Author Archives: Scribe Doll

Reacquaintance with Rome

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Scribe Doll

Say, “Rome,” and people start gushing.  The Sistine Chapel, the Coliseum, the Spanish Steps.  By a whim of the gods, I was born in Rome. I have a T-shirt with a drawing of the She-Wolf nursing Romulus and Remus.  One … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

In the Mountains of Abruzzo

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Scribe Doll

The plan had been to spend a week in Tuscany. Then, I closed my eyes and opened The Rough Guide to Italy at a random page. No, not Tuscany. Abruzzo. The National Park of Abruzzo. 400 square kilometres of rugged, … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | 11 Comments

Odds & Ends: The English Food Complex

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Scribe Doll

Of course, not all the English are like this. “Is this all right, my dear, or is it too much?” The hostess looks in earnest. You stare at the minuscule mound before you, and resist the temptation of lifting your … Continue reading →

Posted in Half-English Observations | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Pet Hates: Pet Likes: London Transport 2

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Scribe Doll

Last week, Adrian challenged me to come up with a list of ‘likes’ about London Transport.  So, here we go: Pet Hates Likes: London Transport 2 No. 1 Teenagers on the bus. The smaller boys grab the overhead bars, swing … Continue reading →

Posted in Pet Hates | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Pet Hates: London Transport

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Scribe Doll

No. 1 On the Tube, men who mark their territory by spreading their knees so wide, you have less room in the seat next to them, than entitled to by train designer. Solution: Wait for the train to brake and, … Continue reading →

Posted in Pet Hates | 9 Comments

Odds & Ends: Isn’t It Romantic?

Posted on May 1, 2011 by Scribe Doll

Two days ago, the nation was swept into a pink fluffy cloud of romance.  The Government encouraged this mass adoration of somebody else’s wedding by decreeing a Bank Holiday.  The country was momentarily distracted from economic problems, Britain’s increasing involvement … Continue reading →

Posted in Odds & Ends | 5 Comments

Pet Hates: Doctors – the New Priests

Posted on April 24, 2011 by Scribe Doll

First, there were the priests.  Now, there are the doctors.  Has anyone else noticed the similarities between those two? Along with lawyers, they have always formed the most loathed and derided professional triumvirate in literature and the theatre.  Anton Chekhov, … Continue reading →

Posted in Pet Hates | 5 Comments

Words and Civilisation: Being Realistic

Posted on April 17, 2011 by Scribe Doll

When I first started writing this blog, and announced it to just about everyone I knew,  one of my acquaintances declared – point blank – that she would not be reading it. “Nobody reads blogs, anymore,” she said.  “There’s too many … Continue reading →

Posted in Words and Civilisation | 2 Comments

Words and Civilisation: Yes and No

Posted on April 10, 2011 by Scribe Doll

Rule Number One to be truly English.  Banish at once the following two words from your vocabulary: ‘yes’ and ‘no’. They are unsightly, un-English, and compromising.  They state an absolute, and that is bad-mannered.  After all, who gives you the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, Words and Civilisation | 3 Comments

Words and Civilisation: I Tried To Call You

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Scribe Doll

“I tried to call you.” How many times have you heard that one? It is annoying enough when  friends say it but when I hear it in a professional context,  I have to repress my instinct to pounce and tear … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, Words and Civilisation | 3 Comments