Things I Loved: February Edition.

It’s a while since I’ve written one of these monthly round up style posts, but the fancy took me and so here we go. A bit late, as we are marching into March. Better late than never?

Things I loved in February, the highlights reel. Starting with…

Finnish TV Drama: Arctic Circle

A Finnish-German collaboration featuring a plot that keeps you guessing, a strong female lead and lots of racing around Finnish Lapland on snowmobiles.

Finnish actress Lina Kuustonen plays police officer  Nina Kautsalo perfectly, pulling off just the right balance of strength and tenderness.

I found this one via Walter Presents on All 4. There is a second season, but I’m yet to track it down. Head to All 4 and give it a go, you won’t regret it. May inspire wanderlust and a desire to explore the wildest side of Finland.

German TV Drama: Dark Woods

This was one of those shows that had me figuring out where I could free up an hour of the day to squeeze in the next episode.

1989, the forests of Lower Saxony, Germany. Local police are dealing with two murders. Local woman Barbara Neder disappears without trace. Those investigating the case don’t believe there is a connection. The brother of the missing woman, who also happens to be a high ranking Hamburg police officer, thinks otherwise.

The next six episodes track the story as it spans out over almost thirty years. The plot unravels the crimes and the mystery of Barbara’s vanishing, but also takes a dive into the impact on those who are left behind.

Dark Woods made for great drama. The really fascinating thing ? It’s based on a true story. Barbara is the fictionalised version of Birgit Meier whose disappearance and murder was solved by her brother, Wolfgang Sielaff. He was indeed a Hamburg police officer. The show was created with involvement from Sielaff. The result is gripping… if not particularly flattering to the relevant German police forces.

Falling into the 1980’s

All in the name of supporting the Teenagers in their history and politics studies. Sometimes I can pass on a bit of knowledge and sometimes I enjoy walking alongside and learning with them. This month has been the latter.

I’ve always had a bit of love for the style of the 1980’s but I didn’t realise what an interesting time it was. We’ve been delving into the time of Margaret Thatcher, miners strikes, the Falklands. Complex but intriguing stuff.

On a lighter note we’ve also fallen in love all over again with Torvill & Dean and put together a cracking 80’s soundtrack. Video of the iconic Bolero included because it’s brilliant.

Viewing on this one involved some old documentaries including Coal Not Dole on good old YouTube and The Iron Lady, featuring Meryl Streep in the lead role. Cue some interesting discussions about how MT presented herself as a woman in a male dominated world; the suits, the neck scarves and the infamous handbag.

It was actually a textile focused month with a look at 80’s style in more ways than one. We also spent an evening with…

The History Wardrobe

I’m mostly flying solo at the moment as Mr THL is off army-ing, so my Valentines date involved a fabulous presentation from the ladies at The History Wardrobe: The Story of the White Wedding.

Featuring a range of wedding dresses and accessories from across the ages, it was a fun and informative romp through evolving traditions, hemlines and wedding day fashions. Waxed orange blossom head bands very appealing; Mother-of-the-Bride outfits not so much.

I love wedding dresses and the creativity of wedding planning, but only from a distance. Mr THL and I eloped. I got married in jeans and flipflops. I wasn’t overly fussed on the wedding, happy to skip straight into the marriage. Seems to have worked!

He still owes me an engagement ring though. We both lost our wedding rings years back, too. Mr THL returned from Afghanistan with my name tattooed on his back and called the job a good ‘un. How romantic, eh?

Walks, Spring Spotting & Time Outdoors

Last month was a quiet one, with lots of time spent finding contentment at home. Wrapped in cosy blankets, playing board games, binge watching and endless hot chocolates.

I’m still out walking just about every day though, with a few longer walks squeezed in here and there. I blogged a little bit about walking in Cholderton and along the Kennet & Avon Canal.

Most days, I’ve walked up on Salisbury Plain training area with The Wolf. One foot in front of the other, listening to the kites overhead and looking for signs that Spring is gently nudging Winter aside.

I love the feeling of happiness these walks inspire in me, I wish I could describe it better to share.

I’ll sign off with some shots from my wanderings instead and hope someone knows what I’m on about. Wishing everyone a happy month ahead.

Helen x