Day Two Hundred and Seventeen

Miss Pancake 

Zita and I both had a long sleep in this morning.

Craig always has a sleep in. Because he is old. 

And when we got up we did not have to go to work.

Because yesterday was Zita’s birthday and she gave herself a present. 

And it was a today holiday. My goodness that was a good idea. 

Then Niamh was writing a letter about a nice new job. 

So I minded Zita. 

And we looked out the window at a new beautiful day.

Then Zita and Niamh took the car to our old house. 

Because a lady was giving away lovey big stones. 

So they got lots and and put then in the trunk of the fast car. They are for our garden. 

When they were away Craig and I had very crunchy toasts. 

And they were not too toasty today. 

And when Zita got home it was just the right time to go to our farm. 

For our practice running around.  

I am a very good runner. Zita said so. 

And when we got home it was my lunchtime. That was good because I was very hungry. 

Running all around makes you hungry. 

Furrgus and Festis 

My goodness what a whirlwind. 

On Saturday we received a registered letter. And it was from Buckingham Palace. 

In honour of his ascension The King had graciously created the dukedom of Oban, with Dugal’s being the recipient of the hereditary title.

 
This has for all practical purposes foiled his stepfather’s claim to be the senior member of the family, as he is but an Earl and is subservient to a Duke. 

What a coup. 

And one needed no reminder that Dunstaffnage Castle is in the patrimony of Oban. 

Now that will stick in the Campbell’s craw. 

Obviously there was a mountain of paperwork needed to formalize this, so a plane was sent for Dugal. 

We, keeping a low profile accompanied him, trusting on a Royal Warrant to to keep the local authorities at bay. 

And Oban, being a little bit out of the way, we decided to chance it. 

Fortunately all went off without a hitch.

The simple ceremony was held at the Clach a Choin, just down from Dunollie. 

Which has now become the seat of the Dukes of Oban. 

And if Tiroam needs some sympathetic attention, Dunollie will need perseverance and buckets money to make it presentable I do say. 

The RAF helicopter brought us back to Fort William where the aeroplane was waiting to whisk us home. 

What a day that was. 

As you could have expected this was all under the rose and we could not even tell Mrs. T or Morag until it was a fait acomplé.

We spent most the trip home looking up possible Ducal regalia, and discussing how to tell Morag that we were in the neighbourhood and did not drop in. 

And more crucially why she was not invited to the investiture. 

Unfortunately we did not arrive home until well after the birthday celebrations. Which prayed of Dugal’s mind to no end. 

So on the dining room table he left a few of the bottles of the Oban, that he had been gifted by the new monarch.

To punctuate the Dugal’s elevation to the new Dukedom. 

He hoped that Mrs. T might overlook our absence at the birthday. 

Privately Festis and I see a cunning plan at work here. 

By creating a new Scots dukedom, the king simultaneously honours a disgruntled Scotland and a national hero - Colonel Blackthorn-Badger VC.

All the while scuttling the stepfather’s plan to reopen the coal mines, which are, not quite surprisingly, located on Dugal’s new demesne.

Coal mines are not compatible with the king’s environmental hopes. 

The need to tart up Dunollie is just an added bonus we suspect. 

Though we did not share our cynicism with Dugal. 

Miss Pancake 

Last night, even past when Niamh was asleep, the Badgers came home. 

They were trying to be very quiet but I heard them. 

They told me that they were not kidnapped. But it was a long story. 

Dugal’s stories are way too long for late at nights. 

So this afternoon they told me, but I did not hear the end. Because I was fast asleep. Oh well. 

He will tell it again. 

But I woke up when my friend Lee came for a visit. 

Visits are my favourite. But then the people have to go. Too bad for me. 

So I just had to mind Craig. And look out my watching window. Oh well. 

Niamh could not have her dinner with me. 

Because she and Sach had to get Tarryn all dressed in beautiful clothes.

Because Tarryn was going out to dinner with a friend. Oh my goodness.

That was exciting.

Then after dinner Craig and Zita and I watched another program about spies. 

And when Niamh got home she said that Tarryn was as beautiful as could be. That was good.

Then it was our bedtime. Ha.