Autumn 2018: Part 1

I tweeted this picture earlier in the week as a precursor to my autumn posting! In case you are wondering, yes there are some filters involved – my phone’s camera now has a ‘pro’ mode 😉

Looking back towards Helsinki (click on the pictures for a full screen experience!)

We were sitting on the rocks of an island out in the Helsinki / Sipoo archipelago, enjoying what is colloquially known as the last weekend of summer (no matter what the weather is!). After the sun went down, the mökki owners lit their bonfires, and all around us these beacons bid farewell to summer. At least one place sent up a few fireworks as well!

Now the days grow shorter everyday (and it’s quite noticeable!) and our thoughts turn to autumn. I won’t admit to a favourite season – it’s possible to find something great about the weather, no matter what time of the year it is. I will concede however, that autumn does have more than a few things going for it!

• Mushrooms and foraging for mushrooms! Beware though: there are some poisonous mushrooms in the Finnish forest: a must to take with you is a well illustrated guide book!
• The Habitare show (Interior, Design & Furniture) at the Messukeskus – a truly wonderful happening where you can get your fill of Nordic & Scandinavian design (young and old, modern & traditional). This year it’s on 12-16th September, and the theme is Roots. Highly recommended for inspiration!
• We get a little bit of ruska (the colour change of leaves at autumn) in southern Finland, although if you want to experience the true beauty: head north!

Even my own garden has a touch of Ruska

• Berries! June, July and August are usually prime months for garden berries, and if you are looking for a great strawberry, nothing beats a Finnish strawberry! Either hand picked by yourself, or freshly packed from the market place. Autumn is when our really tasty berries arrive! Sea buckthorn / tyrni; rowanberry / pihjala; lingonberry / puolukka – these are all ripe for picking in the autumn.

Sea buckthorn – a vitamin C bomb!

• A personal favourite are the lovely crisp mornings! We haven’t had any frost in southern Finland (yet!) – it’s just a matter of time now.

  

  So still! So crisp!

Stay tuned over the next few weeks for more autumn tips: things to do, places to go and people to meet as I share my comings and goings with you!

 

Safe travels!

Cheers
Heather

 

 

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Weekly Photo Challenge: From Lines to Patterns

This week’s photo challenge raises that rare dilemma: which pictures to choose?! I actually hit the pavements early yesterday morning and collected some very nice paving and cobblestone pictures. Then I remembered our visit to Galerie Anhava earlier in the summer. The artist in question was Pe Lang and the exhibition name was Moving Objects. The Engineer suggested that we visit this, and as soon as we entered the space I could see why! Lots of lines and patterns, moving, creating and recreating continually.

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All the items were constructed from electrical components, paper, magnets, cord and copper wire. No 502-519 was my favourite. It was so mesmerising, I could have watched the magnets floating up and down for hours. The Engineer was very taken with No 809, and even went so far as to find out how much it was. Needless to say, it was just a little out of our reach. Still, no harm in dreaming 🙂

Galerie Anhava is very centrally located and can be found here:

For information on current exhibitions and opening times,  visit Galerie Anhava.

For more interpretations of Lines to Patterns check out the comments on the weekly photo challenge post.

Disclosure note: The first time I visited Galerie Anhava was in 2009, for an exhibition called Contemporary Now. One of the exhibitors at that show (Shoji Kato) is a good friend of my mother-in-law. It’s a really nice cool spot to drop in to see the work of up and coming artists.

Two little letters: part I

H and H are the two letters I’m referring to. As in Heather’s Helsinki. They popped into my head earlier this afternoon when I was in the pet shop of all places. This coming Saturday they are taking part in a street festival of sorts.

The street’s name is Hitsaajankatu (Welder’s Street). The area was formerly an oil terminal, and has been reclaimed and turned into a very nice residential / commercial district. Lots of the streets in this area have industrial related names. It’s a very common feature of the street naming process in many parts of Helsinki – the names might reflect the previous use of the area or concentrate on a theme.

The street festival that is coming on Saturday is Hitsin Hulinat. A loose translation is Hell’s Craziness or Hells’ Big Noise. The idea is that all the shops in the area will be having big sales and nice happenings as well. Hitsaajankatu has a mixture of outlets and regular shops. The pet shop falls into the later category, while further up the street is Mr. 14’s favourite shop; Outlet 6, an outlet shop that specialises in skate wear.

Participants and some of their offers!
(Click to enlarge image)

The pet shop promise discounts and will have a trainer on hand to give dog training tips. Although our Perry is well-trained, there are a couple of issues that would benefit from some additional work. I’m working on reducing my wardrobe, so I’ll pass on the clothes outlets this time around. Perhaps lunch at Hanko Sushi is on the cards though. I’m pretty certain I know where Mr. 14 will want to go…

Use the picture above, and the two maps below if you are in need of some retail therapy. Have fun out there!

Open this link to a custom-made map with all the listed outlets for your convenience! https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zTLS007KwFxU.kYVrvsJBFej4

Getting there: Helsinki metro station Herttoniemi is a short 5 minute walk away.

PS: Only 27 days to go now…