In early January, 2006 I was told by a consultant at Lincoln County Hospital that my drinking days were over. Haven't touched a drop since - no problem, easy-peasy.

In fairness, I was never a boozer - five or six pints of bitter a week, a couple of drams of Highland Park or Bunnahabheinn on a Saturday night in front of the telly - so it hasn't been hard. The only time I miss it is when we're cooking lunch on Christmas Day (I always enjoyed a couple of sherries then), after Christmas lunch (miss my port), and if we go to the Greek Islands on holiday (what do you drink in Greece, apart from Diet Coke and iced coffee, if you're On The Wagon and a diabetic to boot?).

Otherwise, tea or posh coffee do me fine and dandy.