Picked the book up from the LFL of Ruoholahti, Helsinki. First because it mentioned London and when I looked at the cover it had this almost magical glow to it. A superb cover, I have to say. Hopefully the story matches it!

I ought to do some serious house-cleaning, so I picked up this book, the logic being that if I don't like it, I can get rid of it and the house looks cleaner. As if one less book would make a difference.
Unfortunately I seem to like the book. I am a pack rat. I love old things and finding an old diary would be fascinating. I've been to St Ives.
What I'm not keen on is reading two storylines, one modern and one war time, going back and forth. But it suits for the Helmet 2022 -challenge; the storyline does not follow the true order of things (11.).

Pic: A tea room in St Ives.

Tea, too, was rationed in the UK during the war. How did they manage if they run out of it? I think my current tea supply will last until the very end. Which does not stop me from trying new flavours. My favourite of the moment is green tea bought from Corsica of all places. A bit of a problem when it runs out.

I knew a lady who used to be a spotter in the anti-aircraft work. Women weren't part of the army then, but they were allowed to keep guard of the skies from towers a bit similar to those hunters stalk elks from. How many planes, their location and direction - notify ASAP. She was guarding during night time and had her German shepherd guarding her - the dog was always lifted into the tower as well as it was warmer there. Spotters were always in danger of being shot and silenced by the enemy. This lady died in 2019, I think, a week or so before her 99th birthday.

Finally finished. Perhaps it was old-fashioned chick-lit, romantic and sentimental, but I liked it. And I've also had to clear out flats and cottages of dear ones, so I know how hard it can be to sell things you know they valued a lot more than what is their market value. Tuff, but you can't save everyhting.
My Dad's Nanny Hilda was like a second mother to him, but she corresponded with an American Finnish Hugo and ended up marrying him and moving to Boston, Massachusets. She never had children of her own and always kept contact with Dad, who was 18 years younger to the day! They talked on the phone, long-distance, twice a year - on their joined birthday and on Christmas. She always sent us kids US dollars on our birthdays and invited us over, but none of us travelled to see her. She came to Finland every now and then and spent her last years here when Hugo had died.

For some reason I thought you might like this book. I did. Happy Birthday!

Sure I will like this book, thank you! I love Britain and London and a good story!