Oh Nicky – you know how I covet your pretty lead-wrapped ruination at your country house. Well, let’s be honest, romantic ruins in general. The mere mention of Mario Praz’s brilliantly titled book ‘The Romantic Agony’ sends me into orbit. I live in romantic agony after all.

Do you remember when you first discovered Parkstead House and learnt that the original William Chambers temple was sitting unloved in crates on the property? And you didn’t skip a beat but swore you would do everything in your power to raise the money to restore and resurrect it? I was in like a shot…ruins, 18^th Century treasures, parties, well yes, say no more!

You planned the event and we made this vignette with the ruins and packing crates, and we tea stained Chambers drawings that we obtained from the V&A (copies of course!) and tea stained the edges. And dare I say you were pretty close to tears that night. It was terrific, and you did it, and the temple now stands in its glory. We just received the December issue of Vogue where this party is featured.

That’s a really fond memory for me.