EDITOR’S NOTE
It’s when the intense heat of summer finally passes that outdoor entertaining can become thoroughly enjoyable again, rather than just a) a necessity for those who have no air conditioning inside the home or b) a no-no for those who have. Having friends and family over, whether in large numbers or small, should always be a pleasure and it should also always be comfortable, easy and practical. And if your backyard can look really good while you’re at it, why not? We’re covering all these angles and more in this special outdoor entertaining edition of Backyard, with tips on the perfect outdoor cooking set-up to suit your needs (barbecue or wood-fired oven?), as well as water features (p74), how to get your audio right (p80) and introducing a little sport into…