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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:
Gherkingreen · 01/08/2023 08:10

I'm very sorry you're going through such a stressful time. We were in Kefalonia recently in 40 degree heat and there was a fire on the hillside near the airport as we landed. An English member of staff for a travel company was overheard saying it was nothing to worry about and has been out out - it hadn't, we could still see the flames and smoke.
I don't think you're overreacting but I do think your companies need to take things more seriously and put people before profit.
You're putting first your safety and that of the people who would need to help you if fire spread, which is the right and responsible thing to do. There will be other holidays.
Safe travels home.

mambojambodothetango · 01/08/2023 08:12

I'd leave like a shot and so would DH. Imagine if it started in the night and you were asleep. Saying 'you'd more than likely be fine' is ludicrous when the alternative is injury or death. Some people are happy to take that risk and others aren't. There's no right or wrong answer.

Tiqtaq · 01/08/2023 08:13

OP well done, it's very obviously unsafe there at the moment.

Some OPs have a more cavalier attitude! Let them take risks with their own lives and not with yours.

diddl · 01/08/2023 08:15

I think I would have wanted to leave also.

Just in case it happened again/became worse.

I'd rather be gone than risk being caught up in a mass evacuation.

romdowa · 01/08/2023 08:19

I'd be gone. I think it's a normal and natural response to be anxious about fire burning near your villa. Fire spreads fast and if it starts again you might not be so lucky next time.

Cocopogo · 01/08/2023 08:21

I would stay and let rest of my family enjoy their holiday but anxiety isn’t something you can always apply logic to. You can stay and feel so anxious as it’ll just rub off on the kids and they won’t enjoy it.

AliceOlive · 01/08/2023 08:21

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.

This must have been horrific. Glad you are safe.

Sunnydaysareahead · 01/08/2023 08:22

You did the right thing to leave, I would have done the same - better safe than sorry. Ignore other posters talking about ruining your kids holiday - not sure how old they are but if they are old enough to care they'll get over it pretty soon. If they're younger they will just take it in their stride.

Presumably you'll still have the rest of the holiday days left so can do some fun things near home instead.

Notellinganyone · 01/08/2023 08:29

Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 00:22

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.

Show quote history

So why bother posting then? My sister lives in Kefalonia and runs a tourist blog. This is not unusual and you are overreacting- owning to the other fires elsewhere. Your choice but unnecessary.

Arewehumanorarewecupboards · 01/08/2023 08:29

I would be gone too.

AverseNotAdverse · 01/08/2023 08:36

Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 00:22

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.

Show quote history

‘To be honest I now don't care about being dismissed by other posters’

Quite rude. You asked for opinions and now are acting aggrieved because some others think differently to you.

AverseNotAdverse · 01/08/2023 08:38

I might have looked into other accommodation. Maybe a few nights in a beach hotel at least. I wouldn’t have panicked and booked a flight asap. Our family holidays are important and I would consult authorities and look into all other options first.

atthecopa · 01/08/2023 08:43

Youdoyoubabe · 31/07/2023 23:46

Well there are frequent fires every year in Greece. Usually started deliberately unfortunately. They have a mobile home warning system.

we were just on an island last week that had fires. We weren’t directly at risk though,

I would stay, but have a little bag packed and head the warnings. You do get Faye warning of wild fires. Smoke in the sky etc.

The authorities are usually over rather than under various in evacuating.

Out of interest, where do you the info that they are started deliberately?

Original poster
Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 08:44

Just an update from me.
We paid for the flights and were supposed to leave first thing this morning.
The fire crew were still at the scene this morning. They assured us that we have nothing to fear and they are on top of any fires that occur.
We also spoke to the the villa company and they telephoned us with re assurance of how normal this is. They explained the evacuation procedure and we feel assured. We gave our contact details and they have said they will make sure they make contact if there are any further issues. They have said it is very unlikely to happen again in this area and if it does the fire crew will rapidly respond as they did last night.
I feel more assured. We're down £900 for the flight cancellation but that's ok.
Thanks for all of your responses. I think it's also important to re-assure others coming to Kefalonia that it is ok to travel here and not to worry. I don't want to put people off!

OP posts:
Mummytotwonow · 01/08/2023 08:50

Not worth the risk. You are doing the right thing!

Mummytotwonow · 01/08/2023 08:51

I’ve just reread and seen your update. Sounds like you feel reassured etc. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 01/08/2023 08:51

Cozytoesandtoast00 · 01/08/2023 08:44

Just an update from me.
We paid for the flights and were supposed to leave first thing this morning.
The fire crew were still at the scene this morning. They assured us that we have nothing to fear and they are on top of any fires that occur.
We also spoke to the the villa company and they telephoned us with re assurance of how normal this is. They explained the evacuation procedure and we feel assured. We gave our contact details and they have said they will make sure they make contact if there are any further issues. They have said it is very unlikely to happen again in this area and if it does the fire crew will rapidly respond as they did last night.
I feel more assured. We're down £900 for the flight cancellation but that's ok.
Thanks for all of your responses. I think it's also important to re-assure others coming to Kefalonia that it is ok to travel here and not to worry. I don't want to put people off!

Good to hear your update OP. I’m glad you’re reassured and have decided to stay, just a shame about the flight money.

places like kefalonia have fires often in the summer and the authorities are used to dealing with them and getting them under control quickly. It’s only in rare circumstances like those in Rhodes where they really become a threat. How often have you seen burnt areas when in Greece? I have many times, fires happen but they’re usually brought under control quickly.

you know what to do in an emergency now. Try and relax and enjoy the rest of your holiday. I can’t wait for mine in kefalonia in a few weeks time.

atotalshambles · 01/08/2023 08:53

Hi Op. We are in Kefalonia and were out at a restaurant last night and saw the forest fire on the hillside. It was amazing how it spread it such a short space of time . We were scared too. We went back to our villa and kept an eye on it and it was out in about 30 mins. One of my family members was in Corfu last week near the forest fires there. They seemed much larger and difficult to manage. I totally understand your anxiety but I am completely happy to stay (and I am a very anxious person!). The fire last night remained small and was put out in a short space of time. The Greek fire service seems pretty competent at managing fires and informing people (family member had mobile phone notifications).

FrenchandSaunders · 01/08/2023 08:56

Glad you're staying OP, enjoy the rest of your holiday in a beautiful place. Wish I was there!

airportnightmare · 01/08/2023 09:40

I think you’re overreacting. I grew up in a place with frequent wildfires, and while some of them can be very scary and the destruction is heartbreaking, it’s not like we could pack up and get on a flight every time something close by started burning.

caringcarer · 01/08/2023 10:13

I get very anxious and that is why I wouldn't have gone in the first place. It's not worth the risk in my opinion. I know my view is not popular as last week many posters told me it was wrong not to go as the Greek islands rely on tourism for their livelihood.

Intriguedbythis · 01/08/2023 10:50

I don’t know why everyone is saying they would stay - I DOUBT they would
i 100 percent would have done the same as you
claim on your travel insurance and spend it on a mini break or days out at home
would be terrifying not knowing where to go in a fire with kids.

MrsSkylerWhite · 01/08/2023 10:56

FakingMemories · Today 02:44
So the flights were booked before your even posted. Was the whole point of this just to give us your war story?”

Feel better for that?

I think you’re doing the right thing, OP.

Trylessonslearned · 01/08/2023 11:00

The fires are scary and I would leave too. When we was travelling in motorhome trying to avoid the forest fires in Portugal. Winds changed and we was caught very near to it. Ended up in tiny village where all the locals were filling buckets of water on the back of their flatbed trucks. No one spoke English and was really frightening with children and mum with asthma in the back. Someone directed us with hand signal to follow different road which we did and headed to the sea that evening. Would not belittle those who are frightened as its scary situation

99victoria · 01/08/2023 11:02

Intriguedbythis · 01/08/2023 10:50

I don’t know why everyone is saying they would stay - I DOUBT they would
i 100 percent would have done the same as you
claim on your travel insurance and spend it on a mini break or days out at home
would be terrifying not knowing where to go in a fire with kids.

I'm pretty sure your travel insurance wouldn't pay out in this particular situation