Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Not exactly what I had in mind for my first day of travel.
I woke up feeling what I can only describe as "Bleurgh" after a bad nights sleep. My fault mind, I was trying to download a few movies onto my computer for the journey. A constant whirring and flickering disturbed my peace. After several hours of being woken every 30 mins I put the laptop outside my bedroom.
Much to my dissapointment only 1 movie downloaded. definately not worth the disrupted sleep.
Tiredness aside, I was about to embark on my first proper travel experience. Its just part of the fun.
To the window I bouneded....as I had feared, I couldn't see the Graveyard (that's not weird, I live next door to a GRaveyard). A thick white mist was engulfing everything in sight! I hoped that Friday 13th didn't live up to its name and threw me a little luck to make the fog lift.
I said my goodbyes to the Birches and went off with my mum and sister to the airport dropping Olivia at school and putting Gem (the pony) Out on the way.
2 minutes from the airort it dawned on me that if I didn't get out of Guernsey by mid afternoon I would miss my connections. would I be able to afford the additional expenses and changes?
Bye mum..Stay safe an I left with a hug.
Through security and I bagged my self a corner chair.
I knew there were currently indefinate delays but this was better than no plane.
10.15 on the tannoy I hear "Due to adverse weather conditions Aurigny regret to inform you that the GRxxx flights to Gatwick has been cancelled... " what my heart sank.
To the information desk we all trundle.. standing in the queue hearing "I'm sorry mam there are no more flight today" brought tears to my eyes. By the time I got to the front of the queue there were no Gatwick flights until Sunday evening at the earliest. Jeeze what to do.
I was put on standby for the next Gatwick plane. No more than 20 mins later there was a call over the tannoy for a Miss Jamie-Lee Wright. What could this be, there were still no flights? "Mam we have put you on the Bristol flight which is due in at 12:45" excellent news! I thanked her and she said now you an go see your friends, they are also on the Bristol flight...
Who could this be, I couldn't see a familiar face.... I turned and walked a towards the queue and I saw Carolynn. Boom, it hit me...tears Thanks for the hug Carolynn - much needed. Tears already and I havent even left Guernsey airport. #awkward #Mess
A young woman called Emily was in the queue, one ahead of me and just said "dont worry I'll help you get doen to Heathrow" Directons noted, a tissue and I'm all smiles again. A new plan was in action.
So all we need was the fog to stay where it was and the plane from Manchester to get in so we could all go to Bristol.
The fog....was running its own show. It came back in a matter of minutes, the dissapeared, then came back. It became a game of hide the houses across the runway. Not a game I wanted to play. 12:00 no fog. Clear runway...it was perfect for landing. BUT still 15mins before the plane was overhead. 12:08 not only have the houses dissappeared but the runway and all vehicles have gone... It was like something out of a moview set. We could hear the plane but it was not able to land. No one wants a plane to land anywhere but the runway so it was diverted to Jersey.
13:05 "We regret to inform......"! Another cancellation. Back to the help desk to see the options.
Options? Considered Guernsey - Jersey - Gatwick, Guernsey - Jersey - Bristol. Looked at the boats.
Time to go home and have a think. Thanks for the lift home Carolynn
Home sweet home. I was welcomed by 2 lovely friendly faces. Hi Carrie and Nando (dog). It's been only a matter of hours and It was nice to come home to have a think and a cup of tea!
Had a little cry then time to make a plan!
Plan B
Boat to Weymouth then train up to Heathrow.
5 hours later I'm all set. Wouldn't be travelling without a few obstacles!
I rescheduled my Heathrow Bangkok flight, all Thai Hotels and connections. Booked the Boat, Weymouth Hotel (all but 3 fully book - lucky!! In the vicinity of the Ferry port and Train station only mind) and train.
Time for a nap!
19:25 and its time to go again.
Thanks to Henry who got me to the Harbour so I could start my travels again. Hopefully this time - I will leave the island!
I haven't caught the boat for a very long time but the Port hasn't changed a bit. A short chilly wait nd the boat came in on time.
Seat K742. located. Welcome to Condor and meet Lynn and Edward. Lynn and Edward are from Jersey and having a long weekend in Weymouth. I learnt more about condor and the ferry routes (and forthcoming plans) in the last 2hours than I would have realised over the next year :-) nice to have some company and a chat :-)
20:40 depart and 23.15 arrival - in the UK #Amazing #Tired
At the Carousel I met a guy named Niall. Niall also spent some time in the airport today and need to get off Guernsey as he is racing for the Island in Torquay Saturday 14th. I believe he is Guernsey resident. A very kind offer of dinner and a drink had to be turned down. If we do meet again, I will take him up on this :-)
I walked a little through the backstreets of Weymouth to find my hotel "Hotel Central". Thought I was a little off course so asked a Bouncer for directions. 15m down the road there was my hotel - not bad to say I forgot to make a copy of the map.
This hotel is quaint. A funky 1960's lift (which was like walking into a cupboard and only the floor moves) and a 1990's tv set, took me back a few years.
Time for some shut eye.
> Car > Airport > Car > Home > Car > Harbour > Boat > Walk
- comments
Carolyn Hi Jamie-lee ....so very pleased to hear you are where you want to be....well done. Susie says hi too. Will keep reading your news and wishing you well. Xxxxxx