Growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, in the sunshine, I never understood why my solidly British parents always referred to the UK, and London in particular, as 'home'.

Inevitably, I learned as much about the place as I could, and, when I first saw it at the age of 15 on a family holiday, I was astonished at just how much like my imaginings it actually was.

I've been in love with London ever since.