Finally it has stopped raining, although it is still rather windy, and we can put this masonry bbq through its paces. A quick trip to Sainsburys and I have a bottle of my favourite white wine (Chateau Souverain Californian Chardonnay £9.50) and a finest, aged thick-cut Ribeye steak (£9.50 as well). I don't usually spend this on a steak but, as this is a special occasion...
Some time ago I saw, on some culinary show or other, a restaurant that cooked huge and fatty juicy-steaks over the red embers of an open wood-fire. This is in my mind as I step out, head held high, onto our decking (just the same but with no tv cameras or guests or payment for my work).
My wife's not helping as she is vegi, so she is on the the sofa watching This Farming Live (cows, sheep, you know... ;-). Don't worry - we'll be cooking plenty for her as well shortly.
She loves the BBQ by the way, says it looks great on the decking and is better quality than expected - all that lovely granite and stone. I have been informed (twice so far) that I must look after it and not leave the grill minging for days after the event. Also not to put greasy tools on the granite because "you'll stain it".
Fast forward an hour and she is correct... shit... (I shouldn't have said that she was daft and it would just wipe off). So even granite stains with hot fat (luckily the granite is complex in material and you'll generally not notice). Worth knowing though men - stay out of trouble (I say "men" because likely they'll be taking over when this thing arrives and women know these things anyway).
But back to the decking...