Gosh, I'm excited.

The latest update shows near-perfect conditions at Cape Canaveral for the Shuttle Launch in 12 hours' time.

When you get a ticket it's for a specific launch, irrespective of date. So I bought a ticket in March not knowing when the launch would be, on the premise that if I couldn't be here Stan would bite my hand off to use it. But I've been really, really lucky. I've dreamt of watching a rocket take off from the Cape for nearly 50 years.

When I was at the Cape in March and did the 'Up Close' tour they told us that anyone closer than three miles away from the launch pad would probably be killed by the shock wave, so the viewing site is six miles away. If I manage a pic or two there'll only be a dot, I'm afraid.

So I'm about to leave for the Cape (I have to be there at one o'clock with my special pass). Stan has lent me his lovely Mini Cooper S (British Racing Green and huge fun), and I'll be back early tomorrow to pick up the bike and shoot up to the BMWRA (BMW Riders' Association) Rally at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, where Stan and Phil the Boxerman have promised to reserve a tent pitch for me close to the margarita supply.