I now fully understand the meaning of Parkway, as in Luton Airport Parkway station. It means that if the shuttle bus service between the train station and the passenger terminal is suspended, as it has been today because of the snow, then you have to lug your suitcases across a park - and it’s a bloody long way.

I was booked on a lunchtime flight to Geneva today from Luton, an airport which is a 25 minute taxi ride from my house. When I woke to find that even more snow had fallen overnight and it was still snowing heavily, I knew there would be trouble. And so it proved.

The airport’s website said that all flights were suspended until midday but after several lengthy calls to the easyJet “Customer Experience” team (tip: call them on 01582 700036 rather than their premium lines which charge anywhere between 10p and £1 a minute) revealed that my flight would still depart, albeit late.

No problem. I made a quick call to my local cab firm and booked a car several hours ahead of my departure to give me plenty of time to get there. A few minutes before it was due to arrive, the dispatcher sheepishly phoned to say that the M1, A6 and the road into my town were all closed and did I still need a cab? I cancelled and vowed to take a train instead which, inexplicably, was running on time.

I then made another call to easyJet and found that my lunchtime flight had been cancelled but Agatha – surely not that popular a name in India where I am sure the call was handled - said I could have the last seat on the 2.15pm flight. I took her up on the offer.

So, with a heavy suitcase containing my ski gear in tow, I set off on the half hour walk to my train station at Ampthill, Befordshire. If I had a pound for every time someone said “I hope you’re going somewhere hot” on the way there, I’d have £4.

I was two-thirds of the way there before someone took pity on me and offered me a lift. I noticed that the suitcase had been acting as an impromptu snowplough and had cleared the path behind me. How’s that for public service?

The train was both on time and pleasantly empty – a rare occurrence on First Capital Connect. Arriving at Luton Airport Parkway shortly afterwards, I was pleased to see a bus waiting to whisk me to the terminal.

“Are you going to the airport?” asked a man in First Capital Connect garb. His gaze followed mine down to the suitcase. “You’ll have to walk, it’s gridlock out there.”

I groaned. “How long?” I asked hopefully. “30 minutes,” he replied, adding rather ominously “although I have never done it”.

For his information, it’s closer to 45 when you are hauling your own personal snowplough. Luckily, because Luton is one giant traffic jam, you can pull your suitcase along the road to make it slightly quicker.

So here I am now at Luton Airport and guess what, the flight is delayed. At least I haven’t shared the experience of hundreds of others here who made that walk with their bags only to find their only flight of the day cancelled and they have to turn around and do that same walk again.

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