Boats v Planes

Everyone has by now had a good laugh at my travel woes of the past few weeks. I arrived into the Barcelona paddock this week to endless witty comments, general mickey taking and a strange sense of achievement that we had actually won the prize for the best return journey home through the volcanic ash from the Chinese GP.

When I say `Best` I mean `Worst`. We all agreed that before leaving China in different directions we would have a prize for the best return journey and the dramas involved. Little did I know that I would win? The sad thing is, we decided that the prize for the winners would be a photographic print of Michael Schumacher donated by myself. Second prize would be an autographed Michael Schumacher print.

So anyway, having put up with a weeks piss-taking, I was looking forward to an easy couple of weeks travel to the Spanish GP and then heading to the best race of the year in Monaco. But no, look-out, here comes that bloody ash cloud again.

OK, so we are not in China, we can easily drive or take the train to Monaco, I have local currency to spend, I can even sort-of speak the language, it even looks like I am going to avoid jail this week. But why should I be subjected to these hassles?

Every time I even think about going near an airport nowadays some sort of drama happens. In the past few months, I have been delayed in London. Lost my luggage in Madrid. Had my flight cancelled in Shanghai. Had an engine blow up on take-off in Zurich. And as I now sit here in Spain, they are announcing that my airport is closed in Barcelona!
This is even before British Airways decides to go on strike!
They have just announced their next strike dates. They have handily planned it for the same days that everyone will fly to the Turkish GP and then the following fortnight, the Canadian GP. How very convenient!!

Now, in my opinion 2 members of the F1 paddock have it spot on.

Mike Gascoyne and Vijay Mallya are heading from this race to the next on their private yachts. This is far more sensible.
Nobody can delay a boat sailing. Nobody closes harbours because of a bit of ash. When you put your luggage on a boat and get to your destination, it is still there. Should your boat blow an engine on departure, you glide to a gentle halt in a harbour rather that falling out of the sky.

Boats have other advantages; You don`t have to queue to get on your own boat, you don`t have to sit next to a sweaty stranger on your own boat. You can take as much liquid as you like on your own boat. And you can even be trusted with a pair of scissors! You can eat when you like, sleep when you like and you certainly don`t need showing where the emergency exits are!

Think about it, boats are the way forward.