This summer, I’m reading my way through the works of Andy McNab. It’s a guilty pleasure of mine — riveting and educational. I’ve learnt a great deal from these fine novels, and while I’m not sure I could bite off an assailant’s nose, or take out a target with a single bullet through the ear lobe, I am putting into practice a central tenet of tradecraft: the right kit is crucial. True of black ops in Central America; true of alfresco entertaining in Blighty. Here’s my summer survival guide.

BARBECUES Although the semi-professional, multi-level, gas-fired monsters may thrill those who feel size counts above all, the best barbie smells — and arguably tastes — come from the traditional charcoal jobs. For both form and function, it is hard to beat the Weber kettle, designed more than 50 years ago and still a bestseller (57cm diameter, £88.99; 0844 414 2042, garden4less.co.uk). A chic alternative by the Danish company Eva Solo is a tall, slim barrel in stainless steel that converts into a table when you’re not cooking (71cm high, £529; 0845 257 3762, www.theurbangarden.co.uk).

If you fancy some colour in your outdoor cooker, try the new Cappuccino, a kettle barbecue available in orange or grey (75cm high, £99; 0845 609 0200, marksandspencer.com). Small bucket-shaped barbies abound this summer, and they are perfect for festivals and beach holidays. A ruggedly handsome galvanised model is among the cheapest (£16; 0870 442 4787, coxandcox.co.uk); one of the prettiest comes in pastel blue or lime green, with a butterfly pattern around the rim (£18; 0845 658 5194, atlanticblankets.com).

SEATING Wherever meat and fire come together, there is a need for comfy seating. This year has seen a bumper crop of hammocks, beanbags, cushions and blankets. Bright to the eye and easy on the pocket is Toast’s double hammock in fine, strong nylon (190cm x 280cm, was £55, now £33; 0844 557 5200, toast.co.uk). And the fishnet “Sway” hammock from Habitat is available in mandarin orange, black plum, edamame green or cement grey (100cm x 290cm, was £16, now £8; 0844 499 1111, habitat.co.uk).

The latest outdoor beanbags come in a variety of squashy shapes. The SunBeans Lounger, upholstered in a fabric that is resistant to water, suntan lotion, ketchup, salad dressing and, presumably, kryptonite, takes the form of an oval mattress (160cm x 90cm x 25cm, £119; 0845 130 4546, beansbeans.co.uk). On a less well-padded budget, John Lewis has a flame-stripe PVC-coated polyester floor cushion for £39 (100cm x 100cm; 0845 604 9049, johnlewis.com), and square beanbags can be reserved online and picked up in store for £15 at B&Q (60cm x 60cm; diy.com).

For those truly committed to assembling the right equipment for a garden party, a visit to specialist camping retailers and websites is a joy. A quick tour will unearth treasures such as Anorak’s cream cotton blanket with yellow waterproof backing and a motif of kissing blue horses (£36, 145cm square; 07833 100721, anorakonline.co.uk). Pedlars offers a similar product in a red rabbit or brown deer print (148cm x 135cm, was £33.95, now £29.95; 01330 850400, www.pedlars.co.uk). Millets has a Eurohike checked picnic rug, in soft polyester flannel with PVC backing (135cm x 145cm, £9.99; 0800 389 5861, millets.co.uk).

LIGHTING Depending on whether Operation Alfresco starts in daylight or after dark, you could consider acquiring a sun shade or garden lighting. The Conran Shop stocks a cheery yellow parasol with a eucalyptus pole and stand (£395; 0844 848 4000, conranshop.co.uk). Clarissa Hulse’s beautiful fabric sun shade has an embossed floral print in green and pink (was £225, now £179; 0870 024 0780, heals.co.uk); or, for great value, check out the bamboo and cotton Chinese Blue parasol and stand at Garden Trading (238cm x 195cm, £60; 0845 608 4448, gardentrading.co.uk.) Garden lighting is a continually improving area, with the technology becoming greener and the products more ingenious every year. Highlights of this year’s kit include Lakeland’s solar-powered post lights in brushed stainless steel (£6.95 each; 01539 488100, lakeland.co.uk) and Tom Kirk’s solar-powered LED garland (780cm, was £40, now £20; 0844 499 1111, habitat.co.uk). If your taste runs to old-fashioned tea lights, you will love the new hanging glass votives at Garden Trading (10cm x 8cm, £4.50; as above) and chunky, textured lanterns in lime, turquoise or clear glass (7.5cm high, £3.50 each; 0845 609 0200, marksandspencer.com).

Globe-shaped Chinese lanterns in a vivid hot-pink fabric are available through Dunelm Mill (15cm high, £1.99; 0845 165 6565, dunelm-mill.com), while Laura Ashley is offering some charming cream fabric hanging lanterns, printed with pastel-coloured butterflies (21cm high, £12; 0871 983 5999, lauraashley.com).

ONE FOR THE BOYS There’s pretty bunting in the stores this year; but for purists, the barbecue is no place for feminine frippery. Here’s an alternative: the Grillslinger tool belt. With speed tongs, a knife, a spatula and pockets for seasonings and a mobile phone, it promises to maximise grilling efficiency by freeing your hands (£69; 0845 257 3762, www.theurbangarden.com). I bet Andy McNab has one.

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