Mr S and I went to the New Forest yesterday, and it was our first book group with chickens. Disappointingly, they had not read the novel, though they did have a little peck at my toes. Once again we were given triumphant cake — the best Victoria sponge I have ever eaten. There was much cake related discussion as the village show is on Saturday and the feared lady from the WI is judging once again. Last year, the cakes were scored publicly and the written reviews presented for all to see… comments included ‘next time, turn out your sponge onto a tea-towel NOT a wire rack as otherwise you will have faint wire lines on the base of your cake’… ‘I’m sorry to say that technically a Victoria sponge must be spread with raspberry jam not strawberry jam’. A strawberry jam sponge cake is an Abomination not a Victoria. Who knew?