Thanks for that Link Chance, I've popped it in my favourites. I do hope our hosts all like chocolate *grin*

Chas, Brilliant news about your trip, know you're going to have a whale of a time!

Thanks for the 'turn off your phone at night' tip Ned (smart move), but Barry is probably right too. Hopefully no-one will phone from the UK anyway, I think I've been telling Everyone and his Mother about our trip, I'm soooo excited!!

As for our trip plans, the MudCat Hospitality Wagon has scooped us up and got us really well catered for, organised and wrapped up in comfy caring. We've been overwhelmed by the generous response of our new friends (most of whom we haven't met yet but Micca keeps saying they're 'people like us') and I can't wait to get across the pond and start hugging!

Pretty much all our transport and accommodation has been sorted with singing galore and parties thrown in. We're on a tight schedule as we're only over for a mere 13 nights but with a lot of help from our friends we're managing to attend the Portsmouth Maritime Festival, Chance & Susette's Pre-Getaway Sing and the Getaway itself - not to mention seeing my Big Sister on her Birthday between times!

I'm not sure if 'naming names' is 'the done thing' around here, but huge thanks to all who're helping us and all those who offered too - you know who you are!

A friend from work will be lending us a travel adaptor which worked in Canada so we're assuming it'll work in the USA too and a small hairy gnome will be popping over next week for liver and bacon & he'll bring us some hand-luggage and check our chargers too. Despite the huge list of 'stuff to do' (including the travel insurance I haven't sorted yet), it's all coming together. I can't wait!!