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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go home early from our holiday

138 replies

Cozytoesandtoast00 · 31/07/2023 23:34

We're currently staying in a beautiful villa in Kefalonia.
We were just relaxing with a cup of tea and heard a banging on the door.
It was the owner of the property who told us the was a large fire nearby and to leave the house immediately. She could not tell us where to go. She could not speak any English.
We left and saw a huge fire nearby. Ash was floating in the air and the area was very smoky. It was all very traumatic. We grabbed our passports and got in our rental car.
The roads were blocked and the only road lead to the sea.
I was terrified and so we're my children.
To cut a long story short, we were eventually advised by locals that the fire has been put out.
Our villa is beautiful but it is next to a small village only and has lots of forest around it.
My husband wanted to stay but I've insisted we get a flight tomorrow as I feel so anxious.
I'm currently sat in the living area, too anxious to sleep.
Am I being over the top? I need some perspective.

OP posts:
99victoria · 01/08/2023 00:02

neonjumper · 31/07/2023 23:54

Whereabouts in Kefalonia is this ?

I assume it's this

To go home early from our holiday
Original poster
Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 00:02

MumblesParty · 01/08/2023 00:01

I think you’re being over the top, and it’s very unfair on your family that you’re allowing your anxiety to ruin their holiday too. Sorry if that’s not what you want to hear, but you did ask.

Thanks.

OP posts:
Costacoffeeplease · 01/08/2023 00:03

We live in an area which has wildfires most years. The authorities are geared up for it and they’re usually extinguished fairly quickly. We still live here and go about our lives as normal

Original poster
Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 00:03

99victoria · 01/08/2023 00:02

I assume it's this

Show quote history

No that's not it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 00:06

Costacoffeeplease · 01/08/2023 00:03

We live in an area which has wildfires most years. The authorities are geared up for it and they’re usually extinguished fairly quickly. We still live here and go about our lives as normal

Well I must be a wimp then.
The fire was enormous and right next to our villa. We had no escape route and no one could tell us where to go.
It's unfamiliar territory to me.

OP posts:
Salome61 · 01/08/2023 00:07

You have made your decision and have your flights booked. I'd have done the same, I'm terrified of fire and with the high winds, it could easily ignite again.

As you are coming home early, is there anything the kids would like to do that you thought you'd be missing?

99victoria · 01/08/2023 00:08

Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 00:03

No that's not it.

Show quote history

Well, it's a local report about a fire in Spartia this evening ..... 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 00:09

Salome61 · 01/08/2023 00:07

You have made your decision and have your flights booked. I'd have done the same, I'm terrified of fire and with the high winds, it could easily ignite again.

As you are coming home early, is there anything the kids would like to do that you thought you'd be missing?

Thank you. I'll make sure the kids get to do some fun stuff at home. I feel terrible for them.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 00:10

99victoria · 01/08/2023 00:08

Well, it's a local report about a fire in Spartia this evening ..... 🤷‍♀️

Show quote history

Oh ok. Maybe it is this one then. Sorry.

OP posts:
Salome61 · 01/08/2023 00:12

Try and get some rest. I hope the smoke won't delay your flight tomorrow, safe journey home.

bumblefeline · 01/08/2023 00:13

Trust your instincts OP. I wouldn't like it either. Safe journey home.

Original poster
Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 00:13

Salome61 · 01/08/2023 00:12

Try and get some rest. I hope the smoke won't delay your flight tomorrow, safe journey home.

Thank you. You're very kind x

OP posts:
Original poster
Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 00:14

bumblefeline · 01/08/2023 00:13

Trust your instincts OP. I wouldn't like it either. Safe journey home.

Thank you. I think I need to keep reminding myself of that.

OP posts:
Clymene · 01/08/2023 00:15

hellas.postsen.com/news/441277/Fire-in-Kefalonia-%E2%80%93-Near-a-residential-area.html

I don't blame you for wanting to go home. It's not a very relaxing holiday if you're on edge 24/7

Peachy2005 · 01/08/2023 00:18

If there’s another fire and you ended up fleeing again, you would feel so stupid for having stayed. So don’t regret your choice, just make the best of it when you get home. Safe journey xx

Original poster
Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 00:19

Clymene · 01/08/2023 00:15

hellas.postsen.com/news/441277/Fire-in-Kefalonia-%E2%80%93-Near-a-residential-area.html

I don't blame you for wanting to go home. It's not a very relaxing holiday if you're on edge 24/7

Thanks for the link.
We didn't get any mobile alert (we have signed up) which was worrying.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 00:22

Peachy2005 · 01/08/2023 00:18

If there’s another fire and you ended up fleeing again, you would feel so stupid for having stayed. So don’t regret your choice, just make the best of it when you get home. Safe journey xx

This is true. Thanks.
To be honest I now don't care about being dismissed by other posters. My family are my priority and I'm going to trust my instincts.

OP posts:
LadyKX · 01/08/2023 00:22

It’s a horrible situation at the moment op. So I think you’ve got to just go with your gut.

Original poster
Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 00:24

LadyKX · 01/08/2023 00:22

It’s a horrible situation at the moment op. So I think you’ve got to just go with your gut.

I feel for the Kefalonian residents who have this as a regular concern.
The poor land lady was checking our BBQ and garden for any further fire risk.
I'm feeling grateful for rainy old England at the moment.

OP posts:
MinimalistMe · 01/08/2023 00:26

You are absolutely doing the right and sensible thing.

Poppyseed14 · 01/08/2023 00:28

I wouldn't be able to relax either OP. For what it's worth I think you're doing the right thing x

ThinWomansBrain · 01/08/2023 00:28

Now that you're anxious about it, it was never going to be a relaxing holiday, particularly when you have children to worry about rather than just yourself.
Safe journey home.

LadyKX · 01/08/2023 00:29

I hope you manage to get some sleep tonight, and I hope Kefalonia (and all of Greece ofc) comes out of this OK.

truthhurts23 · 01/08/2023 00:29

i think youre being smart i wouldnt feel safe there

fluffiphlox · 01/08/2023 00:30

We had this in the South of France quite a few years ago. Every night we’d pack the car in case we had to make a quick getaway. It wasn’t relaxing (firemen lost their lives) so we gave up one day and just moved on to somewhere else. Can you do that?