Some of my Australian and Australia-based friends are abstaining from alcohol this month in aid of Dry July, a not-for-profit organisation that supports adults living with cancer. Of course it’s probably easier to abstain during a much milder version of our own mid-winter.

For us Brits, July is the month for Pimm’s at Goodwood, Champagne at Henley and a glass of chilled rosé in the local pub garden on a Sunday afternoon. It’s festival and holiday season; and summer celebrations require a toast.

However, one friend recently pointed out that life is a bit like a hangover; the older you get, the longer it takes to get over things. Another friend agrees; she recently gave up drinking because she was suffering from migraines after only one or two drinks.

It’s why I believe those surveys that reveal that the average 50-something is fitter than the average 25-year-old. If we’re drinking less, how are we going to fill our spare time? Playing more sport, cooking, taking in more culture and generally raising the bar (sorry!).

We’ve realised that everything in moderation is key to an enjoyable life. As Oscar Wilde said, ‘After the first glass, you see things as you wish they were. After the second, you see things as they are not. Finally, you see things as they really are, and that is the most horrible thing in the world.’