I LOVE a picnic any time of year, even winter, but a late summer picnic is something special as the light becomes a bit more golden, the shadows a bit longer, the heat a bit more precious as we glimpse autumn just around the corner.

When friends from England and New Zealand announced their pending arrival last weekend, we knew a picnic was just the thing to provide great ambiance for a good visit.

So we hustled around and set up a trestle table, found oddly matched chairs and even more mismatched dishes and arranged things under the trees which would provide gorgeous shade at lunch time.

I scavenged in my garden for hastily assembled bouquets of elderflowers, yarrow clusters, flowering basil and mint, and a few brightly coloured petunias.

We put beer on ice, brought out the homemade plum wine, baked spelt bread, and, just as they arrived, set the kettle on for tea.

It was a gorgeous day, laid back, sunny and warm, perfect for companionable visits under the trees, slow tours of the gardens, orchards, and animal pens, and good discussions about everything under the sun.

We dined on sausages, fresh beetroot, cauliflower, and broccoli, chunky potato salad with red onions and gherkins, hummus and julienne veggies, lovely sliced apple salad with cashews, still warm slices of bread with lots of butter, and ended the meal with Spotted Dick and chocolate cream filled profiteroles.

The hours flew by as we discussed books and travel, swapped hilarious tales and bad jokes, and just sat quietly enjoying the breezes and birds and our baby lamb who kept coming up for cuddles.

By late afternoon we were deliciously sleepy and bid fond farewells before heading inside for a well-deserved rest.

What is your favourite picnic food?