A few Christmas's ago my wife's family came for the holiday with kids, 10 people and a dog to our cottage for a week - and it snowed! As we only have one lavvy I discretely installed the camping portaloo in the shed for my own use. I'd forgotten what an outdoor sit-down in winter was like.

A sky full of stars, a torch for company and ten minutes peace from the festivities. Marvellous. It was like 1965 but without the Secret Sam case.