What we thought would be a straightforward trip to Goa became quite a challenge!
We were due to take the Easyjet flight Thursday from Marseilles to Gatwick, so we could then fly to Goa Friday morning.
Hearing Wednesday that Gatwick was shut with more snow forecast we had to make a quick decision between taking the train or flying to Heathrow as we had seen on TV it had no snow. With Kent badly hit we were concerned about getting stuck and so booked a flight to Heathrow via Paris. And so we grabbed the last few items into our bags and set off.
Our flight to Paris was fine, although as we arrived there it started snowing. The incoming aircraft was delayed so we boarded late, at 8pm for our 7 pm flight. We then sat on the runway an hour watching the snow build up before spending another hour queuing to get through the deicing process. Eventually we landed at Heathrow just before 11pm.
Karen all togged up for Reigate
Our friend Martin kindly picked us up to take us back to his house in Reigate, as we left Heathrow the further East we traveled the snow was getting harder and harder with little evidence of gritting taking place. As we left the M25 motorway at the top of Reigate Hill we witnessed lorries unable to get to the top and starting to slide back down! Scary stuff as was the drive we had to do down the hill into Reigate which was actually closed off by Police with several inches of snow compacted and frozen.
A week day in the park, Reigate
As expected the snow continued Thursday , falling heavily. We had managed to get the last room at a hotel next to the airport for the Thursday night ready for our 5am check in Friday morning, although we were highly doubtful the flight would run let alone be on time.
So our spirits were raised when we checked in at 5am to be told we were going to be delayed until 9.15 instead of 7.55. We must have been amongst the first people to go through security which took all of 60 seconds! No queues , no shops open , still a ghost airport! Most flights were still saying cancelled.
After a couple of hours they shifted the departure time to 12.15. So we sat and chatted with fellow frustrated passengers in the bar - where else! As mid day neared we began to get concerned and requested what was happening as one or two other flights were departing .
Airport information had, well no information, just wait we were told an announcement would soon follow. And then 13.15 came up on the board. We were told the plane was in , but the Apron was frozen so they were working to clear this and with in half an hour we would be boarding.. An hour later no news, fellow passengers were becoming angry and frustrated with the continued lack of info. Then we were told 14.15, the plane was now being deiced. We were becoming less and less convinced. The staff from the information desk fled! 15.15 departure came on the board at which time we were beginning to lose hope, passengers began demanding their luggage back and all sorts of strange demands were being shouted ‘my children are starving - we want vouchers!’ seemed strange to us as they appeared to have no children ! ‘Where is the boss of Thomas Cook - get him on the phone’ yes , right highly likely - not!
Any way we sat and considered what we might do, go home, a fortnight in the UK, not appealing with a suitcase full of summer gear, and suddenly it came up - board gate 15, you can imagine the stampede.
On arrival at the gate , the problem became more evident. There was our aircraft, covered in snow and icicles, serious amounts, another passenger witnessed one man standing on the wing trying to sweep the snow off! The de icing unit arrived and started trying to spray off the snow and ice, and cover the aircraft in an anti freezing agent. The airport by this time was covered in freezing fog and darkness was falling. Not a good sign. We boarded.
The captain informed us the plane had sat on the ground since Wednesday morning when the airport was first closed. The towing ‘tug’ was left with it. When they had tried to bring the aircraft to the apron it was completely covered in snow and ice, as was the towing truck, Gatwick had at least 10 inches of snow. And there were barely any resources to deal with it. The Captain announced the runway was now closed again as it was freezing but they were hoping to re open it for us to take off.
The deicers dispersed! We were ready - but there was much activity ‘up front’ with ground crew coming and going. By now we could see it was dark and very foggy and below zero. Everyone was very nervous we were going to be off loaded. Then the captain announced the plane had starting freezing over again and another round of de icing would have to be done. You can imagine the mood in the aircraft.
As this was completed the Captain announced that we would taxi to the runway and see if we could take off. Nervousness and excitement! This could be it - in all sorts of ways! As we prepared for a short and fast take off the captain announced that the runway had been cleared just for us to take off and then it would be closed again for the rest of the day. Despite a day of frustration and waiting we were finally heading for Paradise……. I should mention how much we appreciated the crew, who had been bussed down from Manchester the night before and like us spent the day hanging around at Gatwick and were well over their rostered hours. After 9 hours we landed in Goa, which had not changed since our last visit 5 years ago, the Leyland buses which must be 40 years old were there to meet us.
Our villa at the Taj (bottom right)
And the oh do busy pool!
