Etna having a Blaw

When we woke this morning, well the second wakening as the first was the noisy Italian family in the room next to us crashing about and shouting loudly to each other leaving the room (probably getting an early flight from Catania), noticed that Etna was spewing ash. Quite a sight. Little did we know (till later) the consequences of this eruption.

We got ready and packed up and went down to breakfast, which wasn’t very good, not fresh stuff like at Ragusa, so only had a yogurt and some pineapple as that was the only choice.

Our flight was at 13:05 so we had time before going to the airport to have a wander and a coffee in the Cafe round the corner in the nice square that doesn’t have any traffic. We checked out but left the luggage behind reception. When sitting having coffee and croissant I checked to see if the plane had left Edinburgh and saw it had not. It was due to leave at 7:20 and it was still there. Had a look at the departure board at Edinburgh and saw that it wasn’t due to leave till at least four hours later. Then got a text from Jet2 saying due to the closure of Catania airport because of ash spill from Etna our flight would not be leaving Catania till 1620.

No point in going to the airport to sit around so we went back to the hotel and asked them to keep our luggage till we came back around 2. We went back to the centre and went on the wee tourist train which was a 45 min trip round the historic sights of Catania. Then we went for a relaxed lunch.

Walked back to the hotel and decided to get the bus to the Airport which was just at the end of our street. The taxi was 30€ for a 7km trip. No thanks.

The security queue was epic! It took us just over an hour to get through . I was a bit concerned about missing it but was heartened to see people were being pulled out of the queue if their flight was due to leave. Phew.

We got through, got our bottles of water and then it was time to board.

Flight was much busier than going out. After we took off I noticed that a row was free behind us for the extra legroom and asked if I could move there. I’ve done this with Ryanair a couple of times no problem but the senior steward said no, as people pay a lot to sit there (there was only two other in one of the four rows), and they get complaints if people just park themselves there without paying. You could pay and sit there she said. I declined. Anyway, it’s worth asking. The lady across from me said that in the way out on her flight the stewardess asked a few people to move there. Must be who you get.

The flight was fine and we landed at 2000, four hours delayed. Bonus though, no other flights had arrived for our joy at the Barn. It moved quick, although for the first time my electronic one didn’t work so had to go to the person in the booth.

Got home , put in some bread for toast, emptied the bag and boiled the kettle for a hot water bottle and sunk into bed!

What a great week we had. Where’s next!