Helmets and other things

What a carry on - or not a carry on depending on which airline you speak to!!! lol Most of the group who are going to Rwanda in January have to take a new motorbike helmet, but arrangements for the carriage of 10 helmets on board is extremely complicated. Fortunately Stephen is acting on behalf of us all and he has spent many hours trying to get a clear and accurate response. It is not necessarily the fault of the airline because they are subject to security regulations. Our helmets could be used as protection against an attack and therefore should be carried in the hold. However, even 'fragile' baggage is thrown around which would invalidate the effectiveness of said helmet in the event of a motorbike crash. So, at the moment messages are flying around right left and centre - which is more than can be said for the aeroplanes!


Sorry! That isn't funny especially if you are trying to get home for Christmas. It's not only the planes but also train travel and motorway travel is hazardous at the moment. Sadly Ken's train was cancelled and so we had to abandon our arrangements to meet up in Manchester today. Ken has been doing the job that I will be doing in Rwanda and has sent me lots of information useful to the work with schools. I was looking forward to talking with him face to face and still hope to do so before January 15th. Ken has been fantastically helpful and supportive and is not used to this cold weather!


As far as motorway travel is concerned, two very dear friends set off on Saturday morning to visit their daughter, who had just gone into labour, and got stuck on the M40 for approximately 10hours. They arrived safely at 3am to see mother, father and baby doing very well - but that grandchild will hear the story of 'The Struggle through the Snow' on every birthday for the next thirty years!!! xxx to Jessica, Duncan and Benjamin.


As for me I have a had a super Christmas weekend with my pals - concert of Christmas music on Saturday night, followed by visit to Real Ale pub. Sunday morning - the 'Pals Christmas Day' we opened our pressies and then had fun preparing our Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. In the evening, down to the 'Hollins and the Ivy' event at the Hollins in Macclesfield and a first sighting of new baby Darcey. Aaahhhh x 


Today? Back home to the nitty gritty organisations still going on for my departure in January. 


Travel safely everyone and remember 'Don't make unneccesary journeys' But my journey to spend Christmas with my lovely family is definitely necessary. xx