Sunny days are beautiful, but none are as rewarding as the first burst of the year.

I don’t know whether it’s the Vitamin D boost, the feeling of warmth on your face or the fact it brings all your friends and neighbours out at the same time that makes it so special.

It’s probably a combination of all three, and more, that gives us all that feel-good factor.

We had a day of indoor chores planned for Saturday but they were quickly pushed to one side (we didn’t need much persuading) by the misty start to a sun-filled treasure.

We headed for the pub (where else?), as had many of our friends.

Instead of the red wine, dark beers and bangers and mash of colder days, we were ordering rosé, cider and tapas.

As the time ticked on, the number of people gathering on the sun-trap patio swelled and people we hadn’t seen for months ventured out.

The afternoon was filled with laughter, as we caught up on our winter adventures and talked about our plans for what will hopefully be a long, hot summer.

We all sat there, soaking up the long-awaited rays of sunshine, wrapped in a warm glow inside and out knowing that we had to make the most of it, because you never know how long it’s going to last.

After two weeks spent battling a cold which brought with it the full remit of runny nose, headaches, hacking cough and sore throat, yesterday I felt better than I had in several weeks.

Whether you credit the sunshine, the uplift of catching up with friends or the booze, whatever it was, it did me the world of good.

So, hello summer, we’ve missed you.

And can we have a little bit more please – or at least until my two-week summer holiday is over?