At half eleven this morning, I was sat at my desk at Astrium, looking out of the window at the glorious weather with one thing on my mind: barbecue. I have a fantastic flat that I love very much, but unfortunately land is not something that comes with it. So I took action and decided to lie to my dad.

I sent him a message saying that gran has just called me saying that you had the intention of lighting the barbie round Livingstone later on and if is this true? Dad gamely called my bluff and “Could be…” was the reply I received. The seed was now sown. I left work as early as possible and cycled back to Southsea to buy cold beer and marinated meats from the Med Supermarket on Elm Grove (£4, bargain). Twenty minutes later dad and my uncle marched through the garden door, after a day out on the boat, with the catch of the day. What ensues is a very typical, last minute Livingstone Road barbecue. I love them. Big thanks to my landlords Cat & Stu for providing the firelighters.