Monday 16 November 2009

Wind, rain, fear of flying



No, please, no!

Ooh, it's horrible weather here. Blowing a gale, lashing rain, driving the dog back into the house before she's even off the front step, willing to let her bladder burst rather than go out in
that.

I'm slightly anxious. The flights booked in pleasant autumn weather are looming: next Monday Rose and I are off to Devon, in a tiny, tinny little plane, and who knows what the weather will be like that morning?

I hate windy weather. And I hate flying in windy weather even more. I once flew home from San Francisco in weather that was so terrifyingly turbulent ("bumpy air" they kept calling it, to dispel the quite reasonable fancy that we were plummeting in short ferocious bursts to a watery grave) that the cabin crew remained strapped into their seats, silent and avoiding eye contact, for the last hour and a half, we didn't get any breakfast (hurrah), and we arrived at Heathrow a full hour sooner than scheduled, green in the gills and rigid with terror.

Fingers crossed for a Monday without fog, wind, rain or bumpy air. But it is November in Britain.


17 comments:

judy in ky said...

My husband once traveled in a small plane in bad weather. The co-pilot kept leaning out the window with a flashlight to check that the wings weren't icing up.
I hope your weather is good and your flight is smooth.

Making Space said...

Your poor widdle doggie... Such a cutie pie!!!

Calm air vibes for your journey!

This afternoon I found my puppy up on a table, having chased the cat there. She was shaking like a leaf and couldn't figure out how to get down. Poor pup. She's getting almost too big to lift (golden retriever). LOL The wind was fine though...

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

I can quite see why the dog has a fear of flying . A swooshing take-off and then whirling round and round on the end of her lead would be extremely unpleasant .Not worth the barley sugar .
As for aeroplanes? . That's what I-Pods and crosswords are good for . I usually find that untangling the earphones and finding my pen keeps me distracted enough on the 45 minutes from Amsterdam . And my fellow passengers too .

BumbleVee said...

hopefully they break out the in-flight cocktails if it's crazy weather...you know..those cute little bottles... just rip off the top and guzzle them...all of them....

Linda said...

I'm sure it will be calm on the flying days at least. And I am really hoping that the West Country and West Wales will not be subjected to the sort of weather we have had in the past week - I am getting mopper's wrist from all the water coming in under our temporary back-door; the plastic sheets which half-cover the garage are leaking and we found out last week that the 'architect' had not ordered the new roof!!!
Take something waterproof - wellies if poss!

Charlotte said...

Fabulous jumper Miss T! x

lovethosecupcakes said...

Ooh, that has me remembering a flight to Heathrow a couple of years ago in truly lousy weather. I've never knowingly been amongst so many planes whilst still airborne. (All were circling the runways awaiting permission to land). And this was on the first day of a new job with colleagues I'd only just met.

mountainear said...

Once upon a time when regular people were allowed to do such things we sat for take-off alongside the pilot and co-pilot of a trans-Atlantic flight. The, erm, flight deck was primitive beyond belief - I'd imagined a 737 would be quite slick - more like a complicated garden shed with dials and bits stuck on with sellotape. Turn off your mobile phone? - The Captain held a long conversation with his wife as his colleague did the taking off bit. Safety procedure involved telling us to jump out of the window and we would be assured a soft landing as we'd land on top of him who'd jumped out first...

Sorry, that's not really helpful is it?

rachel said...

Very funny, all of you!

But Bumblevee, we're flying with such a cut-price airline that everything is an 'extra' - in fact, I'm sure we'd be charged for biting our own nails during the flight!

fourdoorsdown said...

You'll be fine. On next Monday morning, most of the rest of the country will wish it was on a plane going somewhere new . . .

Rattling On said...

Fear not...we've flown with lots of Russian airlines. Mostly decommissioned army planes, and most with nylon carpet all over the walls and overhead lockers that burst open at regular intervals. It pays to be really knackered before you set off, then you just go to sleep at the first opportunity.
Anyway, they won't be allowed to even take off if it's too bad.
Russians always give a round of applause on a successful landing. They are obviously not the world's biggest optimists.

Bee said...

I will keep my fingers crossed for you. I particularly hate wind, too. Our house "howls" from the inside when the wind blows too hard. (The electricity got blown out on Friday night.)

Your dog reminds me of my cat; who has also been known to "freeze" in the doorway when he gets a lash of rain and wind.

Pam said...

Argh, I sympathise. Don't Like Flying. (Maybe you just shouldn't go...?)

Anonymous said...

Good luck; I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Jan

Marie said...

I feel for you.

May you fly swiftly and smoothly and be there soon.

Marie said...

Pee Ess Of course you should go :-)

If I caved in to my fear of flying I would never go anywhere.

Anonymous said...

This brought back memories of the worst experience I had with in-flight turbulance. It was flying high over vast expanses of Australian countryside as it was being ravaged by fierce bushfires. As bushfires are probably non-existant in Devon, perhaps you'll be fine.Here's hoping it's good flying weather for you...and have a lovely time.

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