I have been off the air for the last few days. I enjoyed champagne and canapesin John Lewis, Cardiff, last Thursday evening whenthe store hosted a 'Wales Book Of the Year'event. I met Meleri James from 'Y Lolfa' and Amy Wachs, poetry editor at 'Seren'.

I have changed my car for a saloon (much more comfortable for Peter and my mother) and I'm taking delivery tomorrow. I droveto St David's today. We went via 'Mesur Y Dorth' (the measure of the bread), an ancient restingplace for pilgrims who ate the last remaining crumbs from their loaves before reaching the holy shrine. Three trips to St David's equalled one to Rome, and was much easier on the feet, I expect.

Apart from my car problems, my computer refused to power up.Oliver, my computer whizz and eighteen year old grandson failed to fix it soItook it to a local shop. The problem, apparently,was caused by my habit of taking the batteries out when the screen 'freezes'.All's wellfor nowbutI fearI will have to buy a new one before long.

The weather was bright and sunny this afternoon, though cold. My mother (eighty eight), is a three bottles a night girl - three hot water bottles, that is. Yesterday we picked tiny scarlet strawberries in her garden. As a child, coming home form chapel in the summer, I threaded wild strawberries on grass stalks, to eat when I got home.

In medieval times, strawberries and cream were made into a soup andfed to bridal couples as an aphrodisiac(!) Apparently, strawberries contain Omega 3 oils and Atkins, for those interested in diets, is strong on berries.

Here's a recipe from Nita Sybil Evans's cookbook which contains strawberry jam. Slimming it's notfact, but it's definitely irresistible.

Queen of Puddings:Half a pint of milk, 1 ounce of butter, half a pint of breadcrums, grated rind and juice of 1 lemon, 2 eggs, 2 ounces of sugar, 3 tablespoons of jam.

Method: Heat the milk, the butter and1 ounce of sugar. Pour over the breadcrumbs. Separate yolks from the whites of the eggs and beat the yolks with the lemon juice and rind. Mix in to the breadcrumbs. Put the strawberry jam on the bottom of a pudding dish and pour pudding mixture on top.Place in a moderate oven for for twenty minutes. Whisk whites of egg with the remaining sugar until stiff.Spread on pudding and return to a very cool oven for half an hour. (Careful it doesn't burn). Hope to be back tomorrow.