Well, despite my time in Scotland being a writing trip I did manage to find time for distractions and diversions. On the first day I left the Elephant cafe wandering up towards Edinburgh castle. As I moved towards the entrance I finally realized that the giant sports-stadium style scaffolding projecting out from the hillside is … Continue reading
Category Archives: All
The London Train
Speeding through the majestic countryside of Eastern Scotland and northern England, I’m reflecting on my writing holiday. Edinburgh was the perfect place, of course, because on the second day the weather turned chilly, and grey, and eventually rainy, forcing me to buckle down and concentrate on the purpose of my visit. But it was more … Continue reading
Traveling Lines
The sun woke me just before six. We couldn’t figure out how to open the blinds, but somehow a little patch of flickering light appeared, playing over my eyes. I thought about going back to sleep but then I thought how seldom I get to travel on a conveyance with a club car, where I … Continue reading
Moving On
Alas and alack, the lovely Fitzrovia adventure will shortly come to an end. Our landlord has decided to do up the flat and then do up the rent, so very soon we must up sticks and shift. I’ve been very sad about this because the Fitzrovian garret adventure has been just sublime, but I can’t … Continue reading
April Showers
For weeks now the weather has been completely, utterly, and typically British. Staunchly. Proudly, even. It’s been changeable though mostly wet, windy, and colder than expected for the time of year. While not very pleasant to inhabit, something about being immersed in the kind of weather where we grit our teeth and go for bracing … Continue reading
Cobbler Calamity
There are times when it is good to have a logistical plan in place. This is what I thought as I sat on the bus, holding my breath while trying to steady the box on my lap. Yes, there are times when it is good to have a logistical plan in place. Or possibly a … Continue reading
The Gas Leak
Just before I left the house for the evening last Tuesday, my housemate drew my attention to the smell of gas in the kitchen. We sort of hemmed and hawed for a bit, not knowing exactly who you’re supposed to call when you suspect a gas leak. And really? A gas leak? I mean, how … Continue reading
On the Way to Work, Part 5
Series of short blogs about things I see on the way into work. 24 Feb 11 Detoured into the British Museum on the way home. Needed a change of scene. I went to the Elgin Marbles galleries; beautiful in daylight, majestic and mysterious when lit at night. There were so many people–I wanted to get … Continue reading
On the Way to Work, Part 4
Series of short blogs about things I see on the way into work. 23 Feb 11 Walking home through Russell Square, the sliver of a moon upended like a gilded cup waiting to be filled with the fruits of the night. Continue reading
The Day the Ravers Came
There’s an empty laboratory across the street from my house. I like to call it abandoned, but it isn’t really–it’s just been vacant since the Middlesex Hospital was destroyed. I’ve seen workmen in there doing industrious things from time to time, so it can’t really be called abandoned. But it’s empty enough. Enough for a … Continue reading