Volcanic ash and other hiccups

Well we are all set to go, fridge run down, bags packed to go and to leave here, transport and storage arranged – and then these news bulletins about volcanic ash and cancelled flights started on Thursday. No panic we are not due to fly until Monday.

Friday the outlook gets bleaker, pictures of travellers having spent the night sitting on suitcases in the airports. I log on to jet2 website, which is very clear and lists the flights which should go on Saturday, so we just need to check  on Sunday….However Saturday all airports in uk are closed until tomorrow a.m, and the ash is sweeping over Europe. We decide that we are really lucky to have no immediate deadlines, and a comfortable place to live only one hour from the airport. We just need to be flexible adaptable and wait.PUTTING ON TIME……. Monday arrives, no flights as uk airspace closed until 7p.m tonight. It seems the airlines, who are losing vast amounts of money daily are in conflict with the aviation authorities, planes are being flown to test the effects of the ash.It is becoming a political hot potato, with lots more tales of school parties stranded abroad, pensioners running out of medicine, and holiday makers running out of money as they fork out for extra nights in hotels; and yes eurostar has put up its single fare to £220, when a return fare was £65.

So we have time on our side, especially as jet 2 now say no flights before thursday, and then they will take people booked on flights for that day, and the rest will just have to be fitted in.the 30th April has been quoted for a flight to Birmingham, which should have gone on the 18th.I shall just have to take the plunge and have my first swim in the pool since we arrived, which says a lot about the weather, and it is suddenly 23 degrees. The water is exceedingly cold, but managed 2 lengths Tomorrow is back  to the internet shop to check jet2 website, before we stock up on bread coffee and a few meals.So go with the flow and ponder on the long term implications