How has the volcanic eruption affected you?

In a way I am glad as I am getting more quality time with Joanna and the grandkids who are stranded here. They were supposed to take off tomorrow at 6 am, but Blue 1 has cancelled all flights. Blue 1 advised passengers that they must wait till they decide what to do.

Talks with the insurance companies revealed that travel insurance from anywhere is absolutely useless. The English insurance company told Joanna that, as it was a weather disturbance, they would pay a few Euro for the first 8 hours and then another few Euros for the subsequent 12 hours! That will not even cover the cost of a decent meal in Finland for a family of 4.

The Finnish insurance company said it did not know what was covered,. Knowing them, they will try to wrangle out of any financial commitment!

Not only is Joanna affected. I have one Indian engineer leaving Saturday for Banglaore and one Indian engineer family leaving Saturday for Delhi. The Residence Permit in Finland of the family expires on Monday! So we have another problem on our hands.

No way to get from Oulu to Helsinki by train, as a tree fell on the rail track at a crucial moment disrupting train services as well. In addition, Finnish airspace has been closed till further notice.

Another engineer is supposed to leave on Sunday. Maybe one friend is driving to Helsinki on Sunday in the hope of picking up his relatives due to arrive from Delhi. If so, he would be happy to give the engineer a ride.  But what happens if they both go to Helsinki on a futile mission? Better to remain somewhere where you have a roof over your head!

Joanna has to get back to Newcastle. She is contemplating driving to England, but it is going to be tough with three kids of 2, 6 and 13 in tow.

Without a word from Blue 1, any solution contemplated is pie in the sky.

I am overjoyed at having my grandkids here for a few more hours or days, but certainly feel for Joanna and her desire to get back to Newcastle to normalise her life and her studies.

Let us hope the volcano stops spewing out ash and the air services normalise rapidly!!!