Mmm - first post. I'm feeling a bit like a contestant in the first semi-final of Eurovision - a bit unusure yet all prepared hoping that the backing dancers hit their marks, the costume change comes off without any hitches and that the killer key change 2 minutes 15 seconds into the song creates a frenzied response from the audience. There's little left to do then it's lock the old suitcase and climb in the taxi...and then it's the 26 hour flight. Urgh!

Got my travel survival kit sorted - earplugs, mini neck pillow, eye mask, copious Kiehls and Biotherm samples, Tamazapan if I get really desperate for sleep (how 50's housewife of me), iPod travel mix (including some sleepy classics) and two, I'm assured, can't put down books (Charlie Higson's The Enemy and Patrick Ness's The Knife of Never Letting Go). And of course I have Lonely Planet guides to Slovenia & Western Balkans packed in the laptop case.

Next stop Frankfurt...