Sarah you are so right about having a computer back up plan. Last year I got cut off from my broadband supplier when I was running a website for prison education. I ended up with all sorts of bills for dial up connections etc and legal disputes. I had all my data backed up but discovered the joys of mobile broadband and that my local library provided one hour per day free of charge and a fee of £1 an hour thereafter.
My own tip would be to cosset the people who have employed you in the past. Send them an email or give them a ring. If you stay on their radar they are more likely to think of you when work comes in.
