Someone had brought their left-over Christmas turkey and we were sitting down to an easy meal of cold turkey, salad and new potatoes - we'd only just arrived and hadn't been out to catch the blue cod yet.
The jersey bennes were cooked, the salad being made, a bottle of wine opened and the turkey was brought out from the chilly bin.
But when unwrapped it smelt disgusting and white maggots were crawling in the meat! They'd obviously left it uncovered after Christmas dinner and a fly had visited.
Just as well they didn't bring their left-over pavlova as well!But it's easy enough to do, when the family are somnolent after Christmas lunch, and nobody can force down another mouthful of potato salad or pavlova.
It's tempting to blob out with everyone else, but someone has to cover the food, and put it back in the fridge or chilly bin.
There are four simple rules to keep food safe whether you are at home, barbecuing, picnicking or camping: clean, cook, cover, chill - clean hands, plates and utensils; cook food, especially chicken, sausages and mince patties right through; cover to keep out insects and to keep raw meat away from cooked foods or salads; don't let things stay out of the fridge or cold chilly bin for more than a couple of hours and while they are out, keep them out of the sun.
It's easy to forget these basics in summer at barbecues, picnics and lazy family meals, but the results can be dire.
Don't spoil your holiday with tummy upsets and food poisoning.
Holiday break
This is the final Fresh section for 2009. We'll be back on January 13 when Charmian Smith reviews rieslings, we find out how to make authentic Italian risotto in our Flavours of Home series, and Janice Murphy learns how to make cheese.
