Eighteen for lunch? Seems the dining room has found its purpose again ....

Much of the week is taken up by planning for a lunch. It sounds a bit over the top. But then it is rather a large lunch. We are expecting 18 people, and the first problem is where to seat them all.

With the addition of a couple of extra tables, the outside courtyard could probably accommodate everyone.

But will it stay dry – and will it be warm enough? After all, August can be an unpredictable time here.

Then, to be honest, any time is unpredictable here, weatherwise. As my late mother-in-law was wont to say: “Barbecues are a very dicey form of entertainment in Scotland.”

In the end, the chief puts a couple of extra leaves in the dining room table and we opt for a sit-down inside.

Yes, it will be cosy. Even a bit of a squeeze. But at least we will be spared the rain – and the inevitable late summer midges.

The chief’s job is to buy the drink and make sure the white wine is chilled.

I, meanwhile, turn my attention to the food. The meal will be prepared in advance, so there is no last-minute panic.

Thirty-six chicken thighs are bought. As are four bags of tatties and a mass of broccoli.

But, hang on, I hear you shout, why are you buying vegetables? What about this veg plot you keep boasting about?

Ah, that one. Yes, it is coming along nicely and we do have kale. Mountains of it. But kale is not everyone’s cup of tea.

We do have potatoes. But not enough left to feed 18. We also have runner beans, but they are too wee to pick.

We do have small yellow courgettes but, again, there are not enough to feed a small army. So, shop-bought veg it is.

The naughty Norfolk terrier senses something exciting is happening.

A large table being laid. Delicious smells coming from the kitchen. Mats and cutlery being set out. Glasses being polished.

All that coming and going – and in a rarely used part of the house. The last time the dining room was utilised properly was Christmas.

Yes, high days and holidays is what our dining room is now used for. Sadly, it has become a place where we are more likely to store stuff than actually eat.

This is now a high day – and with 18 to wine and dine, I confess to being a tad nervous.

To save anyone being tripped up by a running dog, the MacNaughties are put in the back kitchen.

They are not happy, but it helps calm nerves knowing they are not wandering around and getting up to mischief.

They will be allowed out to meet everyone when the last plate is cleared away.

And happily, plates are cleared. The chicken in lemon, mustard and thyme works well. The blackcurrant crumble. The chocolate pear pudding goes down a treat.

We breathe a sigh of relief – and shut the dining-room door for another six months.

BUT, HANG ON, I HEAR YOU SHOUT, WHY ARE YOU BUYING VEG? WHAT ABOUT THIS PLOT YOU KEEP BOASTING ABOUT?