Hard Tack

05/26/2005

Thursday and another mixed day for weather. Dearest Dottie has left with our two girls, Celeste, and The Admiral; they are planning a week of R&R based at the Highbury house. Lachie is keeping well away from the Tower of Glen Trollaigh, where Mhairi is under strict instructions to keep me under constant surveillance, and impose a strict diet. I have been given a written list of tasks to be completed about the place and I have been told to walk all the dogs for at least five miles each day regardless of the weather. The front lawn is to be inspected three times a day and repair and care lavished upon it, my purda will end with the first careful mowing of a fresh, level sward. I am deeply depressed as I watch showers sweep up the glen. My spirits lift after a brisk climb up the Alt Trollaigh to check the water supply and onwards over my favourite long high pass, as I descend into Glen Orchy I am overtaken by the Kerrs returning from a trip to Oban to top up supplies. They have heard nothing of our recent troubles, or at least are far too polite to mention them. I am invited for tea, then a dram, then a second, then dinner, and then what the hell, we crack open the young Ardbeg and a message is sent to Mhairi that I am safe and well but flood-bound by the Orchy! What a blessed relief to have the simple pleasures of good company and a warm cosy bed. Yours Aye, Archie, The Baron Trollaigh.

NB. Sorry about the soddening, will correct!