There was no fundraising involved, nor a wintertime quest for better health. No, my best mate – a bit of a larrikin with a taste for James Boags – had done the grey nomad thing and headed to the Kimberley for winter.

My drinking buddy gone, the desire to drink has all but evaporated. Sure, one red wine with dinner and a single single malt in front of the fire on a Saturday night is still on the agenda. But the Friday night ritual of too many beers while solving the problems of the world (in all likelihood making them worse) has been shelved. And I’m feeling a lot better for it. 

I’ve swapped intoxication for moderation.

While the tummy still has a way to go, Saturday mornings have seen the rest of me brimming with newfound energy. I have to concede I have not missed the fogginess that follows a session of too many beers. Not one bit. 

Also, I’ve had people comment that I look healthier. “Your skin,” they tell me, “is brighter.”

Curiosity took to me to Google, where I learned excessive drinking causes dehydration, which shows in in your skin. It also makes you hungry, which makes you eat more. Too often it’s salty stuff like crisps, which messes with your cardiovascular system. It’s a vicious circle. 

It puts your heart, your liver and brain at risk. It impacts on your immune system, which in winter is the last thing you want. 

And excessive drinking raises the risk of cancer.

Now, I’m not suggesting for one minute you stop drinking entirely. That would be boring. A big, bold Shiraz with a Sunday roast is a fine idea and rounds out the meal. But three big, bold Shirazes? They’ll put you on the road to a headache.

What is excessive drinking? According to the Drinkwise website, no more than two standard drinks a day is safe. And four should be your limit if you’re planning a session.   

So, back to Dry July. I’ll be checking my mate’s forward travel plans on his return late August. If he’s planning to take off next winter, I’ll probably go the whole hog and sign up for Dry July 2018. If he says he’s going to hang around, I’ll do my level best to sign him up too.   JOHN HANSCOMBE