Countryside: questions and Band 8 answers

Not as often as I'd like, to be honest. I live in quite a busy city, so I only really get out to the countryside every couple of months. Whenever I have a long weekend, I usually head out to a rural village about an hour away to get some fresh air.

Mainly I go for long scenic walks along country lanes or through woodland. I love switching off my mobile phone and just unwinding. Last time I went, I spent the whole afternoon walking around a local reservoir and then had lunch at a quiet pub.

Yes, quite a lot, actually. My grandparents lived on a small farm, so during the summer holidays, my parents used to drop my brother and me off there for weeks. We'd spend all day climbing trees and exploring the open fields.

I suppose it depends on my mood. For everyday life, I definitely lean towards the city because everything is so convenient and lively. But when work gets a bit hectic, I really crave the peace and quiet of rural areas to recharge my batteries.

Eventually, yes, I think so. When I retire, I'd love to settle down in a small cottage with a spacious garden. It wouldn't suit me right now because of my career, but later on, the slower pace of life would be ideal.