I feel I should try to make some wise summary remarks about Philadelphia is the same way that I have tried to do about my other destinations. But since it's Thanksgiving I've only seen a very small part of the city at a very unusual time. However I can say that what I have seen was very friendly, well presented, modern and yet steeping in history. Certainly, in term of "attractions" there is far more to see here than I've wanted to see anywhere else.

This morning was make or break time for catching up with Sarah. I'd been trying to arrange my visit to Lancaster for the past week but, since she had lost her cell phone and I had no internet access for five days due to trains and holidays, it had been extremely difficult. But I'm pleased to say that it all came good in the nick of time - even Amtrak's finest singalling problems could stop me. I arrived in Lancaster station to the smell of the countryside, Sarah picked me up and we headed straight for my first Dinner Theatre experience at the "Dutch Apple".

Dinner Theatre - a concept which doesn't exist in the UK - involves customers enjoying a hearty buffet meal and then watching a full-scale theatrical production from the comfort of their seats at the table. This particular show was a traditional American "Holiday Show" - a unique format of fairly cheesy musical routines related to the festive period - and on the whole this production was good for what it was (with the exception of some offensively stereotypical and simplistic attempts at portraying international cultures).

Certainly the (predominatly very eldery) audience enjoyed it and prejudices aside, Sarah was genuinely one of the best performers - her energy, ease on stage and voice set her head and shoulders above most of the cast.

I spent a great evening catching up with Sarah - cringing at embarrassing videos which she took while in London - and chatting with her mum and Sonny (her boyfriend and MD of the show - a great, interesting and fun New Yorker). We talked musical theatre into the wee small hours of the morning...