Mary Garvey and Villan are dead right. There's no reason for American Mudcatters to, as the UK "Catters say, "get their knickers in a twist". It is in fact not only a vicarious travelogue to read the postings regarding pub schedules etc. but also good info. I suspect a lot of US Mudcatters would like to or perhaps already have visited some UK and Irish pubs. It's always good to know what they're like, 'pub etiquette', problems, and especially the best ones to get to. If Americans feel their interests are being slighted, they can post notices of their own gatherings, as Mary Garvey has done.