A Strong Network

The Women's Institute – widely known as the WI – was established back in 1915. The original goal was to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to get involved in food production during the First World War. Since then, the organisation's purpose has expanded significantly, and today the Women’s Institute is the largest women’s organisation in the UK, boasting around 210,000 members. 

While the WI is still the ultimate place to find a great recipe, and members continue to sell homemade jam and baked goods for charity, it is about much more than just cooking and housekeeping.

The WI plays a major role in education and community action, focusing on issues that matter to both women and society at large. In many ways, the institution has shaped modern British history. Members come from all walks of life. Whether you want to meet new people, learn a new craft, or simply enjoy the company of like-minded women, there is a local group for everyone.

Many find lifelong friends within the WI. Members regularly organise trips to the theatre, cinema, exhibitions, and museums, making the meetings as entertaining as they are practical. There are also plenty of opportunities to stay active together, with regular events hosted for those wanting to try anything from a triathlon to charity walks.

One of the institute’s core missions is promoting national health and sustainable eating habits. Through educational campaigns, the WI encourages healthy living, and their focus on utilizing local produce helps support both personal health and household finances.

Education remains at the very heart of the organisation. While their famous residential college, Denman College, closed its physical doors in 2020, the WI successfully transitioned its educational mission online. Today, members can study a vast array of subjects through the VIA Learning Hub. Courses range from jewellery making, mosaic crafts, and patchwork to bridge, film history, and musical theatre.

After so many years, the Women's Institute has grown into an influential powerhouse in the UK—a force to be reckoned with. The WI provides women with a collective voice externally and an inner strength that members deeply value.

From the very beginning, the institute has encouraged women not only to develop their own creative and practical skills but also to inspire and empower one another. In challenging times, standing together is what matters most. And that is exactly what the women of the Women’s Institute do best.

A personal note: I recently had the pleasure of attending a Women's Institute meeting during my visit to England. I was met with such warmth and kindness by the lovely women there that I honestly felt a bit sad that I couldn't just settle down and attend their meetings regularly. It reminded me of this article I wrote some years ago, which perfectly captures the incredible strength and sisterhood of the WI.

Delightful Deal

I didn't really know what to expect from the town of Deal. It is located on the east coast of Kent – very convenient if you are taking the Eurotunnel (or a ferry) over to France.

We stayed on a peaceful street lined with beautifully restored houses, and within just five minutes, we were down on the high street. Every day we went for a walk – down to the church, where dog owners walked their dogs on the lawn behind it; down small streets we didn't know yet, but grew to know and – of course – down to the seafront, where you could walk for miles in both directions.

The supermarkets were also close by, and as always, my lovely husband came home with shopping bags and the remark, "Why don't we live HERE?". He has said that in so many places by now, but then again, there ARE so many wonderful places where you could easily settle down.

So I completely understand him, and I find myself asking the exact same question when I talk to people in the streets and shops – and feel like I belong.

You can get a really good impression of the town by watching my video below:

Letter to David Attenborough

Inspired by the loveliest of birthday letters from King Charles to David Attenborough earlier this year, I too would like to write – in my own small way – a letter to one of the men I truly admire.

Dear David Attenborough,

When I was a child, I had an uncle who taught me all kinds of things about nature and animals. He took me to see bats at night, he showed me a fox den he had found, and he even placed a hedgehog in my lap (before putting it right back where he'd found it). We would sit and watch birds, spiders, and snakes for hours. He taught me respect for all living things and for the fascinating world of nature, which I still love with all my heart.

You, Sir, are such an "uncle" – one that perhaps not everyone is lucky enough to have in real life, though of course on a much grander scale. You showed us all the wonderful and diverse beings from all over the world. Among my finest memories are visiting gorillas with you on television and diving into the sea with virtual reality gear at the Natural History Museum in London.

Please stay in this world for as long as possible, Mr. Attenborough. The world needs you – and so do we, to make us realize what a magical planet we are so incredibly lucky to live on...!

Kindest regards

Mia

Photo: A wasp enjoying a quiet moment in a flower. Often misunderstood, these little pollinators remind us of the hidden magic in our own backyards

In the Footsteps of Midsomer Murders

Everybody loves a good murder or two – and this is one of the reasons for the success of the Midsomer Murders series. Other reasons are the typical English villages and the cosy houses that we are introduced to.

Most locations can be found in Buckinghamshire, but not everything has been filmed in a single village. Let's take a look at a few of them:

Long Crendon has been used several times because its High Street is utterly charming. The village’s history stretches far back, which is beautifully reflected in its well-preserved houses and ancient church.

The courthouse beside the church dates back to 1485. At one time, it housed the village poor on the ground floor, while the upper floor was used as a courtroom.

Marlow is idyllically situated on the Thames, surrounded by beautiful countryside, and many of its elegant houses date from the 18th century.

Close to Marlow is Little Marlow, where – quite appropriately – the master of crime novels, Edgar Wallace, is buried in the nearby churchyard. The village church has often featured in other well-known series like Lewis, Miss Marple, and Poirot.

Hambleden is a frequently visited village – not only by tourists, but also by film crews, as so many English movies and series have been filmed here. The village is known for its flint cottages and idyllic surroundings, and close by you can see the historic watermill.

I recently stayed in a holiday cottage in Hambleden for a week. If you would like to see my YouTube video of this beautiful place, you can find the link below.

Life as It Was: A nostalgic Visit to Maribo open-air museum, Denmark

Visiting open-air museums is one of my favorite pastimes. I visit all those I can find, and lately, I re-visited a small but lovely museum in Maribo on the island of Lolland.

A picnic bag was packed, and while we sat at one of the tables enjoying sandwiches, coffee, and cake, the resident hens and a single cockerel were very interested onlookers.

The atmosphere was so calm and lovely, and – since we had brought Gussi the dog – we took turns looking inside the houses. I visited one where a wedding was being prepared; in another house hung yarn dyed with plants from the garden. And whilst I was studying the displays, an old clock was ticking loudly with its tock... tock... tock.

The small gardens outside the houses were filled with bee-friendly flowers, and along one – to my surprise – fuchsia bushes were growing in a long row. A hop plant was climbing vigorously, aiming to reach the top of a stake, and a pleased sound from one of the hens suggested the laying of an egg.

We had such a nice day. Do visit this place if you visit Lolland. And maybe you would like to take a look at my YouTube video right here below:

Write a letter

These days it is a rare thing to get a letter. A real letter in a beautiful envelope or maybe a pretty and specially chosen card, that we just have to put on a shelf to admire.

Emails are OK, if you just need to say something to someone, but a letter demands a certain consideration. The receiver will know that the sender has been given the matter some thought; that the words has been chosen carefully to bring joy. Maybe it is a birthday card; maybe it is a get-well card – or maybe it is just a loving letter to reassure or please.

In a way a letter means more than a bouquet of flowers, because a letter takes time to write. You need to sit still and lose yourself in thoughts, because words don’t always come easy. And there is no "delete” button, when you write a real letter. You must know what to write, before you write it.

Maybe letters will be an artform before long. It is such a pleasure to write with a fountain pen for instance. And it is also a pleasure to write slowly and carefully, so the receiver will be able to read the words without trouble.

And most importantly: It is a pleasure to bring pleasure to others…

Smoke and Steam

If you remember the atmosphere from childhood train journeys, you would love the old steam trains still running in Great Britain. Many follow some very scenic routes through areas that you may not have readily access to otherwise, and you can relish the sight in a relaxed and comfortable manor. And at the same time enjoy the trip with one of these wonderful trains that are so lovingly cared for.

Severn Valley Railway is one of the railways that still run regularly between Kidderminster in Worcestershire and Bridgnorth in Shropshire, a distance of 16 miles. The route follows closely the meandering course of the River Severn, and the surrounding area is unspoiled and beautiful. At some point the train crosses the River Severn by means of the Victoria Bridge from 1861- a good example of the craftsmanship of that time.

The historic trains run most of the year and from time to time special events are on the programme. Maybe a certain period of time is reconstructed and the participants dress in costumes of the period, or maybe a “Steam Gala” is being held with a great collection of steam locomotives, a very frequent service of trains and all-night operation. This must be something for all railway enthusiasts.

At such a day we went to Arley station; one of the stops on the route. Arley began as a tiny station in 1862, and although the station grew in time, the main passengers were the anglers who came to spend the day fishing in the river. Wagons with coal frequently drove through the station with cargo from the mines, but in the mid-1960s the golden times of the railway were over - the passengers preferred the car, and many rural stations were closed. Arley station was one of them, and soon it became overgrown with bushes and trees.

In 1974 Severn Valley Railway bought the line, and the station was restored and reopened with great festivities. Since then volunteers have looked after the station and kept the buildings, the platforms and the small gardens.

The autumn Steam Gala event saw trains from near and far. Some came all the way from Devon and Sussex, while others had taken the weekend off from the museums, where they normally belonged. One of the guests were the famous City of Truro; the first European steam locomotive to travel in excess of 150 km/h, and another celebrity was the locomotive 6024 King Edward I.

The arrangement lasted for three days, and during that time no less than 350 locomotives were on tracks. Beautiful trains with fine names such as 7802 Bradley Manor and 9017 Earl of Berkeley came puffing into the station for full steam. It was a splendid sight, and the amateur photographers flocked to get the best pictures of their favourite train.

You probably have to be an enthusiast to tell the difference between the trains, because there are so many different kinds. Until 1948 there were four great railway companies in England constructing lines and producing trains, and those four were later nationalised to form British Railways. The locomotives from these four companies each has their own characteristics, and personally I prefer the dark green from Great Western Railway with all the fine details of brass and copper.

Also the carriages for the passengers are different. Outside they can be wooden or painted in chocolate brown and cream colours; inside they can be extremely elegant. Many of the carriages have teak wood interiors, and there is very comfortable seating for the first-class passengers. Some carriages may even have a bar, where you can enjoy refreshments during the ride, and the dining car has cloth covered tables dressed with fine china.

Severn Valley Railway still serves dinner on board the old trains, so you can eat in style while driving through the English landscape. If you want more than just dinner, you could risk it and take part in a murder mystery. Titles like “Murder at the Station” and “Death for Dinner” might indicate what to expect, and the fellow travellers on these trips may not all be trustworthy...

Special Moments

In Yorkshire we once stayed far out on the moors in an ancient house. There was absolutely no one and nothing nearby. The house was surrounded by vast moorland, and in the distance you could see the Cumbrian Mountains. It was pretty tough out there, and there was snow, even though it was in May. In the evening we sat at the dining table with an open window to hear the bird’s evensong, but otherwise there was absolutely silent.

One day after dinner I went for a walk on the moors. The dusk was falling, and the area was covered in a very evocative, light gray tint. I knew that I should stick to the narrow, unpaved roads, partly because I wasn’t familiar with the area, and partly because there were many abandoned and more or less collapsed mine shafts, I could fall into. So the evening stroll consisted of a long walk out and an equally long walk back.

I had occasionally seen horses out there. Beautiful black horses with long flowing manes, and they moved so gracefully, almost floating, that they were a pleasure to watch. The horses were not fenced and could move around as they wanted, but they were very cautious and stayed at a safe distance.

At one point I stood and enjoyed the sight of the sun going down behind the mountains. It was, as usual, completely quiet, but suddenly I heard a faint snort right behind me. My heart skipped a beat or two, and very, very slowly I turned around. I hadn’t even heard that a herd of horses had showed up. There were 5-6 adult horses, and with the herd were a few foals.

We stood for a long time and just looked at each other. Then one foal slowly approached me and came so close, that it could sniff my neck with his velvet muzzle. Meanwhile I stood completely motionless, hoping inwardly that the adults were not troubled.

When the curious foal had finished his investigation and found that I was probably not a horse, but on the other hand nothing dangerous, it went back to the herd. And the horses just vanished as silently as they had appeared...

Asters

In the autumn months everything blooms in shades of purple in Picton Garden near Great Malven, where the Picton family has grown asters since 1906. Today, the site forms The National Collection of autumn-flowering asters, and it has gradually become quite an extensive collection.

From August to mid-October, you can see over four hundred different asters growing among other late perennials, grasses and shrubs. It is a fantastic sight, as asters come in a range of colours from white and pale pink through light purple to very dark purple.

The autumn flowering asters can be from just 10 cm in height to almost 200 cm. There are great variations, and it depends - among other things - on the soil they grow in. If the soil is well-drained and sandy, they will not grow that tall, while in nutrient-rich soil they can grow above average height.

Asters are wonderful plants to have in the garden because they are hardy and bloom so willingly. Fortunately, more people are realizing that asters are not just beautiful to look at; they are also extremely good to plant for the sake of wildlife.

Asters attract butterflies and bees in large numbers, and they are a fine source of food for the insects at a time when there is not much else in the garden. When the plants later go to seed, the birds come to eat the seeds, so asters will bring life to the garden in a lot of different ways.

An Old Town in Denmark

If you sit on a stone step in the sun and close your eyes, inhale the wonderful smell from the bakery and listen to the sounds of horses and hens, in your thoughts you will be transported back to another time. A faraway time it seems – but still a time many of us remember, at least partly.

And when you open your eyes again and see the sun shine on the cobblestone-covered streets and the beautiful, old timber frame houses – well, it isn’t a dream after all. Den Gamle By – “The Old Town” -  in Jutland is fortunately very real. You can easily spend a whole day here, because the houses are filled with interiors, workshops and exhibitions of all kinds.

The museum was established in 1909 as the world's first open-air museum of urban history and culture. In the beginning the buildings were the demolition-threatened houses from the area, but later different kinds of buildings from other parts of Denmark were added.

The very first building in the museum was the Mayor’s House, where domestic culture from 1600 to 1850 is on show. Adjacent to the house is a fine Renaissance garden from 1647. Gardens of this type were purely for show, and the fine pattern formed by low, close-cropped boxwood could best be seen from the first floor. In contrast to this decorative garden lies a romantic garden with roses and ivy, and gardens of this type became fashionable in the eighteenth century.

The Merchant's House and shop from 1864 is typical from the time. In the shop you could buy a mix of foodstuff and utensils, and the merchant was usually an enterprising man, who also imported and sold goods abroad. In the room beside the shop tired travellers could relax with a snifter or two.

The Pharmacy in The Old Town is the oldest and best preserved in Denmark, and it appears as a well-stocked pharmacy would have looked like in the first half of the 1700s. In the back garden you can see the many healing herbs, which were cultivated by the pharmacist for the manufacture of his own drugs, but at the same time the many voyages of discovery gave him the opportunity to offer more exotic new medicaments from faraway places.

The Mint master’s Mansion lies on the town square like the Mayor’s House. In 1683 it was built as a residence for the royal mint master, and at that time it was one of the finest houses in Copenhagen. But soon after timber framed buildings went out of fashion, and although it was modernized in the 1700s it became so worn down, that it was demolished in the 1900s. Sensibly enough all the parts were stowed away, and in 1995 they were brought to The Old Town. Ten years later the house was rebuild as the stately home it once was.

The well-preserved staircase from the beginning of the 1700s leads up to a beautiful rococo apartment with handmade wallpaper and a hand-painted ceiling with birds. The ceiling goes back to the 1600s, and although it was heavily degraded by fungi and insects, when it was found at a storeroom in Copenhagen, it was recreated in minute detail.

The toy museum is situated in a beautiful, old warehouse, where you can see 5000 different toys from the 1600’s onwards to the 1950’s. The exhibition will undoubtedly awake the joy of recognition among those of us remembering things like Märklin trains, mechanical toys, dolls and teddy bears.

Today there are 75 very different houses in the museum, including a beautiful theatre, a post office and a telephone exchange. Most buildings are from the 1700’s and the 1800’s, but more recent times are emerging. The 20th century has its own quarter, where you can see the houses and shops from the “happy seventies”, and even our own time (2014) is now represented.

The Old Town is a wonderful place to explore history in an informative and entertaining way. It's so good to know one’s roots - and in a time when development occurs with rocket speed, you really need to go a few steps back and feel the atmosphere of those days where everything was done in a very different pace.

My favorite painter

I will tell you much more about the painter Paul Fischer later, so this is just a brief introduction to him and to Copenhagen, as it was about one hundred years ago.

Even if I was not born at that time, his paintings remind me of my childhood. Many areas in Copenhagen have not changed that much - most buildings still stand, and the stork fountain is still to be seen.

Paul Fischer really captures the spirit of beautiful Copenhagen, and his pictures are extremely popular. When you look at them you can imagine being there, and I can easily understand why so many people wish to hang a piece of old-fashioned atmosphere and beauty on their wall...

The joy of writing

In the beginning of the 90's I wrote three books – one about Dolls Houses; one about other kinds of miniature projects and one about stencilling – but for a long period of my life, I did anything but write. I worked as a secretary, a clerk, a copywriter and a translator – just to mention a few of the many jobs I have had.

Writing is my passion though, and from 2008, I wrote and published magazines about Great Britain – which was another passion of mine. In all 32 magazines with articles of historic houses, history, gardens, animals and all things nice and British… 

Lately I have come full circle. I stopped writing magazines and resumed writing books – and I feel like I have come home. I have so many projects; so many things I wish to write about. I have written a book about the beautiful things in life, one about the English Christmas and one about London. All in Danish...

I have also written a book about Scotland. I have visited Scotland many times, and for two months I drove from East to West and all the way round in a motorhome. I miss those days and would love to go back… but for now, I must make do with my Scottish pictures.