Blogging Drinks TONIGHT

Just a last minute reminder to anyone interested in the blogging drinks, we're meeting tonight at The Albanach at 7pm. I'll wear something that stands out - a green jumper. Then if you don't know me you'll know its me. Or something.

7pm
Wednesday 29th April (TONIGHT!)

The Albanach
Royal Mile
Edinburgh

See you there.

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"Meet the Bloggers" - Details

After an overwhelming response to my plan for blogging drinks, I have a plan.

Assuming I won't be able to please everyone, but I'm thinking Wednesday April 29th at 7pm at The Albanach on the Royal Mile (map here).

Apologies to those who can't make it this time - and indeed to those who live away from Edinburgh. Depending on turnout (and, I suppose, if people have a good time!) we can always try and organise another one sometime soon.

So, that's:
7pm, Wednesday 29th April
The Albanach, Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Hope to see you there.

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A year off the beer

Having read that Scotland ranks 8th in the world in alcohol consumption, I thought it was a good time to reflect upon my year off alcohol.

I stopped drinking this time last year for a couple of reasons - primarily health related. I recently (couple of weeks ago) started drinking again, on the whole because I missed relaxing with a drink now and again - a glass of wine, a wee dram.

I think after I finished my Masters' I saw alcohol as something different. In Aberystwyth, with very little to do, the pub was always a shout and consumption was almost always much more than was good for you. Which, I guess, is the mentality which gets your to eighth in the world.

Now, there's some, with their tongue firmly in their cheek, who will point out that eighth (behind, Luxembourg?! Ireland - understandably - and various other European states) is just not good enough for a country with our relationship with alcohol, that surely if there's one thing we should be world leaders in, it is drinking alcohol. Which, while spoken in jest, points to the attitude and relationship that Scots have with alcohol.

Now I know that Kenny MacAskill's alcohol plans were widely rubbished in the Scottish Parliament, but there is recognition that there is a problem in Scotland with alcohol and a desire to do something about it. Okay the plan might noy have been the way forward, but we need to do something about the dangerous levels of alcohol consumption.

Here's an issue that the parties should be working together on before we do top that league table - but instead, we'll probably get more partisan bickering.

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Take a drink

I see that Parliament yesterday voted against the Scottish Government's proposals to raise the age at which alcohol can be purchased from off-licences to 21.

The plans were slammed across the spectrum in Scottish society, with all of the opposition parties plus the Scottish Licenced Trade Association, National Union of Students and even the SNP's own youth wing, the Federation of Student Nationalists all presenting opposition.

I guess I'm a bit split on it. I recognise the need for something to be done about the drink culture which stains Scottish society. I'm not convinced these plans were the way to do so - but I do think that the Scottish Government's proposals have provided a way to open the debate, and to explore possible solutions. Also, as a tea-totaller, I can take the high ground on this a bit!

I knocked the Parliament a few weeks ago after the debacle over Wendy's suspension. But yesterday showed how Parliament is supposed to work - or at least, how minority government works. If your plans are popular and you can find support in the chamber, you can pass them. If you can't, they'll fall.

Democracy. A fine thing... when it works.

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