THE other day while my husband Keith was out on his bike - it was a little too cold for me to venture into my lycra and he hadn’t quite got 2,000 miles this season on his super slim light weight racing machine so it just had to be done - I indulged myself and sat down to watch my DVD set of Pride and Prejudice.

Unfortunately, I had to wait until episode five before Colin Firth came across the lawn in his wet shirt - gorgeous.

I don’t know about you but I have really been enjoying Dowton Abbey, with its tales and intrigues from above and below stairs.

The house and garden are so beautiful, a picture of the life of the upper crust circa 1900s and if the cameraman doesn’t get an Oscar, or what ever they get, there‘s no justice.

The attention to detail, the furnishing, the colours and the costumes are a delight.

Oh, how I would love to have the opportunity to design costumes for such a production. It’s almost too much excitement for a Sunday evening.

Talking of excitement, have you seen Nigella. The cameraman on this needs an award just for keeping a steady hand.

Yes, I’m sure she can cook. However, she doesn’t need to bother does she?

I believe that at a certain time, on a certain evening, in the week the men of the country over a certain age, will be suddenly silent in their armchairs.

No, curiously they are not asleep. They are under a spell of enchantment woven by the beautiful Ms Lawson.

Keith sits there glued to the screen in a trance-like state, watching her as she licks her glossy lips and her perfectly manicured finger tips.

Then she explains her recipe for suet dumplings (as if any of them are listening) while tenderly kneading them on the work surface. Then she turns and whispers promisingly into the camera lens, fluttering her eye lashes hypnotically as she talks about the art of cookery.

I always keep a bucket of cold water handy.