The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Up early, I have become superwoman – in slippers
As the MacNaughties’ (temporary) primary carer, Fiona finds there are unexpected benefits to being up before even the lark...
The chief is off on a camera course. He is away most of the week, which gives me full responsibility for the MacNaughties. With walks and feeds, it is some undertaking. And it means that she who hates early mornings must bite the bullet. Dark is just fading as barking from below signals it is time to leave warm sheets. With a big effort I put on a dressing gown and stagger, bleary-eyed, downstairs to a rapturous welcome.
When he is here the MacGregor accompanies the doggies on their earlymorning tour of the garden. I, however, can barely see, never mind walk. So I open the back door, throw out both hounds and return to the kitchen to make a cup of lemon tea.
As the kettle boils, they pootle about in the bushes. Then they come back. They always come back. The lure of that first biscuit is strong.
I have never been good at rising and shining, which, of course, is why I have in the past worked on various breakfast TV shows. The BBC News Channel’s Europe service was the best – and the worst – of them. You appeared beautifully madeup at dawn. Your hair was coiffeured and you got to interview some serious names, among them a French film star and the German chancellor.
Because Europe was an hour ahead, we went on air at five. Which was six o’clock their time. It meant getting into the studio at three in the morning, which was really scary, as you had not really woken up. So all this live stuff was carried out in a mind mist.
I never really got used to it and I was permanently exhausted.
Standing in supermarket queues – yes, even painted newsreaders had to stock the fridge from time to time – I could be found falling asleep over the trolley.
No, early bird I am not. But there is definitely something about this creature catching the worm. With two extra hours to the day, I have been packing in the work this week. Instead of switching on the snooze button, I am sending emails and washing and ironing. Instead of being a lie-abed, I am laying the hall woodburner. I am watering houseplants and catching up with family and friends.
I am even writing this Courier column and getting it off early. Wonders never cease!
They say early risers are more successful and, you name it, this week it has been done.
I have never been good at rising and shining, which, of course, is why I have in the past worked on various breakfast TV shows
Yet there is another bonus to rising at dawn. Because others are asleep, you get private time to yourself.
At this time of day you can slop about in dressing gown and slippers with no fear that the postman will be peering through the window.
No, unless you are on breakfast TV, you are not bothered what you look like as the sun rises.
Only the MacNaughties see. And they do not care. As long as someone lets them out and produces a biscuit, all is well…