Weekends away in the country always make me yearn for a different way of life. While I love what London has to offer, the busyness and built-up-ness of the suburbs is in stark contrast to the space and stillness of more rural England. We visited Fiona's sister and her family in north Devon, and had a lovely weekend.

As well as two trips to the beach at Croyde, Fiona and I had a great night out - to celebrate Fiona's birthday, her sister had booked (and paid) for us to go to the Corner Bistro in Braunton, round the corner from where she lives. A night out away from the kids is treat enough, but it's a bonus to go somewhere nice, too. We had a really enjoyable evening. We had a bottle of the Cosme Vin de Pays Viognier 2004, which was a little light and neutral, for £19, plus a couple of glasses of a pleasant Puglian Primitivo.