Back a long way before e-mail and Boeing 777’s, the family is reunited in a Land of the Long White Cloud flowing with sunshine … and Father is baffled by a bottle top.

By the din of a Chinese New Year thunder storm, a Rat and a Mandarin take haven amongst leviathans and literary ghosts with tigers for comfortable contemplation.

Howdy do, gaffer! In a 17th Century moorland plague house, I meet Owd Roger. He’s survived 500 years old, Steve says. Small wonder that he’s a bit on the high side.

In the cosy confines of a West End hostelry, we discuss brews and big issues with barman Robbie, “as round and jolly as the barrels he rolls about the ancient cellars”.