Author Archives: Scribe Doll
The Castle of Translators
Seneffe. H. is beaming as we walk into the courtyard. It is girdled by a horseshoe of former 18th century stables, now turned into guest rooms. In front of us, beyond the railings, are the tall trees belonging to the … Continue reading
Posted in Travel
Tagged katherine gregor, languages, literary translation, scribe doll, seneffe
14 Comments
Pandolfi’s Violin
There’s a twinkle in the eye of the violin in Pandolfi’s sonatas. He teases, provokes, confuses – then bursts out laughing. An impish laugh, part-threatening, part-joyful. Now, he plays the notes measuredly, mathematically, in deference to the accompanying continuo, and now … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged katherine gregor, music, pandolfi mealli, scribe doll, violin sonatas
14 Comments
Homesick
Wind-swept, East of England skies. Shapeshifting clouds. Swirls of white puff that stretch into mountains, curl into castles, swell into dragons, rise into chariots, then metamorphose into angels. Skies mottled with lead-grey, steel-grey, velvet grey with undertones of purple, shades … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged east of england, homesick, katherine gregor, scribe doll, weather, writing
21 Comments
The Red Room: A Farewell
The news of the Red Room closing down reached me at a time when I especially feel the need for continuity and something solid under my feet. I am preparing for my fourth house move in eighteen months. A few … Continue reading
On the Train from Norwich to London
The journey from Norwich to London was supposed to take two hours. It took a little over four. When we left Norwich, all seemed on schedule. Then they got us to leave the train and wait on the platform in … Continue reading
Posted in Travel
Tagged ghent, katherine gregor, norwich, robert browning, scribe doll, train journeys
10 Comments
Pictures of Saint-Gilles
In the heart of bas Saint-Gilles, the cobbles of Le Parvis are lined on both sides with cafés, brasseries and a couple of Moroccan cake shops. Tables are put outside at the first glimmer of elusive Brussels sunshine. People sit … Continue reading
Posted in Travel
Tagged brussels, katherine gregor, saint-gilles, scribe doll, travel, writing
4 Comments
Place de Bethléem
The early evening light bathing Place de Bethléem carries flecks of sunlight. Since moving to Brussels, I’ve had to arrange my timetable according to the sun. In other words, as soon as I glimpse a rare hint of a sunbeam, … Continue reading
Posted in Travel
Tagged brussels, katherine gregor, place de bethléem, saint-gilles, scribe doll, travel, writing
10 Comments
Jazz and Three Women Carrying Water
In the Place du Jeu de Balle/Vossenplain, the flea market is being packed up. Small china ornaments, wood carvings, worn-in leather jackets, incomplete sets of cut-crystal glasses and frayed canvasses with oil paintings of forest clearings are wrapped in creased … Continue reading
Three Brussels Quirks and Three Delights (at least for a Londoner)
Quirk No 1: The Milk Issue “I don’t think we’ll be getting any semi-skimmed milk this week.” I stare at the sales assistant of our local Carrefour supermarket. I am suddenly propelled into a parallel universe of Surrealism where I … Continue reading
Scribe Doll 