Thanks so much for all your help - what a wonderful amount of information. I'm going to print it out as my little memory bank runs on low these days!

I'm actually going on Tuesday, 6 September as I don't leave here until 31 August. I'll be staying with my son who lives in Jersey City but he's taking me on the Saturday night for a practise run, so that I won't get lost on the Monday. Hopefully it will be simply a matter of following the crowd once I get on the right train.

The food poisoning is a bit off-putting. I think I'd have to be very unlucky but as I'm heading off on the cruise on the Wednesday, I might play it safe and bring something from home (well from Michael's place).

I hope I find someone friendly who is willing to talk to me as me going a whole day without speaking is a bit much for me to imagine - even at the tennis! I don't suppose I'll be so lucky but I'd love to see Lleyton Hewitt play - he'll be the only Aussie likely to be left in by the second week! I'll be surprised if Mark Phillipoussis does well, if he manages to even start. I'll settle for watching Federer though. Saw Nadal at the Aussie Open and he is exciting to watch and I like Andy Roddick too. I just enjoy watching good tennis.

Anne and Gary - hope you enjoy the Aussie Open if you get there. If you need any advice on the seating, we went four times and sat in different areas. It's a fabulous arena and all seats are pretty good - just remember if you can't get shade, try and keep your back to the sun (which is the opposite to you - face south) as it can get extremely hot in January in Melbourne. We booked for shade but on one day had sun for an hour and a half and that was enough for us!

So far, I've decided to wear summer slacks, t-shirt, sneakers and take a wind-cheater, water, sunscreen, sun visor and lunch - reckon that'll work?