UP at 6am to get the smoker going for the brisket. Once the temperature has stabilised and the meat in I make some coffee and deal with emails and social media.

After breakfast it’s straight into the studio in time for the first session of this week’s music branding course. I explain that I have to bunk off early today and manage to finish up at lunchtime.

I check the brisket, make some cornbread for later and a batch of BBQ sauce before we head off to Glengoyne where I’m meeting Bill and Showell for a tour – courtesy of out pals at the distillery. Margaret goes back to village where she meets Dorothy and Nancy…Nancy and Showell are staying the local pub tonight, and Dorothy and Bill are with us.

After our tour and whisky tasting, Dorothy arrives to get us home and we enjoy a few beers. The brisket is ready and needs to rest for a couple of hours after I take it out the smoker then we head for a wee walk so Showell and Nancy can see the village.

Back home have another beer then it’s time to eat. I’m a little disappointed in my brisket which is a bit drier that I’d hoped but everyone seems to like it…

Showell and Nancy head off round 11pm, Dorothy goes to bed first followed may Margaret who does all the tidying up and dishes first. Bill and I manage a good few drams before turning in around 3am….