Luxury label Leggets have collaborated with Nick on a series of new projects for the epicurean traveller, cigar lover, outdoorsman and aesthete. The launch product is a world first – a gin specifically blended to complement the nuances of a fine cigar. It’s an outstanding gin in its own right, but remarkable when paired with a quality handrolled cigar.

A LOT – and when I say a lot, I mean a lot – has been happening over the last few months. I suspect you’ve noticed.

I can’t quite believe how quickly and by how much society has changed. But you can learn all about that by folks better qualified than I to comment, so I’ll concentrate my wanderings on things that concern me. Like my book. Or my podcast. Or something equally remarkable; the opportunity to star in an episode of the pod yourself.

WRITING a book, it seems, is the easy part (hint: it isn’t easy at all).

What follows in comparison involves multi-skilling of the highest order (my wife would dispute utterly my ability to do this in any shape or form) a high tolerance for late nights followed by early mornings, a good suitcase and a whole gander bag full of smiles and, signatures, handshakes and bonhomie.

My new book is born.

Baking in mid-thirties degree heat, showering in refreshingly-iced glasses of Aperol Spritz.

This is a magnificent short-hop, long weekend destination, with it’s 2,000 year old Roman Arena, multitude of bars and Trattorias, stunning riverside views, boutique shops, antique stores, churches, palazzos and, well, Italian class.

Despite the heat, we pounded the streets of this small city from top to bottom, easily manageable for the averagely fit explorer. And we fell in love with the place.

The grand, sweeping avenues are lined with regular refreshment stops. And it seemed that locals and visitors alike drink little more than the aforementioned, day-glow Aperol. It’s an acquired, bitter but refreshing Summer drink with a shot of the alcoholic liqueur of its name, a splash of Cava fizz, topped up with soda water and served in a tall wine tulip with lots of ice. Magnificent.