Tuesday.

Took a delightful drive in the spring sunshine, hood down on the MG, to see a prospective client in rural Rutland, a 51/2 hour round drive and an 11 hour day.

This is a bit outside our normal geographical area but well worth the trip providing I pre-qualify the enquiry to ensure that we can meet the clients’ requirements (if we can’t, who can?) and that they have a reasonable understanding of the potential cost.

In he event, I returned with an order and the realistic prospect of a larger order if they are pleased with the first installation (and they will be).

It was a very complicated design in a 16th century cottage with a plethora of slopes and angles. All went well but we had a slight stumble when it came to the exterior finish; no problem with the door design, colour or quality but, as happens occasionally the clients felt that our high-tech, satin lacquer finish might look to “new” in their beautiful thatched cottage. As ever, we have the solution: In spite of us spending years and serious money perfecting our spray plant to eliminate all imperfections, we can take a step backwards by applying the first, primer coat with a brush. The end result is that, although the final finish is still as tough as ever and guaranteed for 10 years, it looks as if it has been applied by a master decorator with a paint brush. I am very confident that the finished effect will be just right and in empathy with the house.

Hopefully, I will get the opportunity to “drop-in” when passing through Rutland to admire the finished effect. It may not be cheap, but goodness, we go to every possible length to get it right.