<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Hi all This is my first posting to the list and I'd like to thank everyone for all the information I've been gleaning here over the last few weeks. I found out I was gluten intolerant in Sept 2000 and have been learning (often the hard way!) about eating GF (Gluten Free) at restaurants and at holiday parties. There was one day I was so hungry after eating nothing except a few peanuts all day I almost pounced on my GF cakes and biscuits when I got home <g> Now I am getting better at carrying little snacks and secret supplies with me. However, I have to go to the UK next week as my father is ill. What "basic essentials" would you suggest for my first overseas travelling experience? What do you find you just 'have' to have with you when you travel? BTW (by the way), I am also a vegetarian and lactose- intolerant, just to make life interesting. I shall be visiting St Albans in Hertfordshire. Anyone know of good health food shops where I can stock up on easy meals / ingredients? Also in May we are hoping to visit Kyoto, Japan where we used to live. Survival tips for visiting without being able to eat noodles and soy sauce would be greatly appreciated!! Would anyone know of a website / other source where I could get a Japanese translation of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) restaurant card? Thanks again everyone. I'll summarise anything that comes my way for the list. Take care Moi Moi Ravenscroft [log in to unmask]