Northern route

Frogbus made a timetable change which was not compatible with our next flight out of Gerona. Both of us were flying from there to Birmingham International with Ryanair. Our good friend François very kindly drove us all the way to the airport in his taxi without charge! After two days of almost non-stop rain in the south of France, the weather cleared before we left home, giving us fantastic weather for flying. The views over the Pyrenees, and then later over the Atlantic coast, were superb. We got to Birmingham International with time to lunch before getting our train to London Euston. Unfortunately we got on the wrong London train (a Virgin train, which was scheduled 9 minutes before our booked Midland train) and had to get off at Coventry and wait for the train we'd actually booked on to arrive. Oh, for the days of British Rail – when there was only one company it was impossible to be on the “wrong” train going to the same destination. The platform announcer at Coventry has the most irritating voice imaginable – think of the rise-and-fall associated with the reading of football results, then magnify it! - so it was a great relief when the train arrived and we could escape her!

Transport: taxi, Ryanair flight, Midland train, 168 bus

Door-to-door: 8 hours

Cost: £66.12

Torre Pendente

Morag was also booked on an early flight in March, but from Gatwick not Stansted. As the trains from London Bridge don’t run very early in the morning, she decided to go down the previous evening and catch a bit of sleep in the terminal building – not very much sleep, but some. The flight to Pisa was with Easyjet – a pleasant change from the usual Ryanair service. The pilot had a sense of humour, the staff were friendly – and the seats were comfortable – not plastic! Also, although like with Ryanair there were attempts to sell extras – they didn't keep plugging something every five minutes over the intercom.

All went swimmingly until we were almost at Pisa; it seems the pilot was told only on his final approach of changes to the landing procedures at Pisa airport – so it was a sudden climb into a “go-around” for a second approach. One of the stewardesses was thrown against the rear bulkheads, injuring her arm, leg and neck At first she thought the arm was broken but as the (successful) final approach was made she got some feeling back in the hand and thought probably not a break after all. She would go to hospital in Pisa to be checked anyway. Morag – having some hours to pass before the next flight – offered to keep her company if needed (as the rest of the crew would have to go back with the aircraft). They must have found someone on the ground to go with her though – Morag was not called on. (She texted the next day - she'd been taken to hospital on a spinal board - happily X-rays and a CT scan had uncovered no breaks.)

Pisa airport is very near the city and the local bus costs only €1.50. The go-around had given a chance to see Pisa from the air, but as the weather was good and there were a few hours to fill, a bus ride and a walk were indicated. Although the weather was variable, it was never cold or rainy, so very pleasant for walking. With the free city map picked up in the airport, it was easy after a little sightseeing to find the main railway station and thus the navette back to the airport.

The second flight of the day was typically Ryanair – so no need for further comment!

Transport: London Bridge to Gatwick with Southern Railways, Gatwick to Pisa with Easyjet, Pisa to Gerona with Ryanair, Frogbus.

Door-to-door (including a night at the airport): 24½ hours

Cost: £73.29

STILL Germany!

Mike’s next journey to St Jean in March also involved a change in Germany, this time at Bremen. The early flight meant leaving home at 5 a.m. in order to get to Stansted in time, but did mean that there was time to visit the city in between flights. Unusually for Ryanair, the airport is very close to the city of Bremen so it was easy to visit the city – though not for a long walk, as the weather was very cold. He found it an interesting town, and wants to visit again some time.

Transport: car, Terravision coach, two Ryanair flights, Frogbus, car

Door-to-door: 15½ hours

Cost: £51.82