So, you've bought the barbecue of your dreams, the humorous naked lady apron, and enough Tequila to float Pavarotti. Here are a few other items to make yours a memorable alfresco experience.
TopPave - Recipe Book
Bored with burgers? Had enough of hot dogs? If you've got the perfect patio and a barbecue, why not hold an extra special party and dine like your favourite gardening stars?
Leading patio paving manufacturer Tarmac TopPave has put together Alfresco Dining, a recipe a book jam-packed with your favourite gardeners' barbecue recipes.
Serve Diarmuid Gavin's Marinated Peppers with Alan Titchmarsh's Citrus Kebabs, Charlie Dimmock's Danish Prawns and, to finish off, Tommy Walsh's Baked Bananas with Baileys. Other recipes include Kim Wilde's Summer Pudding, Rachel de Thame's Cool as Cucumber Soup and John Kettley's Couscous Salad.
Alfresco Dining costs £2 to buy and helps raise money for the children's charity Greenfingers, which aims to create 22 beautiful gardens for children's hospices around the UK. To order your copy of Alfresco Dining send a cheque for £2 payable to Tarmac TopPave and an A4 SAE envelope to: Tarmac TopPave / Greenfingers Recipe Book, PO Box 215, Derby, DE1 9HD.
If you're still thinking about laying the perfect patio, get a copy of the TopPave inspirational brochure by calling 08702 413450 or visiting the website www.toppave.com
Credit: Hillarys Awnings
This summer you can make the best of your garden during the heat of the day or even by night. Simply create an intimate atmosphere for dining alfresco at night with cosy candles and Hillarys range of awnings.
This versatile range of awnings can be made to measure, come in a wide range of colours and café-style stripes, and can even come fully motorised.
It's a great way of enjoying the outdoors and keeping your skin both safe and young looking without the need for Factor 3000 sunblock. And in the unlikely event of rain (oh there go my sides again!), it won't dilute your G&T.
All your questions answered by Channel 4's property experts
Considering making a purchase this week? Use our shopping guides to get the best deals.
