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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:
Tohaveandtohold · 01/08/2023 03:22

It’s a good thing you’re already going home and you’ve booked your flights as it won’t be relaxing otherwise. Personally, there’s no way it’ll be a relaxing holiday still in the same location but rather than spend money booking a flight home, I would have spent the money to book another accommodation in a different location in Greece that’s not normally affected by wild fires (if there’s any, it may in be the city centre ) and then go home on the same flight already planned so that at least all is not lost

Pallisers · 01/08/2023 03:30

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.

Anxiety?

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.

OP's reaction is not "anxiety". it is perfectly normal human reaction to having being exposed to danger and not having any control about that danger happening again. She is getting out of the situation.

A lot of the posts on this thread are from people who in the twin towers on 9/11 when told "it is all ok" would have gone back up to their offices. The human instinct to get out of danger (and I think getting a call saying get out now there are fires says danger) is important.

lovescats3 · 01/08/2023 04:07

You've made the right decision to go home, do some nice things together when you get back

Seabreeze18 · 01/08/2023 04:40

Having watched a documentary on wildfires ages ago I think you’re doing the right thing. It’s a scary situation trying to evacuate and not being able to. As u said u can’t hear the fire either? U are doing the right thing!

Zanatdy · 01/08/2023 04:42

I think you’re doing the right thing. Alternative would have been to move into a city / built up area but given the flights are booked little point considering other options. I don’t think I could relax either once that happened

Hellokittymania · 01/08/2023 04:54

OP, my home is on the outskirts of the city of Volos, on Wednesday afternoon, when I was going home, I am almost completely blind. By the way, I felt how hot and strong the wind was, and I thought something was wrong. I told my Greek friends, I thought there was a fire, They didn’t realize there was one at first, I noticed it before a lot of my Greek friends did. Within about one hour, the fire has spread from a city about 45 minutes away by bus, to the outskirts of olives, we kept getting emergency alert after emergency alert, Lived through one night of hell, things got better on the Thursday morning, the air quality improved, but there were still fires. On Thursday afternoon, I’m not sure how many of you have read the news, but there was a warehouse full of ammunition, bombs and missiles, that exploded and very close proximity to residential areas. It was the most terrifying thing I have ever been through, imagine not being able to see, and hearing several very loud blasts, go off, and not know where the next one was coming from. I’ve barely slept this week, I’m having nightmares, and thankfully, I have a massive amount of support around me right now, And I’m around people who are going through a similar experience. Like so many people with disabilities, and elderly who live here, this was not an experience I would wish on anyone. People feel things differently, I have one person who is helping me who also looks after an elderly lady with Alzheimer’s, and she was telling her there was a party outside, had to close all the drapes, all the windows , all the doors, turn the AC up, full blast. The explosions were shaking our homes, breaking peoples windows, people in the local area near the military base were all evacuated in time, but it was terrifying nonetheless. There is a journalist who was screaming, and people who don’t live in our area were saying she was over reacting. No, she wasn’t. Somebody was driving his taxi nearby to help people to get out, his taxi Was lifted up in the air by the impact of that blast. It was some thing I hope I never have to live through again.

Dontjudgeme101 · 01/08/2023 05:37

You are doing the right thing op. All some people think about is their precious holiday! I would much rather be safe at home. Respect to you op. I hope you and your family have a safe journey home. 💐💐

Clarabell77 · 01/08/2023 05:48

I’d be the exact same as you and even if it is normal as some have commented, it’s not normal for you, it’s therefore no holiday if you’re spending it anxious and frightened. Don’t feel guilty, you’re looking out for yourself and your family and there’s nothing wrong with that.

If your husband was okay to book the early flights back he must surely be feeling the same, so it’s not just on you. If I suggested ended a holiday early because I was anxious about something trivial I would just be told to get a grip (or reassured nicely 😂)

Safe journey home.

BungleandGeorge · 01/08/2023 06:51

Can’t blame you, you’re more vulnerable in a villa. It sounds like an evacuation would be tricky. At the end of the day it’s just a holiday, why put yourself at risk.

billy1966 · 01/08/2023 06:59

I too would be on that plane due to having children with you.

Not a chance I would relax again.

They must have gotten quite a fright too.

I'm so sorry your holiday was spoiled.

Safe journey.

I'm in Italy for 3 weeks and this will absolutely be my last july/august holiday.

I am so over the heat.

I have been accommodating others schedule wise, going this time of year and will not be doing it again.

They can head off without me.....infact I like the idea of 3 weeks at home on my own🤔sounds like one hell of a holiday.😁

Bobsbees · 01/08/2023 07:01

I would have done the same too. It sounds very scary and you would have spent all the time worrying. You’ve put your family first. Maybe you could have stayed and it would have been fine, and it’s easy for people who haven’t experienced what you did to be blasé about it, but you’re the one who was in that situation and so are best placed to decide what’s right for you.

Have a safe trip home and enjoy some fun days out with your children when you get back to the UK (sun is out now so not all bad!)

Willmafrockfit · 01/08/2023 07:04

the decision has been made
how much longer did you have?

Cazzovuoi · 01/08/2023 07:05

Your poor family cutting their holiday short because of your anxiety.

Why didn’t you leave by yourself if you couldn’t stay and not ruin everyone’s holiday?

FrenchandSaunders · 01/08/2023 07:09

Kefalonia is one of my favourite places in the world … I think I would have moved to a different area and then got the same flights back if money allowed.

RoyKentFanclub · 01/08/2023 07:17

I would also be leaving.

My friend is supposed to be taking his family to corfu next week with a big tour operator. They have told him the fires are under control now but that they can move their holiday to another location. If they choose to proceed with corfu the tour operator has said they are on their own and the company accepts no liability and won’t be able to assist.

SlippySarah · 01/08/2023 07:32

I'd stay and continue with the holiday. Presumably the locals are staying?

FrenchFancie · 01/08/2023 07:33

I used to live somewhere with regular fires in the summer - we were never affected but we did keep a bag packed with spare clothes / water / medication in the summer months as a ‘go’ bag in the event we needed to leave pronto.

so I don’t think I would cut the holiday short, because we are used to it. However, I have had the situation where the house was covered in smoke and ash and we were waiting to be told to leave (luckily the wind dropped) and it is scary. I can understand your fear.

SlippySarah · 01/08/2023 07:40

Pallisers · 01/08/2023 03:30

Anxiety?

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.

OP's reaction is not "anxiety". it is perfectly normal human reaction to having being exposed to danger and not having any control about that danger happening again. She is getting out of the situation.

A lot of the posts on this thread are from people who in the twin towers on 9/11 when told "it is all ok" would have gone back up to their offices. The human instinct to get out of danger (and I think getting a call saying get out now there are fires says danger) is important.

Show quote history

To be fair, the OP twice stated that she was "anxious".

Threenow · 01/08/2023 07:49

If there are still strong winds then I would be going too. Some of the posters on this thread know nothing about wildfires so I wouldn't be taking advice from them.

Markonface · 01/08/2023 07:55

I don't get the PPs at all. Of course you're not being unreasonable and ruining your family's holiday because of your anxiety. There was a real risk and it must have been unsettling.

It's a mother's instinct not to want to hang around potential danger.

Most likely the rest of the holiday would have been uneventful but I can totally understand you not wanting to stay to find out. Have a safe journey home and do something nice with the kids when you get there.

Museya15 · 01/08/2023 07:59

HappiDaze · 01/08/2023 01:35

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

Show quote history

The media had totally blown it out of proportion, it was awful on some parts but not all, it was also really awful a few people lost their lives in the plane that went down also. I could see the fires but the locals weren't panicking so I wasnt either.

RedHelenB · 01/08/2023 08:03

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.

This.

Barleycat · 01/08/2023 08:03

You're being ridiculous. I'd be really pissed off if I was your family member and you'd cut short my holiday for no reason.

TarquinOliverNimrod · 01/08/2023 08:04

You are doing the right thing, keeping your family safe. Wildfires aren’t a joke. People are injured and die every year as a result of being caught up in forest fires. I would hate to be in your situation and would also be flying home. I’m no lily livered wimp, just sensible and aware of how precarious certain situations can become v quickly.

You will always get the type of people on MN telling you they would stay even if fires were raging all around them, what’s a bit of fire ever done to anyone. Yeah, course you would 🙄

Travel safe and do something fun with your children when you get home.

Pippa12 · 01/08/2023 08:07

I left a caravan park once as I was terrified of a tree that looked like it would fall. My husband was furious, it was our only holiday and was costly, but I couldn’t settle/sleep. It was even suggested I went to the GP with postnatal anxiety.

3 months later it fell and destroyed the caravan.

Trust your instincts, go home with your head held high!