Sponging off THE OLDIES

Baking’s become a Saturday thing for Colin and the neighbours’ kids

- COLIN HOGG

We're the old couple next door. I realised this when the kids from number 16 popped over on a recent Saturday afternoon for a baking session with us. Well, not so much with us, as with the beloved wife, an accomplished baker, especially in the area of the Victoria sponge, a particular favourite of mine and not baked often enough around here.

Anyway, they didn’t make the cake of my dreams, but rather a tasty banana and walnut loaf, even though one of the kids - Ted, I think - said he wasn’t crazy for walnuts.

It was agreed he could just pop them out when he came to eat a piece, which just added to the fun.

As they left, with half a loaf to take home to their mum and dad, one of them - Frank, I think - said they’d be back next Saturday, as if we’ve got a permanent bake date. Though, if there’s any chance of a Victoria sponge, I’m all for it.