VT Euromeet time again

When late May comes around it’s time for the annual Virtual Tourist Euromeet, this year held in Malta. But before that I planned to meet up with four of my friends, also UK-based members, for a few days exploring Sicily. They were all flying from Manchester while my flight was from Gatwick, so we arranged to meet up in Catania airport.

I took the Tube to Victoria and then the Gatwick Express to the airport. While this costs a bit more than the regular trains, I find it worth it when carrying luggage. I arrived in plenty of time, which was just as well, as the airport was very busy with families getting away for half-term. The queue for bag drop was very slow but security much quicker as there was no need to remove liquids or electronics.

I had plenty of time to get a sandwich for lunch – more than I needed in fact, as my flight was slightly delayed. We boarded and took off about 30 minutes late. I'd been unable to get my preferred window seat when I checked in yesterday, so I was stuck in an aisle seat next to a couple who shut the blind and talked to each other almost non-stop about her business, making it hard for me to concentrate on the book I was reading. Interestingly however I was asked by the husband, who was next to me, whether my bracelet was a ‘Boho Betty’. I wasn’t sure, as it was a gift from Chris, but he looked at the logo on its small charm and confirmed that it was. Quite a coincidence, as that was his wife's company that they had been discussing so animatedly!

Although it was a short haul flight BA did provide a snack of biscuits (which I refused) and water (which I accepted gratefully). We landed about 15 minutes late in pleasantly warm sunshine. There was apparently a good view of Etna on our side of the plane but the neighbours’ heads and dirty window made it impossible to see anything.

While we were waiting to disembark the owner of ‘Boho Betty’ asked if she could take a photo of us together, bracelet prominently displayed. She also asked permission to use it on her social media – I agreed but haven’t yet spotted it.

Passport control was quick and I didn’t wait too long for my bag. Emerging into the arrivals area I found just the one café where I ordered a snack of an arancino and small roll. But they were very dull and stodgy and I ended up leaving half. I'd been charged an extra euro to sit at a table to eat but didn’t linger and decamped to one of the few seats in a quieter corner to wait for my friends. Unfortunately, their flight was running an hour late so I knew I’d have a wait of a couple of hours.

One small bonus however was when I popped outside briefly to get some fresh air and found a great view of Etna right outside the door. That was a good consolation for missing the view from the plane.

Eventually my friends arrived. I met them as they came through from the baggage claim area and we went to the Hertz desk to get the pre-booked hire car. This took a while, as these things always do. We then had to find the car in a large and confusing car park, had to squeeze our bags into too small a boot, and work out the controls. But eventually we were off, with Jim kindly (and bravely) driving and Josie navigating with the help of the sat nav.

It took about an hour to reach our rural guesthouse which was up a narrow country lane. The friendly owner made us welcome and offered us a slightly confusing choice of rooms. We ended up with me sharing a two bed apartment with Colin and Josie while Heather and Jim took a room downstairs.

My room at the Villa Laura

I had a quick chat with Chris before going to bed, by which time it was after midnight local time and I was more than ready for it!