Dry January anyone.

[Rusty Nails]

I rarely drink at home at any time, except for the occasional glass of wine with a meal if we have friends or family around. That, obviously, is not happening now.

I like a few beers in the club with friends but with pubs and clubs being shut that reason has gone.

I just worked out that I have not touched alcohol since two weeks before Christmas.

The irony is that I have a drinks cabinet, built up over years, of just about every spirit you can think of and at least a dozen bottles of wine, just going to waste until visitors can come around again.

My wife is teetotal and I can never be bothered to open a bottle of wine just for myself.

If it wasn't for the lack of exercise I'd be superfit.

 

[Fab Foodie]

The irony is that I have a drinks cabinet, built up over years, of just about every spirit you can think of and at least a dozen bottles of wine, just going to waste until visitors can come around again.

If I can be of any help....

 

[Rusty Nails]

If I can be of any help....

After seeing that surfboard photo I don't know if I could restrain myself

In the early lockdown days I had a clear out of the drinks cabinet and I threw out one of those small net containers with miniatures of spirits and liqueurs dating back almost 50 years that we got on the way back from Ibiza or Palma airport. Some of them still tasted quite good and I used a couple of the liqueurs on ice cream.

 

[mudsticks]

Fantastico all you virtuous folk - well done

But why dont we have 'Dry July'.. Instead..

It's so much easier to give up nice things like alcohol when there are other equally nice things to replace it.

Like sunshine, fresh strawberries, bicycle trips to the beach, birdsong and pretty flowers.

I mean I'm all for being healthy n all, but it does seem a tad dour, and Presbyterian even to be giving up one of the few sources (sauces?) of cheer, at this time of year.

But hey at the same time.. Well done all for the rigour, and self restraint.

Your livers love you I'm sure..

 

[stephec]

If I can be of any help....

Are you trying to take over richp's position as the old lush of the forum?

 

[Rusty Nails]

Fantastico all you virtuous folk - well done

But why dont we have 'Dry July'.. Instead..

It's so much easier to give up nice things like alcohol when there are other equally nice things to replace it.

Like sunshine, fresh strawberries, bicycle trips to the beach, birdsong and pretty flowers.

I mean I'm all for being healthy n all, but it does seem a tad dour, and Presbyterian even to be giving up one of the few sources (sauces?) of cheer, at this time of year.

But hey at the same time.. Well done all for the rigour, and self restraint.

Your livers love you I'm sure..

It's only self-restraint if it's a struggle. But it is increasingly a struggle to function the next morning after a night with more than three or four pints. I am well past my youth.

OTOH the only time I really enjoy a drink is in the summer so not drinking in January, Feb or March is a doddle. When the cheer of a night is down to the alcohol it is time to worry.

 

[raleighnut]

I have a similar regime, except, I have a Wednesday evening top up

Yesterday, I had to visit my GP Surgery for an Annual "Medication Review".

Inevitably, I was asked "how much alcohol do you drink". Because Covid has put a stop to pub visits, I was able to answer quickly and (more or less) truthfully "two bottles of Red Wine per week". The Practice Nurse then asked "shared with your wife?", "definitely not" I replied. I think I may have "failed".

Probably 20-22 units a week so pretty close to the 'guideline' amount, 10 years ago I was up close to 300 units a week, now I'm down to about 40 or so.

 

[BoldonLad]

Probably 20-22 units a week so pretty close to the 'guideline' amount, 10 years ago I was up close to 300 units a week, now I'm down to about 40 or so.

Yes, good job that I omitted to mention the brandy nightcap, I have after the wine

Well done! that is an achievement!

 

[mudsticks]

It's only self-restraint if it's a struggle. But it is increasingly a struggle to function the next morning after a night with more than three or four pints. I am well past my youth.

OTOH the only time I really enjoy a drink is in the summer so not drinking in January, Feb or March is a doddle. When the cheer of a night is down to the alcohol it is time to worry.

What's alcohol for then?

If not to bring a bit of cheer?

It doesn't have to be about 'drowning sorrows' it can just liven up an otherwise humdrum evening.

I'm not saying it's a necessity - just a 'nice to have' you know like a slightly comfier saddle

It tastes nice*, and makes us feel good.

Otherwise what is the point??

* the drinkie, not the saddle

Obv if your drinking so much it makes you ill next day, then that's a time to reassess.

 

[Rusty Nails]

As an aside, I do a lot of work on friends and neighbours bikes and will not take money, other than cost of parts, but despite refusing payment everyone insists on giving me a bottle of wine for my time.

My son is very happy with this arrangement as they usually get passed to him.

 

[Rusty Nails]

What's alcohol for then?

If not to bring a bit of cheer?

It doesn't have to be about 'drowning sorrows' it can just liven up an otherwise humdrum evening.

I'm not saying it's a necessity - just a 'nice to have' you know like a slightly comfier saddle

It tastes nice*, and makes us feel good.

Otherwise what is the point??

* the drinkie, not the saddle

Obv if your drinking so much it makes you ill next day, then that's a time to reassess.

We're all different and I can honestly say that the alcohol does not add to my cheer one bit. I can and do laugh as much and have a great night with friends without a drink all night, but I will admit that alcohol did help me get past my lack of confidence when meeting with girls as a very young man.

I have absolutely nothing against drinking, and come from a family and background of very heavy drinkers so I knew from a very early age that it doesn't always bring cheer. Saturday night after closing time was always an excuse for a party at my house as a child, and I loved staying up in the middle of all the mayhem, but it did sometimes include a bit of fighting.

 

[mudsticks]

We're all different and I can honestly say that the alcohol does not add to my cheer one bit. I can and do laugh as much and have a great night with friends without a drink all night, but I will admit that alcohol did help me get past my lack of confidence when meeting with girls as a very young man.

I have absolutely nothing against drinking, and come from a family and background of very heavy drinkers so I knew from a very early age that it doesn't always bring cheer. Saturday night after closing time was always an excuse for a party at my house as a child, and I loved staying up in the middle of all the mayhem, but it did sometimes include a bit of fighting.

Oh don't get me wrong, I fully understand the perils of problem drinkers..

I grew up with that too.

But I still enjoy a quality drink now and then, it does add to my cheer, otherwise I really wouldn't bother with it.

But only two, or maybe three nights a week.

I can have a perfectly nice time without it.

But sometimes, an even nicer time with.

I've never really had too much trouble chatting with young women though, but a drink or two can increase the fun somewhat.

I think this is one case where I do have to disagree with Oscars old saw, and say

"Moderation in all things alcoholic.. Full stop."

 

[Venod]

The last dry January i had was in 1975. 🧐

Seriously!!

This got my thinking, and I have come to the conclusion 1968 was probably my last dry January.

 

[Saluki]

Is that different to Erdinger Alkoholfrei which has to say in the small print that it doesn't qualify as alcohol-free under UK law?


Is that Stryyk? If so, what garnishes/servings have you found to work, if you don't mind? I'm kicking myself after forgetting to buy a grapefruit at market today, which I've read is good with it.

Still not doing dryanuary for reasons previously given but also this year's two crises. Still don't drink alcohol every day.

I have ‘ Not Gin’ From a Tesco and Cerocero from Lidl, which is better.
I either drink it with lemon or lime slices in there. Sometimes a Gin & Bitter Lemon is nice. I just make it as I would any gin drink. No grapefruit though as I am not allowed it at the mo.

 

[Accy cyclist]

This got my thinking, and I have come to the conclusion 1968 was probably my last dry January.

I975 (aged 14) was my last 'dry January'. In 1976 i started the usual odd tin up a back alley,before going to the youth club and stuff. Funnily enough,there's a 78 year old bloke i talk to who told me the last time he had any alcohol was in 1976. I started as he ended.