We are finally home.
From our adventure in Dubai where we have been stranded for 7 days. We were at the airport all day yesterday but luckily for us a lovely member of the Emirates Ground Staff looked out for us. She got us on a flight to Gatwick but it was all very touch and go until the last minute. Never before have I been so pleased to receive three boarding passes. Everybody was the same, clutching their passes like they’d just been given Willy Wonka’s Golden ticket.
We all held our breath during the flight. It was like leaving a war zone. I have never seen a flight so full of young children and women and old people. They were shipping out the most needy and in our case the ones that were costing them the most amount of money. Everybody was calm but until we actually landed at Gatwick there was a tangible nervous tension in the air. Were we going to get through the ash cloud in one piece? Were we going to get diverted to Madrid? Was our flight going to get cancelled like the one before us? Once we touched down, their was an audible sigh of relief. The applause started erupting from the back of the plane and spread like a mexican wave through the plane. It was a very emotional moment.
We were very fortunate to get out so soon. Others weren’t so lucky. Because we were in transit and were on one of the first flights to have been turned away from Heathrow we were a “top priority” but still, I think Emirates have been amazing and have looked after us extraordinarily well. They paid for all six of our nights in a five star hotel AND all our food AND our wifi AND an international call home per day. You really couldn’t have asked for more than that. It’s hardly surprising that the bill for the airlines so far is approximately 1.7 billion – although I gather not all the airlines have been so generous and supportive in looking after their passengers.
My son’s operation went well and he will be back with me later today. The kids have gone to school which is very impressive considering we didn’t get home until 1am. They will be enjoying the drama no doubt.
It’s good to be home but now what am I going to write about??
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:53 am
Welcome home! You must be experiencing utter, profound relief. But in years to come you’ll dine out on this adventure!
April 22nd, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Yes, you are probably right Lx
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Great news. Welcome home, it must feel so good. Emirates have been very good to you and lived up to their reputation, it must have been a great relief during a stressful time. As you say, some airlines, not surprisingly Ryanair included, are behaving abysmally towards their clients. It is the general attitude rather than the deed which I find so appalling.
Also good news about your son’s successful operation, and what about the others going to school!
April 22nd, 2010 at 6:00 pm
I know. Good results all round!! Lx
April 22nd, 2010 at 12:49 pm
That’s great news. What a relief. I hope the experience didn’t put a pall over the whole holiday. Good to hear the op went well. Have a good sleep in your own bed. xx
April 22nd, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Yes. Own bed was very appealing….Lx
April 22nd, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Welcome back! Emirates sound like they were really good – sadly Ryanair are saying they’ll only cover costs up to the price of a ticket
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:59 pm
I know and I think that is rubbish. Lx
April 22nd, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Well done – happy to be home? Lucky you having everything paid for … I think a lot of people are going to be fighting for a year or so.
Glad all went well with the boy and his operation.
I’m sure you won’t be wordless for long! Have a good relaxing weekend.
Louise x
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Thanks v much Louise for all your concern whilst I was away Lx
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:46 pm
oh phew lulu! sooooo glad you’re all home safe and sound! fantastic! well done well done and biscuits all round…lots love xxx j
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:58 pm
BIscuits?? More like lots and lots of wine Lx
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Congratulations and great to have you back at the home base! What a relief. The Emirates did behave very handsomely. Love from all.
April 22nd, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Yay well done on making it home! Well done on giving emirates a glowing reccomendation too!
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Well, really they deserved it – unlike a lot of other airlines I’ve heard about Lx
April 22nd, 2010 at 4:21 pm
WOOHOO!!!! I do hope you DON’T have any new traumas to blog about in a long long time.
Thanks for the quick update, I think a lot of people have been thinking about you today :0)
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:20 pm
Welcome home!! I’m really pleased for you all x
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Thank you. It’s good to be back Lx
April 22nd, 2010 at 6:56 pm
I’m feeling emotional for you, I read yesterday’s post but couldn’t comment but could feel your desperation which is how I would feel too. It really is all unbelievable. I know so many people that have been stranded, very scary. Yay, for emirates. I have to say they are my favourite airline. Now…breathe. Welcome home. :0) x
April 22nd, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Thanks CM. Finally able to relax again. Lx
April 22nd, 2010 at 7:11 pm
You didnt see anyone do the Pope thing and kiss the ground as they got off the plane?????Hope you are not too jaded with all your sunshine to see how our Spring has now sprung just in time for a perfect washing weekend!!!! No wonder Emirates gets the thumbs up as best airline it will be noted by many people when they come to book again. RELAX
April 22nd, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Yes. Relax and breathe. Nobody went that far….but if we’d actually come down stairs rather than walked straight into a corridor I wouldn’t have been surprised Lx
April 22nd, 2010 at 9:11 pm
I am so glad you’re home.
My daughter and I touched down around 8.30am at Heathrow and my mum was waiting the other side of customs.
I was so relieved to see her that I began to cry…small tears.
Phew!
So glad to be home.
My bath and my bed are calling me…..
x jo
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Same. Bath and bed. Just lovely. I know. I’ve been a bit emotional all day. Especially to see son Numero 1 xx
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April 23rd, 2010 at 1:24 am
Welcome home!! Time to sit down and put your fetup with a large glass of wine…
April 23rd, 2010 at 7:41 am
VAT of wine. More like. Thanks Mud. Coming over to see what you’re up to soon. Did you meet up with my old contacts?? Lx
April 23rd, 2010 at 2:11 am
Yay! Welcome home
Glad you’ll be seeing your son soon, hope you settle back into “normality” and aren’t too used to your 5 star existence!
April 23rd, 2010 at 7:40 am
Well. Yes. It’s a bit back down to earth with a bump….Lx
April 23rd, 2010 at 3:31 am
I feel like I’m often looking for interesting things to read about a variety of niches, but I manage to include your blog among my reads every day because you have compelling entries that I look forward to. Here’s hoping there’s a lot more top-notch material coming!
April 23rd, 2010 at 5:38 am
wonderful news!! back home for the weekend! Loved your story about the flight, and great recommendation for Emirates. I must say, we have had brilliant service from them even on non-dramatic flights!
Enjoy your weekend, and all the home comforts…
April 23rd, 2010 at 7:38 am
Thanks Karen and will be over to see what’s going on with you very soon now! Lx
April 23rd, 2010 at 10:28 am
The question I ask is What are you cooking?