Day Six

Zita was awake in the middle of the night while we were having our dinner.

But she did not want any porridge so she had some cereal instead.

Cereal does not warm your insides like porridge so she went back to bed.

It was another beautiful day so both Furrgus and I did the morning patrol. 

Fortunately nothing was amiss so we wondered up to Kettleman’s to get our breakfast bagel sandwich.

We are eligible for Niamh’s bulk discount. 

When we got home both Zita and Niamh were well awake and planning their day.

So first of all they talked to Zita’s parents in Dublin while Furrgus helped Dugal with the Times crossword.

I, being sensible went to sleep.

After a short while Craig got up to make his first cup of coffee for his breakfast with his friends.

When it gets too cold to have their breakfasts in Poppy’s Park they all meet on their computers. 

We tried having a meeting like that with Cousin Morag but there is no wifi in the castle, it being on an island most of the time. 

And while the wifi is good in Acharacle, Morag says if it is really important we should send a telegram and Lachlainn will row out with it. 

A women of strong opinions is our Morag. 

We noticed, with some relief, that Zita did not forget to get the ham before she and Niamh went practice driving. 

So there is one less thing for Dugal to worry about. 

Truly he was in fine fettle today as that bridge into the Crimea has suddenly collapsed under the weight of Ukrainian annoyance.

He was almost gleeful. 

So we spent the afternoon relaxing while he regaled us with tales of incompetence from his time there in the ‘50s. 

Apparently he is itching to storm Sevastopol - again. 

It was where he won his VC, though he never mentions it. 

“I just got in the way of some trouble, and what was I to do? Or so he claims. 

We saw it in the clan museum in Armadale. 

Naturally Morag said it could use a bit of a polish. 

Uncle said if he was five or six decades younger he would be over there in a flash.

For old times sake, if nothing else. 

Now when our ladies got home they were replete with food. And fortunately they found their favourite Pumpkin pies. 

Monday will be a feast no doubt about it. 

Mrs. T and Professor Jill went for their regular walk before dinner, but without Miss Poppy. 

That must bit of a lonely walk.

A bit before dinner everyone gathered around Zita’s computer, so they could visit Emmet in the wilds of County Cork. 

The three of us waved vigorously but I am not sure he saw us. 

Because it is the weekend Zita called the family’s favourite pizza store and they sent us a large one. 

Sometimes if there are enough leftovers in the refrigerator we substitute pizza for the porridge sandwiches. 

As one says variety is the spice of life, but being Scotsmen we look at spice with some deep concern. 

After dinner Dugal suggested we reintroduce our Whist tournament to pass the time until we go one duty.

But Furrgus and I insisted that no money be involved this time.