autumn in Helsinki

In case anyone was wondering, it's definitely autumn in Helsinki. The very friendly locals are blaming the grey, rainy weather on an American hurricane, but that isn't what's making the leaves turn golden. 


I like the autumn, I like the crisp cool days that make you want to wear snuggly jumpers and wrap yourself up in a chunky scarf. However I could do without anymore wind and driving rain tomorrow thank you very much, especially as I'm currently traipsing all over the city with a very heavy bag as I go between meetings. Helsinki is surprisingly hilly but I've never been one to mind an incline or two. I am however struggling with the dual language street signs. Neither my Finnish or my Swedish is particularly good, but the fact that there are two very long names on every road is making it twice as hard to navigate and I didn't have a very good sense of direction to begin with! 


Helsinki feels very quiet after the franticness of London, but it only has a population of half a million compared to London's 7 or 8. I'm trying not to let myself get too relaxed by the pace of life here in Finland though as I'm moving house this weekend and still have a lot to do. Especially as I haven't really packed yet...