It’s plume-ing marvellous for some

AIR traffic may have been grounded but internet traffic was busier than ever yesterday with stranded travellers taking the information highway to try to get home, away or anywhere but here.

Blogs, boards, chat rooms and discussion forums have been bursting with volcanically challenged contributors swapping lifts, sharing tips, dissecting timetables or simply spreading their misery around the world while they and their emotional baggage stay put.

The uploaded cry of “Help – I’m stuck in Malta/South Africa/Bangkok (but being very brave about it)” is now the new passport to instant kinship in the global village.