Son Stuck In Spain

[nailit]

Hc's post below brought out a chuckle from me.
Actually thought about setting up a 'Gofundme' page myself.
Son is stuck in Spain after holiday with his GF and her mother goes belly up. Hes currently trying to get back home on limited funds after only a few days. Even if he gets back to the UK (Manchester airport) Ive got to find some way to get him back to Stoke.
Hes never travelled on a train alone, never mind travelling from one country to another on a plane. Last talked to him a few hours ago and he was in a taxi trying to get to the airport in Reus but his (phone) battery was dying.
All a bit worrying. Hes not the brightest crayon in the box (even if he is my son) and he is a bit immature for a 23 yr old (again, even if he is my son.) Just hoping that this *adventure* of trying to get home from a foreign country might give him a bit of self esteem in a funny kind of way. (if he can do that then its proof that you can do other kinda thing) Personally, I'd panic like hell if I was in his position.
Worried sick (on his behalf) at the moment....just waiting for a phone call from a UK number to show on my moby.

[ummmm]

My daughter used to travel to Ireland alone from the age of 7 (they have to be 12 now) I believe it done her the world of good.

I know Ireland and Spain are completely different but so is 7 and 23 :-)

Anyway...is he not biting off his nose to spite his face?

[Buenchico]

>>> Even if he gets back to the UK (Manchester airport) Ive got to find some way to get him back to Stoke

Manchester Airport has got its own National Rail station (as, of course, has Stoke-on-Trent). You should be able to go to Stoke station, explain the situation and pay for a ticket which your son can collect at Manchester Airport station. There was definitely such a system in place for assisting stranded travellers when I worked on the railways. (The fare is £24.00, with a change of trains required at Manchester Piccadilly).

[Maydup]

That holiday experience must have been really really, bad, poor thing, to head home alone. I do hope he's OK and home safe soon. Let us know wont you?

[Zacs-Master]

Why has the holiday gone belly up?

[nailit]

Thanks ummmm and Chris.
Just need to get him back to the UK first of all. I can go and collect him from wherever he lands if needs be.
Ummm, its not his doing from what I can gather (have also spoke to his GF) Her mother doesn't much like him and has been part of the problem. He spent last night just wondering around spain on his own.

Chris, I may need your knowledge on travel a bit later if ur around please?

[nailit]

Cheers Maydup. I will. Thanks

[Zacs-Master]

Wondering around Spain. Mmm. Pretty big country!

[nailit]

//Why has the holiday gone belly up?//
Long story Zacs. Part of the problem is that her mother has bipolar. Another part seems to be that my son has a large mouth. Mouthy and mad don't seem to meet in the middle ;-(

[gingejbee]

Has he definitely got a flight back? It might not be that straightforward if he's trying to return several days earlier than his booked flight. Fingers crossed!

[Zacs-Master]

Ah. Ok.

[nailit]

//Wondering around Spain. Mmm. Pretty big country!//
Wondering around Cambiles then (which is in Spain...a pretty big country)

[Zacs-Master]

Not familiar with Cambiles.

[Zacs-Master]

Cambirls, perhaps?

[Buenchico]

>>> Chris, I may need your knowledge on travel a bit later if ur around please?

I'll try to keep an eye out for any questions you might care to ask me.

[Mamyalynne]

I'm sure he'll get back safely, hard not to worry though.

[nailit]

Spanish geography is not my strong point (only ever been to Benidorm...well, someone has too)
Could be Cambriles or the like. Its on the Med anyway....AND NEAR TO REUS airport)

Chris, thanks.
Other replies, also thanks. My heads up my arris at the mo. Just trying to get my son back home. My head is up my arris at the mo but thanks all

[albaqwerty]

it's no comfort to you at the moment, worrying like crazy and being in the hands of airlines/others, but he will be home safe and sound (i'm sure of it) x

[Jackdaw33]

His best bet would have been to stick it out, no matter how difficult, distance himself as far as possible from the prospective MIL from Hell, then return as scheduled. With a bit of luck he might also have been able to drop said MIL at 50,000 ft.

[nailit]

//With a bit of luck he might also have been able to drop said MIL at 50,000 ft//
LOL....
His own GF would do the same...

[Buenchico]

Cambrils is served by Reus Airport. Ryanair don't have a flight to Manchester from there until 11 Sept. Their first flight to Birmingham isn't until 4 Sept. They've got a flight to East Midlands on Monday 2 Sep at €220.

Jet2's flight from Reus to Manchester is full (as is their flight to Birmingham). They've got a flight available on Sunday though (at 1150) but it costs €290. (There's a flight to Birmingham at 1415 but that costs €315. There's also a flight to East Midlands, at 1210, for €334).

Thomas Cook's flight to Manchester tomorrow is full. The earliest they're offering is Tuesday, for £257.99.

TUI's flight to Manchester tomorrow is full and there's no availability for Birmingham either.

With the school holidays just coming to an end, finding any flight at short notice is going to be almost impossible (and there's certainly no chance of getting a cheap one). If your son can find some cheap accommodation for a few days though, there are cheap flights available towards the end of next week.