Welcome to the first ever episode of The Deckchair Diaries—your laid-back Sunday morning podcast, recorded by the sea and brewed with warmth, wit, and a splash of observational nonsense.

This week, we’re lifting the lid on the most British of institutions: the cup of tea. From dodgy brews and biscuit dunking techniques to the strange emotional power of offering someone a cuppa—we’re celebrating the humble mug that somehow holds the nation together.

Also in the deckchair:

• A round-up of feel-good and funny news from around the world

• A poem about tea (written by my virtual assistant, ChatGPT)

• And our very first Seagull of the Week: a gentle rant about online recipe intros that won’t get to the point.

Pop the kettle on, pull up a deckchair—and let’s begin.