After the delays caused by the infamous ash cloud last week, I am all set to leave Birmingham bound for Manila at 7.45 tomorrow morning.

I've had to re-arrange 5 separate hotel bookings, but to be fair to the hotelliers, none of them have charged me to amend or cancel my bookings. More than can be said for Philippine Airways and Cebu-Pacific. I've had to cancel 4 separate flights and book new Manila - Boracay (Kalibo) return flights for me and my g/f. I haven't got time to go to Tacloban now that I'm cutting my trip short by 3 days.

Things could be worse, I'm only £198 out of pocket on my flights and my insurers have already said they will refund that to me.

Fingers crossed all the flights will be back on schedule tomorrow.