I imagine you are wondering where I have been of late. I’d like to tell you that I won the lottery and have been busy adjusting to my newfound wealth. I’d like to tell you that my husband whisked me and my daughter away on a round the world trip. I’d like to tell you that I have been out publicising my best-selling novel. The sad truth is I have been doing my best impersonation of Gina Ford. Routine rules in our house- sort of. I grew up as an Army brat, about which I have written before. I got used to being places on time and often five minutes early. Years of boarding school programmed me to do things at set times on set days. And a wealth of experience nannying has taught me that the smooth running of a house, not to mention the calm happiness of a baby has a lot to do with getting enough sleep at set times.

The down side to the introduction of an iron-clad routine is that babies take a while to realise that it is in their best interests, resulting in a frazzled baby and an exhausted mum. And unlike the nannying jobs, I can’t go home for a good night’s sleep at 6pm. How did I not see that one coming? Add the decorator, electrician, furniture delivery man and dog to the mix and I have had precious little time to eat, never mind write. Which is not to say I haven’t wanted to. In fact whilst I have not been typing I have had the laptop mended, and I have had the splendid chap at Nota Bene Consulting sort me out a swish new website with a swish new look, about which I am terribly excited. A few finishing touches and I shall be transferring lock stock and barrel, but all the old posts, recipes and a sprinkling of wit and charm should follow with me. In the mean time, I know that I was memed by Nunhead Mum…..I should get on with that.