So sad...

[Incy]

I was getting all excited as my son and I were due to fly to Paris tomorrow for my brother's wedding on Saturday. He is also my son's godfather.
I printed the online boarding passes and gathered the passports together when my son asked to see his picture. As I showed him the dates in the passport swam into focus and I realised that his passport expired in may
I have spent the last 2 hours ringing passport offices etc and as there are no slots available in Liverpool tomorrow am it looks like he will have to stay behind with his Dad. There is no way I could think of to be in London for 9.30am wait over 4 hours for the passport and get back to Manchester airport for 2.30pm.
So it looks like I will be travelling alone

[RedThorn]

{{{hugs}}} sorry to hear!

[Incy]

Thanks RT. He's being great about it. says it will be loads of boys nights with takeaways with his Dad. My Mum is absolutely gutted she hasn't seen him for over a year as they live in France and we're in Manchester. In fact he last saw my family in April 08 when we went to my sister's wedding in Vienna.

[kirsty b]

Thats a shame. Sounds like a nice lad for not getting in a strop about it

[Two_Sheds]

This happened to our friends this year. They flew off to Spain with their 2 year old, but had to leave their 12 year old behind at the airport with her gran.

[quark1]

That's such a shame - but let it be a warning to others to check travel docs BEFORE booking. Sorry your son will have to miss out, but hope you enjoy the wedding celebrations. All good wishes to the bride and groom!

Do you remember the Post Office network used to issue 1 yr passports (limited travel range) on the spot - provided that back up docs were correct? I can understand that there are heightened security issues these days but you'd have thought it would be a wonderful way to drum up a bit of extra cash by allowing the POs to once again issue a Temporary Document which MUST be shown WITH the expired passport (fully security checked) for occasions such as this. It would be immensely useful if a PO of this kind was present in every airport - I'm sure the service would be well-used.

Personally I'm dead against the imposition of ID cards on the basis of security alone - it didn't stop the Madrid bombers who all had them (just helped identify them post factum) - but a naturalised German citizen of Turkish origin who stayed with me for a while some years ago did freely travel on her ID card alone (within EU) as did my former Czech Au Pair who came on a visit after they joined. The charges in the EU are far less than what is proposed here. Not sure 'our' precise amount but it seems to be growing every time its mentioned.

Having said that - both passports and ID cards will still need updating and chances are that they will be issued and therefore expire together - unless someone with some degree of intelligence staggers one to expire 6-12 months before the other......too easy.....yes thought so.

[zazen999]

Too logical Quark....far too logical.

Good job you looked at the picture though or you'd both be staying here [unless someone is seeing you off tomorrow].

[SarzWix]

The trouble is that kids passports don't last as long as adult ones (presumably because they change so fast) so you have to remember, and pay for, renewal more often. Was much easier when they just went on the parent's passport til they were 16.

Commiserations Incy, a horrible thing to happen But, if he is managing to be brave about it, you will have to too Could you film him saying Congrats and hello to your Mum, on your phone or something, to show them when you get there? Not the same I know, but...

[Incy]

Well,
We've made a little video of him riding his bike (major recent achievement) which will go down well with the family.
Quark, Thank you for mentioning european id cards. Just realised I still have his from when we lived in NL. just checked it. It says valid till september '09. Maybe we can use that?!!!

[lizzylemon]

Well,
We've made a little video of him riding his bike (major recent achievement) which will go down well with the family.
Quark, Thank you for mentioning european id cards. Just realised I still have his from when we lived in NL. just checked it. It says valid till september '09. Maybe we can use that?!!!

Goodness what a dreadful thing to discover (being very polite) right at the last minute.

I really hope the card will work for you. Fingers, toes and legs crossed for you both - it would be so cool (personally, I don't understand why we need passports if we're traveling inside the EU - it would certainly be very helpful right now for sure).

And congratulations on riding a bike to your son too - I still struggle at 36 not to fall off at any given opportunity so totally get his achievement, bet he looks more graceful than I do

[quark1]

OOh Incy I do so hope your NL card for son is still valid and 'true' - just don't tell him unless 100% sure - hope its OK!

[Incy]

looking good! spoke to the foreign office, they say ok this end. Spoke to little bro who works for foreign office in Paris. He says France will be fine. So we are going to give it a go. any probs French side, little bro will sort.
Quark you are an absolute star! I wouldn't have thought of it without you.
Thank you soooooooooooo much

[SarzWix]

Yayy! There's more than one way to skin a cat, as they say

[Incy]

Absolutely. And the boy is celebrating with tabasco enhanced salami
Not sure whether he's bouncing for heat or joy just now.

[quark1]

Have tear in my eye as I write - maybe down to gin and etc's - but does not denude me of ability to think! (yet) - will be delighted to read that you 'et fils' will be able to travel for celebrations. Hope you all enjoy weekend- so happy for you - just hold back from littl' fella until you're abosutley sure.

Have a wonderful time! I'm delighted!