I love a cocktail. I’m not a massive fan of the sugary sweet combinations but I love a sour margarita, am rather partial to a mojito and absolutely adore the dry sharpness of a negroni.

The older I get, I am also beginning to appreciate more the subtle differences between one distillery and another when it comes to the basic ingredients.

My dad loved a whisky, as do I, and although no expert I have learned the different tastes you get from one brand to another (I’m a lighter kind of girl).

I’m also enjoying discovering different types of gin, and the variety of flavours you can get from one basic recipe.

I’m a huge fan of Bedrock made in the Lake District, enjoy Anno, which is distilled just down the road in Marden, and am very much looking forward to sampling my first sip of Chatham gin when the Rivet Distillery at the Dockyard opens.

These days, I’d much rather spend a bit more and drink less of a quality blend that I can savour than buy cheaper and enjoy it
less.

But what about when it comes to water?

According to reports, Britain is to get its first water cocktail bar later this year at Selfridges department store in London.

It will apparently cater for those people whose palate can tell the difference between one designer label and another and won’t settle for anything less.

There are already some water bars in America – surprise, surprise – and the trend is about to head this way.

The menu at Selfridges has yet to be disclosed but some waters are likely to be “infused” with various ingredients. A bit like cold fruity teas, then?

One of the most expensive waters in the world comes from Japan and costs £150, but does at least come in a bottle decorated with Swarovski crystals.

For a girl who has always happily asked for tap water in a restaurant rather than pay overblown prices because it comes in a bottle, I think it’s unlikely you’ll find me queueing up at Selfridges unless it’s for the sales.

A school in Buckinghamshire has banned the blowing of whistles in the playground because it could frighten the children.

Playtime at St Monica’s in Milton Keynes is now ended when staff raise their hands in the air.

Never mind the children, what about the staff? The amount of time it must take to bring a 15-minute break to an end must triple their stress levels.

And surely it could have the opposite effect on the children? They’ll never get used to the fact a loud shrill simply means stop. It’s why whistles are used in netball, football, rugby – need I go on?