Former Huddersfield gymnast and pub landlord Brian Hayhurst and his wife Elaine are ex-pats who have lived just outside Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol for 20 years. He writes every fortnight for Huddersfield Hub.
As I mentioned in my last blog, Elaine and I escaped the record-breaking temperatures in Spain to have a holiday back in the UK.
We were due to fly back on Bank Holiday Monday but, of course, got caught up in the Air Traffic Control ‘technical hitch’ that downed most flights including our own. That meant an extra few days in Huddersfield but by the time you read this we should be back home.
The temperatures in Spain have thankfully eased a little but there are still warnings for people to take extra precautions from midday ‘til evening time. It’s such a relief, although there are water restrictions in parts of Andalucia.
Like many others we try to take time out, away from the relentless temperatures, and visit friends and family in the UK during August.
This we did, expecting at least warm weather, but found dark clouds and much rainfall in Huddersfield throughout our month long visit.
As we head back there’s a yellow weather warning with high winds within the Malaga province and, low and behold, a heatwave from an Iberian jet stream is forecast for the UK next week!
READ MORE: Catch up on Brian’s previous blogs HERE
Our woes at Manchester Airport on Monday were nothing compared to others. Absolute chaos erupted as thousands were left stranded, especially the hoards of families with children who were bewildered. Some arguing in clumps!
Most parents were on their phones searching for some alternatives to sleeping on the floor. There was no information from airlines during a five-hour wait.
The cafes and bars were doing very well and, back in Malaga with similar numbers stranded, the bars ran out of beer!
No other flights were available for the foreseeable future and all local hotels were full. Amid the luggage search mayhem and, as night was falling, we decided to return to Huddersfield, and very luckily managed to catch the last train back.
This unprecedented issue is a disaster for so many people, left stranded to sleep on the airport floor – no information, compensation or refreshments given!
We were fortunate to get a flight yesterday – Friday. We shall see if we, and other friends, get any kind of compensation…
Back in sunny Spain, people suffering the crisis water shortage received some good news in the Costa del Sol regions that water restrictions may be avoided, thanks to the Marbella desalination plant now operating at maximum capacity which, operators say, should triple supply in the area, guaranteeing water until late October.
Some are sceptical about the desalination process which removes salt and essential minerals from sea water.
It is not without its problems as chemicals are added to make it drinkable. It still is a desperate situation as water is needed to cool the Spanish nuclear power plants and generate hydro power.
With numbers still flooding onto the Costas there will be much joy for many residents and visitors when work is completed on one of the last remaining sections of the much used coastal pathway sections near Manilva, below Estepona.
This, along with a final piece behind the prestigious Don Carlos Hotel, should join up the boardwalk’s 180km up the coast. It’s a brilliant innovation which continues to attract thousands of all ages along the seaside beaches.
