Float - now I understand

it could also be the grips on the shoes...
if i remember correctly, the instructions that came with my specialized shoes recommended cutting a couple of mm of rubber off the soles around the cleats if using time atacs.

Yeah... I reckon it was half this - the retention "bars" on the pedal were tight against the edges of the sole so couldn't twist out easily. Also, maybe I'd overtightened the cleat (is this even possible?) so it was clamping against the sole - sticking a wedge in there gave it a bit more space.

Mmmmm... I'll have to remember to have this conversation with the missus - the language of love and all that...