1. To be able to experiment and not be overly concerned with the outcome. If it works, it’ll be a bonus but if not, I can use established recipes next week and still get a result.

1b. The powder passes through a few stages before it is usable – dusty, lumpy, clumpy and a stage where it looks like when you’re making scones, then often too wet, claggy, for a few seconds before turning into putty. It then only starts workable for a few minutes before it starts to dry. A very peculiar beast indeed.

2. John had taken me to my course in the morning and having stayed longer at his mum’s than planned, he picks me up on his way home too. I spend my bus fare on cream cakes instead.

3. I’m cold before we leave the house and still cold when we arrive at our destination, but soon my feet, in my thick socks and warm winter boots, are fantastically cosy.

3b. The stack of pizzas is so high that I can rest my chin on the boxes as we drive back to the house.