Not long now
Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to drive the Ring, insurance and all that nonsense and as Frenchie will attest to, they're a bit funny over here with such things. I definitely still want to go, I just wonder how others manage to organise things here, or do they simply throw caution to the wind and go around any way.
BTW, is there any possibility of persuading you guys to come via Luxembourg so I can meet up with you? I can assure you the drive through the Ardennes is much more spectacular than the northern route (which I avoid because the Brussels ring road is a nightmare), plus there's nice cheap fuel waiting for you at the border before Germany, along with a damned good Burger King if you're feeling peckish.