Whisky Works – As the Barrel Turns (Episode 9 Snow Day)

In a classic episode of WKRP, Les Nessman announces the city is about to be hit by a giant lizzard. The “b” on the teletype machine wasn’t working.

After last night’s deluge, we’d take Jurassic Park reptiles over snow fall like this any day. To give you some perspective, Dr Andrew Thomson, our barrel-turning host, stands more than six feet tall in his snow boots.

And I’m a smidge over five foot six with reasonably long legs. The snow is above my knees.

How could snowfall affect a tiny oak cask kept in the relative safety of a house? Well, dear readers, we’re sad to say that because of weather conditions, airport closures and other extenuating circumstances, Tina Turner won’t be this week’s Guest Turner as hoped.

Instead, Dr Thomson, sore from shoveling and with fingers too frozen to move, has agreed to turn the cask for the absent Ms. Turner. He’s wearing his special mittens, made from deer skin and presented as a thank you for teaching at a school in Grand Rapids, Manitoba. We shudder to think what kind of snowfall requires mitts that reach your elbows.

As he performed the requisite turn, a disappointed Dr Thomson sang, “River Deep, Mountain High” in honour of the absent Ms. Turner and the abundance of snow.

Will Tina be able to reschedule? We’re waiting to hear…