Page 3 | To go home early from our holiday

Clymene · 01/08/2023 00:33

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?

They're on an island which is about 50km long. There's not really anywhere to go!

Hollyhobbi · 01/08/2023 00:41

I was woken up by my daughter screaming fire, fire at about 5am one morning in the summer of 2020. Some fucker decided he was bored and set the wooden shed storing the large wheely bins of the apartment block beside us on fire! The amount of damage done in about 10 mins was scary. She was on pandemic time and still awake. She thought she heard rain (typical summer weather in Ireland) but then she realised it was too loud for that. Op I think you did the right thing and I would definitely have done the same.

fluffiphlox · 01/08/2023 00:43

Yes I’ve been to Kefalonia, I know it’s not huge but the fires are presumably localised.

ThereIbledit · 01/08/2023 00:47

I'd have done the same. Fire is an unpredictable beast that takes no prisoners.

NatashaDancing · 01/08/2023 00:52

I'd have done the same OP. Generally my reaction to MN dramas and crisis is "get a grip" but not this.

pizzaHeart · 01/08/2023 00:52

I think you’ve been very sensible. It sounds as a very scary experience.
People are saying that you are overreacting because nothing is going on atm but when fire happens it will be too late.
There was a thread about a week ago how OP was going through evacuation from the area with fires, it wasn’t an easy reading. She managed ok but her children were adults and older teens, it would be very different with younger children.
What the worst can happen out of coming home early? Kids might be a bit disappointed? It’s not a big deal. I’m sure you’ll find something fun to do in UK.
Have a safe journey home.

Ivyiris · 01/08/2023 01:00

I think your making right choice. It's sounds pretty scary and I would be worried the whole holiday not enjoy it.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 01/08/2023 01:05

I am fairly easy going with risk and I think you're doing the right thing. Fires frequently re start or haven't actually been put out properly. You don't know how much has been burned around you so don't know how much potentially combustible material remains. You didn't even know it was bad enough to evacuate the first time - you're relying on someone else knocking on your door, and what if she doesn't this time, if theyre out at a different part of the island or something? If you were in a hotel or something with lots of staff and systems of evacuation etc I think I'd feel a little safer but you're a lot more on your own and I wouldn't feel comfortable with that if your mobile alerts didn't work the first time and would feel like one of us needed to be on fire watch or something

Original poster

Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 01:07

Thanks all. Very much appreciated.
It's now 3am and I can't sleep at all. So this would definitely effect the holiday relaxation intention.
I can still smell the smoke and I'm concerned about the fire reigniting.
For some reason I feel I can protect the family more if I stay awake and patrol the villa every now an then!

OP posts:

HappiDaze · 01/08/2023 01:14

Whatever decision you decide to make is the right one for you

You just never know

We hope it's just a one off and you could have enjoyed the rest of your holiday in peace or a fire might start up again

Your landlady clearly took it very seriously and what a relief she was nearby looking out for you all and to knock on your door and warn you to leave just in case.

Original poster

Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 01:17

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 01/08/2023 01:05

I am fairly easy going with risk and I think you're doing the right thing. Fires frequently re start or haven't actually been put out properly. You don't know how much has been burned around you so don't know how much potentially combustible material remains. You didn't even know it was bad enough to evacuate the first time - you're relying on someone else knocking on your door, and what if she doesn't this time, if theyre out at a different part of the island or something? If you were in a hotel or something with lots of staff and systems of evacuation etc I think I'd feel a little safer but you're a lot more on your own and I wouldn't feel comfortable with that if your mobile alerts didn't work the first time and would feel like one of us needed to be on fire watch or something

These are all great points and probably why I had such a strong gut feeling to leave.
We have panoramic views of forests around us and it is a bit isolated.

OP posts:

Original poster

Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 01:18

HappiDaze · 01/08/2023 01:14

Whatever decision you decide to make is the right one for you

You just never know

We hope it's just a one off and you could have enjoyed the rest of your holiday in peace or a fire might start up again

Your landlady clearly took it very seriously and what a relief she was nearby looking out for you all and to knock on your door and warn you to leave just in case.

Exactly. I'm so pleased she did.

OP posts:

stardust40 · 01/08/2023 01:22

This must've been terrifying. I'd be doing the same as you xx

QueenMegan · 01/08/2023 01:24

I don't think you're over reacting given what you have said. Especially not knowing what's going on and the getting caught I traffic with your children.

I'd be out of there too. Your life is more important.

Museya15 · 01/08/2023 01:28

We were in Rhodes when the fires were happening a few weeks ago. No way I was flying home until I'd done my two weeks , had a great time by the pool, the hotel empty whilst their other guest slept on airport floors for two days.

Catsmere · 01/08/2023 01:30

I think you made the right decision, OP. I live in Australia and bushfires are the one thing I'm really scared of. Sounds like that one was all too close.

PomPomtheGreat · 01/08/2023 01:34

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.

Having gone through the wildfires here in Oz a few years back, we had to learn a lot of things very fast.

You've made your decision now, so no point overthinking it. What I would suggest for next time if you're booking something like this and know ahead of time there are likely to be fire problems, do your research ahead of time and have a clear plan what to do if it happens.

It's quite likely that a large part of your perfectly reasonable adrenaline response stems from the fact you didn't know what to do and you say no one could tell you.

Next time, have a clear plan of exit ahead of time and drill the family in it. I'd do this anyway, just as you do at home. Presumably all of you know exactly what you would do in the event of a house fire, which is far more likely than a wildfire on holiday. If not, get them drilled - small ones and all! And take a fire proof bag for your documents whenever you go on holiday.

Hope you get back home without delays and enjoyed your holiday until now.

HappiDaze · 01/08/2023 01:35

Museya15 · 01/08/2023 01:28

We were in Rhodes when the fires were happening a few weeks ago. No way I was flying home until I'd done my two weeks , had a great time by the pool, the hotel empty whilst their other guest slept on airport floors for two days.

We saw it all unfold on TV and it looked terrifying with hotels and homes burning left right and centre. So the picture of that happening if you're on holiday now and being told to leave because of wildfires is bloody terrifying.

I'm pleased you managed to finish your holiday though in one piece and in safety. Did you see what was going on on the local news or internet at all whilst it was all going on around you ? I think I would have stayed if I were you a couple of weeks ago.

But if I were near a wildfire right now like OP I think I'd feel more nervous especially being alone in a Villa

Lachimolala · 01/08/2023 01:45

I would leave too, I’m a very heavy sleeper and I’d worry I’d sleep through any alarm or smell of smoke etc.

Original poster

Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 01:51

Lachimolala · 01/08/2023 01:45

I would leave too, I’m a very heavy sleeper and I’d worry I’d sleep through any alarm or smell of smoke etc.

We had no idea that there was a huge fire near us. The window's and doors were closed and our alert system didn't work.
I still keep checking outside (which is probably overkill) but it's made me very nervous.
I need to be up in 4 hours and I don't think I'll be sleeping!

OP posts:

Original poster

Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 01:52

PomPomtheGreat · 01/08/2023 01:34

Having gone through the wildfires here in Oz a few years back, we had to learn a lot of things very fast.

You've made your decision now, so no point overthinking it. What I would suggest for next time if you're booking something like this and know ahead of time there are likely to be fire problems, do your research ahead of time and have a clear plan what to do if it happens.

It's quite likely that a large part of your perfectly reasonable adrenaline response stems from the fact you didn't know what to do and you say no one could tell you.

Next time, have a clear plan of exit ahead of time and drill the family in it. I'd do this anyway, just as you do at home. Presumably all of you know exactly what you would do in the event of a house fire, which is far more likely than a wildfire on holiday. If not, get them drilled - small ones and all! And take a fire proof bag for your documents whenever you go on holiday.

Hope you get back home without delays and enjoyed your holiday until now.

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Thanks. I'll take your advice.

OP posts:

EightyfirstCat · 01/08/2023 02:03

Sounds really scary..I'd be exactly the same as you OP given the circumstances you've described.

FakingMemories · 01/08/2023 02:44

So the flights were booked before your even posted. Was the whole point of this just to give us your war story?

AliceOlive · 01/08/2023 02:56

I think you are wise and I would do the same. Just had a great conversation with my neighbor about a mother’s instincts recently. You sense your family is not safe. They aren’t; it could easily happen again. It’s not worth the risk.

Littlegoth · 01/08/2023 03:21

i get it’s scary (and I say that as someone who spent a period of time bed bound in hospital abroad as a forest fire burned in direct sight from my window) but I do think you are over reacting. The fire is out. Greece and Spain etc are always very high risk of fires this time of year.