August 2013

[El Gordo]

Regarding abstinence, for me it's 10 weeks and counting, with no immediate desire to jump back onto the Hades Express.

The big test was always going to be the visit from Herr und Frau MLCMM, but I shocked myself by buying some wine and beer for them but not feeling the pang to join them in their revelries. Once I'd got past the first night Champagne test, I was home and dry.

How long will it last? Who knows. The only mild urge I've had so far has come at the end of each of my 4 weekend walks, where the idea of a beer seems entirely... the right thing to do. But I've resisted.

If I survive as far as Australia / Tasmania, this will be a whole new challenge. It's not just the thought of missing out on the celebrations to mark blasting SP's effort out of the water, but the chance to visit a couple of vineyards. That was always the main lure of a trip Down Under.

Sweder's signature seems appropriate here. Let's see how we get on, shall we?