We park opposite Selfridges – probably for the last time, as Oxford Street is set to become a pedestrian zone from the end of October – and start our shopping trip here. Jellycat soft toys are still the biggest draw. Lots of new ones are added every year, such as cute gloves. The plush Selfridges bag is only available here. The Shoe Gallery is always a great place to have a browse, too. And now, of course, the Christmas department with its many unusual baubles: Baywatch lifeguards or Kevin from Home Alone. We also admire the fantastic lamps – more decorative than practical, but they really are something special. We don’t buy anything.

Then we head to Carnaby Street and have a look round Liberty. Here, too – as always – there are lots of brilliant items: plates, vases, decorations and much more. There are even things that are only available at Liberty and nowhere else. But we don’t buy anything here today either.

After a late lunch at Dishoom, where we enjoyed some delicious Indian food, we pop into Fortnum & Mason’s, our other favourite department store alongside Liberty. But today there are so many people crammed into the ground floor that we can barely see anything. Still, we manage to pick up some honey and the Icy Mints that Gabi loves so much.

Back at the hotel, we explore the area a bit. The Paddington Basin neighbourhood has been almost entirely redeveloped, with a promenade running alongside a canal where several houseboats are moored. To finish off, we pick up some Christmas sandwiches from the supermarket for a late dinner: pigs in blankets and brie with grapes. Afterwards, we have a microwave sticky toffee pudding with custard.