WHAT a nightmare. After a 14 hour flight from Sydney to Dubai and then a smooth transition onto phase two of our journey home, it has all gone wrong.
About five hours into our journey from Dubai to London with only a couple of hours to go before we arrived at Heathrow airport we have had to turn round and fly back to Dubai. So. Now we’re sitting in the airport after 8 hours in the air. This is due to a volcanic eruption in Iceland causing an ash cloud to descend over the UK.
Anybody know how long the volcano might take to stop erupting? “We could be stuck in Dubai airport for YEARS” said my nine year old.
I don’t know any details. After having a major stress on the plane my daughter said “but mum, it’s much worse for the people living in Iceland….” and of course she’s right.
Will try and think about the plight of other people whilst there is total mayhem at the airport here. Lots of people majorly stressed. Missing weddings. Ongoing flights. Family events etc.
I can’t believe we missed our slot by 15 minutes. The airports closed at midday in the UK. We were landing at 12.15. How unlucky was that.
John De Haura
April 15, 2010It’s a cloud of Icelandic volcanic ash which which is drifting over UK from the North, if passed through, it could damage and even halt all planes engines. I’d thank your lucky stars you aren’t on a plane going through it.
So please stop complaining! You are alive.
Chic Mama
April 15, 2010That is very unlucky! I was only wondering this morning what would happen to people in the air, now I’ve found out…what a complete nightmare…so near and yet so far. I really hope you don’t have to wait too long. X
Very Bored in Catalunya
April 15, 2010What a nightmare, here’s me bemoaning that my husband won’t be able to go to his best mates stag do tomorrow, at least he’s not stuck in an airport, hours from home. Hope the dust, I dunno, settles, changes direction, does whatever it needs to do, so you can get home quickly. xx
Muddling Along Mummy
April 15, 2010Oh no – you poor things
On the plus side Dubai has a nice hotel airside where you can get a room if you’re stuck, on the less good side the current news seems to suggest it might reopen at 6 or it might not … sorry
Chris
April 15, 2010You poor things I cant think of anything worse than to have a delay like that. Its the main news item here and so far the airports are definetly closed tll 7am at least tomorrow and then they will have to see how the vocanoe is doing and how the back traffic can be sorted. Its incredible how weird all the airports look wth no people!!!guy on Radio 5 being interviewed was in Dubai and had been golfing at the end of the interview someone rang in and said he could think of worse places to be stuck!! Hope you get a decent hotel……even the X wll not be able to blame you for this and think of the notes you can write to the school to explain the jet lag!!
louise
April 15, 2010I think you might be there for a few more hours …
Kelloggsville
April 15, 2010Oh, I know the airports here close at the drop of a hat. We get so hung up about not wanting planes to crash and all that!!!! At least you are all safe and hopefully will be heading back again soon. It’s a rotten flight at the best of times without having to do it twice so quickly. poor you x
aussiefriend
April 15, 2010Oh dear. When I saw those headlines I was hoping you either got through, or they’d just divert you to somewhere like Paris or Amsterdam. Hope those pills and wrist bands worked!
Imo
April 15, 2010For a person who believes in signs that is a really BIG one ! x.x.
Family Affairs
April 16, 2010OMG you mean a sign that I’m not meant to be back??? Hadn’t thought of that. Lx
G
April 16, 2010the BBC news site says it will take up to 48 hours to clear. Good luck!
jo
April 16, 2010Nighmare is exactly right.
I’m stuck in Chicago.
Sorry for Iceland, but grrr….bloody volcano.
x
Mud
April 16, 2010Such bad luck!!!! Mind you, at least Dubai is a decent enough airport to be stuck at.
Have a look out for my mate Rodders, he’s stuck there as well….
Adam Bradley
April 19, 2010Good post! I pray this terrible ash cloud will go away. My cousin is stuck in Spain and she is running out of money. I heard the ash cloud will be staying for at least another 3 weeks but I don’t know if I should believe it. Does anyone know if it’s really true?
Branden Bleeker
April 20, 2010I was in Oregon when Mount St. Helens blew. I was very glad I wasn’t any closer. It’s scary to see Mother Nature in action.
Jemima Maroney
April 20, 2010It is a lousy point in time for the flight industry, and yet our hopes – even though the shots of the volcanic eruption are really outstanding – really need to be with many people marooned far from home.Many thanks for your write-up.
Jemima Maroney
April 20, 2010It certainly is a horrible point in time for the airline industry, nonetheless our hopes – even though the photographs of the volcano are really exceptional – have to be with all those people marooned far from home.Many thanks for your current posting.
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