Curious Conclusion

I managed to persuade Ben to let me blip him, as I won't see very much of him over the next few weeks and I'll miss him.  His affairs have been taking up much of my time recently, Cambodia arrangements/shopping, taxiing to and from Amy's house and then the whole return from Barcelona / travel to Cambodia debacle.

As part of the LVC windband Ben was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to go to Barcelona for a week (setting off next Sunday) to do a concert tour.  We paid a non-refundable £100 deposit nearly a year ago, and long before the timings of the two trips were confirmed.  It was only at Christmas that it became clear that he was due to arrive back from Barcelona on Sunday 19th July and depart for Cambodia from Linton  on Monday 20th July.  Even later than that we discovered that he would arrive home at 4.30pm on the Sunday and depart at 5.00am on the Monday.

I think you'll agree not ideal.

Last week the itinerary for the Barcelona trip was explained in detail and  I realised that they were only hanging around the hotel on Saturday 18th June, before setting off at 1.00pm for their 27 hour journey by coach and ferry back to Linton.   

It's a long story, but I found flights back from Barcelona to Stansted for £36 on the Saturday and contacted the three other parents of students that were affected, to suggest we fly them home on Saturday instead.  I was not only concerned about the already tight turn around, but if there were any problems whatsoever - for example at Calais, then we could be getting into really stressful territory.  (And there have been problems at Calais  for a week).  It's possible they may not actually get out there at all. 

Nevertheless, one of the parents did not want to do that, preferring to risk it with the coach - leading to student/teacher ratio issues, several irritable email exchanges and finally  3 of the 4 making our own arrangements.

Tonight there has been a complete about turn and it would appear the 4th is opting in. 

Such a lot of unnecessary stress!