I have volunteered to drive my husband Stephen and our image friends this evening, and don’t mind one jot that it means having a sober new year. I just wish there were more interesting non-alcoholic drinks available in bars.

I’m not one for yucky Britvic fruit juices, they are so tasteless, and mineral water is fine – up to a point. One of my favourite non-alcoholic tipples is soda water and lime and this can cost as little as 30p – so I am very cheap to take out.

We are going to a local pub where our eldest son David is working behind the bar, and a racy comedian, Johnny Dee, will have us in stitches.

One of the friends joining us is a professional photographer, Bob Mozejko, who I have asked to take a special family portrait for me before David leaves home for uni next September. I thought it was quite a creative suggestion, to snap Stephen, David and younger sibling James all bare chested, just wearing jeans and looking relaxed. But my husband refuses to shed his shirt in the name of art.

I am not making any new year’s resolutions, just pledges (is there a subtle difference?) to spend more time with my lovely mother, enjoy our existing, family life before David flies the nest for uni, try and visit Sicily to meet up with Welshcakes Limoncello and JaneJill, and look forward to lots of new challenges, both professionally and personally. This includes improving my walking stamina from my present 10-12 mile comfort zone to a more arduous 15-18 miles so I can keep up with Geoff and Sally.

Happy New Year to you all.