Two hours left...

So far today, I've donned the regulation booties, hair net, and smock three times to support activities in the hall where the spacecraft will be mated tomorrow with the launch vehicle adapter and with the upper stage. My understanding is that this activity will occur tomorrow afternoon.

But I'm getting slightly ahead of myself.

Mirabile dictu, last night's bash put on by the Brits (of which the propellant loading team is mostly comprised) turned out to be a largely interpretation-free affair. With the exception of some one-on-one exchanges - generally of a light nature and having nothing to do with work - there was none of the toasting that international get-togethers are famous for in this line of work.

I even managed to sneak upstairs later in the evening to see if people were playing table tennis, and boy, were they! Both tables going, and there was a doubles match going on at one of the tables. The pool billiard tables were in action, too.

At around 11 pm, a Scottish member of the prop team - who was decked out in a kilt - strapped a keg of beer to his back and began to wander among those present, dispensing refreshment and baptising bystanders, as the mood struck him, no doubt. I took this as my signal to bug out, unaware that the evening's festivities were just beginning, but more about that later (maybe), as I have just been given some documents to translate.

With any luck, I may even get to attend the French barbeque tonight.

Cheers...