Why we love THE GREAT BRITISH SUMMER

From sandy sandwiches to slip-on sandals, Jackie Clune sings the praises of holidays at home

- Jackie Clune

When your kids are young, the start of the school holidays sparks dread among most parents - what are we going to do with the little blighters for six whole weeks? The reliet at not having to get them out of bed and into freshly ironed uniforms every day is quickly replaced by the existential dread of the unstructured days yawning ahead of us.

Now that my kids are older - an 18-year-old and 17-year-old triplets - they mostly lie on the sofa moaning or become nocturnal, emerging at night to fill the sink with dirty cereal and pasta bowls. Still, I no longer have the constant whine of 'I'm bored'.

Last year, having been forced into staycations due to COVID-19, many of us found a renewed love for the great British summer. Here are my top 10 things to love about British Summer Time.

1 The nights get longer

It's that glorious thing all Brits do at around 5pm on a random Wednesday from mid-March, exclaiming, 'Ooh look! It's five o'clock and it's STILL LIGHT!'

Getting some daylight after work always feels like such an unexpected bonus, even though it happens every year. We feel so smug with our extra daylight, and personally it always makes me giddy. Sitting out in the garden with a large glass of chilled wine and looking up at the stars. Staying at the seaside until 8pm! Like a European! Then going home at dusk sunburnt and sore, and saying, 'It's STILL LIGHT!'

2 Cricket