Was that the hottest day of the year so far or was it just the hottest day when there was time to lie in a hammock in the garden and fall asleep – all the other hottest days coming mid week whilst I will be sat in an office looking out over the blue sky and sun.

Either way it seemed right for a BBQ.

It was duly fired up and a chicken was cut in half and spatch-cocked. A pat of butter was mashed with tarragon and garlic and this mixture was slid under the skin.

We ate it as the sun went down behind the trees, and yet again I bemoaned how tall they were, with potatoes that had been finished off in butter and mint.

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