I went to Brussels (Belgium) for a day trip on friday the 3rd. After landing there everything went downhill fast and rapid.
The airport express bus was an hour late getting to the city, this was after waiting an hour for it. My watch was worn out with me staring at it.
So it was 5.30 pm arriving at Midi station. A quick bit of shopping then panic to find the booking office to get a train ticket, never seen a station so big, it's massive.
At 6.11 pm the train left with me on it, not knowing how long it took to get to the airport but knowing the airline desk for my flight closed at 6.55. Arrived at desk at 6.50.
The plane leaves at 7.55, take an hour off for GMT time and I arrive in manchester at 8.10 pm giving me the choice of 4 trains to get me home.
Except for 1 minor detail. Because of the snow they had closed the airport (Brussels) so my plane was stuck in manchester waiting for the ok to set off. A glimmer of hope, (fate was round the corner waiting with a sledge hammer though) the plane will arrive at 8.50 pm and leave at 9.20 pm. Sorted, 70 minutes to manchester, take the hour off so a 9.30 pm arrival.
still time to get home.
On the plane we got, and we sat there. Captain eventually said we're waiting to be sprayed with anti freeze, so Mr fate turned up in his lorry at 10.40 an duly sprayed the plane and we took off at 11.00pm.
As you may have guessed by now any ideas of a train home were gone. Arrived at a different terminal to the one I left so my sense of direction was rubbish. About as much use as the ground staff for the airline when you explained the situation.
Got to the station at 11.30 GMT, decided I didn't want to go to sheffield or newcastle then spotted an 00.01 departure for preston (5 miles from where I live).
I'll not go into what the wife said when I phoned for a lift home but will tell you the dog was ever so happy to see me.
So if anyone want's a day they'll never forget I'm the person to disorganise it for you !!