French Lockdown

[Al n Val]

At the end of the day.......................................

i'll be across the water like a shot as soon as we're allowed and i know i'll be safer over there than here, i've already had my haircut so i'm ready to go

all those who wish not to travel overseas, well thats fine, just enjoy yourselves wherever you go

now can we please talk about Brexit or something more important like how to keep my tan topped up

"its a lovely day in yorkshire, the sun is out and the sky is blue, the streets are packed and the supermarkets are too"

 

[MITHRANDIR]

At the end of the day.......................................

i'll be across the water like a shot as soon as we're allowed and i know i'll be safer over there than here, i've already had my haircut so i'm ready to go

all those who wish not to travel overseas, well thats fine, just enjoy yourselves wherever you go

now can we please talk about Brexit or something more important like how to keep my tan topped up

"its a lovely day in yorkshire, the sun is out and the sky is blue, the streets are packed and the supermarkets are too"

Quire right, i only started the thread to find what loose plans were, not really the should or shouldn't we.
Brexit, god no i have heard enough about that debacle to last a lifetime.
Good luck with the tan topping!, i reckon some mediterranean sun would top it up nicely.
Stimulating this has been, the sun is shining, i'm of to clean me van (again).

 

[Gary217]

We normally spend a lot of weeks in Europe, obviously didn't last year and looks like we won't this year. Hols in the UK are ok but just don't really do it for us so we'll just do a few days off in the van every so often. We've been planning on getting a puppy and as it now takes a long time to get all the paperwork sorted to travel with a dog (thank you again Brexit) we were going to get one in the autumn so it could be jabbed and certified for Europe in time for next year. As we're not going to be travelling this year we've brought that forward and are getting a new pup in around 6 weeks so that'll fill our summer. While we might use the van for a few short UK trips we're not that fussed about doing that, especially as everywhere will be crowded once again, so are now thinking about whether to flog the van while prices are high.

 

[ambulancekidd]

We will definitely go abroad at the earliest opportunity, we will not pose any risk to anyone, we have our food delivered on arrival at home and do our quarantine, and have no contact with anyone. It is down to the individual to keep themselves safe, we always wear masks, gloves as well when refuelling, we stay away from everyone. It is personal choice, doing what you are comfortable with, and as long as you are happy to quarantine on return I cannot see a problem

I applaud your effort & your thinking, but the problem arises when people start to use their own version of quarantine, I mean the folks who think oh it'll be ok if our local friends pop in for a coffee to see how they are, after all, what harm can it do?

If everyone obeyed the rules in the first place, we wouldn't be in the mess which we're in now.
Sadly its a case of the careful folks hard work being undone by the rather daft minority.

 

[Lynne Roy]

We had to quarantine for 14 days last September, it was ok had the Motorhome to clean and replenish, the dog suffered more not getting her walk, so 10 days will be a doddle

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[Minxy]

pre booking several NT properties within 30 - 60 minutes driving

If you're not already a member of the NT it would likely pay you to do so, especially if you can use vouchers and or discount sites to get a reduced fee - not sure if Tesco still do 3 x vouchers for the UK or Scottish one.

Booked in for my first swim for quite some time at the end of the month !

You need to take Lenny HB as he's got a new paddle board and is buying a new wetsuit so seeing as he will end up spending a lot of time in the water he might as well get used to it and do some good in the process!

 

[Lenny HB]

You need to take @Lenny HB as he's got a new paddle board and is buying a new wetsuit so seeing as he will end up spending a lot of time in the water he might as well get used to it and do some good in the process!

You are a cheeky girl, I must admit my sailing was never that good.

 

[glenn2926]

Agree,,whilst still SD ing we managed to cycle,walk and swim most days.Had the pool all to ourselves on two different sites most days ..Five days driving home other than fuel we never got close to anyone..That all changed back home..BUSBY.

Don’t you feel a bit silly swimming in mask and gloves?

 

[Minxy]

We're in a real quandary as to what to do ... we haven't had a break since we returned to the UK in February last year, not a single night away, so going totally stir crazy.

Whatever we do we have to ensure that my Mum (nearly 96) is catered for but as she's back to her old 'witchy' self (don't I know it!) and doing odd bits of shopping at her little local store (they are VERY strict with the rules) she can get her fresh stuff and other smaller bits as required so just the major stuff once a fortnight or even longer if we stock her up and other can get her odds and sods if needs be, or I'll just do an on-line shop if we have to.

We have considered Scotland but its likely to be silly season although we don't 'need' to be in the popular areas (eg NC 500) so long as wherever we go is nice and peaceful, ideally not a million miles from water, and without loads of ruddy midges! Down south would be good as the weather is likely to be warmer but there's no way I would want to be in what are likely to be very crowded places - the latter will apply to a lot of the UK I think too though. We even thought about the Isle of Wight but the cost of the ferry to/from there is ridiculous!

We're also thinking about Ireland as, although it's expensive to get there, we have a load of Tesco vouchers which we can use to offset most of the cost, we love the place (all areas) but we know if rains ... a lot ... (been 3 times so far!) but can live with it so long as it's not constant (first time we went it rained every day for the whole fortnight!). We'd be able to go for longer though so hopefully have more time to have good weather too.

We had pretty much ruled out mainland Europe though as hubby's a bit 'concerned' about the infection rates etc but as we don't do bars, sites etc, preferring nice out of the way areas, aires, wilding etc, we won't be mingling with loads of other holiday makers anyway ... of course the upside is the weather is likely to be better .... so this may go back on the 'possible options' list.

Its a real problem as we do so want a break of some sort as we've had quite a stressful time over the last 18 months and really need a change of scene. Obviously we would be extremely careful not to spread anything anywhere or bring it back home but when/where to go isn't an easy thing to determine and we're getting to the point that if we do want to go somewhere that needs booking (eg ferry/tunnel) then we need to get it sorted sooner rather than later.

Are we being too cautious? I don't know, but if we don't get some sort of break soon I think we'll go mad!

 

[ambulancekidd]

Lol someone got out of bed the wrong side! 'Dragging their filth back' Give me a break the strain that's causing cases to rise in Europe is the one that popped up in the uk. It's irrelevant where it came from though it can mutate anywhere.

Well we're all entitled to our opinion & I applaud freedom of speech.
I like the popular funny line which says opinions are like arse holes, we all have one & some of them stink

You clearly think that my opinion stinks & I must accept that, it is the very basis of freedom of speech.

One thing I like about this thread is that despite strong opinions on either side, we all seem to be able to agree to disagree.

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[hja]

From BBC site this morning:
First from UK scientist

"The prospect of Britons taking foreign holidays this summer seems "extremely unlikely", a UK government adviser has suggested.

Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of the Spi-M modelling group, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there was a danger travellers could bring back new variants of coronavirus.

"I think we are running a real risk if we do start to have lots of people going overseas in July and August because of the potential for bringing more of these new variants back into the country.""

He added: "What is really dangerous is if we jeopardise our vaccination campaign by having these variants where the vaccines don't work as effectively spreading more rapidly."

Second from Germany:

Britons should not consider European holidays when lockdown restrictions are eased later this year, a leading German epidemiologist says, amid a fresh rise in cases.

Prof Dirk Brockmann, from Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, was speaking as several European nations expressed fears over a potential "third wave" of infections.

He told Times Radio: "International travel would allow new variants to distribute themselves...

"As long as there's no massive immunity due to vaccination it is certainly not a factor that would help the situation especially when... [there are] variants of concern in various regions in the world."

Seems to me that overseas travel will be more in the hands of government than any of us weighting up our personal risks and attitudes to overseas travel.

 

[suavecarve]

so this may go back on the 'possible options' list.

It should always be on there as a "possible options"

I absolutely defy you to find a post from someone who has travelled to France for a holiday in France/Germany in the past 9 months who has said it was anywhere near similar to what is being portrayed by persons who have not been and have a perception.

Plan for 5 different holidays and make your mind up dependant upon infection rates at the time you go. You ought to know the places to go to off the beaten track.

 

[Minxy]

It should always be on there as a "possible options"

I absolutely defy you to find a post from someone who has travelled to France for a holiday in France/Germany in the past 9 months who has said it was anywhere near similar to what is being portrayed by persons who have not been and have a perception.

Plan for 5 different holidays and make your mind up dependant upon infection rates at the time you go. You ought to know the places to go to off the beaten track.

That's the issue with the UK though, it's years since we've done anywhere here, so we are well out of touch with the best places for 'out of the way' breaks especially to places we don't have to spend our time on campsites in order to do so, not adverse to a campsite but only if it's a little one.

 

[suavecarve]

From BBC site this morning:
First from UK scientist

"The prospect of Britons taking foreign holidays this summer seems "extremely unlikely", a UK government adviser has suggested.

Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of the Spi-M modelling group, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there was a danger travellers could bring back new variants of coronavirus.

"I think we are running a real risk if we do start to have lots of people going overseas in July and August because of the potential for bringing more of these new variants back into the country.""

He added: "What is really dangerous is if we jeopardise our vaccination campaign by having these variants where the vaccines don't work as effectively spreading more rapidly."

He may be right if the 5 provisos he put into 2 sentences become true.

It will be led by HMG and EU and I am fairly certain people understand that. I do. Do the people that suggest we dont go, understand that if we can go, it is our decision to go ?

 

[suavecarve]

That's the issue with the UK though, it's years since we've done anywhere here, so we are well out of touch with the best places for 'out of the way' breaks especially to places we don't have to spend our time on campsites in order to do so, not adverse to a campsite but only if it's a little one.

I know the feeling, I ve actually booked a rally thingy in May. I have a week or so before it and a week or so after it. Havent got a scooby where we will go.
Fairly clueless on UK front, I am

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[DBK]

It will be led by HMG and EU and I am fairly certain people understand that. I do. Do the people that suggest we dont go, understand that if we can go, it is our decision to go ?

It will be HMG who decide if we can leave the country and the governments of France, Spain etc will decide if they will let us in.

It now seems to be accepted by most of the boffins that the surge in cases in the UK last September was due to people coming back from foreign holidays they had taken in the summer. This is the background to the statement about the risks this year.

We shall see but the PM has to decide if there are more votes in allowing foreign travel against the loss of votes if we have to go back into lockdown this autumn.

 

[138go]

"I think we are running a real risk if we do start to have lots of people going overseas in July and August because of the potential for bringing more of these new variants back into the country."

Yes it's new variants, that the vaccine is not effective against, that seems to be the real concern around foreign holidays.

We have the ferry booked for the beginning of September, and a campsite in Spain. However, I would much rather not go, than face another lockdown. I think that's the bottom line.

 

[Lenny HB]

We even thought about the Isle of Wight but the cost of the ferry to/from there is ridiculous!

Red Funnel normally have a deal going for something like, ferry crossing + 5 nights on a site for about £20 more than the cost of the crossing.
I know you will cringe at the mention of a site.

 

[busby]

It will be HMG who decide if we can leave the country and the governments of France, Spain etc will decide if they will let us in.

It now seems to be accepted by most of the boffins that the surge in cases in the UK last September was due to people coming back from foreign holidays they had taken in the summer. This is the background to the statement about the risks this year.

We shall see but the PM has to decide if there are more votes in allowing foreign travel against the loss of votes if we have to go back into lockdown this autumn.

Big difference in risk i would think to 180 people sharing an aeroplane,,coach transfer and hotel and bars to two persons in a camper using The Tunnel and staying on aires,,,BUSBY

 

[Jonno1103]

So you think that once enough enough people are vaccinated the virus will disappear?, the main "advantage" of the vaccine is to reduce the severity of the disease in most people, the reduction in transmissibility is an unexpected advantage, if proved to be correct.
"Reduce transmission", is not zero, it will likely still be passed around, albeit in smaller numbers
What about the people who for whatever reason cannot have the vaccine?
"Well i have had the vaccine" so back to normal, not for the people mentioned above, or don't they count?
"Immunity" never mentioned, no, implied, IMV yes.

The virus will never disappear... ever.

The reduction in transmissibility come from having a max vax programme as the vaccines reduce viral load to the degree were you don't shed the contagion as directly as you would without having it. They both go hand in hand and most vaccinations for viruses work this way.

The load reduction reduces severity and the consequent lowered shedding reduces the transmission. Another important aspect of this is that you vastly reduce the conditions required for a virus to mutate.

Data suggests that if mainland Europe continues along the same path it's currently on, Belgium won't reach the desired level of protection until June 2023 and Germany September 2022 and the longer they continue we'll also see many more than the approx 1000 viral mutations we have around the world.

We can all talk about travelling to Europe and how we all enjoy it but the U.K. won't be taking most of the mainland European countries off the Red List anytime in our medium term future. Certainly not France, Germany, the Netherlands or Italy.

Spain will clearly become the hotspot due to their smaller population and their vax programme is more advanced than most of the 27. Cantabria is ahead of many Spanish regions and Galicia is back to the levels of infection they had during August 2020. They are also positively pushing the use of the AZ vaccine.

For those who meet the criteria, I'd suggest that Spain... with geographical restrictions... will be a realistic destination for U.K. residents from June and Portugal is already off the U.K's Red List.

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[The general]

We shall see but the PM has to decide if there are more votes in allowing foreign travel against the loss of votes if we have to go back into lockdown this autumn.

I think foreign travel is way down in my voting thoughts

 

[138go]

That's the issue with the UK though, it's years since we've done anywhere here, so we are well out of touch with the best places for 'out of the way' breaks especially to places we don't have to spend our time on campsites in order to do so, not adverse to a campsite but only if it's a little one.

During our motorhoming time in the UK, we've wild camped, been on five pitch sites and even done some of the Club Sites. There are a few places that provide parking for motorhomes, like Canterbury. We've even had the odd cheeky night on a National Trust Car Park.

We're doing far less wild camping these days, as to some extent the idiots have spoiled it for the rest. We still have the odd night but I think you'd struggle to make a holiday out of it.

We're members of the C&MHC and I really enjoy some of their CL sites. They do vary, quite considerably, but many are lovely and quiet and away from it all. We use the Club Sites mainly for their washing facilities.

 

[suavecarve]

I may be wrong but i dont believe any european countries are currently on the red list that requires hotel upon return.

We are currently banned from going to any of them.

 

[glenn2926]

And potentially kill others while getting out and enjoying life
it is this selfish attitude that perpetuates this dreadful disease

I suppose we could all stay at home but for how long? I don’t really expect you to answer as the only answer to stop this virus is to stay at home forever, never ever coming out of our houses again. Coronavirus is here now and will never go away. We either learn to live with it or we become hermits for eternity. Which do you think we should do?

 

[Jonno1103]

Well we're all entitled to our opinion & I applaud freedom of speech.
I like the popular funny line which says opinions are like arse holes, we all have one & some of them stink

You clearly think that my opinion stinks & I must accept that, it is the very basis of freedom of speech.

One thing I like about this thread is that despite strong opinions on either side, we all seem to be able to agree to disagree.

... and statistics are like lamp posts, they shed a little light and are great to lean on.

Personally I don't think your opinion stinks, I think it's skewed a little but there's many a true word in it and there is certainly no antisocial aroma!

You'll do what's right for you and yours and no sane person can argue with that.

Now where did I put me footie top?

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[138go]

Big difference in risk i would think to 180 people sharing an aeroplane,,coach transfer and hotel and bars to two persons in a camper using The Tunnel and staying on aires,,,BUSBY

You make a valid point but a ban on foreign holidays won't include a clause that says "motorhomers can still go". It just won't happen.

 

[DBK]

I suppose we could all stay at home but for how long? I don’t really expect you to answer as the only answer to stop this virus is to stay at home forever, never ever coming out of our houses again. Coronavirus is here now and will never go away. We either learn to live with it or we become hermits for eternity. Which do you think we should do?

No one is talking about staying indoors for eternity - only until most folk in Europe have been vaccinated and the number of cases has significantly reduced.

 

[jumartoo]

Until a heavily vaccinated country totally opens up, the truth about the efficacy of Covid won't be fully known

 

[Jonno1103]

I may be wrong but i dont believe any european countries are currently on the red list that requires hotel upon return.

We are currently banned from going to any of them.

Portugal is officially off the U.K. red list from the 19th March. Travellers can quarantine at home before yesterday travellers were directed to ne of the hotels. It includes the Azores and Madeira. Mauritius has been taken off too.

Portugal itself has continued to ban commercial and private flights until March 31st.

Countries removed from the list​

Mauritius and Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores) were removed from the list 4am Friday 19 March.

If you arrived in the UK from these places before 4am Friday 19 March, you must stay in your quarantine hotel for the remainder of your 10-day quarantine period and take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8.

If you arrive in the UK from these places after 4am Friday 19 March, you must self-isolate for 10 days in the place you’re staying and take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8. You are eligible for the Test To Release scheme.

 

[glenn2926]

No one is talking about staying indoors for eternity - only until most folk in Europe have been vaccinated and the number of cases has significantly reduced.

What then? As soon as people come out the virus will be transmitted again. Like I said we either live with that or we become hermits. I hope we learn to live with that level of risk, transmission, cases, and ultimately deaths. If we don’t we isolate forever. To me isolating isn’t living, it’s existing and I don’t want to just exist in isolation. I want to live.

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