That's great news, micca, thank you again! I just bought a new back pack today. my old one, over 15 years old, literally fell apart on me on the street. glad it did it here and not in some street in Shanghai (I have a stopover there for one night in the way! - Pu Dong?)

I have just listened to my daughter's message again, it was quite intelligible. just my brain, late last night, wasn't computing! I'll be passing through London, on my way to Austria, on 16th August when I arrive at Heathrow at 11.50. I'll be travelling the next day from Stansted at 9.20 am to Klagenfurt (Austria)where I'll stay for a week. then I will be arriving at Stansted airport on Sat 21st at 1.50 pm', via Ryan Air. I can get a bus or train there to somewhere closer, I'm not sure at this stage where Stansted is, apart from it being in London. I'm booked to go back to Austria (for the wedding) on September 1 at 9.20 am from Stansted again.

I'm putting all this in in case anyone of those who offered to put me up are near Stansted for those two overnighters. Otherwise, I'll have a loud alarm & be up early to travel that way, I imagine there'll be shuttle buses from Heathrow.

So, is there any music in London on a Saturday night? (21st August?)!!

Micca, Catsphiddle, Leadfingers & Moses, I'll pm you all individually now that I have these times. Jacqui - is Stansted anywhere near you?

and i will have to polish off my vocal chords - I'm looking forward to sitting in a room, surrounded by voices and harmonies - and to meeting whoever of you I can!

best wishes

freda