We hadn’t counted on seeing the Mediterranean this trip nor the Pyrenees for that matter–but there they were looking beautiful, backed by an intense blue cloudless sky.
At one o’clock Sunday, when we should have been having lunch in Primrose Hill, north London, we were in fact with a planeload of other bemused passengers being transferred by coach from Carcassonne Airport to the airport at Perpignan—where we arrived one and a half hours later.
We were going south, in other words, when we should have going north!
The pilot of our Ryanair flight from London Stansted decided the cloud ceiling was too low for landing at Carcassonne–and he diverted to Perpignan.
We had sat in the pre-boarding area at Carcassonne waiting for the coaches to arrive–“Les cars vont arriver en quinze minutes” said the woman’s voice over the p.a. system “The coaches will be here in 15 minutes”, an announcement she seemed to repeat every fifteen minutes–watching the clouds lift over the Black Mountains to the north and the sky turn blue; the perfect weather for a landing.
Once at Perpignan airport, we collected our carry-on luggage from the coach driver and went in search of sustenance.
As we settled ourselves at a table in the bar area…
“All passengers for flight FR73 to London Stanstead must collect their CHECKED baggage from the stand outside the airport and delivery it to check-in desk number 5 immediately!”
They stopped short of telling us we would be taking it in turns to fly the plane to London–but it must have crossed their minds.
Things took a turn for the better when we spotted a sandwich on a second visit to the hitherto barren bar.
One each with a small box of vacuum-packed peanuts (opened with the help of the sales assistant’s handy pair of scissors) and a coffee convinced us we were right to resist the metaphorical meaning of the phrase going south!
What’s a four hour delay in the context of a month long trip!?
The Med and the Pyrenees were well worth seeing…magnificent–wouldn’t have missed them…
It’ll be a skip and a jump to the Pacific and the Rockies now–sure–here we come!
Robin Ellis 
Photos are beautiful! I appreciate your sharing these travel adventures! Will be following your tour online!
Thanks, Deborah
Going North… going south… as long as it will take you anywhere. Sounds like a group of people which are leaded through Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory (Roald Dahl).Best remark:the box of peanuts – with an ‘easy” opening!
What will be next? Good Luck!
from Caroline
Much as I love north London, I think you got the better view!
Glad you enjoyed the scenic route to England — hope your transatlantic flight doesn’t do the same — you may end up in Rio and decide to stay where it’s warm! 🙂
A strange tale indeed – Irish pilots must surely be well used to landing in low lying cloud.
You are so lucky that this unplanned tour de France took place on such a splendid day. The photos are truly breathtaking – thank you for sharing them. May the rest of your travel plans go more smoothly!
Have a safe and wonderful flight! Can’t wait to meet you both in LA!
That’s Ryan air for you. But think of the beauty of the sights that you saw.
Robin, you write beautifully…always inviting to the reader. Surely, there must be many books inside you yet!
I`ve used Carcassonne airport in the past and I know how small it is but I travelled in the summer so had no problems! I`ve flown over and driven through the Pyrenees. It`s a truly beautiful area. when the weather is good. Love your photos.
From sunny florida and the villages have a fun trip
Will you be visiting other sites in CA?
Just found out that you are coming to the United States. Are you doing some book signing events? If so, where can I find the list of cities/locations you will be visiting?
Love your subtle humor. Eager for the next episode..
Enjoy America! It’s a grand country.
The views of the Med and the mountains are beautiful,almost worth the delay.
I thought this kind of thing only happen to me. Enjoy your stay in London and have a save flight across the atlantic.I would have loved to have been in London,but a gas leak on my cooker, and a football match got in the way, maybe it will be third time lucky next time.
Looks like a great detour! Sounds like you’re having a great trip, too! See you soon! 🙂
Cheers & hugs,
Gene & Dianne
Hope the rest of your trip is smooth & delay-free. I landed 4 hours ago after a 3 week trip to Australia…wonderful time but awful delays both ways…30 hours travelling is taking it’s toll! Hope & believe that you’ll both have more luck. Bon Voyage!
Thanks and I’m glad you got back safely, Rachel.
Whats the saying Robin? Time to spare, travel by air! At least you were treated to some fantastic scenery along the way! This will be your travel glitch out of the way! I understand your frustration with airports and food though. When one is weary and hungry (notwithstanding the cost of a flight these days) not finding something decent to keep you going is a nightmare! Best wishes for a good rest of your trip. You will have to show us more of Merediths wonderful photos! Don’t they say in theater circles “break a leg!”?
One memorable air travel experience for me occured when I was 4 years old. My mother and I were traveling to meet my father in Sri Lanka. We got stuck in the airport in Bombay for 2 nights after a long flight from NY. (We were trying to get away from the states because of the Cuban missle crisis!!) However, we got stuck in the Bombay airport for 2 nights because of the war between India and Pakistan. I was never so glad to see my father when we finally got to Colombo.
Hi Robin and Meredith,
Will you be coming to Canada, more specifically Vancouver, B.C. on your travels? Oh, how we all would love to meet you both. Have been fans for years and now so happy with your wonderful blog on life, love and yummy tummy fixins! Look forward every day to see what lovely recipes you post! So healthy and colourful too! Namaste!
Patti
Hi Patti–thanks for your kind words–Namaste to you too!
We can’t make it over to Vancouver this trip–though I’d like to visit one day.
What an unexpected pleasure to you both on your way to London. And to me as well to see the same majestic Pyrenees. The same blue Mediterranean. Wonderful pictures to cherish. Thank you both from the bottom of my heart…
At least you knew that you’ll reach London with only a handful hours’ delay. Permit me to tell you about my journey to Europe a few years ago. After 47 years in exile and several attempts to obtain a visa from the forces that were in Moscow in July 1991 I was at last given permission to visit my parents’ homeland. Adelaide – Singapore – Vilnius (via Moscow) didn’t seem to be a very complicated journey. Very smooth “sailing” to Singapore with QUANTAS. There we boarded Soviet Union’s Aeroflot crate and landed first in… Dubai. We were escorted under armed guard to a nearby building while our plane was thoroughly searched. Next stop New Dehli. Eight hours spent in transit. Next stop behind the Ural Mountains in Tashkent, Kazachstan. I admit the journey became a shade frightening nightmare. The worst was the unknown. It didn’t matter what question you posed to the flight attendant. The answer was always the same: “Ja nepanimaju!” – I don’t understand or better still – I don’t know…