If I put it in a book, you'd say it was too far fetched.

 What would?

Are you sitting comfortably?

Then I'll begin.

For a couple of weeks or so we were in Gran Canaria, getting some warm ( and hot) and dry weather.

Glorious sunrises 

Fabulous views

Great weather

even some egrets

So all in all lovely.

That bit would be ok in a book I reckon.

Then it was time to come home.

When we come to the Canaries, now we've 'moved south' (from Scotland)  we fly from Leeds Bradford Airport. The highest in the UK at 208 metres above sea level. 

So often the weather can be a bit dodgy, to say the least.

But we flew out on the one non windy day of the week. And landed early.

Perfect.

Anyway we set off home.

Snow, ice wind in UK.

But we notice our plane set off on time. All seems to be well. Flight sets off only ten minutes or so late. Good gluten-free food, smooth(ish) flight.

Then over the intercom...

"This is your pilot speaking. They are clearing the runway. We'll circle."

And the lovely husband and I puzzled as we couldn't feel the plane banking.

Then...

"Sorry we've got to divert to Birmingham. there will be buses to take you to LB. About two and a half hours."

Concerted groans around the plane, but safety first.

I read a book.

We land... get luggage, given snacks and water, get on the bus with wet feet

(It's pouring. Have to walk a few hundred yards to coach. Deep puddles.)

We wait... and wait.

Then set off...turn off motorway...

Into suburbs. Er what?

Coach stops. At a bus stop. Somewhere. Ten minutes later another driver gets on.

We set off.

He'd not been given the key for the loo.

Hmm.

We are told it will be about a three hour journey.

Half hour later...

We stop. No one seems to know why.

A few people get off and on.

Why did we stop?

Someone needed the loo, but the driver didn't bother to let people know anyone could nip to the loo

Cue grumbles.

Hot air... toasty. Someone moans.

Then freezing air. Through the speakers!

Lots of moaning.

We appear to be going the long way round.

Feels like the driver is lost. Round a city ring road the long way. Which is the wrong way!

Is it a wind up? Will someone get on the coach and go 'gotcha'?

We have to cross the pennines. Where it is still snowing...

That three hours is somewhat ambitious.

Flashing lights.

Oh, a rolling road block. No idea how long for.

Then we stop.

On the motorway.

For half an hour. No idea what the reason is.

We set off. 

Why have we gone past the turn off we need?

Yeah, you guess it. Missed the turn.

Driver takes the next one which is a smaller not so snow-ploughed road. We drive through less than salubrious suburbs.

Let's hope we don't get a flat tyre.

Almost five hours after we got on the coach, we get to LB airport.

Luckily the coach to our car park is waiting.

Eight inches of snow on car, but luckily only (hahaha only) raining.

We drive home through lots of deep and big puddles.

Almost seven hours from getting off the plane we get home!

And the irony of it all?

The plane which was due to land fifteen minutes before us at LB, did so. As did the one half an hour after ours.

Sods law eh?

Well as I said if I put all that in a book...

Happy Reading,

love Raven xxx