UP EARLY to rinse the brined turkey and dry it off a bit while the smoker gets up to temperature.

Margaret’s hoping we can have Christmas dinner around 3pm so timing is everything!

Family gifts are a secret Santa kinda thing so we’ll wait’ ’til Catriona, Will and the kids arrive – but there’s a few ‘extra’ bis and bobs we exchange after breakfast. Then there’s heaps of other prep to get busy with.

Catriona, Will and the kids roll up soon after 1pm. We hang out and the kids play before Christmas dinner bang on time at 3pm. I’d planned to set up a family photo with everyone – including myself – but folks get antsy when. it looks lime it’ll take more than a minute so sadly the idea is abandoned. Personally I’m not fussed about a pic…but it’s an unusual occurrence for everyone to be in the same place at the same time and have the opportunity for a decent family photo and I thought folks would appreciate a nice family memory. Ah well, best laid plans.

We set up buffet-style with all the food on a big fold up table I usually use for pop up sales – that makes it easier to get nine folks round the dining table. Margaret and Lesley have done a great job with all the veg and trimmings, my cherry stuffing and smoked turkey hits the mark and there’s a beef joint too.

Ahhh…Chistmas day….