Secrets of late-night broadcasting, and where I live part three

I'm broadcasting Morton Through Midnight (BBC Radio Scotland, 22.00-01.00) from the BBC Radio Shetland studios in Lerwick, 37 miles from my home in Hillswick. So far, despite some snow and ice, I've enjoyed the necessary driving, though I can see it becoming a drag. I've been home and in bed by 02.15 the past two nights.  Best not to wake the dogs when I came in, I've found.

I'd been worried about staying awake for the three hours of the programme, but so far that hasn't been a problem, despite consuming a vast amount of excellent game pie from the Drumquin Guest House coffee shop last night just before going on air. What has been strange is getting up (around 09.00) and having a free day with work at the end of it, feeling discombobulated, slightly confused and, yes, tired. Snoozes in the late afternoon both days so far.

As the picture shows, I am equipped for fighting on-air fatigue: Apples, I have ascertained, do not contain caffeine, but the sharpness, indeed the general nastiness of Granny Smiths certainly adds to wakefulness. Diet Red Bull (other caffeinated drinks are available) is good because coffee, of which I also partake, being hot, tends to make you dozy before the caffeine kicks in. Chocolate, if you haven;t been gorging on game, is good too.

A walk during the day is crucial. They have grown shorter over the weekend, and today I felt it necessary to take the dogs again, as it saves any late-night demands from Lulu so she can pursue her constant search for al fresco sheep shit to add to her diet.

It was very cold again, and we wandered up the middle of the Ness on the farm track. Nice view of Ronas Hill, the highest point in Shetland at about 1200 feet. Some time next week, I hope to climb to the summit.

Meanwhile, tonight's show will be interesting. The weekend's over and the slide into working Monday begins. I'm expecting a different crowd.