I've loved making Knitted Cakes for my latest book, but since I waved goodbye to them last week, I have had trouble sleeping. In the middle of the night, even though I no longer need to think of ways to construct a slice of Battenburg or a Swiss Roll, I still can't sleep - I've tried counting sheep, and even worked on story lines for the children's book I'm writing. Still the clock ticks...one o'clock, two o' clock...
A friend told me I needed to relax, so passing on her flotation tank suggestion - never been good with water, particularly when I'm up to my neck in it - I decided to go to the pictures to see Mamma Mia. I think it's the first time I've been to the pictures in the afternoon since my college days - when skiving off with the latest boyfriend, for a snog in the back row, was considered part of growing up. With my husband otherwise engaged, I spent the afternoon with my second daughter, who loves Abba music. After a bit of hassle claiming our booked seats from two ladies from the blue-rinse brigade, we settled down with our popcorn. I was ready for a snooze, because somehow Meryl Streep doesn't really make me think of an easy going, athletic, single mum, singing her way around a Greek Island. Well, how wrong can you be ! We laughed, tapped our feet and sung away to the 22 Abba hits. I can honestly say it's a pure joy to watch - and if you do go, don't leave the cinema before the end credits, because that alone is worth the ticket money!

