Mrs M has certainly got the routine perfected - she greeted me warmly when I arrived this morning morning bright and early, handed me the Waitrose bag and beckoned me to the now familiar seat at the kitchen table to take dictation.

Not for the first time today's list took me in new directions and in search of items I've certainly never bought before - Himalayan salt featured highly, both in crisp form and as a seasoning - but it was her description of the Scotts Porage Oats that made me smile. Apart from a slightly leaking bag of wholemeal flour, everything was safely secured, and she was delighted when the box with the man in a kilt appeared from the bag.