Big Apple trip turns sour

AS far as we are going . . . Richard Teale and Mark Rathbone drown their sorrows with a bottle of Brooklyn lager

Buddies Richard Teale and Mark Rathbone planned to share a glass of New York’s famed lager against the backdrop of the legendary city’S skyscrapers.

But instead, the luckless pair from Saddleworth touched glasses and downed a bottle of Brooklyn just a mile from their home.

Because the friends, who had booked a four-day luxury break in the Big Apple, were among the thousands grounded by the ash from the volcano.

The duo, who had taken months to plan their marathon sightseeing visit, left by taxi early yesterday to travel to Manchester airport unaware of the nationwide travel lockdown.

It was only when they reached the check-in desk for their 9.25am flight they discovered — along with thousands of other travellers — that all flights had been cancelled.

Richard (41) from Springhead, a quality engineer with a worldwide aero company and Mark (44) a tutor, from Greenfield, had planned to return home on Monday.

But instead of savouring a glass of the sparkling lager on a brewery tour Stateside, the pair returned to their local, to reminisce over a holiday break that never happened.

Nursing their Brooklyn beers outside the White Hart at Lydgate, they talked ruefully of their plans which ended with the loss of a holiday.

Mark said: “We had made a late check with the airport the previous night to ensure there were no problems. But we did not hear the news on the way to the airport by taxi.

“It was not until we physically arrived at the check-in desk for our Continental Airlines flight, we realised something was drastically wrong.

“We were told our flight had be cancelled so we had to ring our local cab company and ask them to send a taxi to take us back to Saddleworth just a couple of hours after saying our good-byes at home.”

They had planned a memorable blow-out in one of New York’s famous delis followed by a helicopter ride over the city before a series of exciting options including a theatre visit and shopping spree to buy souvenirs for their family and friends.

Richard said: “It had taken months of careful planning. We wanted to really ensure we got the very best from our break. But, after the cancellation, we were both determined to make the best of it.

“We were scheduled to take a Brooklyn brewery tour on Sunday which, along with everything else, we had booked and paid for. But we made the best of things by sharing a American lager on our home turf.”

The duo are waiting the final outcome of their holiday, which cost them £750 each, but they have not discounted rescheduling their break in the future.