I was going to get all clever...

And post some photos on here showing evidence of the debauchery that took place at our leaving BBQ, but considering the hassle we've had with pc's lately we decided that it was best not to risk trashing my mum's new laptop the day after she bought it, so you'll just have to wait until we arrive in NZ and we'll email some copies across. Of course you'll all be wanting to use these images as screensavers, wallpaper etc, and there are a few beauties that Vogue will be wanting to publish. I wonder if it's too late for a modelling career?

Apologies in abundance to anyone who I haven't been in touch with this week, and those who have had plans changed on them at the last minute, but Jo & I are both starting to feel emigration fatigue. The combination of sorting out our travel plans, packing everything, moving, catching up with as many people as possible, sleeping in a strange place (and being leapt upon by small dogs every morning) etc etc is a bit much when you get to my time of life. After all I am going to be 35 in a few weeks time, and the grey is starting to show through (as well as the paunch). Jo sensibly has already started the hardcore trashy novel reading that is a feature of any trip we take, and has got off to a roaring start with "The Da Vinci Code". At some point I will sneak a copy of "The Master & Margarita" on her because everyone should read that bok at least once.

In a continuation of our unadventurous penchant for booking everything ahead of our arrival, we have now got all our accommodation covered, and being a bit of an old codger now I have of course lobbied heavily for hotels in areas that are quite trendy but not too noisy. And all have comfy beds. Should be great! We shall mooch aimlessly around a variety of cities wearing our groovy Rio flip flops, checking out bars and restaurants that look as if they have reasonable seating and where you can hear yourself think (and are within staggering distance of our hotel). All this hard work should compensate for the occassional overnight bus trip, and will be greatly rewarded when we arrive in Portland and will be joined in our mooching by Patti (we might even go camping - how outdoorsy am I?). We've even managed to find a very retro sounding hotel in LA that is right behind the legendary Chinese Theatre! But will retro mean scraggy and old? I hope not.

Oh what fun! I promise I will try to update the blog and email when I get a chance, but I am guessing that some of our more exotic destinations may have rather dubious internet connections. To make up for it I'll blurble on at you for the next few days until you beg me to stop.

Keep on truckin!