Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Red Toothpaste
02/01/2005
A surprise, a really good day’s weather when one least expected it! Almost spring like, with a temperature of plus thirteen degrees, light westerly wind, dry with plenty of bright sunshine. We can even watch the moon for most of the day to the east of us, halfway between full and new. Plenty to do in Glen Trollaigh but the highlight must be the news from Glen Orchy that Kim and Mhairi Katharine Kerr have arrived safely from Madison, Alabama. These lovely girls are daughter-in-law and granddaughter to John and Erica and their arrival has lifted everyone’s spirits in the Lorn glens. Dotty and I cannot resist nipping across the high pass with the complete pack in high spirits to call at Arichastlich, a wonderful treat to be greeted with such innocent informality by Mhairi Katharine, surely she could be a most suitable recipient of the ancient rights and titles of Glen Trollaigh. Her father generously sends me a superb personalised sweatshirt that I will wear to the Colonsay Ceilidh. Before we leave after many friendly toasts to “the confusion of our mutual enemies”, there is a slight contra ton about red toothpaste. Apparently, the blue variety has been left in Madison, and Oban will be scoured tomorrow for a replacement. A blast from the past to hear from Irwin Fletch, once again his memory fails him, as it was his father Major Sir Duncan Fletch of that Ilk who made the bidding error that legally allowed the Trollaighs to possess both the Fletch Gold Pocket Watch and the rights to all future generations of first-born Fletch females. I still wear the gold fob each day in my Haggarts of Aberfeldy tweed waistcoat, however, in deference to dearest Dotty I have never exercised the second prize! But, dear Irwin, one never knows! Yours Aye, Archie, The Baron Trollaigh.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Wheelbarrows
01/30/2005
Overnight the wind backs westerly, southwesterly, a breeze springs up to give us very light drizzle early and late, very mild at plus ten degrees. We join the Kerrs, including Fred Lang, Jono and Heather for a brisk trudge at Bridge of Orchy, where John has had some business with Anne Marshall. A light lunch at Arichastlich, where I learn that I will be appointed the new technical director of Diana Drummond Ltd. This a great honour, although I will bring a wealth of experience to the post. A small celebration breaks out, and dearest Dotty kindly drives me home. To clear the head we manage some hard work in the garden in the afternoon. I spend much of the time thinking about the design of the wheelbarrow, although the Trollaighs cannot claim the original patent, over the years, we have made several significant improvements, including the addition of the pneumatic tyre, separate tubular steel chassis and plastic body. I am now tinkering with a design for twin wheels and a composite chassis, to improve stability and help lift more weight without more effort. I was hoping to attract plenty of sponsorship, possibly from Ardbeg. Their response to my original enthusiastic approach was, I thought, rather flippant. I felt that Ardbeg would see this as part of a launch of a range of garden hardware, promoting their most excellent product to a new leisure market. I was somewhat hurt when, with a little mirth they suggested that the product name might be “The Great Garden Trolley.” Somehow, the Islay single malt is not so seductive this evening. So a glass or two of cellar red suffices. No fire required tonight it is so mild, a good read and then the Great Bed in good order. Yours Aye, Archie, The Baron Trollaigh.