It is easy to be cynical about people we call friends, but I have to say that I agree with you. We can step into the experiences someone else is going through and either have a spot of vicarious excitement, or, sometimes, lend a piece of advice or help that can really make a difference.

And if we only like a certain percentage of our online friends when we meet them in real life, so what? As Forster said, 'only connect'. Once we do that, the world is open!

More pertinently, I will put up some photos in the next few days so you can have a glimpse.