Alternatives

One of the good things about the Icelandic volcano is that it has pushed the ever tedious election coverage further down the news rankings. It has meant that we have at least had some other things to think about than parties peddling policies and taking swipes at their opposition.

I have, however, raised an eyebrow on more than one occasion at what people have done or, more accurately, spent to get back to the UK. I have heard a number of tales of people who have spent about 2000 Euros on taxis etc to get back. Admittedly, some people probably have strong reasons to get back – if they are self employed or have serious commitments that they can’t break. I also know that some hotels have, somewhat cynically, hiked their prices. But it would take an awful lot of reasons to get me to spend ever mounting amounts to get home.

When we went to Jersey, there was the prospect that BA might strike, so before we went we talked about what we would do if we had problems getting back. We concluded that we would wait it out. We’d see if we could stay on at the B&B and wait until we could go home. We were not willing to get a ferry across the Channel and then a train or coach back to London.

Admittedly what has happened with the volcano was rather unexpected for the travelling public, but if it were me, I would stay where I was unless I had no alternative. Epic journeys at great expense just don’t do it for me, unless it is part of the holiday of a lifetime. I suspect there are some people who have made it home with a great story to tell of their intrepid adventures, but wondering why they shelled out all that money.