Flying and boats

[Redstart]

Am I alone in hating flying?

We're travelling to to the UK at the end of October but we won't be flying; we'll drive to Zeebrugge (nearly 800 km) and cross to Hull on the overnight ferry. An en suite cabin, a drink in the bar, dinner, a good night's sleep, a shower, a full English breakfast and we'll be all fresh and ready to drive to our daughter's in North Wales. The holiday starts when we drive on to that boat. And they are now new boats, nice cabins and much nicer than the old ones.

The alternative is an hours drive to the airport and park in long term parking (expensive) and we've to chheck in at the airport two hours before take off; then there are queues, security searches, waiting, waiting, waiting and then being put in a tin can for 1.5 hours. Then collect baggage, customs, find the car hire company, rent a car, find the way to our daughter's. The holiday then starts when we arrive at our daughters.

It's the boat for us every time!

[sunflower]

I hate flying too! Several years ago, on my way back from Canada on a night flight we flew into an electrical storm. It was terrible. Everyone was dead quiet and the Captain had turned the lights off. Furthermore, one of the passengers started to pull up the blinds and was severely reprimanded by the stewardess. There were bags falling out of the overhead cupboards and the supper trays were thrown accross the floor. I was terrified! But funnily enough my two sons age three and ten at the time, slept through it all! I have flown several times since then, but I always feel nauseas and on edge in case it happens again!

[Oola]

Nothing like sea air anyway :) I don't mind flying, it's just if you're seated near to someone who's really annoying or noisy, it's awful. At least on a ferry you can get up and walk about.

[Redstart]

Yes, ferries are much better on the annoying neighbour front. And the rather luxurious boat accommodation (for ferries that is) is cheaper than flying by easyjet, parking long-term and renting a car at the UK end. And we have to rent a car because of the lack of public transport in rural areas (the whole family lives in rural areas in Wales, Shropshire, Staffordshire and North Yorkshire).

I must look dishonest as every time I fly I get searched and as I'm a very honest and private person, I object to being treated like a criminal. This happened for the last time the last I flew and I haven't flown since!

I should add I usually fly with my husband and he is graphic designer/document specialist in the Swiss aircraft industry (sounds grand as there's only one company here making aircraft!) and he knows what can go wrong and says so. and of course wants to see the flaps and ailerons go up and down and comments on why perhaps they haven't when he thinks they should (or vice versa), knows what company made what on the plane and how efficient that company is, etc. He does not make me keen to fly and he is happier on boats as well. And when someone in an aircraft company is happier in boats.....:confused:

[Rich]

I have to say, I LOVE flying. Statistically, it's incredibly safe so I don't really have any fear of it. It's great to see the world from another perspective - and there's nothing like looking down on beautiful clouds as the sun rises, or flying over the tops of mountains etc. In fact, I like it so much that I'm planning on learning to fly.

However, night flights are just plain miserable! If I can't see out of a window, then I'd rather be on a ferry any day! ;)

[jazzactivist]

I like flying, especially that feeling as you say, Rich, when you look down and see clouds. It feels like my troubles are left behind on the ground. I once flew over part of Alaska and looking down I could see the ice floes in the sea. It was amazing how clear the visibility was into the depths of the sea from that height. I had a similar experience to you of flying in an electrical storm, sunflower. I actually enjoyed the novelty of it, but was sitting next to an African church minister who spent the whole time loudly praying and gripping my arm.

However, I also love water and enjoy being on the sea in a ferry or any other vessel. I agree with many of you that it is a more refreshing journey, plus the advantage of being able to move around.

[franbee]

I love that North Sea Ferry crossing, Mandy, in fact I'm going to Bruges for the day in 2 weeks time, with the 2 overnight crossings. But I also enjoy flying, like Jazza, when you cross the Alps or Pyrenees and there is snow on the tops. We flew to Seattle one time, and flew over Greenland, that was stunning. Fran.

[Ivy]

Suffering from seasickness I'd rather swim to England than set my foot on a ferry, but as Cornwall is not exactly renowned for its public transport and we tend to bring a lot of luggage (something for fine weather, clothes for bad weather, something when you go out, wellies ..... )it has allways been boats for the last 30 years and I hate ,hate, hate them . The smelll makes me go sick, the people getting drunk as soon as the duty free shops are open make me sick and the movement of the ship gives me the rest. Record was that I was sick 35 times in 18 hour. What a great start for a holiday when youv'e got an 8 hour drive before you...The worst thing is I know Iv'e got to go back!

[Crocus]

Hi, 12 hours of flying is the only way for us to get to the UK! Hubby is 6 ft. 4 inches tall, so it's rather a difficult situation with leg space. We are very relieved once Heathrow appears on the horizon!

[eleanor2]

i want to drive to france next year instead of fly.so i am going to read your post to hubby when he gets in mandy.you pursuaded me its got a lot of good points.hope it works for hubby.

[CountryLady]

We use the ferry from Hull to Zebrugge every time we go away then drive down to France. It's very convenient for us as it's only about an hour from where we live. Much prefer to do that than have to drive down to Dover and cross there. It is a bit on the pricey side though if you have to travel during peak times.

[Pippa]

I love trains so trying to find a holiday whereby I can take the train from this country to the continent or beyond. You can walk around on a train, read or sleep, or move away from noisy passengers. Ferries are OK when it is calm, I have found the Channel very rough at times, just going over to Alderney.

[SummerSkye]

I love flying as I am impatient and want to reach my destination before I start! To leave Tasmania this time we are catching the overnight ferry in order to take the car. I hate the idea of it as Bass Strait is often terrible to cross and I will have a poor seasick dog to contend with. Any ideas of seasick remedies for dogs would be much appreciated.