'Restful' summer recess turns into ordeal as MP Michael Fabricant suffers burst blood vessel in eye
The summer recess is meant to be a chance for MPs to recharge and recuperate – but one Staffordshire Tory has found it to be more stressful than he thought.
Lichfield Conservative Michael Fabricant ended up coming home early from Montenegro after bursting a blood vessel in his eye and being advised by doctors to return to the UK.
The MP, who has been on Have I Got News For You because of his humorous messages on social media, poured out his frustrations in a series of postings on Twitter.
He detailed a list of frustrations with hotel bookings, a transfer, EU immigration and border checks, Montenegrin police demanding bribes, a foreign taxi driver and his medical woes in a series of tweets totalling just over 200 words.
He wrote: "The story so far: Flew on Friday to Dubrovnik. Despite email confirmation hotel knew nowt. After two hours faffing in high temperatures, room sorted. Saturday we were meant to be picked up to join English friends for holiday in Montenegro. No one comes. No one knows why. Then we get a taxi.
"Border closed between Croatia and Montenegro owing to high volume of traffic and Croatia in EU since July 1. Extra border checks equal long delays.
"Taxis have to go into Bosnia. Out of range of Dubrovnik, much fun on CB radio. Go east into Bosnia.
"At border, Montenegrin police want bribe to let us in. Cab driver refuses. Much snarling in Serbo Croat. Eventually arrive at destination. After a days travelling in cabs, arrive destination. Place not ready. Chaos. We all go out for meal and blood vessel bursts in left eye.
"After two days and seeing Montenegrin optician, advised to go home. Cannot see out of left eye. Now on Gatwick Express to London (the train between Gatwick Airport and Victoria station).
Friends
"Next stop, go with friend who is meeting me to A&E at eye hospital. At least I have my passport to show I'm a Brit. Friends on hols still.
"As I am currently tweeting one-eyed and worried if there is permanent damage, do not expect re-tweets, Twanks (his own made up word for thanking people on Twitter), for responses. Good not to be hot."
