I may have finally developed an allergy to alcohol... seriously!

The following words are words I’d never thought I’d hear myself say–‘I’m thinking of giving up drink.’ I know! Unbelievable!

I’m not yet setting it in stone by appearing on TV but I am giving the idea of ditching the booze serious consideration.

Maybe this is the mid-life crisis that I have been waiting to happen for the last ten years. I assumed it would come in the form of an affair, or me getting a tattoo and piercings. But maybe it’s just me deciding I’ve had enough G & T to last me a lifetime.

Now in the interest of full transparency, I must admit I am currently recovering from a very hectic weekend where myself and Himself went to London to see Roger Federer play tennis in the O2. It was a birthday present for Himself and one he had been looking forward to for months.

SO FOR NOW, I’M ON THEWAGON. THIS MIGHT ONLY LAST TILL FRIDAY SO IF YOU SEE A DRINK IN MY HAND DON’T START GIVING OUT TO ME

Unfortunately we kind of lost the run of ourselves the night before the big match and ended up on The Rip, drinking whiskey in the hotel bar with three businessmen from LA.

The next day whilst Himself watched game set and match, I spent two hours with my head stuck down an O2 Loo, whilst people banged on the door to use the facilities.

The following day my face was covered in a rash. Himself in his infinite wisdom, diagnosed an allergy to alcohol, something he finds intensely funny. In a panic I rang my brother in law who is a medical person. Refusing to give a diagnosis over the phone, he did however say it could very likely be an allergy to alcohol.

‘Well what do I do? What drugs should I buy?’ I asked him. I’m nothing if not proactive. There was silence on the other end of the phone then the bombshell… ‘it’s simple. You just stop drinking alcohol.’

Let me explain. My brother in law is Australian. He barely drinks. He doesn’t understand the Irish love of a few jars. Giving up alcohol to him, would be like me giving up rich tea biscuits. I could take them or leave them.

But then I looked at my face in the mirror – it is pretty cosmetically unacceptable. Added to that my stomach feels raw, my head aches and I think I could actually sleep for 24 hours. I hate feeling like this after an night out. And the older I get the longer it takes to recover.

So for now, I’m on the wagon. Now this might only last till Friday so if you see a drink in my hand don’t start giving out to me. But I’m giving it a go. After all I’ve done it twice before for 9 months.

And if it doesn’t work, I could always try moderation!!