Paddy,
Fantastic stuff. I have copies of several letters written by an Australian rear gunner while he was in transit across the States on his way to the UK. He completed his training in Australia so was only there for a matter of weeks, but his impressions - of bars open every day until midnight (gasp!) and of the scenery and the never-ending piles of food mirror what you've written here. So impressed was he that he was considering settling there after the war. Sadly, he never lived long enough to see the end, failing to return from Lille 10MAY44.
Cliff - sorry to hear of your health problems, but glad to ehar from you again. Enjoy those pints!
Adam