Only 3 days left

We've started trying to map off individual parks now as we count down to leave. Today we spent the morning and half the afternoon at Epcot again. This time we managed (following Mike's advice) to get fast pass tickets for 'Soarin' before going in the normal queue first thing, which meant that we were able to go on twice with very minimal waiting. It's a simulator kind of ride where you hang glide through various scenes. It's very well done as you glide through deserts, pine forests and orange groves (with appropriate smells) and snow scenery. It did make me think it will be nice to go to Montana to see some 'real' scenery. I'm never quite sure in Disney / Orlando what is real and what is 'imported'.

The boys decided today they hadn't collected enough autographs so lined up for a few 'signings'. This is despite the fact that only Johnny believes any of the characters are real.

In the World Showcase in Epcot we went to see 'The Great American Adventure' an audio-anamatronics show. It was more balanced than I imagined it would be but still must make Americans feel very patriotic. I wouldn't have been surprised if the boys had come out saying 'Why can't we be American?' What America does seem to do well is to think well of itself and it's people, which is not necessarily a bad thing. In Britain we seem to find fault in anyone who lifts their head above the para pit very quickly. We have also noticed the pride Americans take in their armed forces. We followed a car yesterday that had a bumper sticker stating 'retired army personel' and today in our "Pirate Dinner Show,' along with announcing a couple of birthdays and a wedding anniversary, they also noted someone who had just come back from 17 months in Iraq. He was greeted with much clapping and cheers, I can't imagine the same thing happening in Britain.

This afternoon was perhaps the closest we've come to marital breakdown this holiday (so far!). We needed a few more groceries, so rather than dragging the boys to Wal-Mart (never a recipe for success) it was suggested that I could go by myself (I'm the only person insured to drive the car here cos we were too stingy to pay for an additional driver). I wasn't too happy going by myself as I still need Johnny to occasionally remind me to drive on the left, I mean right, but the thought of having a swim when I came back was enough to encourage me. Having put the wallet and credit card in the rucksack I dropped off the boys at the house and drove off. When I got to the supermarket I found that Johnny, on departing from the car, had also taken the rucksack with him. I had to come back home, witness the three boys having a great time in the pool and drive back to the supermarket. When I arrived back having completed the shopping there wasn't time for a swim before we needed to leave, but neither were any of the boys ready. In the end we still forgot to take the camera with us.

Anyway, I'm over it now - can you tell?

Rachel