I swear we almost died

So we head off to the airport, me thinking I hope they have carrot cake.  The cafe in the Wick Airport has the best Carrot cake ever - sorry mom.  It is so moist, and the frosting is very cream cheesy, and they put the frosting on when it is still slightly warm, and this makes the whole thing very gooey.

We parked, and they did have carrot cake - yeehaw!

After scarfing down two pieces, we got on the plane and were a bit annoyed that we were not sitting together as the lady that checked us in said we would be.  The flight to Edinburgh is a little under an hour and everything involving take off was fairly normal.  As the flight progressed, the turbulence got worse and worse.  The pilot finally came on and said the turbulence was going to be bad - and I thought going to be?!?

As we made our approach to Edinburgh, it did get worse.  Pilot made a hard bank heading for the airport.  I looked out and saw the wing flapping up and down like a birds.  Gill looked out and thought - should that screw be missing.  I could hear the plane groaning at the strain.  After what seemed like too long a time, we landed - I felt poorly and was quite whiny about it.

Gill was very understanding.  I thought surely the next flight would be better as the plane would be bigger.  It was not better.

Arriving in Manchester, we took the train and a taxi to Gill's and had a really lovely Chinese.  In the morning, I headed off to my meeting.   I had to be there at 9, so I think we left the flat a bit before 7.  She dropped me off at the Chorley Station, and I bought a ticket that required one change and a taxi ride, which should easily get me to the meeting on time. 

The train was really crowded.  After about 40 minute and several stops, I heard an unintelligible announcement that involved, "I am very sorry for the inconvenience." and everyone got off the train.  Turns out we were at the train station I wasn't even planning on stopping at - so I went and asked what to do.  I was told I needed to take a bus to another train station.  I went off to wait for the bus - it didn't come.

So, I took a taxi to the station.  I get there, and it is real chaos - trains have been cancelled.  I hear an announcement that says the train I want is on platform 3, but to get on the cars closest to Deansgate as the train would be separating. 

Everyone is very upset.  I ask what cars are closest to Deansgate - a very harassed guy gestures in a direction, so I get on the train.  We eventually get going, and I don't even feel the train separate, but I do end up at the right station. 

After a long wait for a taxi, I arrive at my meeting only about 10 minutes late.  Meeting is fine, and we head off to the airport.  I have to admit I am dreading this.  After a long wait and a couple of pizzas, we get on the plane to Aberdeen.  It's bumpy, but tolerable.  

Another long wait, and we board for Wick.  It should be noted that the Aberdeen to Wick flight is notorious for being cancelled, and in fact, it had already happened to me once, which required a rental car and midnight drive through pea soup fog.

As we are going through pre-checks, the pilot announces that the weather conditions at Wick are extreme.  Huh, I think.  His voice seems a little tense or excited, but we proceed to take off anyway.  

The turbulence is bad, but not as bad as the day before or I am becoming desensitized.   He comes on again and says that last 2000 feet are going to be wild - he says this.  

I look out the window, and there is the most incredible big round yellow moon shining over the harbor. I see we are lined up over the runway, and we are coming in.  I close my eyes because I feel sick.  About 1000 feet from the ground, he starts to climb again.  When we are back at altitude and he's had some time to think, he announces that there isn't a plane made to withstand the conditions at Wick: 90+ mph crosswinds.

He says he'll check and see what we are going to do - we circle the airport - round and round that beautiful yellow moon.  The decision is made we will go to Inverness as the  winds although the same strength are at least with the runway.  

Thirty minutes later, we are on the ground - it was rough.  They have two mini vans waiting and on we go - I am traveling with 2 guys from work and decide to be very bossy that we are all going to travel together and not split up.  

We take off heading north.  Our driver struggles to keep it on the road.  The bridges are the worst, and we blow back and forth - the next night the bridges would be closed - unsafe to cross due to the wind.  

There is debris all over the roads.  At first our driver tries to avoid it, but then he just has to plow through everything.  

We make good time and arrive just before midnight.  I am taking one of the guys home and it take us 15 minutes to get to the car (200 feet away) simply because I really can't really walk forward in wind.

At home, I am really glad to see the furry faces, and they were glad to see me too.