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First recession, now ash – staycation anyone?
With summer 2010 set to be marked by repeated airspace shutdowns and airline strikes, suddenly that trip to Cornwall in a caravan looks like a winning alternative to spending hours trapped in an airport terminal.
The “staycation” was big news last year, as recession-hit Brits took to the seaside towns and beauty spots of the UK in order to keep holiday costs down and avoid getting punished by rough exchange rates.
The trend boosted sales of caravans and bikes and led to high demand for camping holidays, despite the unpredictable weather.
This year it seems like the snappily-named Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland and the ongoing battle between British Airways and the union over staff conditions could conspire to ensure the staycation remains a key trend for 2010.
Ash-stranded 2,000 kilometres from home – Tuesday update
* 1600 euros the quoted fare for taxi from Barcelona to Perpignan
* Train from Perpignan cancelled, but we blag our way on to Paris-bound service
* Chaos in Calais
Original post: “We’ve gone on holiday by mistake!”
That quote from “Withnail and I” has been rattling around my brain for the last few days as I’ve looked for a way to complete the 2,000 kilometres (1,243 miles) or so from the small town I’ve been staying in south of Valencia, Spain, and my home in London.
I’ve spent most of the last 72 hours on the internet, searching in vain for reasonably priced car hire, bus, train and ferry tickets.
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The Wall
