Category: Observations
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Nae Like the Aul Days
Barrowsgate reflects on changing times around this time of year. Note: The start of this piece is the same as an early Bittie from six years previously. Apologies for the missing section.
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Souter Receives His Orders
Barrowsgate is just about to buy some laces when he overhears a row about jam, between Mr M’Snob the shoemaker and his wife Betsy. Context: Another reference to Lord Woolton, the Food Minister responsible for rationing.
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Souter as Authority on Cheese
Barrowsgate has a discussion with the shoemaker about cheese and how it is rationed. Whilst the shoemaker likes home-made cheese, Barrowsgate prefers Gorgonzola. Context: Lord Woolton was Food Minister during the war, responsible for rationing. Amongst other measures, Woolton launched the National Food Campaign, urging people to make weaker tea – ‘one for you, one…
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Something New in Ships
After a rest and a smoke, Jeck and Peter resume their boatbuilding. They decide to join two snowploughs together, with the old waterwheel in the middle for a paddle. Eventually, they launch the ship but the smithy accidentally leans on the throttle, sending everyone into a spin.
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The King’s Navee
Jeck and Peter resume their shipbuilding but Peter ends up in the water again. After a drink or two of “the sweet oil”, it is dark so they decide to make for home but, after getting lost, decide to sleep it off.
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Cushies Mystery Sheltie
Cushie loads up his pony and cart with potatoes that he can sell in Kildronan and buy himself some drinks with the proceeds. After several hours’ drinking and well-lubricated, he calls for his pony so he can journey home. He is confused when he sees his pony as it doesn’t look quite right
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Barrowsgate Apologises
Barrowsgate issues a somewhat half-hearted apology for the sporadic nature of his column lately.
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A Lady Killer Almost Killed
Ploughman Oom Paul is in love with the shoemaker’s daughter and, somewhat the worse for wear walking home after the ploughman’s ball, he sees the shoemaker’s window is open so he sticks his head through so he can serenade his love. The shoemaker mistakes him for a burglar, pulls down teh window onto his back…
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Mill Wheel Taks a Dander
Having been released from the water wheel, Jeck and Peter continue pushing the waterwheel overland towards the Loch. After getting stuck, it suddenly gathers speed and rolls past one of Rob’s neighbours. Taking it to be one of Hitler’s tanks, he shoots at it, and Jeck gets a load of shot fired into his backside.
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Admiral Rises in the World
Jeck and Peter decide to roll the water wheel from Rob’s to Loch Pitbirley. Putting his back into it, Jeck gets his shirt caught o a paddle and is lifted into the air as the wheel turns.