Appointment at the Castle

By the time I got to Arrochar I was ready for a coffee. Leaving home had been a bit of a rush. I was supposed to be proofreading a Master’s dissertation for a friend, so I was constantly checking my email and eyeing the clock; Mildred (the new hen I had failed to integrate with the old ones and who went back to her original flock) died; and my sister had an urgent dentist appointment and couldn’t come to look after my mum until later.

I left a lengthy voicenote of instructions about the usefulness of the Pilcrow (Show/ Hide) icon on WhatsApp for my friend; poor Mildred (ex-battery hens often don’t last long but at least she had some weeks of freedom) went to her final resting place in a wooden crate, lying on fresh wood shavings with three sprigs of lavender; and I made mum tea and put on Pride and Prejudice.

Then, after a quick trip to the local hardware store for sandpaper, scrubbers, varnish and sealant, and another to the organic grocers for fruit and veg, I was finally off! Routed through Dumbarton rather than Balloch, I’d had too many junctions and turns that needed my attention to think about Mildred but heading up Loch Lomondside of course I’d gone over what I’d done and what I’d failed to do and as well as feeling guilty had just felt sad. It’s a terrible thing when we humans mistreat animals so badly that they just lose the will to live. At least she walked on grass and felt the sun on her feathers…

…and the sun—as I turned into the car park overlooking Loch Long, clearing mist around the jagged peak of The Cobbler stark against the sky—cheered my gloomy spirits and the girl with the lovely East European accent who made me a black coffee added some biscuits and Alfie the inquisitive Toy Poodle (probably due to the biscuits) cheered me even more and soon I was back in the Twingo and ascending the Rest and Be Thankful.

I may have burst into Mull of Kintyre as I rounded the head of Loch Fyne—even before catching a glimpse of Inveraray Castle from the top of the old stone brig—but I couldn’t stop to admire the beauty as I had an appointment at another castle and a promise to keep.

Let me say, quite definitely, lyricism and hyperbole apart, that nervous newbies have nothing to fear from the Election Team. In my experience as a candidate, party chairman and deputy nominating officer, they are the most helpful friendly people and their commitment to access to democracy is real.

Freedom Alliance is a small party, formed only a few years ago and regularly ignored, misquoted or maligned by mainstream media. Yet Council staff are graciousness itself when they deal with us and I daresay with everyone, big party or small, as well as the independents.

Added to that, Kilmory Castle (HQ of Argyll & Bute Council) is lovely. The gothic pitched (pointy) wooden doors at Reception, the carved spindles of the spiral staircase, and the family photographs of the gracious days of baronial life are all very elegant. Wouldn’t mind at all working here, thought I, as the Governance Officer checked through my forms—approving my use of the checklist. (Use the checklist folks, it does help!)

In a short time, with very helpful advice about the location of the Agent’s office, we were done. So, unless the Returning Officer (who has the final say) has any objections, McManus, Alan: For Future’s Sake—Freedom Alliance should be on for ballot papers, beside a wee birdy of liberty, on Thursday 2nd November in South Kintyre!

The Cobbler, seen from Arrochar, appearing through the mist over Loch Long

(Photos & videos copyright the author may be used—unconnected to commerce and without transformation—with a link to this blogpost)

Promoted by Cath Evans of Freedom Alliance, 83 Ducie Street M1 2JQ

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