Thomas,

I'm on my way back from a jaunt around East Coast USA and England... currently in Sydney. A word to travellers during as the festive season approaches: Australia apparently believes that the Christmas Cracker/Bon Bon is a deadly weapon that may not be carried on as hand luggage. I carried my Harrods bon bons onto the plane in Heathrow, Washington, Chicago and San Fran airports, before the bon bons were identified as a fearsome weapon during my transit stop in Sydney and were about to be confiscated. I ended up clearing immigration and checking them on as luggage. So be warned!

Re San Fran: I did think of you, but with only 5 hours there seemed little point trying to meet. Of course the plane then developed a fuel leak and we ended up stuck till just after midnight. Such is life! But I'll need to visit again before Christmas so I'll fly in via SF and stay a night. I look forward to shouting the first round of dark fluid for medicinal purposes!