With the ever-looming threat of environmental meltdown constantly upon us, most of us are making steps to get greener, but, at the risk of sounding my own trumpet, I’d like to modestly assert that few are greener than me. After spending one of our last Australian weekends (for this half of the year, at least) with our friends in their recently completed holiday home, I am positively emerald. With envy.

The house is in the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s premier wine-growing regions, and is, put simply, gorgeous. Hardwood floors, sleek kitchen, separate entertainment areas for the adults and children, spacious bedrooms, stylish bathrooms, a pool, a large deck and a barbecue of monstrous proportions.

Sunset was pink and gold last night and this morning, kangaroos frolicked on the lawn. There’s also – crucially - a climate-controlled wine fridge crammed with produce of the region - reds on the right; whites and bubbles on the left.

Having ably depleted the stocks of both sides of the fridge, I have determined that this year shall henceforth be known as Two Thousand and Wine. A house surrounded by vineyards and the snazzy fridge are probably a step (or several) too far for my Becksondergaard purse but at the very least, I’m subscribing to Green & Blue. Hell, I may even read the tasting notes.

Phoenix and Cassian had the best time too, even without the help of the booze. All of the kids played fantastically well together, splashing about in the pool and running around in the garden, making parenting a very low-maintenance role.

I’m fully aware, however, that with a few months of gloomy weather (and lots of time indoors) left to deal with when we return to London, I’m going to need to try a little harder to occupy them, so I’ve started by ordering a playhouse (made from recycled cardboard – told you I was green) from Lula Sapphire. We can decorate it, play house in it, use it for games of hide and seek or just curl up in it with books. Anything to entertain them. Because heaven forbid that Two Thousand and Wine should degenerate into Two Thousand and Whine.