One volcano, eight questions

The ash cloud from Eyjafjallajoekull has affected our office, too. Two colleagues are stuck in the US, but aren’t complaining very loudly. Another won't be able to make a scheduled trip to the head office, but can easily reschedule it. Someone else has missed important appointments abroad and is making a rather long train journey instead of catching a quick flight. As we’re in the media business, however, they can all continue working — even on the road. Thanks to the internet.

So, our business has only suffered a few minor disruptions compared to what other people have been through.

Gordon Brown has been keeping an eye on developments and now believes the British have suffered enough. At a press conference yesterday, Brown described the erupting volcano in Iceland as “the biggest challenge to our aviation transport network for many years”. Elections are coming up on 6 May, so if he's seen to be taking decisive action during a disaster he could win himself some extra votes.

Brown announced that three navy warships will be deployed to repatriate British people who have been stranded abroad. HMS Ark Royal, probably the most famous British aircraft carrier, is one of them. It’s the fifth ship of the Royal Navy with the name Ark Royal. The first defeated the Spanish Armada in the 16th century, the second was sunk by a German submarine during the Second World War — and my father served on the fourth. The fifth will be remembered most for saving holidaymakers from a few extra days in the sun. Not exactly what the boys in uniform signed up for.

Will the ship also take on board people who normally live in the UK, but are holidaying at home in the sun? Brown didn’t say. He just said it would rescue Britons.

We’ve created a short quiz on one traveller’s fate after the volcano erupted. Do you know the right terms to complete the story?

Deborah Capras