It’s a number of months now since my niece Rebecca (whose many strengths include great organisation skills) extended the invitation to meet her somewhere in Eastern Europe on her way back from a three-month overland trip to China. Ideas were exchanged and airline timetables consulted before we decided to meet in Poland, in Krakow.

I travel with my mother ready to meet other members of the family. Leaving on Monday, 21st December, we expect to reach the family later the same day and get more than we bargain for, though not as much as Rebecca’s fiance Phil whose flight is cancelled and who is offered 3rd January as the next available date to fly.

After an initial delay we are loaded onto the plane and then off again when, waiting for the use of Heathrow’s de-icing equipment, the aircraft’s crew reaches the legal time limit they are allowed to work before taking a break. By the time we reach Prague we have missed our connection and no alternative arrangements have been made. Even though I decide to play the age card (my mother is 80 and telling us to go find something to eat and come back at 6am to see what’s possible just doesn’t seem enough) it is 4am local time before we get to speak to staff at the transfers desk. Hey, ho! That’s Czech Airlines for you.

Finally we arrive at Krakow in the mid afternoon the next day. My brother Alan meets us at the station having arrived with his wife Judy and son Edward on Sunday. His daughter Rebecca and Suzannah her travelling companion have also arrived.

Christmas starts here.