Holidays ruined

Sometimes one finds that 'counting one's lucky stars' is the only bright spot in a dull world.

This time last year (or thereabouts) we were coming back from Paris on the Eurostar (although delayed on our return for several hours due to a power cut at the Gard du Nord). If we were there now, we'd be stranded.

And this time six years ago we were in Madeira, having flown there with XL Airways. And again, if it was today, we'd be stranded. The particularly worrying aspect of this particular collapse is that, apparently, if you didn't book a package with a travel agent, but booked elements separately on the company's website - which we did - you almost certainly wouldn't receive any compensation from the bond which is supposed to guarantee customers' money. And with online payments by credit card attracting a surcharge, the temptation is to use a debit car (I can't recall but being a stingy so-and-so I imagine I would have gone for the cheaper option myself) you aren't even covered by the credit card company's guarantees.

Bad times for some this week.