Sunday 18 April 2010

Grounded

After three weeks of travelling, I was meant to be flying home today.

However, there is a huge cloud of volcanic ash hovering over the UK and it looks like I will be grounded in Texas a little while longer.  Hopefully, the tulips won't be finished before I get home.

School and work will have to wait, and so will my younger daughter's appointment to get a retainer.  Thank goodness my older daughter had the foolhardy notion foresight to bring an entire suitcase of GCSE books and materials.  Meanwhile, we have the great big silver lining of more time with Texas friends, more Mexican food, and more sun.  As we wait, we may have to adopt a semblance of "normal" life -- meaning, time for homework, homecooked meals, and hopefully, a return to the blogworld.

30 comments:

Sarah Laurence said...

Love the silver lining! I was wondering if you were stuck. Enjoy the extended vacation.

Anonymous said...

Well, we are certainly glad to hear from you.
Do hope you get back to England before I get there
and that we all get there before too very long!

Stella Jones said...

You could be back over here for quite some time Bee. Aren't you lucky!!
I am over here until July 5th. I wonder if the cloud will have dispersed by then?
Meanwhile you can enjoy the sun, food and friends, can't you!
I too am missing the tulips, which I planted in the autumn.
Blessings, Star

David Cranmer said...

And the ash just doesn't wanna stop.

Fingers are crossed you don't have to wait much longer.

JaneyV said...

I should just sit back and enjoy it. What a wonderful blessing to have an enforced vacation with people you love in a place you love.

I'm back to work tomorrow. I find myself wishing I'd gone away somewhere too.

Still the sun's out and we've had our first BBQ of the year. Life's good.

Judith Orpen said...

I was wondering if you had made it back in time, but obviously not! The sun is shining through the bluest, clear sky (what dust cloud). Not a vapour trail in sight.
I shall think of you as I start my lonely training (an 8 miler this week) - I need you back to make the hours disappear!

Catalyst said...

As you know, Bree, Texas is nice at this time of year. So enjoy it and the bluebells and other wildflowers!

rachel said...

Aren't you lucky! Home, GCSE books and an extended vacation! Just think - you could have been stuck in an airport somewhere. Enjoy the rest of your visit - if the tulips have gone over by the time you return, there are always roses.....

Amy W said...

Thank goodness you are in a place you love with friends while stuck. It seems impossible that the airways are STILL closed after so many days....

Good luck and safe travels when you do finally make it back!

ArtSparker said...

They've done some test flights, so they may resume some sort of flight schedule next week in Northern Europe. Enjoy your extra Texas.

Tracy Golightly-Garcia said...

Bee

Glad to know you are fine! I hope you and your family will make it back to England soon.

Good Luck!

Best
Tracy :)

kristina said...

Do enjoy your extra time in Texas!

I think the schools here are going to be pretty empty this week. So many families are stuck abroad, whether in Europe or further afield.

And in the meantime, we're really enjoying the quiet! I never realized how much aircraft noise we had over Teddington...

K x

Sueann said...

Love the sounds of your silver lining! They say this cloud doesn't look like it will disperse anytime soon!! Oh well! You are in a perfect place to relax and enjoy the sun.
Hugs
SueAnn

steven said...

hey bee!! so cool to be gifted with more time in texas!! that's the silver lining in the cloud of ash! steven

Delwyn said...

Hi Bee

the ash over the pole has created havoc over the entire world. There must be thousands and thousands of travellers delayed. All Qantas flights heading for Europe from Au have been stopped too. You are fortunate that you have a comfortable warm place to extend your trip. I wouldn't like to be stranded mid way somewhere.

Happy days

Beth said...

If you have to be grounded - such a lovely place to be.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Wasn't it Robbie Burns who said.. " the best laid schemes o' of mice an' men, Gang aft agley".
Which, in modern day speak, must surely mean that you can expect to do anything about an ash cloud!

Enjoy the Mexican food!!

Anne said...

Oh, Bee! I had no idea you were stateside. I'm sorry to hear that your plans have been disrupted, but what better place to be stranded than Texas in bluebonnet season? Here's hoping that you and your family continue to enjoy food, friends, and fair weather.

spudballoo said...

Argh how frustrating/lovely....good for hear from you! Check my blog, I've fallen in love with Persephone and Dorothy Whipple and it's all down to you! x

Mr Bee said...

Just the cat & I here. Not even chickens this time round. Bee better be home soon.

Mr B

cerdiver said...

Hope you are enjoying the bluebonnets!

Merisi said...

I am so glad about your silver lining!
Enjoy your stay and may your journey home be a safe one,
Merisi

Marcheline said...

Hope you're home safe soon!

Susie Hemingway said...

So many of our friends stranded around the world, some rather anxious about their children returning to school after a break, but nothing can be done for a while with the current news. Sincerely wishing you a good extended holiday but a safe and easy return when it happens. all best wishes.

Barrie said...

May your extended time be magical!

Kristen In London said...

A return to the blogworld would be a welcome thing for both of us, wouldn't it, Bee? It's so frustrating, in a fundamentally creative way, to be separated from writing. I can't wait to see you back in the saddle, but I bet your family have been grateful to have you for an extended stay...

Shaista said...

Your sister writers await you :)

Relyn Lawson said...

Oh, not easy to be stuck somewhere, even vacation. I'll be thinking of you. I've been slacking in my bloggish neighborliness as school has been more than hectic. Now that I'm back in the swing again, I wanted to stop in and say hello. Happy spring! I hope you get to enjoy your tulips.

myonlyphoto said...

Bee it is better to be safe than sorry. Hope you arrived home safely. Anna :)

Alyson | New England Living said...

Are you home yet? It's so hard when you've been on vacation for a long time and you just want to be back in your own bed.