Tag: Newquay


100 Days Of Awe: Day Thirty Six – Oh I Do Love A Small Airport

Day 36: Oh I Do Love A Small Airport

imageFlybe flight from Birmingham at Waterford Airport

I spent my teenage years in Ireland by the sea.  A place called Tramore an angelicized version of the Gaelic meaning ‘big beach’ and it is a wonderful beach.  A three mile sandspit stretching out across Tramore Bay. For about a decade I have had the luxury of being able to fy from London to the local airport in Waterford just a gasp from the back of Tramore unique salt marshes but about 12 months ago flights were discontinued. By default I assumed I woud have to travel home via Dublin, a tedious journey involving a 4 hour coach trip at the Irish end.

Perchance I discover there is life beyond London and there are regional flights from theBirmingham, Manchester & Newquay in the UK to Waterford.  On Sunday I decided to try out the afternoon flight from Birmingham.  Conveniently located just off junction 6 on the M42 a friend was able to drop me off en route from Stoke, where we had celebrated yesterday’s wedding Layers Of Love = Magic, to London.  A dinky little hub of activity thronged with travellers and adorned with multi-cultural posters I was transported to the cusp of exotic travel in the blink of an eye.  Queueing for security just heightened the tension.  It all seemed to be happening at Birmingham.  The other side of security had everything to serve the expectant traveller.  Unfortunately I noted that my flight was delayed.  However I had not accounted for the creativity of this little airport.  Afte a little vascilation an alternative plane was found and the departure gate was opened with 15 minutes to spare.  We had to bus it across the tarmac but en route it seemed we had mislaid a passenger or two so had to return to pick them up.  We were 20 minutes late heading out on the runway but the pilot assured us that we would make up time.  Despite the meandering of a scenic approach along the very beautiful Wexford coast and a long winded tracjectory directly across Tramore Bay, across the marram tufted expanse of dunes and the tranquil back strand we screeched into land a mere 9 minutes la at 15.29.  A flight time of around 45 minutes. By 15.35 I was through passport control, past the entrance perimeter and walking down the airport approach to the country back road to meet my Dad who was primed to jump into his car at home on receipt of my landing text but not before turning down the friendly offer of a lift from a lady who didnt give a thought for where I might be heading. Oh I do love  a small airport.

100 Days of Awe is a playful project I set up to bring my attention to awe in my daily life. I see awe as wonder, a mixture of amazement and respect.  I expect the experience of awe to be about perception shifting awareness and that demands a reframing of some sort.  I am excited to see what will awe me on this journey.

Anne K. Scott is an imagination technologist, her work to teach, facilitate and deliver innovation for individuals and business.  She is the creator of FindYourMojo a FREE iPHone productivity app. If you are interested in what intuitive coaching can do for you please do contact me.  I support clients all over the world.