Early in the morning

By 8am I'd rubbed maple syrup, demerara sugar and wholegrain mustard into a large shoulder of pork and slid it into a barely warm oven where it will reside for the next seven hours. That left me free to jump on the bike and cycle through a very chilly but very beautiful East Lothian.

When I got back it was off to the craft fair where mince pies and cup cakes were bought. Apparently I will be having the chocolate and beetroot one so we will see how that goes down.

Mrs Smith just shouted "the smell coming from that kitchen is driving me mad" - which is a good thing.

Time to get the vegetables on and the red wine uncorked.