In the course of a self-flagellating — and, indeed, self-congratulatory — article in The Times Magazine on Saturday, Robert Crampton described how he had successfully beaten a retreat from the front line of what he called “middle-class drinking”.

From upwards of 12 units a day, he had eased back to a level on or below the recommended maximum of three.

Then he added: “That’s an average of one largish glass of wine in a day. Except that I prefer to have none most days, so on other days I can have two. Or even three, wahey!”

Now I am the last person entitled to preach on this subject but, fearful lest Robert’s example should be followed, I must point out that he is doing precisely what is advised against by the medical profession.

They say (and their message used often to appear on drinks packaging) that we should not ‘save up’ for a mini-binge in this way. Sorry to be a bore . . .