The sun is over the yardarm!

This expression is redolent of the sea but has more latterly become associated with landlubbers and the 'happy hour'. When I was in the Merchant Navy the ante-prandial drink of choice was a-pink gin. Old sea dogs and drink go together. Invariable anyone who had been to sea for many years also had a drink problem.Other professions linked to drink are journalism and writing. I remember a report about John Mortimer and him being told by his doctor when he was in his eighties that he should cut down on imbibing champagne first thing in the morning. Mortimer apparently retorted-"what and have a few more extra unhappy years in the old people home". Another drinker/writer was John Osborne. After he became successful following-Look Back in Anger-he would always have the fridge in the bedroom filled with champagne and caviar-just in case he awoke and needed some refreshments. He referred to his tipple as-shall we have a bit of that. Of course much of our socialising today is in the context of drinking in a restaurant or pubs. However there is an increasing evidence to suggest that the habit of drinking alone at home is presenting the medical people with additional worries. Personally I can think of fewer greater pleasures than drinking a glass of cold wine in the company of family or friends over looking the sea-especially in Hastings! The sun is over the yardarm!