Once again, the Thames had become as broad as the eye could see and I was punting up-river on a massive barge. I was off to fetch ‘the best bread in the world’.

When I got to the bakers, I could see loaves and cakes, all as big as armchairs, piled up in the back room. I realised I did not know how to ask for the loaf I wanted and, to avoid embarrassment, I went home empty-handed.