I've been feeling very homesick for Finland lately. Perhaps it's because I had to cancel my trip to Tampere before Christmas, and it's now over six months since I was last there. While organising my blog posts on this new site, I stumbled upon this one, which I wrote three years ago. It felt so … [Read more...]
Five Places to Eat and Drink in Tampere, Finland
I was born in Tampere, this former Finnish industrial town, but now we live in London, I don't often spend more than a couple of days here.Last week, however, my father was rushed into hospital, and the Englishman and I flew into town, having cancelled our skiing holiday in Lapland. My dad is now … [Read more...]
Happy Independence Day!
Today Finland celebrates its independence. I have written before about the history of my country of birth, and about what being in independent means to a Finn, here. But this year, today is even more special for me, because the main celebrations are being held in my home town of Tampere.Finnish … [Read more...]
On location in Tampere, Finland
Those of you who know about my books (or have read them), will have noticed that Tampere, my home town, features heavily in two of them. It wasn't something I exactly planned, but I think in my mind I'm often there, even if I was only ten years old when I moved away with my family.Every time I visit … [Read more...]
What’s in a cover – receive a free book!
I know some of you are patiently waiting the publication of my next novel. Something which I promised would happen very soon after The Englishman came out.Alas, there have been some complications (aren't there always?).Firstly, this next novel is very dear to my heart because it tells the story of a … [Read more...]
I love this!
I adore old adverts and this one for Finnish coffee from the sixties (or fifties?) takes me right back to my childhood in Tampere. It evokes the smell of the coffee beans my grandmother used to prepare in her wooden grinder. She held the light pine contraption in her ample lap and with a … [Read more...]
Tampere in the summer
During my holiday I made a quick visit to my hometown, Tampere, with the Englishman, Daughter and Sister, to mark a significant birthday. The weather was absolutely stunning - hot and sunny - making this old industrial town appear frivolous and fun.We stayed in a hotel as there were so many of us. I … [Read more...]
Pappa’s Girl: Jävla Finnar
It was exactly four weeks after our move to Rinkeby in Sweden in the autumn of 1971, when Pappa took me to Stockholm Stadium to see Finland play Sweden. I’d not been to an ice-hockey match since Ilves played Tappara in the Jäähalli in Tampere the previous winter. My team lost to their local rivals. … [Read more...]
Finland are ice hockey world champions!
The silveware. Picture YLEGrowing up in Tampere I was an avid follower of ice hockey. My team, Ilves, were Finnish champions and I saw many matches in the newly built jäähalli. Since moving here, I've lost touch with the game, but could not miss the wonderful news that Finland, after first … [Read more...]
Tampere in Conde Nast Traveller
Hämeensilta, TampereI couldn't believe it when a friend today told me there was an article in the latest Conde Nast Traveller about my home town, Tampere. Had Manse, (as the locals call it) an industrial city in the centre of Finland, suddenly become trendy? Imagine if FT's How to Spend it … [Read more...]
