Forums > Introductions > Free cake and tea, and everyone welcome!

Posted: 2nd Aug 2006
oops , I've been corrected by a friend that it's spelled Tchai (thanx Linds)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Lots of beeping. And shaking and tinfoil." Chelly

"Are you sure it's a genuine test and not a robot heroin addict?" Cantus

---set free by the rather lovely FireTom---
--(right arm owned by Fyre)--

Posted: 2nd Aug 2006
wow, a canoe and marbles everywhere....i cant even remember any marbles games i just used to like the colours and the sound they made when they dropped/rolled...

on spam robots - "Burn the robot! Melt him down, and then we can make lots and lots of money from his shiiiny juices!"

Owned by Brenn

Posted: 2nd Aug 2006
Ooh, I didin't even notice the marbles down there!! Lets play kerplunk!!!!!!! I've got some twigs - we just need a tower now.........

"Lots of beeping. And shaking and tinfoil." Chelly

"Are you sure it's a genuine test and not a robot heroin addict?" Cantus

---set free by the rather lovely FireTom---
--(right arm owned by Fyre)--

Posted: 2nd Aug 2006
Kerplunk!
Ooooh, I've got that under my bed somewhere!

Yeah, it does make me laugh that people always moan about the british weather being miserable and raining. Then when it's bright beautiful sunshine, everyone moans about it being too hot! Sheeeesh... isn't that what summer's about?
That's one of the many many reasons why I now live in Canada!

Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.

Posted: 2nd Aug 2006
As Mand said, Pounce, it was still a blush.

:P

Marbles? Where the heck did the marbles come from??

*eats a bit of chocolate cake, then finds the banoffi pie* OoooooooH!

*whispres* Mand? I'll be there in just a few days!!!

Solitude sometimes speaks to you, and you should listen.

Posted: 3rd Aug 2006
Wicked!! I bet Canada's nice!! Every Canadian I've ever met has been lovely, they're all so nice mannered! i want to move to Oz - I watched this cool programme the other night about all the animals there, and they made me laugh (esp. the wombats), so I think that's a good enough reason.

Spitfire, the marbles are all in the tower now..
*pulls a stick from the kerplunk tower, and promptly spills marbles all over the floor* oops, sorry.

Can I trade some chocolate milk for some of your banoffee pie?

"Lots of beeping. And shaking and tinfoil." Chelly

"Are you sure it's a genuine test and not a robot heroin addict?" Cantus

---set free by the rather lovely FireTom---
--(right arm owned by Fyre)--

Posted: 3rd Aug 2006
Isn't every brit trying to move to aus at the moment?
I was reading an article on britains current migration patterns, and australia is the top destination at the moment.
I'd like to visit there, but I don't think I could live there... too many small things that can kill you, and who supersized their spiders?!

Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.

Posted: 3rd Aug 2006
Yeah, the creepy crawly things are a bit more extreme over there, but that's OK. I like to live on the wild side....

*groans audibly at own pun*

I know loads of folk who've moved over to Canada and the States, how cold does it get in Canada in the winter? The snow looks awesome, I've always wanted to have to wear snow shoes, could play tennis with me feet!!! Don't know much about Canada at all, except the snow and the manners........ is it nice?

"Lots of beeping. And shaking and tinfoil." Chelly

"Are you sure it's a genuine test and not a robot heroin addict?" Cantus

---set free by the rather lovely FireTom---
--(right arm owned by Fyre)--

Posted: 3rd Aug 2006
Love Canada. It can get below -30, apparently, though the coldest we've seen was -29 or so.

I'm in agreement with Mand about the supersized spiders!

Oh, and there's loads of banoffie, so help yourself.

Solitude sometimes speaks to you, and you should listen.

Posted: 3rd Aug 2006
Yeah, as Kim says, we've heard stories of it getting down to -40c in Calgary, but this winter (our first one there) was fairly mild.
Yes it's cold, but it's really awesome. Everywhere looks so pretty after it's just snowed, and it was the first time I got to experience my nostrils freezing shut and my eyelashes freezing together!
The snowboarding there is sooooo good too!

Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.

Posted: 3rd Aug 2006
Snowboarding.....CAN'T WAIT til snowboard season comes again!!!!!!!!

Solitude sometimes speaks to you, and you should listen.

Posted: 4th Aug 2006
Yay for snowboarding!

And yay for drunken hen weekends... for which I'm just leaving now.

Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.

Posted: 4th Aug 2006
Never been snowboarding - which is funny, as I live an hour away from both Glencoe and the Cairngorms!! I will try it soon though....

Funnily enough there was a programme on last night about Canada, mostly about the west, with Michael Palin. He was at the equivalent of Highland Games (not sure what they're called over there), but it was all like logging games and stuff. That looked pretty cool. And the scenery was spectacular!!!!!

Mmmmm... the pie is well tasty

"Lots of beeping. And shaking and tinfoil." Chelly

"Are you sure it's a genuine test and not a robot heroin addict?" Cantus

---set free by the rather lovely FireTom---
--(right arm owned by Fyre)--

Posted: 15th Aug 2006
Urrrrrgggghhhhh

Right, after burningman, I think I'm just going to stay at home and not fly anywhere for a long long time!

Me and Spitfire have just had to endure the chaos that is still Heathrow and Gatwick airports. It just took us 40 hours to get back home, after being left stranded in Gatwick.

More later, for now I'm off for a sleep.

Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.

Posted: 16th Aug 2006
40 hours?!!!!!!!! That's harsh. And a 12 year old managed to get on with no passport or tickets.........

"Lots of beeping. And shaking and tinfoil." Chelly

"Are you sure it's a genuine test and not a robot heroin addict?" Cantus

---set free by the rather lovely FireTom---
--(right arm owned by Fyre)--

Posted: 17th Aug 2006
Getting home....

(for those of you who know of my last flying fiasco with Canadian Affair- unfortunately this flight was booked with them before all of that, so we had no choice but to fly with them).



Our BA flight from Newcastle to Gatwick was cancelled, so they put us on a flight to Heathrow, telling us it takes 40mins on the bus to transfer.

Everything was running at snails pace at Heathrow, and it took 45 mins for our bags to come out. Eventually we got on the bus, and there's no way that journey takes 40mins! An hour and a half later we pulled up to Gatwick south terminal, knowing that check in for our flight had just closed.

But, given the state everything was in, airlines were being generous with check in times... and we still had 45mins before our flight left.

Surely we'd just make it?



We grabbed our bags off the bus- 2 huge bags, a rucksack, a set of kayak paddles, 2 jackets, and the compulsary clear plastic bags of hand luggage... to find that there were no baggage trolleys to be seen.

So we dragged/ carried it all and ran to the doors of the terminal building. And it seemed that was as far as we could get. We hit a solid brick wall of people just inside the doors.

We pushed our way through, and I ran off to find out where we needed to be. Of course the information desk couldn't tell me, and weren't willing to call Canadian Affair for me to tell them we were here and trying to make our way to their desk. Because check in had closed, it didn't say on the board which zone we needed to be in, so I was grabbing anyone to ask them. I can't remember if it was a random airport worker or nice Mr policeman in his bullet proof vest and machine gun who pointed us the right way.

During all of this, Kim had somehow managed to aquire us a baggage trolley- a small miracle, given the state of things.



Putting our bags on the trolley, I remember looking up and being amazed at the number of people who were STILL piling through the doors. Surely they couldn't fit more people in the terminal?

Anyway, I did my best to clear a path for Kim and the trolley (kayak paddles are good for that! ), and we fought our way round to the Canadian affair desk.



We were told we weren't allowed on the flight.

They told us by the time we'd checked in and stood in the HUGE lines for security, the flight would've left.

Really, it comes down to the fact that they couldn't be bothered to go to check in, and deal with 2 more passengers, because we later found out that other airlines were in the same situation, and were handing out passes so that late passengers could go straight to the front of the lines for security.

Canadian Affair just came up with their usual line of 'Well, you'll have to buy another ticket. That's $1600, and the flight doesn't go out until Thursday'. (It was currently monday).

As a bonus, there were no BA domestic flights going out of Gatwick, so we couldn't even fly back to my parents house. We had nowhere to go.



It's a good job there was a tall desk between me and him, because otherwise I think I would've been taken away by nice Mr policeman with his machine gun.

So instead I yelled... and cried... and yelled some more... and got lots of stares as I stormed through the airport in floods of tears.



The next few hours were spent on the phone to various people, finding out our rights, and where we stood in the situation. Everyone said that, because of the current situation in UK airports, it's Canadian Affair's responsibility to put us on the next flight free of charge.



So I went back to the Canadian Affair desk, and explained all of this. He said it's not their responsibility to do anything. Their policy is to charge for another ticket.

I said that every other airline is in the same situation, and are doing their best to get their passengers to their destination with the minimum disruption possible. Whereas Canadian Affair are just using this whole situation as an opportunity to make some quick cash from stranded passengers.

He shrugged, and said 'that's our policy'.



I looked at the map behind him of the routes they fly, and asked when the next flight was going out from Manchester. He replied 'we don't fly Manchester to Calgary'. I said 'but it says on the map behind you that you do'. I got the same reply 'we don't fly Manchester to Calgary'.

(I later looked at their site online, and found that he was lying out of his ass- they do fly Manchester to Calgary).

After more arguments and more tears I finally walked away, and it really sunk in that we had absolutely nowhere to go.



We sat and discussed our options, and realised we were going to have to use money we don't have to buy another ticket home.

We went on a hunt round the different airlines, to find out which ones flew to Calgary at a decent price.

We managed to get put on standby for an Air Transat flight, and were told to be at check in for 6am the next morning. We managed to get something to eat and grab a few hours sleep, and then sat at check in with our fingers crossed that there would be a couple of people who didn't show up.



The relief that came with the words "you're on the flight" was amazing.

I have never so much wanted to get out of an airport. To paint a bit of a picture of what it was like...

We were certainly not the worst off, being two young, healthy, fairly experienced travellers. As I looked around the airport, I could see how trying it was for so many people. In Heathrow, sleeping mats were being given out, but we didn't see any of this in Gatwick.

Families, businessmen, young lone travellers, and the elderly, all slept wherever they could find enough space, using bags or clothes as pillows, clutching valuable travel documents to chests, and covering themselves in a towel or jacket.

Queus filled up most of the check in area- the space between them packed with people trying to fight their way through to their check in desk.

And through it all patrolled groups of police, clad in bullet proof vests, and carrying machine guns.

If it wasn't for the large abundance of coffee shops, bars, and typical airport shops, passengers could be forgiven for thinking they were in a third world war torn country...

Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.

Posted: 17th Aug 2006
I read that with my jaw on my deak! you guys have had such a rotton, horrid time with this trip haven't you!

I am totally never flying CA and passing the word around! surely they have to fly you out free of charge if its a sitution like that! they really do sound like a pack of pricks trying to get money out of you.

i would have changed ***** to phallus, and claire to petey Petey

Rougie: but that's what I'm doing here
Arnwyn: what letting me adjust myself in your room?..don't you dare quote that on HoP...

AnonymousPLATINUM Member

Posted: 17th Aug 2006
Glad to hear you're back safe and sound.

Posted: 18th Aug 2006
One thing Mand forgot to mention...



We walked up to the desk, and told the guy from Canadian Affair that we were trying to get to the Calgary flight. What did he do?



He rolled his eyes. The jerk rolled his eyes at us!!



Oh...and when Mand went back to talk to him, he told her if we could have gotten them a message, they may have been able to hold the flight. Mand pointed out that we didn't have a cell phone, since all cell phones had to be checked. His response, "Oh, but if you had gotten a message to us somehow..."



We've got to have some sort of legal recourse, surely.



As much as the ordeal sucked, I was SOOO glad that I didn't have to go through it alone. Mand and I were stunned, and numb through the ordeal, but stuck together.
EDITED_BY: SpitFire (1155879752)

Solitude sometimes speaks to you, and you should listen.

Posted: 18th Aug 2006
Yeah, I now have to find time in the hectic finishing of projects and packing for burningman, to write an official letter of complaint to them.

Let's see how human they are when I tell them that, because of the 2 times they've charged me for an extra ticket, I can no longer afford to go home and spend Christmas with my family.

Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.

Posted: 19th Aug 2006
OMG. That's a horrible story.. sorry you guys had to go through it. So now the both of you are 1600 out of pocket each?

Poor things

Canadian Affair sounds like a rubbish operation.. Remember- twice bitten..

So what's happening end of the year? Is it definite there won't be a family xmas?

Posted: 19th Aug 2006
No, we're $800 out of pocket. We flew with Air Transat in the end, and they were a lot cheaper... and a lot nicer too!

I don't know what's happening at the end of the year. I was thinking about staying in Canada for Christmas anyway, as I didn't know if I could afford to fly back to the UK. Now I know I definitely can't afford to fly back, I'll probably stay home and keep the cats company.
Christmas is rubbish anyway.

Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.

Posted: 21st Aug 2006
Wohoo!
7 days till we leave for burningman!

Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.

AnonymousPLATINUM Member

Posted: 21st Aug 2006
Woohoo. Make sure you get to the Playa and not Area 51.

Posted: 21st Aug 2006

 Written by: Patrick the Bubba Badger


Woohoo. Make sure you get to the Playa and not Area 51.

I'll try my best!

Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.

Posted: 23rd Aug 2006
Can't leave the cats alone during Christmas! So mm.. water off a duck's back.. have a super burningman miss!!

Posted: 23rd Aug 2006

 Written by: Ry


have a super burningman miss!!

Oh I SO intend to!
I've still got quite a bit to do before we leave. My silver pants with the fluffy blue stars (that I still haven't sent you a photo of!) split a little bit down the seam at a pre-burningman party on saturday night, so I need to fix them. The material really doesn't like being sewn, and rips quite easily along the seams (mainly the crotch), so I need to find a way to reinforce it.

I've also still got quite a bit of fun fur stuff to finish off, and I'm desperately keeping my fingers crossed that my poi get here on time. Because they were being really careful about everyone's luggage, I couldn't fly back from the uk with them. So we posted them home, and they haven't arrived yet. I really want my monkey fists for spinning in the conclave! And I just really want my snakes back cos I love them.

Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.

Posted: 6th Sep 2006
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

*fluffs up the pillows and settles down to sleep*

Certainly was an amazing burningman.
I'm already missing the taste/ smell of playa... although I could just bury my head in the huge pile of dust covered clothes that are in my living room!

So many amazing experiences. So many amazing people.
I miss it already.

Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.

Posted: 15th Sep 2006
I've come back from burningman, and it seems the weather's gone all weird.

Or maybe it just went crash bang into winter.

Or is this how Autumn is in Canada (I can't remember, as last year- my first year in Canada- was really hectic at this time, and it all seemed really bloody cold compared to Texas!)



A week ago I stepped off the plane, and was just wearing trousers and a little tshirt (my uberpoi tshirt actually), and was regretting wearing it because it was black and was making me even hotter.



3 days ago I was out on my balcony, making a fire staff for someone. I lasted about 30mins before I had to come in and get some shade.



We've had all the doors and windows permanently open, and have still had to turn the fan on on a night, because it was too hot to sleep.



This weekend we're forecast SNOW!



WTF???

Where the hell did this come from?

Not that I'm complaining- it's a step closer to the snowboard season!

Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.

Posted: 28th Nov 2006
Ahaaaaa, so this is what a Canadian winter feels like!

We got off lightly last year (our first year up here), with a mild winter.
No such luck this year, when the windchill took the temperature down to -42c last night!

Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.