WE HAVE a long lie…then, after breakfast, I start to tackle the replacement deck.

It’s not too adventurous – just something so the doors don’t open straight onto the steps.

After referring to my sketches I measure and mark my first two post holes then the hardest part of the job starts. Digging the holes.

The clamshell hole digger is OK for starting ’em off but then the pinch bar comes into its own. Impossible without it. Still it’s hard, hot, strenuous work.

I’m happy to get two of the three posts in and postcreted in by late afternoon and make some time to go out for a paddle.

Back home I light some charcoal for the grill and soon we’re enjoying homemade blue cheese burgers, sweetcorn and chips.