Thwarted

Some days just don't go as you expect. Up bright and early in the dense fog and lashing rain (yes, possible in Ireland) and decided that my summery floatiness wouldn't hack it this side of the Irish sea (sunshine forecast in London) so a quick plan B into something more practical and then off to the airport. The fog was even denser in Cork but planes were coming and going. If you remember, I was off to meet some friends I hadn't seen for 30 years. We were rendezvousing outside Kew Gardens. The Heathrow flight was called, people stood up - then nothing. Then an announcement that there was a delay, and then that was it - flight cancelled!! Technical problems. Being Ireland everyone was talking - except for Aer Lingus!! The man in front should have been at an important meeting attended by two Germans and an American who had flown in especially - he was from Dublin, this was causing a bit of hilarity amongst the Corkonians; the two ladies next to me were off to a wedding complete with ginormous hat box and something she hadn't been able to resist in Debenhams, another pair had a hospital appointment somewhere in London and many connections were being lost to Washington, Milan and Frankfurt. Tempers were getting a bit fraught, especially amongst the connections. The next flight offered was at 4.30pm. I queued up for a refund then spent my 7 euro (!) voucher on a strong coffee.

How disappointing.  I feel even more exhausted by all that than a day in London. So the blip is less than sparkling - no exotic palm house or pagoda or treetop walk as hoped for but the grapes in the conservatory. Small and perfectly formed though.