Well, that was September. The month of back-to-school, a sweater in the morning and regret by noon weather and apparently now the month it’s acceptable for shops to start unveiling whole aisles of Christmas food. Tesco, I’m looking at you reproachfully.
There’s been a lot going on behind the scenes here at THL, some of it fun and exciting. Some of it not so much. Such is life, hey? Time is going to pass regardless so you might as well try and make every day a bit lovely. And in September, that looked a bit like this…
Netflix, Netfilx & More Netflix….
It’s been a Netflix heavy month. They are smashing out some brilliant viewing and with evenings drawing in and Mr THL having spent much of the month on exercise, I’ve been happy to get comfy- cosy and lost in a story. For modern fairy tale viewing I highly recommend Sweet Tooth. The whimsical, forest core thumbnail of a little boy with antlers caught my browsing eye and then the first episode got us all hooked. Roll on season 2.
Definitely not so family friendly and far from light-and-fluffy, The Defeated has been my early night- hot chocolate – T.V in bed viewing. I’m a history geek and my heart belongs in Germany so this post WW2 drama was always going to be a winner for me. Set in 1946 Berlin, it’s gritty but glamourous, packed with strong female performances and tightly plotted.
One of those strong females is Claire Franklin, played by British actress Tuppence Middleton. The character she brings to life has a wardrobe of 40’s fashion to die for, a script full of sharp responses delivered in a cut glass English accent and an enviable ability to drink like a fish. In my day dreams, I’d like to be more Claire. Reality: broad geordie accent, forever in wellies and a liability after three drinks. Oh well *shrugs*
Staying dark but much less gritty, Mr THL and I loved Post Mortem: No one Dies in Skarnes. For a show based on death and set mainly in a funeral home, it throws out some great laugh out loud moments. A brilliant blend of Scandi Noir and black humour. Can’t say much more without giving too much away but it’s very much worth a watch.
Walking Through the Change of Seasons
No secret that I’m a fan of walking but this time of year is really special. The landscape changes, the light changes, there’s plenty to forage. The weather is warm enough to be out all day but cool enough for comfort. A good walk is the solution to many a problem, I reckon.
Exploring and Planning to Explore
So…it looks like we’ll be leaving Wiltshire sooner than we’d anticipated. Say no more on that, it’s a big old muddle and I’ve literally no idea what’s happening going forward. I do know it’s no good dwelling on what you can’t control so I’m refusing to get riled and am instead focusing on seeing as much of the place that is currently home as possible.
This month we’ve been exploring the near by town of Marlborough, walked a little of the White Horse Way ( I suggested walking it all then realised that totals about ninety miles and scrapped that idea ) and made a point of getting out on some of our favourite local tracks across Salisbury Plain. Plans for the coming month include Bath, the South coast and the New Forest. If anyone has any shouts for walks or places to see, please do drop them in the comments.
And Finally, Looking Back..
One of the nice things about blogging is how you can look back and have a diary of where you were and what you were up to. It’s amazing how much you forget as time ticks on. I had a look at my September Round Up 2020 post and it’s given me a lot of encouragement for this year.
Back then we were all on the edge of a tough winter, although of just how tough we were blissfully ignorant. Mr THL and I were walking through our longest separation ever as he was deployed to the Baltic region. I was juggling deployment life in Wiltshire with all my family up North. All of us kept apart due to circumstance and Covid. Urgh. But were we glum? No, were we heck! We were walking, Netflixing, finding joy where we could and dressing up as ghosts, apparently. And that brings me to my closing point.
We don’t yet know what this Autumn / Winter will bring. Less Covid related troubles and no lock downs, hopefully. The past few years have been tough and there may be struggles ahead still. ‘Shortages ‘ is the worrying word of late, isn’t it?
This I do know. Finding joy in small things will sustain us. Sitting round the fire. A walk. Cosying up to watch a good TV show. Good company. Helping someone out. A bit of home baking. Dressing up like a ghost or anything else you like for a garden photo shoot. Do something silly just for the laughs.
Wishing you all a cosy October with plenty of reasons to smile.
Helen x
As you say, we don’t know what this winter will bring – perhaps more shortages and rising costs…
time indeed to find reasons to smile, and joy, in the small things xx
Absolutely! Hopefully it won’t be a bad one though.
Not if we do manage to keep finding smiles in the smaller things! 🙂
Thanks Helen sounds as if your September was rather lovely
We’ve twice given up on Netflix. The problem is, if you haven’t got a particular film in mind, is knowing what to watch. The Defeated sounds worth a look. Maybe Post Mortem too. Thanks. You seem to have had a good month!
I know what you mean, i put Netflix on the other day to watch while ironing and took so long to pick something, i could have just had it done 😂 but the more you watch, the better it gets at picking things for you.
So I hear. Well, winter’s coming ….
What a great-looking guy the Wolf is! 🙂
Hope you get to enjoy more of Wiltshire before having to move on again. Do you get a limited choice of places to head next? I’m certain Helen that wherever you end up you will all make the most of it and find joy in your surroundings.
Thanks Marion, we get to say three places we’d like to go and one we wouldn’t. Then it’s all decided in an office in Glasgow. I do believe it’s what you make of it, so although I’ll miss some aspects of life here I’ll look forward to the next chapter.
I am still buying dvds, but they don’t work with a life that involves packing up often. Some good reviews!
Thank you! Yes, we’ve become more and more minimal with each move. There are some classics that I know I won’t tire of so I do have a small but cherished DVD pile.
What a lovely positive post, I needed that, having just had news of a friend having died of Covid. Moving on, thanks for the Netfix titles, I can never find anyhing to watch on there and need guidance. The last thing I really enjoyed was Succession (was that Netfix? I think it was). Anyway, I shall definitely log on for Post Mortem this evening and maybe The Defeated if sleep is evading me. Hope the future plans are not too disturbing of your current life but don’t leave WP and the blog, please.
Oh Mari, I’m so sorry for your loss. Gentle hugs from me. I hope you can find some peace, and distraction if you need it. The location may change but the blog will continue, I’m sure. Thank you so much for your kind words and ongoing support 😊
What a cheerful soul you are, Helen. Of necessity, I guess, having a husband in the forces. Oooh, yes- Bath is beautiful! And you’ll no doubt have plenty of Autumn leaves to kick. Enjoy- I know you will- and good luck with the posting!
Thanks Jo 😊
You are so right about concentrating on the small wins and trying to be positive Helen. Always the best way to be especially at the moment with potential shortages and issues going forward. We’re also in Wiltshire for a couple of months so trying to get out and explore as much of it as possible. Lovely county.
Thanks Jonno, enjoy your time in Wiltshire, it really is a beautiful place.
Love your positive attitude! Hope the new posting is a good one for you all.
Thanks Anabel. Posting is still all to play for at the moment but it will work out one way or another.
Thanks for visiting my blog at Le Chic En Rose, Helen! I’m now following along yours. Covid has certainly thrown more than a few curve balls over this past year. We are fortunate in Western Australia but visiting family in the UK (my elderly father in particular) will not be possible for a while. Do hope all works out for you wherever you go next, very best wishes Rosemary (Le Chic En Rose)