I think that perhaps my favourite place for a cigar and a good drink is down on the northern NSW coast. Family has a place there - it is actually where an old fishing hut used to be, where Dad used to come well before I was born.

Roll the li-lo out, the beach down in front beyond the trees, the cigar du jour and a couple of drinks to match. Settle back with a cracking book. I have had a number of great afternoons there. Sadly, this was not one of them.

First, blowing a gale. Made it all a bit iffy.

Next, a land crab (seriously, there are times I feel like I am David Attenborough's alter ego and all the wildlife on the planet are…