Fuji - thanks for your reply.
I must admit I was surprised to read the pilot stating " I'm departing on the 18th no matter what" in his online blog, as if have learned only one thing so far, its that one cannot commit to flying, when vfr only. I have been taken up on some days of poor vis, and its no fun at all. It has been drilled into me from day one that the go / no go decision is one of the most important in terms of safety. Obviously, having such a trip ahead, with the pre planning involved, makes such a decision that bit harder...
Stuart