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Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I can understand that Miss O is further away , being at school, and Miss L- B, when at home, is "just up the road"!
It is nice that she is also deemed to be reliable!
You will be in good hands!
I am not sure about "Archie"... ...
The only "Archie" I have known was a large white cat!
It perhaps colours my perspective!
"Erchie"?

Rustie, I haven't heard 'Erchie' for years, thanks for the reminder! I think every Scots family had one of those when I was young - that and a 'Boab' or 'Boabie' I'm guessing at the spelling, I only heard the names, don't think I ever saw them written down.

Hello, Elle.
I responded to your post but it has got lost on me!
Now, Miss L-B is not only nearby but if I may be allowed to be a tad maudlin for a minute, she is also heaven sent!
And we get on great!
When the new bairn ventures North of the Border, he will be known as "Erchie" to one and all!
There are no Archies up here, only "Erchies"!

Hi, Rusty!
I think I am missing something here?
Is there a double meaning to "Erchie"?!

Hello, Malone!
I've met a few "Erchies" in my time and any amount of "Boabs", and several "Ecks"!
I liked this "Erchie" a lot, by a favourite author of mine, Neil Munro. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1617377.Erchie

Hello, Elle!
No, I don't think you are missing anything.
Up here, "Archie" is "Erchie".
Same name but with a different pronunciation, is all.
I am sure the Scottish branch of your clan may have an Erchie somewhere in the family tree!

Hi, Rusty!
Is the name spelled differently then.......with an "E"?
Or just pronounced as such?
I shall have to ask the Scottish family members about this!
Although most of the "oldies" are gone now...only my cousin's wife remaining in the older age group ......and the younger ones may not know?
You have mentioned Neil Munro before, in connection with "Para Handy"!

Hello, Elle!
If you are known as "Erchie", you would likely spell it so, yes.
Yes, ask the family, I'm sure they will know, or know of, several Erchies!
I enjoy Neil Munro.
He is best known for Para Handy (Peter Macfarlane), but he also wrote about Erchie MacPherson who was a waiter and kirk beadle in Glasgow, and he wrote about Jimmy Swan who was a commercial traveller.
Munro was a good friend of J.M. Barrie and Joseph Conrad.

Hi, Rusty!
I have not heard tell of any "Erchies" (or Archies!) in our family....but the Scottish contingent may know of some.
Yes, I shall enquire!
My cousin had drawn up a large family tree...but I do not know if any of his near family members have a copy of it.
I did one of our side of the family ...up to a point...but found myself more interested in discovering "live" family members , than forebears!
You mentioned Joseph Conrad......
I "did" him for English GCE - "Typhoon and "Youth"!
And now I am away to my bed......it will be good to have the cat back sharing our space....... we missed him last night!

Rusty, I think 'Eck' is dying out - maybe a good thing! The only time I've seen it in the last decade was an occasional reference to Alex Salmond. 'Tam' also seems to be fading away, there was plenty of them in my childhood.