched a driver, nor an iron, or a putter for five years. When we walked up to the range, I wondered if I'd still be able to hit the ball, let alone make 100 yards. The kind … [Read more...]
Living out of a suitcase
I'm planning a capsule wardrobe to pack from the capsule wardrobe I took with me from London. Luckily I bought a few items in the shops in Stockholm today (more of this later with hopefully pictures) which makes life a little easier, still I'm not particularly looking forward to the next week. I'm … [Read more...]
Home thoughts
Being back in your home country can be equally as tricky as being a foreigner - immigrant - abroad.First of all there are all the emotions that family re-unions can ignite. Sometimes they are beautiful and lovely, sometimes an old, deeply buried resentment raises its ugly head and bites the … [Read more...]