‘Books!’ says Tuppence in Agatha Christie’s Postern of Fate (Chapter 1: ‘Mainly Concerning Books’) “Is there anything I can take down for you?” “Well, I wish you would”, said Tuppence. “I’m falling off those chairs. Some of their legs are very wobbly, some of them rather slippery.” ”Any book in particular?” ”Well, I haven’t got on very far … Continue reading →
Bonjour Marie-Agnès, Janice et Jean-Claude! Ca va? – How are you? 🙂 We’d like to tell the story today of the quiet, diffident Scotsman who is generally accepted as the inventor of the bicycle; but first, please let us say how thrilled we were to see the excellent photos you’d taken at Gretna, in the course of three separate visits. … Continue reading →
After reading Iain’s such informative article “Married at Gretna Green!“, I simply could not resist to google away in search of philatelic collectibles about this very unique romantic little town. Results from the Web were fascinating and I’m excited to share some examples with you today. On BFDC ‘s website (an acronym for Bradbury First Day Covers), long time UK established company catering … Continue reading →
I would like to begin this post with a few words about Lettres de Gourgounel (1979), one of the first books written by Kenneth White (his first book of prose) and also the first book I‘ve read by this author. The title of the original English edition is Letters from Gourgounel (1966) but it has been out of print for … Continue reading →
“How far, how far to Gretna? ‘Tis years and years away, And chaise and four will nevermore fling dust across the day; But as I ride the Carlisle road, where life and love have been, I hear again the beating hooves go through to Gretna Green.” Anon. Bonjour Jean-Claude, Janice et Marie-Agnès! Hello again from Scotland! 🙂 Isn’t this an … Continue reading →
Scotiana readers who have followed us on our ‘blue road’, in Quebec, already know we are great admirers of Kenneth White. Now, we would like to share with you what we know about the well-known Scottish-French poet, academic and writer. Open on my desk are the last two books published by Kenneth White : La carte de Guido and Les … Continue reading →
I was making for Havre-Saint-Pierre. When I told that to the bus-driver, he said: ‘It’s the end of the road. Can’t go any farther than that. It’s the end of the road.’ Two Indian youths got on the bus at the same time as myself (..) ‘Where you makin’ for?’ ‘Havre-Saint-Pierre.’ ‘That’s the end of the road.’ ‘So they tell … Continue reading →
Bonjour! Hello again from Scotland, Janice, Marie-Agnès and Jean-Claude! Margaret and I would like to begin this first ‘Letter’ of 2011 by sending you all our very best wishes for the New Year. Janice, we send particular greetings and our kindest thoughts to your dear Papa, Jean-Paul, who’s been quite unwell recently. It’s pleasing to hear, Janice, that our Oscar … Continue reading →
During his journey to Quebec, about thirty years ago, which he relates so unforgettably in The Blue Road, Kenneth White stops at Sept-Îles, a turning point on his road to the most remote and wildest places of Labrador. He lingers some time there, making friends and sharing life with a few Amerindians he has met there. Several chapters of The … Continue reading →
Mairiuna, I have a great Sherlock Holmes detective story to share with you today! To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Sir Conan Doyle’s birth, (1859-1930), the small island of Alderney, a bailiwick of Guernsey, issued a mystery set of 6 postage stamps beautifully illustrated by Keith Robinson. The mystery case, written by Keith Robinson, starts with the theft of an Alderney bull, a breed … Continue reading →
A colder spell had set in. It had been a summery Autumn, but now suddenly there was a sharp Winter’s bite in the air. ‘November chill blaws lood wi’ angry sugh…’ Funny how a line of Robert Burns should come into my head. Maybe the ghost of some Scotsman who trekked up here before me? I was to come across … Continue reading →
I’ve always delighted in the reading of old geographers and explorers.You feel in their texts the first tentative steps, see the earliest visions, register the initial astonishment at the appearance of the world in all its phenomenal strangeness. (Kenneth White – ‘Along the Atlantic Coast’ – The Wanderer and his Charts – 2004) In the morning, I’m standing at the … Continue reading →
Mairiuna, before the New Year ramps up, why not investigate about our most popular posts to see what are our readers’ favourite subjects? Let’s see what the stats reveal. Suspense…. And the winners are : 1. Rannoch Moor: First Steps Into The Scottish Wilderness People seemed to be energized in the clear and fresh atmosphere of the place and everybody looked happy … Continue reading →
Hi Mairiuna! Hi Jean-Claude! I sincerely hope the weather is fine while you are roaming the roads during this festive season to visit family members and relatives in different parts of your lovely French country. Upon your return, you will have added more than 2,000 kilometers to your car’s km counter and that is quite some mileage! Let us take together a moment to … Continue reading →
After the road, the trees… After the trees, unknown territory… After that, nothing at all. (Louis Ferdinand Celine quoted by Kenneth White in The Blue Road) Hi everybody! I’m very happy to be back with you on our blue road… ages seem to have passed since I have told you about our marvellous whales watching zodiac cruise on the St … Continue reading →
