Greetings from Miami

Hello
A quick note to let you know that I did actually set off, and haven't just hidden under the duvet for 6 months!

Miami South Beach is a great place, the weather has been warm and sunny, the art deco architecture really attractive, and the beaches inviting. It's hard to believe it's their winter! A good way to break myself in slowly into my big adventure. Miami downtown, which I visited this afternoon, was less inviting - sadly I didn't have a jacket to do the rolled up sleeves bit!

My hotel is hip, trendy and minimalist, well at least it was until I moved in. The usual millions of channels of rubbish on tv, though I managed to catch REAL Dodgeball, and yes the presenters are just as OTT as in the film.

Anyway, it's time to move on again, tomorrow I fly to Las Vegas (5.5 hours, the US is a big place!), time to gamble away the money I secreted away from Vantis ;-)

Mike

P.S. Jacqui, your trip sounds great, as you can see I've started mine at a slightly easier level!