Transparent luggage only

I was in the news this week. I was one of the thousands of passengers hoping to fly out of London Heathrow on Thursday. I was due to visit friends in Geneva for a long weekend. Now it looks like our long weekend will be a day and a half - we're booked on a very early flight on Sunday - never mind. Could've been worse. So much worse.

British Airways have dealt with it all really well under the circumstances. The people we've spoken to at the call centres have been as helpful as they could be, the calls have been answered without too much waiting time, and the poor chap at the airport who had to tell people that their flight was cancelled was doing a fantastic job. He was actually a mechanic so this wasn't what he normally did (BA obviously just pulled everyone in that they possibly could to talk to the crowds of people at the terminal and try to get them information when they had it).

So I was most disappointed at having to come home to the usual domestic chaos that I thought I'd left behind for a few days. But I'm determined not to use this little bit of holiday to do housework - heck, no! On Thursday afternoon I went to Ikea. That always cheers me up. Well, it didn't really, but I bought a lovely cup and saucer/plate thing that I've had my eye on for ages and they now do it in blue so I could buy it at last!

Then yesterday, we went for a lovely lunch and a walk by the river at Henley-on-Thames. What a very nice place that is. We gazed jealously at amazing houses and watched the boats go through the lock. A bit further down the river we walked past a small enclave of very nice houses, one of which had a little railway running through it, with points and signs and everything. Even a miniature building that was pretending to be St Moritz railway station (so we did get a glimpse of Switzerland after all!).

Today I think I'll take Thomas to the Chertsey Show if he has no other plans. He's been staying at my Mum's, as per the original plan, in case I needed to drop everything and dash to the airport (thanks, Mum!).

So, that's my news. Not great that I couldn't get to Geneva when I wanted, but not so bad because: I wasn't missing anything important - no doubt there have been many people unable to attend weddings, funerals and other events that really do matter; I live 20 minutes from the airport and I wasn't stuck there for hours or 'stranded'; my washing's done, my bag's packed and everything I need is in one place; I still got to do nice things and I visited a place I've never been to before; and of course, nobody's blown up a plane this week!

If you've been caught up in the chaos, I hope it hasn't been too bad for you either. Think of me at 3am tomorrow when I have to get up and head off for my early flight. (No, really. Set your alarm and think of me!)