OK, this story comes from the Daily Mail, so cannot be relied upon, but if it is true then I am totally appalled.

We are told that supermarkets will have separate check-outs for people purchasing alcohol. This, apparently, will shame people into buying less alcohol and so counter Britain's 'binge-drinking culture'. What a pile of drivelly toss. It is another example of the scumbag Labour government trying to interfere with people's lives when there is no reason to do so.

I am too colourfully incensed with fury to rant about this coherently, so I suggest you read the excellent diatribe on the Devil's Kitchen.

The National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) is proposing to introduce a two-thirds of a pint measure which would "increase the flexibility of the pub and brewing industries to innovate in the presentation of beer to consumers".

The Consultation on Specified Food Quantities also wonders if "specified quantities for unwrapped bread should be deregulated to allow unwrapped bread to be sold in any size".

As I am sure you can understand, these must be seriously pressing issues for the government. At this time of financial uncertainly I often find myself wondering if I should be drinking slightly less beer and buying unwrapped bread in many different sizes.

Everybody should be able to enjoy beer in a decent boozer, so it is a shame Peggy is now barred from her local.

It can often be exciting to try a new cocktail bar; the Artesian started off fairly sedately but ultimately delivered the goods.

The bar itself was decorated a bit oddly. The light-fittings were particularly strange, looking like some kind of medieval torture implements. It was also quite packed with tables.

The cocktail menu was pleasingly packed with goodies. We started off with a margarita and a Hemmingway daiquiri. These were perfectly acceptable, but lacking a degree of concentration. The best margaritas are still made at home. A strawberry hill daiquiri was an improvement on the Hemmingway, with nice strawberry fruit and plenty of booze-action.

We had time to kill so we dallied for another couple of drinks. The Zombie was a truly moving experience; five types of rum and Pernod with plenty of fresh fruit juice. This was a recipe for feeling better about life; heroic cocktails certainly make me feel better. An Artesian punch was our last effort, quite delicious it was too. Again, a booze-laced drink was much better than the first two cocktails.

Overall, a pretty good bar, especially if you chose cocktails with plenty of booze. It was a touch pricey, with our five drinks costing £90 (including service), but we shall return.

Contact details on their website.

The hotel Number One Aldwych is two minutes away from where the partner works; I can go and prop up their bar, knocking back a drinkie or two whilst he busts out of work.

They have a wide range of cocktails on offer, which are not frighteningly expensive for a bar in such a good location. The bar is pleasingly decorated; suitably minimalist which comfortable seats. Sometimes the service can be a bit slow. But the uniformly high quality of their cocktails makes it worth the wait.

Today we both had cantaloupe daiquiris, which really hit the spot in terms of being innocuous and fruity whilst being reasonably booze-tastic. Every cocktail I've had there has been pleasing. I recommend it whole-heartedly.

Contact details on their website.

Goroka, the current speciality coffee pod in the Nespresso range is, alas, deeply sub-interest. It is too bitter with no depth of flavour; quite simple and unsatisfying if I am honest. This is a shame as I have had some great coffee from Indonesia, from where this hails. I'll stick to Ristretto and Arpeggio, the strongest two blends. They make damned-fine cups of espresso.