October post from Costa del Sol

It's been a while since my last blog post and a lot has happened since then, most tragically the passing of Guy. Jo and I drove down to Renfrewshire on the Sunday and spent a couple of days with Julie, the boys and Brian and Mary. Unfortunately, the earliest date for the funeral was some 10 days later, by which time we would be in Marbella with Gary, Luca and Ross. We toasted Guy on that day.

Jo and I flew out to Malaga the day after (Wednesday). We hired a small car for a few days and returned it on the following Sunday when the boys were flying in. I had hired a bigger car for the rest of our vacation and Ross was added as an additional driver but when we went to pick it up I realised I didn't have my passport, but I did have my driving licence, alternative ID and credit card and the rental company - Firefly - already had my passport details from the small car I had just returned. However, we were confronted with a real jobsworth - "no passport, no car". In the end, I had to endure a long phone call to cancel the booking and Ross would take out a new booking in his name - but I wouldn't be allowed to drive.

Subsequently, I checked Ryanair's confirmation of booking, which read:

Things to remember when picking up your car
• Your voucher.
• A valid credit card in the main driver's name.
• Your Driving Licence (Both parts if applicable).

No mention of passport there. I've tried taking this up with Ryanair but to little effect, surprise, surprise.

Anyway, another airport story today (Sunday 22nd October). Ross, Gary and Luca set off for the airport at 4:30 am local time. Dropped the car off, got through security and were then in a 50 minute queue at passport control (due to staff industrial action apparently). They - and a dozen others - finally got to the gate 10 minutes before take-off but 20 minutes after the gate was closed.

The upshot is that the 3 of them are now sitting at Malaga airport. Ross is now booked on a 4 pm flight this afternoon - to Glasgow, which is not a problem for him, other than the fact that he has wasted return train travel from Aberdeen to Edinburgh. Gary and Luca, however, are now booked on the 6:35 am flight tomorrow morning - again to Glasgow, which means they have had to book in to an airport hotel tonight.

What a nightmare end to their holiday.

Jo and I are going back on Wednesday - let's hope we don't have the same problems.