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.