h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, that's perfect timing!

I've made a few tweaks to the lists on the page. Hope everyone's happy with this.

I'm hoping that the Icelandic volcanic ash will have died down by the Saturday morning. Otherwise, I won't be coming.

I'm sure it will have blown over by then.

Same here regarding the ash cloud. How is it looking for everyone else?

Ireland doesn't seem to be affected yet, but no way do i want to spend a weekend sleeping on the floor in an airport if wind changes direction. No flights out of Germany right now.

Aer Lingus are giving refunds at the moment, but don't know how long for. BBC News says it's not really predictable situation.

P's son is stranded in Latvia, can't get back to Norway, it's all staring to look a bit dodgy....but will do wonders for carbon emissions from planes i guess...shall we take bets on which airlines go bust first?

zdt

>>Ireland doesn't seem to be affected yet

The ash cloud has been directly over Ireland for the last day, and all flights are cancelled until at least Monday. Current predictions are that the situation will not change until late next week at the earliest.

So it's not looking good.

blimey

What about changing the dates?

That seems to be the only option in my view.

OK, some of us managed to get cheap flights and hopefully can get refund, but depending on date change, either the flight may be more, or we have to consider going via ferry/train etc...but maybe that might work out well if we plan in advance; back to the possibility of the Irish bunch going across en masse on a date which suits everyone?

Irish airspace is indeed now completely closed.

zdt

It also looks like this might make me miss the deadline for applying to the university in Denmark!

But if we reschedule, perhaps I can make it then.

ah... I'm mental
my ticket isn't flexible...

I'd be up for a 2nd meet though, later in the year (I'll be in Mannheim anyway even if nobody else can make it - it's not often I get a night away on my own!)

But what happens with the flights anyway - do they start the schedule again where it should be and try to fit the other people in, or do they go back to who has been waiting the longest?

Oh, that's good. Barring any unforeseen development I'll be there as well.

We'll just have to have an Ireland meet as well.

sounds like a date to me, toybox!

Mala, maybe we can link up by webcam...

Ja, Irish/German/French meet sounds good, i'd be happy to organise it here.

Aer CannotLink Us is totally unavailable for trying to extract refunds right now, been trying all day, website down, phone lines not on etc.

Great to squeak on phone earlier Mal, give the official and unofficial a from me!

zdt

I'll definitely go to Mannheim.

You can all just come here and visit the

No, I can't. I've booked my tickets for the London meet, can't usually afford two meets abroad within a year.

If you cancel the ticket, Zendevil, you will not get any money back, as it is non-refundable. If you wait to travel on Saturday and Aer Lingus cancel the flight, they will give you your money back, although it might not be immediately.

I really hope you'll all be able to come here next week.

yes