Spanish dogs that use lifts and a little rant about British Airways

"what are you looking at? never seen a dog take the lift before?"

I am returned from Spain where dogs use the lift in hotels and the sky is blue.

The journey there was slightly unusual in that we flew from London City airport with British Airways.

"Nothing unusual in that" I hear you say.........

We got three quarters of the way to Barcelona without a hitch, but then the captain spoke......

"We regret to inform you that the plane has a technical hitch. It will not be possible to fix it at Barcelona, so we are returning to London"

Joyful sounds from all on board; everyone remarkably calm considering. No one panicked, and no one got angry.

After another three quarters of an hour we reached London and returned to the lounge. " Please wait in the lounge and in 10 minutes we will inform you whether you should wait here for the plane to be fixed, or transfer to another plane at an alternative airport. More sounds of joy. Some passengers already knew they would miss their connections, and were a little miffed.

The alternative was potentially worse, and we all heaved a sigh of relief to be safely on the ground, without the need to employ the three fire engines standing by.

rescue team at the ready

So we took up residence in the lounge, near the information desk , to await further instructions.

Ten minutes passed, and then another ten; not a peep from British Airways.

I amused myself looking at the fire extinguisher on the wall and chatting to a couple who could see their weekend in Barcelona disappearing into a long day at the airport. Other half paced around and waited for information.

Now it seems to me that the best way to keep people happy is to tell them what is going on. The man at the information desk happily announced that our plane was to be replaced with another, and that we should wait for it to be announced on the departure board. Did they inform the people not sitting beside the information desk?   Of course they didn't.

One by  one worried individuals took their turn in the queue and were informed that everything was going to be fine, and to keep an eye on the board.

Did they announce the new flight on the departure board?   Of course they didn't. 


After another hour a message finally came over the tannoy telling us to get back on another plane. By this time at least 100 individuals had asked the man at the information desk for information, and each had separately been told that they should wait for the message on the departure board that never appeared. The instructions promised after 10 minutes never arrived.

Rant over.

British Airways have nothing to be proud of with respect to their public relations and communication.

blue skies and friendly waves in Barcelona

We set off again and this time we made it to our destination, where the rain that had shrouded London was nowhere to be seen.

We soon forgot the journey, and made our way to the Costa Brava, where dogs use the lifts and the sun shines every day.

White van man becomes a photographer for the day

view from a transit van, rainy day, Manchester © caroline fraser

 I have been a little lapse in my posts; I can only blame the following............

1. a holiday
2. the washing
3. the dog
4. work
5. Manchester

Anything else would be untruthful. Manchester being the most interesting from the list, if only because I drove a transit van all the way there and back, without a radio.......... for the love of my youngest who is now ensconced in a city that is desperately trying to promote itself from every window, high rise block and restaurant. 

With a van full of old stuff unsuitable for a trendy new flat, but free and therefore desirable, my other half and I drove van, delivered furniture, had lunch with youngest and then explored the city that was waiting for us.

I had my camera;  felt obliged to take photos; it was raining hard; so I was a little limited in my options. 

I saw

•  the street through the van window in the rain; see above

• the view from my hotel window; something rather surreal and impersonal about this

view from a hotel window © caroline fraser 

• a voodoo doll in the "penny falls" at the Odeon cinema - had to do something while my other half queued 20 mins for tickets, and I have fond memories of the "penny falls" in amusement arcades on childhood days out in Bognor, in the days when you actually won something.

Voodoo doll © caroline fraser

I cannot comment on the attraction of a voodoo doll as a prize; clearly I am not the intended audience for this game.

• fire extinguishers in my hotel; as you can see all the photos taken indoors due to problems with the climate "Up-North"

fire extinguishers © caroline fraser

It fascinates me that I sometimes feel compelled to take a picture, even if I have to risk looking completely mad; luckily no-one caught me .............

We eventually made it to the Manchester Art Gallery, where I was excited to find that Grayson Perry had a small exhibition. Having never seen his works, I dragged other half up the steps and into the gallery............ but they were closing in 5 mins and were very politely sent on our way. My opportunity to add a little culture to a very uncultured day was lost.

White van man x2 went to the cinema instead.