I was due back from hols on 30th. Nov. It was important to be back for the delivery of a machine for hire at a Compass unit near Betton. Fortunately there was cover just in case there was a problem. I was returning from holiday on that day and so I had asked one of our guys to be ready. Well disaster struck, there was flooding in Barbados and this had thrown the island into chaos. We set out on our 40 minute journey to the airport. We queued and after the first hour realised that there could be a problem. There seemed to be continual delays with what seemed to be an endless queue. After the second hour we realised that a problem was imminent. This was all on the eve prior to the machine delivery. We eventually got to the airport , the flight was delayed but we were not allowed to board. All the airline staff had gone air-side and the check in terminals were like the Mary Celeste. Help was not forthcoming and worst of all we could see the flight – delayed.
However it soon became very clear that we would have to rebook on the next available flight. This was the next day. However I needed to put plan B into motion. Fortunately this was straight forward and Ken was all ok to deliver the hog roast Betton hire machine. It was perhaps slightly more important because of the four events that the machine was needed for.
Our next problem w
as to find a hotel that wasn’t cut off by the floods. Fortunately there was a booking agent who helped us with our plight. However the airline that we were with was less helpful which contrasted with British Airways who had taken the initiative to delay their flight to take a few stragglers on board. We got back safely although just 24 hours later, and the machine was delivered on time for the hog roast Betton events.