Sapling, Dee; many thanks for your very sane and kind advice. Actually I don't have a stash in my garage because I don't have a garage. I get my alcohol from the local garage - what you perhaps call a petrol station. I either drive there or get a taxi.
It is a good idea to get a smaller place, ultimately. I'm just not up to it atm as it requires a lot of mental and physical work. It will also be extremely painful to my son and myself, as there are so many memories associated with this house. It will be so sad to leave the place where we all had so many special times. My son is terrified of moving, he is abnormally attached to it, and that's partly why I havent dared sell yet.