Back down to Earth

I'm home again and I've had a good sleep (first time in about 3 weeks). Looking over the last post, sent from the plinth, I'm a bit embarrassed about all the mistakes in such a short post. My only excuse is, it was 8m up with quite a breeze, a new I-phone I don't know how to fully use yet, time running out, cameras pointing and nerves like I can only compare to sitting my driving test. Now you try typing a simple sentence.... It's not as easy as it sounds. I did think I would edit the post to correct my mistake but then that would falsify my time up there so I'm afraid they stay.

Let me get all my emails answered and orders sent out and then I'll give you a proper run down of events (with pictures - whoo hoo).

Thanks for all the support. Buy Barony Soap.

On the plinth

Hello to you all And thAnks for a the support buy barony soap.

What am I doing here?

I'm nearly there now so better explain what I will be doing.

I will be making some of my Crieff Chranachan bath bombs, containing raspberry and vanilla scents, scots porridge oats and famous grouse whisky.

Weather is fine so hopefully it will go ok.

Waiting to go on the plinth

Very nervous. Plinth staff are lovely. The portacabin is all decked out on red black and white. Just had my photo taken tons of times and im going to get interviewed now. More from me later on the plinth.

First

Made it to London, and to Trafalgar Square and seen the plinth for the first time.

I have seen a few of the other plinthers in action at various points during the day, who all seemed to have attracted a fair crowd. Had a nice chat with a couple from North London (a writer for The Bill & Midsommer Murders and a sculptress) who had come to see what it is all about.

Also been to the Science Museum (spotted another Antony Gormley sculpture) and for tea at Hard Rock Cafe.

Feeling quite nervous now, less than 12 hours to go and hoping for good weather so I can make the bath bombs. Now in my hotel room
wrapping some soap samples to give away .

Dave had hoped to update our website with details of what I am doing, but alas our web site can't be updated from the i phone. I will put some more details of my master plan on here later, hopefully people will find it and understand what is going on.

Thanks to everyone who has emailed and left blog comments wishing me luck, it's what I need at the moment.

Bloomin' typical!

Well, we are on the train to london but have already faced disaster once this morning...no,we didn't sleep in. I woke up at 3:30 and went to have a shower only to find the water scalding hot and no amount of fiddling with the dial would change it. Barony HQ has no running water!!! After a phone call to Scottish Water to report it I managed to find enough cold water in the kettle to get washed and my teeth brushed, thank heavens.

Anyway, i got my new I-phone and I love it (although it has taken from Madderty to Perth to get a reception to even start this blog. I'm away to play with some apps but I'll blog again soon... May even go onto Twitter. Feeling very calm at the moment all things considered. It's sure to change the nearer we get to the Plinth.

One Other Perspective

This post is written from the perspective of a long suffering husband. His identity has been concealed in the interests of his on going well being and to prevent further suffering. I'm sure you will all recognise the scenario described below. The details of your particular situation are almost certainly different but the underlying theme is still there.

It normally starts innocently enough when the female in the relationship, in this tale we will call her "Claire" ,has an idea. This idea is normally sparked off by something in a magazine or on the telly where the outcome is marvellous and ensured to improve your life in some unimaginable way. It is also normally acheived in the blink of an eye for a very reasonable cost. The idea is then discussed with several female friends who agree it is absolutely fantastic and must be carried out straight away.

At this point the male, we will call him "Dave" is "consulted". The idea is presented in an extremely enthusiastic way by "Claire" with the expectation that "Dave" will agree whole heartedly and will immediately set to work on acheiving this fantastic life enriching plan. After all it will only take 5 minutes.

Unfortunately being a man "Dave" does not see the idea in the same light, and attempts to enlighten "Claire" to all of practical aspects of the fantastic idea which have been glossed over by the source article. After some frank exchanges of views "Dave" realises there is no point in arguing and sets about acheiving the impossible for the 3rd time in less than a week.

So.

When "Claire" is basking in the glory of being part of history, having a great time on the plinth, enjoying the whole adventure and relating the whole thing to every one she knows please spare a thought for "Dave".

He will be the one who figures out how to get half a tonne of equipment to London (by carrying it himself), how to make bathbombs in the open air, in any weather, when he has no idea how to do it in a controlled workshop, how to communicate what is going on to the world when he normally doesn't say more than two words to anyone.

That is before we even get to all of the contigency planning for those what if scenarios, like snipers taking a pot shot at your wifes bath bombs. I'm keeping the solution to that one secret for the moment!

Anyway, I'm sure it will be fantastic and worth the effort, especially as "Claire" can no longer look at me like "that" for being so stupid when I buy another drum kit or mountain bike, or finally get round to building a hot rod!

"Dave"

Barony Reaches New Heights (8m high to be precise)

Oh ,What Have I Done?

I've really excelled in my stupidity. Yup, I've really done it this time. A couple of months back I was watching the news on Channel 4 and on came an item on Anthony Gormley's new project about using the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square as a living art installation and calling it 'One & Other'. (click on the link to watch the Internet stream live, 24 hours a day)

Well, I thought I'll enter and show my support for the whole project (maybe get a couple of update emails, a link to a blog page, yadda yadda ya) never thinking for a second that out of the so many thousands that would enter I would be picked.

Darn 'n' Blast it, bloomin' random generator computers...I WAS PICKED! (OMG, I now have that butterfly in the stomach, slightly sickie and cold wobbly feeling all over me then on flip side I've a beaming smile from ear to ear, that's making my cheeks ache) and in the first week, only 4 days into the 100 days.

This week, Thursday 9th July 9:00am - 10:00, I will be standing on top of the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. I've had the confirmation email and the short phone interview (well it went on for about 40 mins - short, huh?). And the fear of God put in me by the interviewer - 'Now you know you will be part of history here? And as you are taking part only 4 days into the 100 days the world media will still be very interested. I hope you are not going to back out and let everyone down' Oh, the pressure!

Then... He wanted to know what I'll be doing on the Plinth. I said 'Oh, I don't know... nothing, possibly? There was a lot of discussion about the possibility of soap making on the plinth - not possible as I need electricity so I decided that I could make Bath Bombs (weather permitting! Don't know what I'll do if it's raining).

I'll be making my Crieff Cranachan Bath Bombs and will be taking all the ingredients from Perthshire. Bit worried about taking Bicarbonate of Soda and Citric Acid and whisky in a backpack down to London. Dodgy Looking Couple + Rucksack + White powder + London Underground = A police investigation if ever I've heard one. It's bad enough worrying about the scary amount of Sodium Hydroxide for soap making in my workshop. I'm just waiting to be asked to explain myself (he he).

I've now watched a bit of the live streaming of the event and at the moment a lady is releasing sponsored balloons for charity.

Things worrying me about the whole thing

• The trains: late, cancelled... crash (if it's going to happen to anyone it's going to be me!)
• The sudden realisation I have vertigo once lifted onto the 4.4m x 1.7m, 8m high Plinth for an hour.
• The weather - Bath Bombs fizz when wet, my professional reputation is in the balance here.
• Pigeon Poo! (nuf said)
• Away out on left field but has been worrying Dave a lot, a mad gunman taking pot shots at me on a very exposed platform in the middle of a big city. Now I'm worrying.

Feel free to add to my neuroses or give me some ideas as how to fill the hour.

I'm hoping to get an I-Phone before Thursday so I can take some photo and blog to you lot while I'm up there. Dave will be videoing it all. More soon....

Claire 'now look what you've done' Robertson

P.s I'm secretly really, really excited and really chuffed to be part of it all.

Award Winning Barony

Hi All

As always, I've been busy. Here's a quick update of all the things I been doing under the 'Work' banner over the last month... Perthshire Showcase at Perth Racecourse (NEVER AGAIN - last year was well organised and and everything ran very smoothly... This year was a very different story (don't get me started on this one, I'm still fizzing). Talking of fizzing...Bath Bomb making with Buclyvie Primary School as part of their Eco Fair. I absolutely loved, loved, loved getting covered in bath bomb dust with the kids, so much so, I'm doing all again with the Auchterarder Library later this month.

Ok, Ok, I've held out for a whole paragraph before I had to blurt out...

'We've Won GOLD at the Royal Highland Show'.

Wow, talk about gobsmacked. The Judges were mystery shoppers on the morning of the first day (and the stall was looking full and fresh). The award was not only for my stall set up but also for my products, vision for my company's future (more info on that later this month...!?!?) and my customer service.

And we've just got back from the Scone Game Fair. A huge apology to everyone who came along to the stall to get their little stash of Barony Goodies only to find I'd sold out of a few of the favourites. I promise to have lots of my Lemongrass & Lime Hand & Body Lotion at Crieff Market on Saturday 11th July. I've been so busy attending shows that I haven't had anytime in the workshop to replenish stocks. I also have to return lots of emails, answerphone messages and send out orders (both individuals and stockists) that have come in during this week. Arrrgh, Monday morning is going to be hectic.

wee note: All of a sudden everyone is wanting Barony lip balms and my supplier of the cute wee aluminium tins is out of stock. As soon as I get the tins I'll have them back on the stall.