A British couple from the Midlands managed to pull off an extraordinary New Year's Eve escape, jetting to a Spanish island for a day of winter sun and still making it back to their sofa in time to see in 2024.
The Spur-of-the-Moment Getaway
Jayne Harrison-Bond, 52, a community nurse from Loughborough, Leicestershire, and her husband Ian, 53, a welder, seized their only free day over the festive period with remarkable spontaneity. With Jayne's hectic work schedule leaving December 31 as her sole day off, the pair spotted an opportunity for adventure after seeing a suggestion in a Facebook group.
Just three days before departure, they booked return flights from East Midlands Airport to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands for just £75 each. Their early morning alarm was set for a 5.45am take-off, beginning a meticulously planned eight-hour escapade.
A Whirlwind Three Hours of Spanish Sunshine
After touching down in Lanzarote at 10.15am, the efficient travellers were on Playa Honda beach by 10.35am, having taken a local bus for a mere €1.40 each. Their goal was simple: to maximise rest and relaxation in the short time available.
"We did very little apart from the beach," Jayne shared. "We had some nice tapas and a couple of nice drinks. The object of the day was just to utilise some rest time." They enjoyed beers at a beach bar for €4 each before moving to Goliath Terraza, where Ian indulged in a large pizza and fries while Jayne chose a chicken caesar salad, with the meal costing around €11 each.
Home for the Bubbly: A Budget-Friendly Triumph
The entire day's expenses, covering flights, transport, food, and drinks, came in at under £100 per person. A €10 taxi ferried them back to Lanzarote Airport for their 6.05pm return flight, ensuring they landed in the UK just before midnight.
They arrived home in time to raise a glass of Buck's fizz with their two adult children before Jayne started her nursing shift at 8am the next morning. "It was well worth it," she reflected, noting she was the only colleague at work on New Year's Day with a tan.
While friends and workmates were astonished by the whirlwind trip, Jayne, a seasoned day-tripper who has also visited Alicante and Malaga on similar excursions, insisted it was straightforward. "We weren't exhausted after it or anything," she said. "It was a very straight-forward, everyday thing so I would recommend it to anyone." Their story serves as an inspiring example of how a dose of winter sun and a memorable adventure can be achieved without breaking the bank or using up precious annual leave.
