19
A traveller's tale
Saturday December 19, 2009 - Email this article to a friend
There's a certain irony that snow in the UK prevented many people getting to the snow in the Alps as flights were cancelled and roads covered in snow. Some made it through on Friday.
15-year old Alex was flying out from London City airport at 6.45AM on Friday. He was taken to the airport by his mother from their home in Putney, SW London and was to be met at Geneva by his Dad.
Father and son were going to ski for 3 days before coming back to London for Christmas.
Alex had exams to study for so this was just a quick ski trip for him.
"The only trouble was the forecast was heavy snow in London so Mum moved the car the night before to a main road which she said would be gritted and we kept our fingers crossed. When the alarm went off at 3.45AM a quick look out the curtains showed it has snowed overnight, but not that much."
One hour later he was at the airport; so far so good.
Unbelievably Alex's flight was about the only one that had not been cancelled as the plane was already at the airport. He checked in, went through customs/security and sat down.
"The departure board said the flight was on time, but then it said it was delayed. However a few moments later the word "cancelled" came up and we were told the flight wasn't able to take off so we all walked back out to the main ticket desk back in the departure hall. As we were standing there our flight was suddenly on again so we had to go through security for a second time. I certainly wasn't the only person going on a ski holiday."
As he got on board the plane at 9 O'clock, just over 2 and a quarter hours after it was due to take off, Alex and the rest of the passengers felt relieved.
"The only trouble was that one hour later we were still sitting on the plane and no-one seemed to be able to give us a definite answer about whether we would or wouldn't get to Geneva. I have been looking forward to skiing with my Dad for ages and as I was only going for 3 days it would hardly be worth it if I didn't get away today."
At 10 O'clock though the plane taxied down the snow covered airfield and within a few minutes it was airborne.
"Given the fact every other airport in the south was shut I guess I was very, very lucky and my Mum was pleased to hear I had made it and my Dad delighted to see me. I just hope there's some good snow out in the Alps."
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