This is an excerpt from my diary started just weeks after I married the Englishman and moved to the UK.Previous posts can be found here.19.08.1984I have this problem with men. To me, a man, a husband, should be perfect in every way. He should understand me inside out and always say the right thing … [Read more...]
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee seen through Finnish eyes
The culmination of the long weekend of Jubilee celebrations here in London was the Queen's appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace yesterday, Tuesday the 5th June 2012.A few months before this weekend, the Englishman and I won two tickets in a public ballot to watch the Queen and other Royals … [Read more...]
Barbour jackets
When I first moved to the UK in the 1980's, Barbour jackets were worn by what I can only call Hooray Henries and their female counterparts - or anyone aspiring to a certain social strata. A muddy Barbour was a must for every naval officer or naval wife at the annual Army v Navy rugby match at … [Read more...]
How I came to be in England – Part 30
I finished my drink in a few large gulps and asked the Englishman to get me another. We were leaning against the low balcony wall at the Dolphin mess. Music was flowing in from the rooms beyond, and people were moving in and out of the long, wide outdoor space overlooking the harbour mouth. Lights … [Read more...]
How I came to be in England – Part 29
I arrived at Helsinki airport only twenty minutes before the flight to London was due to leave. I’d missed the bus from Espoo, where it stopped outside my Father’s house, by a whisker. The nasty old bus driver had, I was sure, seen me running towards it dragging my heavy suitcase, but nonetheless … [Read more...]
How I came to be in England – Part 21
The same Sunday night in late June 1982 I'd said my tearless goodbye to the Englishman I started to be sick. When two days later I still couldn't keep a glass of boiled cooled water inside me, I phoned the student health service in Töölö, in the centre of Helsinki. They told me to come and see them … [Read more...]
How I came to be in England – Part 18
When the Englishman left after his week long visit to see me in Helsinki in February 1982, I was heart broken, but didn't cry. Clutching the red rose he’d again bought me at the airport I sat in the posh Finnair bus on my way back my father’s place in Espoo, full of determination to do well in my … [Read more...]
How I came to be in England – Part 13
My father, who had two daughters, called me 'My Best Girl.' As I grew up his obvious favouritism became a burden to me, rather than a source of pride. So when my parents finally split up after years of fighting, it was a relief to both of their two daughters.Our parents gave us a choice of which … [Read more...]
How I came to be in England – Part 12
The smart new ferry smelled of carpet freshener and paint. A large bellied man in uniform greeted the passengers with a smile at the end of a long ramp. ‘Welcome on board, Miss.’ My arm ached from carrying the suitcase and I barely managed a grimace in return. To my relief the luggage store was … [Read more...]
How I came to be in England – Part 11
The lectures at the School of Economics restarted a few days after I came back from my holiday in England. It was September and the afternoons were already turning dark in Helsinki.On the first day of term I got up early, gathered all my bills, including the overdue rent for my flat and headed into … [Read more...]
