Saturday, February 11, 2006
The Church MIce And The Tower
02/11/2006
The days of the year start to tick past, and time seems to accelerate. As a result, this week has vanished. I have supervised masses of earth moving with Grampian Holdings help and managed fifteen solid hours on my tardy bookwork. One highlight must have been giving the toothless heavy plant troll the heave-ho; I must say that he did not seem too upset as his convoy of Range Rovers and low-loaders ground out of Glen Trollaigh en-route to another sucker. Our weather has been very kind with Tuesday being the only wicked day of constant heavy rain, strong winds and a River Trollaigh as high as I have ever seen her. Today the showers are back, however, the days lengthen and warm with the sun at last climbing straight over MacDonald’s Ridge and striking the Tower of Glen Trollaigh at 11 am, allowing us to work on until dark at 6 pm.
At this time of year we shoot a few Hinds to manage the Red Deer, this is always a little disturbing and dearest Dottie frets so about it all, but it has to be done to let the surviving herds have enough grazing to sustain them through the hard weather to come. We can, however, interfere with garden bird stocks by piling on the feed, the beggars are already onto their third 25 kilo sack of peanuts, normally two sacks lasts the whole winter. Does this mean more birds, greedier birds or a longer feeding season? Graham Oakley, a distant relative of dearest Dottie’s and a welcome, frequent visitor suggests that something other than birds may be snacking from the Peanut sacking. The Tower of Glen Trollaigh has always been overrun with Dormice who are hibernating at this time of year but will seize the chance of easy fodder if they can find it. Graham did admit over a Young Ardbeg that he based his “Church Mice” books on the inhabitants of The Tower of Glen Trollaigh after a long night when we waited together to witness a family of Dormice springing a mouse trap with a twig to gain the cheese and chocolate bait.
I join millions in rejoicing at the splendid crushing of President Blair’s New Labour in the Dunfermline by-election, what an upset! Just a pity that the Liberals pulled it off, as they are Blair’s clones, rather than the SNP who must have seriously fumbled the ball once more. A quick trip to Ayr races is on the cards, and of course, a special mention for Turin, what an amazing performance last night, such style, cheers, Yours Aye, Archie, The Baron Trollaigh.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Scotland Pulls It Off
02/06/2006
As dearest Dottie and I headed south, to Yorkshire on Friday, the skies cleared of the foggy stuff and we carried on to a weekend of pleasure and relaxation with many an old chum at the races. I have a favourite “on course” bookmaker at the rougher events in the shape of Victor Chandler. I grappled with his father in the old days, however with young Victor it’s still a challenge to lift a bob or two and we usually come away empty handed. This time Victor was a little rash on Saturday after England romped to victory over Wales in RGU, and Victor surprisingly accepted a double up on Scotland versus France when we were a “pony” ahead on the Catterick nags. Wonder of wonders we pulled it off and returned to Glen Trollaigh late last night with a thousand in smackers to the good. Well, I should say that dearest Dottie held the stakes as usual so there will be no divvies for yours truly, but lots of fun for the old fellow.
Monday brings a bit of rain and the ground is eased from winter’s icy grip, and so, much refreshed, I am back to garden construction with a vengeance. The forecast gives changeable weather for the rest of the week, I am quite pleased as a day or two indoors are required to bring the paperwork up to date, while dearest Dottie supervisies marmalade making. An early night is called for after such a busy weekend, but perhaps a dram or two first. Yours aye, Archie, The Baron Trollaigh.