Tubby Beaver 209 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 thanks to some huge volcanic explosions on Iceland, all UK airspace has been closed down. Quote: All flights in and out of the UK have been suspended as ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland moves south. Safety body Eurocontrol said up to 4,000 flights across northern Europe would be cancelled on Thursday. The air traffic control service (Nats) said no flights would be allowed in or out of UK airspace until 1800BST amid fears of engine damage. The airspace restriction was the most significant in living memory, a spokesman said. Nats suggested that the restrictions were unlikely to be lifted after 1800, saying it was "very unlikely that the situation over England will improve in the foreseeable future". Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark were among the European countries hit. Lorna Gordon speaks to ''disappointed'' passengers at Glasgow Airport Passengers were advised to contact their carriers prior to travel. Experts have warned that the tiny particles of rock, glass and sand contained in the ash cloud would be sufficient to jam aircraft engines. But the Health Protection Agency said the ash did not pose a significant risk to public health because of its high altitude. These are some of the main knock-on effects: * Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports shut * Disruptions to and from Liverpool's John Lennon, Manchester and Newcastle airports * Severe delays at Birmingham airport with problems reported at East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Cardiff International and Bristol airports * London's Gatwick, Heathrow and City airports hit * British Airways cancels all domestic flights on Thursday and offers refunds or an option to rebook * Flights suspended at Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport * RAF Sea King helicopter flies a critically ill patient from Scotland to London * Ash threat forces Great North Air Ambulance to be grounded One passenger at Glasgow told the BBC: "I'm meant to be going to Lanzarote. We've travelled from Oban, leaving at 3am. Now we've decided we might as well just go home and do a bit of gardening." Extent of Iceland volcano ash cloud The eruption in Iceland on Wednesday sent ash kilometres into the air. Satellite images show the cloud as brownish-black as ice particles mingle with ash. People in the Eyjafjallajoekull area were evacuated, but the spread of the ash cloud raised concerns for air traffic controllers in nearby countries. By 1800GMT, the whole of the UK is expected to be affected and the Air Traffic Control Service (Nats) has banned flights from UK airspace. Meteorologists say that as the ash cloud spreads it will dissipate and lose intensity. BACK 1 of 4 NEXT Others switched from plane to train, with the East Coast line extending its 1830BST London to Newcastle service through to Edinburgh. Budget airline Ryanair said no flights were operating to or from the UK on Thursday and it expected cancellations and delays on Friday. A spokesman for Nats, which was formerly known as the National Air Traffic Services, said: "The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre has issued a forecast that the ash cloud from the volcanic eruption in Iceland will track over Europe tonight. VOLCANIC ASH CLOUD The eruption in the Eyjafjallajoekull area is the second to occur in a month This eruption has released ash to significantly greater heights Volcanic ash contains tiny particles of rock and even glass, which can wreak havoc with machinery A 1982 BA flight unknowingly flew into an ash cloud, shutting down all four engines While ash can be dangerous to health, the current cloud is too high to pose a threat The ash is likely to lead to particularly red sunsets in some areas Animated guide: Volcanoes BBC travel news Eruption site webcam "Nats is working with Eurocontrol and our colleagues in Europe's other air navigation service providers to take the appropriate action to ensure safety in accordance with international aviation policy." The European air safety body, Eurocontrol, said the cloud of ash had reached 55,000ft and was expected to move through northern UK and Scotland. Brian Flynn, assistant head of operations of its central flow management unit, told the BBC: "As it moves toward the Netherlands and Belgium it will dissipate and lose intensity, like any weather phenomenon. But we don't know what the extent of it will be." Met Office forecaster Philip Avery said the ash could take several days to clear. He said: "It is showing up on imagery at the moment, extending down as far as the Faroes but it looks as though the wind will drag it a good deal further south. "Nats has good cause to be very cautious about this because in about 1982 a British Airways jumbo had the unnerving experience of having all four engines shut down as it flew through a plume of volcanic ash." There was a nearly identical incident on 15 December 1989 when KLM Flight 867, a B747-400 from Amsterdam to Anchorage, Alaska, flew into the plume of the erupting Mount Redoubt, causing all four engines to fail. COUNTRIES AFFECTED Airspace closed: UK, Republic of Ireland Partial or planned closures: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands Once the flight cleared the ash cloud, the crew was able to restart each engine and then make a safe landing at Anchorage, but the aircraft was substantially damaged. A BAA spokesman said: "Passengers intending to fly today are asked to contact their airline for further information." The eruption under a glacier in the Eyjafjallajoekull area of Iceland is the second in the country in less than a month. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Yes just been reading about this. Good job not wanting to go anywhere! thursday will blame BA. Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Eyjafjallajoekull - great place name! Some amazing pictures though. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 This is causing massive problems. Keep your fingers crossed that Eurostar won't get knackered again, otherwise all that's left would be the ferrys to Calaise or swimming. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Ferry cross the mersey! Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Amazing - the earth grumbles and air traffic halts. I wonder what will happen when the earth really get's pissed off with us? Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 guess air traffic would halt? Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 guess so Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Gerry and the Pacemakers if only they knew how their name would be used. Link to post Share on other sites
brit-gob 9 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Originally Posted By: RobBright Ferry cross the mersey! Did they actually stay? (in Merseyland?) Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 wonder if there is enough Volcanic Ash spewing into the atmosphere to drop the earths temp much? Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 A young blonde Scouse girl, down on her luck, decided to end it all one night by casting herself into the cold, dark waters of the Mersey. As she stood on the edge, pondering the infinite, a young sailor noticed her as he strolled by. 'You're not thinking of jumping, are you, babe?' he asked. 'Yes, I am,' replied the sobbing girl. Putting his arm around her, the kind sailor coaxed her back from the edge. Look, nothing's worth that. I'll tell you what; I'm sailing off for Australia tomorrow. Why don't you stow away on board and start a new life over there?? I'll set you up in one of the lifeboats on the deck, bring you food and water every night and I'll look after you if you look after me ....if you know what I mean??!! You just have to keep very quiet so that you won't be found' The girl, having no better prospects, agreed and the sailor sneaked her onboard that very night. For the next 3 weeks the sailor came to her lifeboat every night, bringing food and water and making passionate love to her until dawn. Then, during the fourth week, the captain was performing a routine inspection of the ship and its lifeboats. He peeled back the cover to find the startled blonde and demanded an explanation. The girl came clean, 'I've stowed away to get to Australia . One of the sailors is helping me out. He set me up in here and brings me food and water every night and ............he's screwing me.' The Captain stared at her for a moment then smiled & replied ..... 'He certainly is love..... . . . . . . 'This is the Mersey Ferry.' Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Off topic, but yes Quote: The Gerry & the Pacemakers vocalist, who topped the charts in 1964 with Ferry Cross the Mersey, will join The Beatles as Freemen of Liverpool - an honour they were granted in the 1980s. Speaking from his home in Merseyside, the 66-year-old said: "To be given the freedom of my home city is one of the proudest moments of my life. "Liverpool is my city, my people. All my family and friends are in Liverpool and everyone is absolutely delighted. "It's something you never expect to happen in a million years but now it has I'm over the moon. "Some of the biggest names in music have been given this honour, the likes of Paul McCartney and Ken Dodd. To even be mentioned in the same breath of legends like that is the stuff dreams are made off. "It's hard to put into words how good I feel, all I can say is I'm glad to be recognised by the best city in the world." Other names to be entered in the city's honours list include Wally Brown, principal of Liverpool Community College, and Marina Dalglish, wife of Kop legend Kenny Dalglish, in recognition of her charity fund-raising work. A number of organisations will also receive a similar accolade including the Hillsborough Families Support Group, Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services, and the Tate Liverpool art gallery. The nominations will be considered by the City Council at its next meeting on January 28. Marsden is best known as the frontman of 60s rock 'n' roll band Gerry & the Pacemakers. However, the Liverpool FC supporter is revered among fellow fans for his song You'll Never Walk Alone, which was adopted by the club as its anthem. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Originally Posted By: brit-gob Originally Posted By: RobBright Ferry cross the mersey! Did they actually stay? (in Merseyland?) Not if they had any common sense? Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Originally Posted By: thursday A young blonde Scouse girl, down on her luck, decided to end it all one night by casting herself into the cold, dark waters of the Mersey. As she stood on the edge, pondering the infinite, a young sailor noticed her as he strolled by. 'You're not thinking of jumping, are you, babe?' he asked. 'Yes, I am,' replied the sobbing girl. Putting his arm around her, the kind sailor coaxed her back from the edge. Look, nothing's worth that. I'll tell you what; I'm sailing off for Australia tomorrow. Why don't you stow away on board and start a new life over there?? I'll set you up in one of the lifeboats on the deck, bring you food and water every night and I'll look after you if you look after me ....if you know what I mean??!! You just have to keep very quiet so that you won't be found' The girl, having no better prospects, agreed and the sailor sneaked her onboard that very night. For the next 3 weeks the sailor came to her lifeboat every night, bringing food and water and making passionate love to her until dawn. Then, during the fourth week, the captain was performing a routine inspection of the ship and its lifeboats. He peeled back the cover to find the startled blonde and demanded an explanation. The girl came clean, 'I've stowed away to get to Australia . One of the sailors is helping me out. He set me up in here and brings me food and water every night and ............he's screwing me.' The Captain stared at her for a moment then smiled & replied ..... 'He certainly is love..... . . . . . . 'This is the Mersey Ferry.' I went on it last summer. Often do actually got friends over in New Brighton. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Quote: Some of the biggest names in music have been given this honour, the likes of Paul McCartney and Ken Dodd Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Great comment that one Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 And his diddymen Link to post Share on other sites
brit-gob 9 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 It's interesting how some places, like Liverpool, provoke such feelings in people. Seems to be a real love or hate thing, with not much in the middle. There's the people who love it and then there's the people who will just rag on it no matter what - blinkered on both sides almost. The love part being the more productive of course. I suppose it's a good sign. Everyone being indifferent about a place probably means it's just really boring and has little character. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 I jest about it as I lived there for a few years. Really like the city and does hold a special place in my heart. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 I take the piss 'cos it's funny. And we always did it with the scousers in my year. Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 It's all part of the fun of being a scouser. Link to post Share on other sites
brit-gob 9 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Time for some scouser clips! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 That Fireman Sam one is funny. It needs subtitles. Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Airspace closures are much more widespread today. People stranded all over the place. And they don't really know how long it is going to continue.... Anyone effected? Not me at this stage - no Euro flights planned for a few years. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts