Tag Archives: writing
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
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
Trying Out a New City (Again!)*
Eclectic, dirty, quirky and – for a European capital – surprisingly scruffy. This city reminds me of a bric-à-brac shop, where a precious artefact, a piece of useless junk, an item of modern tat and a neglected masterpiece lie side … Continue reading
Picking Up The Pen Again
Just start. Take that first – hard – step. “I haven’t written since before Christmas,” I say to H. “If we stay at home, I’ll just keep working. I really want to write something – anything – today. Besides, we both need fresh … Continue reading
Winter and the Art of Waiting – and Trusting
One of my recurring nightmares is missing Christmas. When I am under intense stress and feel like I am losing control of my life, I start dreaming that, somehow or other, I’ve overslept, miscalculated the dates, forgot to look at … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged christmas, green man, hope, katherine gregor, merlin, scribe doll, trust, winter, writing
14 Comments
Yes
A sea of people rushes forth as soon as the traffic lights turn green. A faceless crowd all looking down as they stride. I dodge them to avoid collision. I try in vain to catch someone – anyone’s – eye. A man’s … Continue reading
Posted in Odds & Ends
Tagged christmas, city, hope, katherine gregor, scribe doll, writing
12 Comments
Poetry?
I don’t like poetry. There. I’ve said it. Go ahead and tell me that’s as bad as not liking children or animals – or art. Well, I like most children. I love animals. As for art, I like it – as … Continue reading
