I have a terrible memory. I use every tool in the book to help me appear organised. Lists, mobile phone 'to do lists', reminder apps, calendars, diaries and filofaxes (I don't carry a hanky or I'd tie knots in the corners too!).

Still I manage to forget to take my clean mug to work, the glue gun to Nannie's or that Nelly is going to Wales for the weekend!

Last week Mr Fink and I watched Derren Brown on TV. His stage show was brilliant, we tried to pick the illusion to bits to find the 'catch' but only managed to find a 'palm' at the end. On the back of this, Mr Fink purchased Derren Brown's book and when it arrived, I started reading it. Last night I'd reached the part about memory and the tricks and tips Derren employs to assist hos own memory. There is an exercise in the book which the reader is invited to try, I tried it. Hopeless. He then paints a picture, joining each word on the list visually to the next, including an emotion or sensation to go with the picture. He describes how he 'sees' the list of works interacting with each other. I read his detailed description twice, practiced a couple of times and this morning I can still remember every item on the list. Forwards AND BACKWARDS!

Now i just have to practice making these mental pictures to connect the items on my 'to-do'list' and I'll never need another scrap of paper in my pocket again!

The list (from memory - I promise)

telephone

sausage

monkey

button

book

cabbage

glass

mouse

stomach

cardboard

ferry

Christmas

athlete

key

wig-wam

baby

kiwi

bed

paintbrush

walnut