Thursday, February 03, 2005
Dollar Conversions
02/03/2005
Although the morning is overcast, the weather remains dry and mild. Sunshine bursts through the clouds a few times before lunch. In the afternoon, the rain starts to appear as light showers, moving towards a more constant drenching. In Glen Orchy, La Masion du Berger is empty for a day or two, so neighbours turn into farmers, shepherds, fencers and plumbers with enthusiasm and success. At Arichastlich Kim and Mhairi rise slowly as Mhairi comes to terms with a new time zone. Nevertheless, by midday K5RRS rolls off to Glasgow with visits to Ikea, Buchanan Galleries, Sauchiehall Street, for everything from light bulbs and pickles to Terry Prachett paperbacks. Pizzas, Pasta and Shrimps are guzzled in Gibson Street with the party expanded to include Uncles Andrew, Jono and Heather. Back feeding dogs in Glen Orchy by 10.00 pm. A lot has been crammed into one day, with sense of humours intact! John reports that American guests are amazed at paying $9 for a pack of cigarettes and $130 for fill of diesel. Perhaps President Blair is a socialist after all, and please, please stop converting the prices! Back in Glen Trollaigh, the round of daily chores continues in the office (pile of paperwork growing). A very rapid trudge up the Alt Trollaigh to check the water supply, Dotty has bled out the air locks, so all is well. In addition, I tackle the now weekly ritual of plunging the second septic tank. This tank requires a bit of re-engineering and modification, but I feel confident that I can do this. It is very easy to ignore ground maintenance, or put off some important farming or horticultural improvements. However, when a septic tank needs work, it cannot be delayed, however unpleasant the prospect. An Ardbeg stiffener is called for, as the lights and fires go on early. Dotty beats our Mhairi to switching the blankets on in the Great Bed. We have learnt to our cost that our Mhairi, must never be referred to as “Old Mhairi” in deference to John and Erica’s granddaughter. The soup at lunch to-day was definitely not up to par. Yours Aye, Archie, The Baron Trollaigh.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Avoiding Paperwork
02/02/2005
A grey day, with light rain, plus five to eight degrees and a light westerly. A lot of discussion about tasks to be attempted in the glen over the next few days, mainly maintenance. I phone John and Erica to see how their guests are fairing. They have spend the day shopping with Mhairi Katharine in Oban, who has still to come to terms with jet-lag, spending from midnight till 4.00 am playing with Erica and eating pasta. After a short snooze with John and Erica, Mhairi returned to her mother’s bed, complaining that it was impossible to sleep as “Gramps” was making funny noises! Shopping in Oban was a great success, visiting almost every shop in George Street, then on to a mega shop to Tesco. All greatly enjoyed by Mhairi. Tomorrow, if all are spared, a shopping trip to Glasgow is planned to purchase treats not available in Alabama, Irn-bru, Galaxy and Rowantree’s fruit pastilles etc! Here at the Tower of Glen Trollaigh we have our first good clumps of Snowdrops and a good increase in garden birdsong, possibly signs of better weather to come, although weathergirl Gail McGrane hints at “Icy Blasts” for the weekend. Perhaps this is not a very technical description, but the meaning is clear. I feel that it is wise to prepare a warming toddy against the cold. The fires are lit and the blankets switched on in good time. I notice that my pile of paperwork is growing larger than I would like, so I must get the nose to the grindstone before the end of the week. Yours Aye, Archie, The Baron Trollaigh.