The Giving Up/ Cutting Down alcohol support thread - number 13

cathybird

Honey_Bear wrote: »

Hugely well done, CathyBird, especially as you've reached your halfway point earlier than halfway through the year.

Thank you, Honey Bear, and also I forgot to say thank you ManPants for your good wishes yesterday! ... And to Shaggy for the magnificent cake. I do feel happy. I also think the yearly target is helping in a small way each month in that I always have in mind that I've got to keep up or it will be harder to catch up later. So it is keeping me on the straight and narrow.

Ah, Dizzy, how could anyone resist? It's not like you've taken the pledge, is it? Come on, don't be so hard on yourself. You already know that the minute you poured yourself the first glass you were going to indulge both vices, so I honestly think that the best way forward is to allow yourself to be human, in other words, be a little self-indulgent sometimes without beating yourself up.

I agree absolutely!!!

ManPants

Awake early and another AF evening taking me to 14/28 AF so far.

M.P X

Arkers

Good morning everyone,


13 AFD please Shaggy.


Have a good day everyone.


Arkers x

cathybird

Morning all, 8/15 for me please, many thanks Shaggy.

Honey_Bear

16/30 please, Shaggy.

The holiday we've just had was OH's 60th birthday present to me and it's his 70th next year. He's decided he doesn't want to have another party (he had a huge one at 60) and that led him on to say he doesn't really want to do anything much. (I think he's in denial!) A friend of our went to Barcelona for a minibreak earlier this year and I know OH likes Spain a lot, so I was thinking of springing a bit of a trip on him there with some friends, who seem pretty up for it. You're a well-travelled lot - apart from a Camp Nou tour (he's a footie type) and the chocolate shops, does anyone else have any suggestions about what shouldn't be missed? And any ideas about which areas of the city are not too pulsatingly loud at night but have a lot of choice of independent, or family run, little restaurants that still feel Spanish?

ManPants

Honey_Bear wrote: »

You're a well-travelled lot - apart from a Camp Neu tour (he's a footie type) and the chocolate shops, does anyone else have any suggestions about what shouldn't be missed? And any ideas about which areas of the city are not too pulsatingly loud at night but have a lot of choice of independent, or family run, little restaurants that still feel Spanish?

Have indeed been to Barcelona. Twice in fact. Once as a heterosexual 20 year old with my then girlfriend and once in my late 20's with a straight male friend. Both trips we stayed in glorious old fashioned, traditional hotels located off Las Ramblas & ate & drank in glorious restaurants & bars. Authentic Paella in Barcelona in a must. Unfortunately, names have long since gone but always centrally. I distinctly remember trying Absinthe on the 2nd trip which tasted foul but was illegal in the UK at the time so had to be done.

Barcelona FC is worth seeing as well but you've got that covered.

Apart from great restaurants & bars which are everywhere there is the Picasso museum (utterly amazing!) which is en route to a "parc de cuitdella" which has massive stone elephants and fountains and a lake to row around. Or you could just walk around it before finding a great bar nearby to people watch.

You can additionally get a train out of Barcelona to Monserrat mountains & monastery. I wasn't particularly enthused by it but was about 26/7 at the time and into DJs/Clubs/raves/all night parties & sundry other activities. Perhaps now I'd be more appreciative. :rotfl:

I have no idea what crime is now like but first time with the GF in 1993 - for New Year - she had her handbag stolen from our table at an outside restaurant. I heroically ran after this man and caught him in an alleyway yelled (rhymes with FRONT) in his face & got her bag back. Footnote to this story is I returned the absolute hero to the restaurant (in my mind at least) to get yelled at as I could have got myself killed or stabbed. Hadn't thought of that.
Second time I got my wallet taken out of my pocket by a man i was chatting to (as he faced me) and its one of only 2 occasions in my life where a "voice" has spoken to me and warned me as clear as someone actually saying "He has taken your wallet". Now you will all think I'm nuts as well as a drunk!! :T:T:T Sure enough he had and I got my wallet back. So, in essence watch your bags, wallets but be even more vigilant than usual.

Trip Advisor is normally good for restaurant ideas & i normally find my european hotels on jetsetter.co.uk or secret escapes as they can be massively discounted room rates. You are a worldly lady HB so i am sure you will already have thought to email your hotel to inform them its for OH birthday to secure a room upgrade or bottle of something fab upon arrival. I've never not known it to work for me.

Making Risotto which technically has white wine in it but I'm not drinking anything per se.

15/28 af

M.P X

Dizzy_Imp

Oh, the dream of a city break...I've never been on one, but have longed to most of my adult life. Your hubby is a very lucky man Honey Bear! Barcelona sounds exciting and exotic MP - I envy your adventures...

AF this evening but could easily have succumbed after rowing with DH. Feeling down, so had a bath and retired to bed. I think this takes me to 7/30?

stoplurking

Now on 9/20
That's probably it till Monday so I hope everyone has a good weekend.

ManPants

Dizzy_Imp wrote: »

Oh, the dream of a city break...I've never been on one, but have longed to most of my adult life. Your hubby is a very lucky man Honey Bear

Planning & visualisation are really powerful tools in getting what you want DizzyImp. I've been doing it for years. Obviously it is difficult to talk of economics & finances as everyone is from different areas and in different situations but I have always had a bank account specifically for "holidays". If you were to open one and squirrel away a few £ each month towards a long weekend in Rome/Prague/Venice or indeed Barcelona, then you are seeing something tangible grow. Before you know it you'll be cashing in your coin jar for more or flogging something on eBay for extra cash. Easy jet release their seats about 9 months in advance and MSE normally announces them so if you get in early then you will get a really great deal. Just go ahead & buy them.

There are always deals on for hotel accommodation as everyone is in competition with each other. Check prices on Booking.com/TripAdvisor etc and find the best deals then call the actual hotel up and they will match as they then don't have to pay an agent fee.

And, don't forget. All those nights you don't drink you could be adding £5 to your holiday fund for that Barcelona break.

Hope this makes you feel encouraged Dizzy Imp. If there is anything I can help you with then DM me.

M.P X

cathybird

Morning all - 9/15 for me, thank you Shaggy