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Yeah, but the risk is on all of us isn’t it.
Its amazing how selfish and stupid people can be – the more people travel, the more the virus spreads. the more the virus spreads the more people catch it. The more people catch it the more people die or get seriously ill. Planes, trains and automobiles, crossing continents, hopping back and forth across borders – you guys just knock yourself out and don’t worry – the situation is basically normal with masks.
Idiots.
Oh dear, I think someone needs a holiday!
I think the moral of the story here is don’t be a dick… you shouldn’t really be going on jollies.
In the UK and EU, or both?
Is it really that terrible to travel and keep to your own company for a week or so? I.e. will I come into more contact than I would were I to travel into London and go to a bar?
Just saw the post, cheers @winston. I understand where you are coming from.
Both looking at the crowded British beaches over the weekend! Why anyone would want to do that at any time, especially now, is confusing to me.
That’s it - quarantine for France from 4am Saturday
Glad we made the call back in May now. Wouldn’t want to do the quarantine thing on top of everything else.
Tinfoil hat...
it's the government's way of boosting the economy... More local spending.
So can I in theory drive through france from Calais to Germany/Italy and back again without having to Quarantine?
I think technically you can.
it’s the government’s way of boosting the economy… More local spending.
You give them too much credit.
More like they believe they are in a better position than France because their heads up their arse.
I'm working on the assumption that the UK is under testing to keep figures low, as from observation the UK population is taking distancing and mask wearing less seriously than places with disproportionately higher figures.
I’m working on the assumption that the UK is under testing to keep figures low, as from observation the UK population is taking distancing and mask wearing less seriously than places with disproportionately higher figures.
Maybe where you live, up here masks are pretty much 100%, distancing has relaxed a little, but still fairly good, surprisingly.
+1
I chatted to our colleagues in southern England and one in NI yesterday about this. The attitudes and self-awareness in difference in each home Nation, region and even between certain towns seems to be very different.
As Matt above, its different daily in some areas. We arrived in Pebbles on Friday after stop offs on the way up
The stop offs everyone was following the rules. The site on Friday was a big free for all and we thought we had made a big mistake and considered moving on.
Went into the forest on Saturday and when we got back it was like we were in a different area as all the new arrivals were following the rules which made the stay alot better.
Daughter is still in the Alps and not coming back early so she will be quarantined once home.
Both looking at the crowded British beaches over the weekend!
A mate is in Cornwall this week, posting up lovely pictures of quiet beaches and saying how good the social distancing has been, so I'm not sure which it is.
Being cynical, my FB friends seem to fall in to two main camps - those heading to pubs and busy town centres who moan about the lack of social distancing by all the people who are heading to pubs and busy town centres, and those seeking out quieter places where people are actively trying to social distance.
There's a smaller third group who I know have anxiety issues who focus entirely on the former group and are still just not going out unless they have to, which is understandable but it's really starting to become an issue for them, which is awful. Can't even tempt them out for a socially distanced walk or ride one to one.
I'm glad we made the decision back in April/May to postpone ours to 2021.
We should have been in Geneva today, heading to Lake Garda tomorrow.
Had we gone ahead my kids would have missed the first two weeks at school due to having to isolate.
Both looking at the crowded British beaches over the weekend!
Yeah, we found the British beaches crowded all last week. Don't believe the hype and just go somewhere less obvious.
Surely the key is staying away from honeypots & making sensible decisions?
We’ve just got back from sailing in Greece, and we were always ready to put the brakes on, but logic & data suggested we were being sensible.
Airports & flights were 100% mask compliant. We also paid extra to select seats where we had no direct contact with other pax, and boarded last. Airlines are disembarking 1 row at a time with everybody else staying seated. Again, communicated well and good compliance.
We were on our own boat, with distanced outdoor social life in the evenings with the rest of the flotilla. Greek shops require mask wearing - again good compliance.
All in all, it has wiped away most of the stress of the last 5 months, plus good for my kids to be out & about prior to school return.
Surely the key is staying away from honeypots & making sensible decisions?
I think that's the key - the word holiday can conjurer images of crowded high rise hotels and lager louts, my idea of hell even without a virus pandemic...
Surely the key is staying away from honeypots & making sensible decisions?
Yep. I'm not as refreshed as Danstw13 unfortunately but we just returned from a Mon-Friday break in Norfolk. Having seen what they've changed for a COVID / Family breaks I convinced Mrs K against her better judgement to go to Potters in Hopton on Sea, near Great Yarmouth. I'd been before for a lads weekend, so I knew it was a bit cheesy all inc (we wanted a rest so daily travelling and cooking was out), yet located near some really nice coastline and having lots of activities for the kids. She had "Butlins" pictured in her mind. 😀
Luckily the sun shined, we enjoyed several nice beaches full of ooh, about 5 people and returned for a 3 course dinner and some nightly entertainment. I have to say the resort was very well managed from a COVID perspective, the kids loved it and us adults were able to enjoy 7am runs along the coast (albeit not together) to work the wine off.
Hopefully back to Menorca next year, but maybe not having just read the WHO predictions...
4th post on the thread:
We rebooked our cycling trip to mallorca at Easter to October half term. Not that optimistic tbh.
Todays email:
We’re sorry, but due to the ongoing uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the latest government travel advice, your holiday is no longer going ahead
Arse.
Small victories.
Decided we weren't going to Ibiza last month, cancelled the hotel. Wife wants to rearrange the flights at a cost of £35 per person. No says I, we'll wait as Jet2 will cancel them first for free. And today they did.
Winning.
I've postponed our holiday to Lake Garda to Aug-21, but i'm not convinced we'll be in a much different place with COVID-19 this time next year.
The only way out of this situation is an effective vaccine, which the sensible people (Chris Witty - not Trump) are saying is probably 12+ months away.
Friends who work in London are being told to carry on with the WFH until after Christmas at the earliest.
I don't think this bodes well for 2021 holidays, especially if Quarantine for 2 weeks is going to cause issues.
It's not boding well for the ski season. I can give or take summer holidays, but I do like our skiing and boarding trips. What a pisser!
i’m not convinced we’ll be in a much different place with COVID-19 this time next year.
Possibly for a different thread, but whilst I agree, I also think that peoples tolerance levels to the restrictions, particularly if the death rate (note, not the infection rate) stays low will be such that there will be real pressure to remove them entirely.
People will suck up this year, but next year they will go, and they'll be heavily incentivised by struggling Mediterranean countries I suspect.
It’s not boding well for the ski season. I can give or take summer holidays, but I do like our skiing and boarding trips. What a pisser!
I am the other way around - I can ride my bike, run, go to the gym or whatever activity I want at any time but I love having two weeks soaking up the sun and drinking beer with little or no guilt.
I think that’s the key – the word holiday can conjurer images of crowded high rise hotels and lager louts, my idea of hell even without a virus pandemic…
Yep, we came back from France after staying with friends in a tiny village in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Just went riding up the Cols in our own little bubble. Was very easy to stay isolated - eg didn't have to go into any petrol stations, just paid with card at pump etc.
I was of the opinion back in April that I personally wouldn't bother looking at an overseas holiday until Nov/Dec at the earliest, if you want to go abroad you have to take the risk that you'll probably have to quarantine for 2 weeks after.
I won't be looking to go abroad until late winter, Feb/March at the very earliest.
It’s not boding well for the ski season
I refuse to acknowledge this statement, I missed one ski trip this year I really don't want to miss out altogether next year. My new jacket will be 2 seasons out of date for flips sake!
Seriously though, I really don't want this to mean I don't get to the mountains next winter.
if you want to go abroad you have to take the risk that you’ll probably have to quarantine for 2 weeks after.
If you're already WFH then this is pretty much carry on as usual.....
If you’re already WFH then this is pretty much carry on as usual….
Except for going out to shops, restaurants, seeing friends the sort of stuff we are allowed to do now at least.
Except for going out to shops, restaurants, seeing friends the sort of stuff we are allowed to do now at least.
Given its completely unenforced, just do as you see fit....
We came back through Eurotunnel yesterday afternoon.... the terminal at Calais was ghostly quiet. Very few cars.
Switzerland now on the UK quarantine list. A week after ScotGov added it.
Just sayin'
A week after ScotGov added it.
There was a news article somewhere I read the other day, whereby this is a startling re-occuring theme from UK parliament if you go back ward in time.
Except for going out to shops, restaurants, seeing friends the sort of stuff we are allowed to do now at least.
And shopping, exercising, in fact no leaving the house or garden, other than 'exceptional circumstances'.
Seems people you live with if they didn't travel with you, don't need to quarantine, but that's assuming you can separate yourselves fully.
The people you’re staying with do not need to stay at home, unless they travelled with you.
It’s important to avoid as much contact with other people as possible in your home in order to reduce the risk of transmitting coronavirus. You should stay in a well-ventilated room with a window to the outside that can be opened, separate from other people in your home.
Switzerland now on the UK quarantine list.
I'm just praying this changes in the next couple of weeks, otherwise my brother will have to come back to an empty house and grieve alone for two weeks ☹️ that's worst possible scenario but I just can't see a legal way around it just now.
Just wow. We thought we might look to Center Parks for October half term. However, their prices have gone up by 1/3 to £1500, the time reduce to late arrival/early depart Mon/Fri (so you get 3 actual days) and the Tropical pools have a max 2hr slot which you can book twice in your stay.
So thats £1500 & 2 swims over three days, doing your own cooking and having to pay for other activities on top. No thank you, thats ridiculous!
Glad we booked it earlier!. I'm sure I read that they have cut their occupancy right back, so I suppose price rises will follow, airlines doing the same, always have done.
I see BA are offering a week in Portugal for less than 200 quid....
Kryton57
Subscriber
Just wow. We thought we might look to Center Parks for October half term. However, their prices have gone up by 1/3 to £1500, the time reduce to late arrival/early depart Mon/Fri (so you get 3 actual days) and the Tropical pools have a max 2hr slot which you can book twice in your stay.
My wife's niece works at CP and she says you have to be out of your accommodation by 9AM on departure day!!!
My wife’s niece works at CP and she says you have to be out of your accommodation by 9AM on departure day!!!
Thats right, and you can't get in until 4pm on arrival, so you've now lost two days - arrival and departure day - of doing stuff even without a lodge. Its just too much, I think they've screwed themselves there.
I didn't think a centre parks holiday could get any shitter than it already sounded pre covid..i was wrong
I didn’t think a centre parks holiday could get any shitter than it already sounded pre covid..i was wrong
You have no idea how much I wanted to dislike it the first time we went, but it's brilliant.
I think they’ve screwed themselves there.
Nope, it'll still sell out.
You have no idea how much I wanted to dislike it the first time we went, but it’s brilliant.
I'm in this camp too, but an extra £600 for -2 days and lots of pool time less is too much to bear.
No massive fan of CP’s, but presume you can still use all the facilities on arrive/depart days? So it’s no different to previous when anyone sane would arrive early, use facilities all day and then check in late to avoid all car to lodge scrummage (and visa versa on leaving)?
No massive fan of CP’s, but presume you can still use all the facilities on arrive/depart days?
IIRC no, you can't do that any more, sadly. I'd imagine it'll be a condition of them opening up again, contact tracing etc, and limiting numbers in the place.
I’m in this camp too, but an extra £600 for -2 days and lots of pool time less is too much to bear.
Aye, I wouldn't pay that either tbh.
Timmys, as no beer says that’s no longer allowed, so there’s a big reduction in time spent vs cost.
I guess the entry queues must be massive as well if you can only get in at 4pm. Before people used to arrive in drips and drabs throughout the day.
with reported infection rates climbing across the EU, looks like any holidaying left might be topped and tailed by two weeks quarantine
quicker more accurate testing or vaccine then... by the end of the year, doubt it. 🙁
Timmys, as no beer says that’s no longer allowed, so there’s a big reduction in time spent vs cost.
Ah, gotcha. That is crap.
So... next Summer, what do we think?
We've spotted a few offers out there, not least one with free kids places and only £250 to lose if we cancel by June. Does Brexit add more caution? I suppose it does, but would you book a euro-holiday now for Summer '21?
I suppose it does, but would you book a euro-holiday now for Summer ’21?
Yes - lots of unknowns around covid and brexit but you have to stay positive and back that up with action. Ferry bookings being made today in the OTS house.
Our ferry and accommodation deposit from Netherlands 2020 hol has been moved til August - last week possible of school holidays. Not holding my breath.
No chance. By next summer I can't see more than 30-40% of having been vaccinated, doubt they'll have got to those of us just over 50 by then.
I can see a lot of people heading abroad as they couldn't go this year, mixing, coming back, restarting schools, heading off to uni, and another spike following again soon after. Not as severe, not as serious if more vulnerable people have been vaccinated, but another risk to me, and the NHS.
And I'm not even starting to include Brexit in my calculations.
I hope so, our Alps trip has been deferred from last year till the middle of July 21. I'll drive over if I think it's safer etc.
Sailing holiday in Greece booked again. Flights dirt cheap(BA £420 for all 4 ) & sailing company will hold over any booking to 2022 if we aren’t allowed to travel.
Last years Morzine was at great pain moved to July 2021, even more annoying as it looked like the season last year was well managed and we would have had a good time on quieter trails!
The only issue I can see if we are due to fly, who knows what conditions are placed on that and if having been vaccinated will be a requirement!
It's possible if you're already in the EU. But probable? Nobody knows. I'm in the Netherlands and they've just imposed a proper lockdown, as the numbers weren't coming down after the pubs and restaurants were closed about two months ago. So the schools are out early and homeschooling is restarting in early January. We aren't getting across a border until mid March at the earliest. Non essential shops are closed - so you can still get to the supermarket, grocer's, butcher's, etc, but flowers, toys, clothes? Nope. The bike shops are open, obviously, because it's the Netherlands, but only the workshop part. You're not buying yourself any bling for the foreseeable.
IIRC Germany and France have imposed similar measures to bring the numbers down. This isn't going away any time soon, and I'm expecting a worse 2021 than 2020.
The tourism industry in Austria predicts late July for mainland Europe. They predict 2022 for all other lands.
Hmmm a mix.
Ours would be a package holiday, with my concerns being:
A) despite the deposit, the price may rise
B) mixing, obvs but the place we are looking at (weve been twice before) has good covid based tripadvisor reviews
C) pandemic - in theory and historically an August holiday might be in low peak
D) mentally we all need a break / something to look forward to
E) mrs K is immune compromised and cant have the current vaccines - an alternate vaccine is on the way.
F) if by June is looks a disaster we can walk away and lose £250 only
G) Global lockdown fatigue may mean a higher baseline of cases than 2020 even.
We have Portimao for a 3 day trackday booked at the end of May. I'm less optimistic about it than i was previously. It could get VERY complex though as i've got 20 mates booked too, i think 75% of them would still be up for going, even now.... So i don't really know at the moment.
Worst case, at the moment we'd lose £500 deposit for the track stuff and £650 in flihgts, but i think most of that we'd actually get back as long as we decide at the right time.
We have Portimao for a 3 day trackday booked at the end of May. I’m less optimistic about it than i was previously. It could get VERY complex though as i’ve got 20 mates booked too, i think 75% of them would still be up for going, even now…. So i don’t really know at the moment.
Could be worse I am booked to go to Almeria for 4 days on track on the 16th of Jan 🙂 Still hoping stuff will be sorted. I work from home so the isolating is not a problem. I did that in Sept when I went.
Bazzer, I would suggest it isn’t happening, it might change, but currently looking like UK travel to EU is barred. Thank Brexit for uk falling out of scope of travel agreements
Raid Pyrenees booked late July.
It feels like a bit of a shoogly peg as there's a lot of links in the chain - flights, airport transfers, 6 hotels, daily baggage transfers, guides and roadside support. It feels like it would only take restrictions on any one aspect and the whole lot comes tumbling down.
My backup plan if the actual booked tour gets cancelled is to rock up and do it touring style, at least I have more flexibility that way but I'll miss my road bike up (and down) some of those climbs.
Backup backup plan is another Scottish tour, happily the gravel bike has opened my eyes to a lot more opportunities right on my doorstep so it's no big sacrifice. Already have a 4 day road bike tour and 5 day gravel tour in my back pocket ready for deployment! 😀
Could be worse I am booked to go to Almeria for 4 days on track on the 16th of Jan 🙂 Still hoping stuff will be sorted. I work from home so the isolating is not a problem. I did that in Sept when I went.
Negative PCR certificate less than 72hours old currently required for entry into Spain, along with the online form.
Thats if you can find a filghht that doesnt get cancelled.
New year, who knows, proof of vacination may well be required.
I'm still hoping for a pass for a week's skiing in Feb and somewhere warm next summer.
I'm 99.9% certain nether will happen and that I'll be staying within Scotland's borders for the next 18 months.
But we can hope
Negative PCR certificate less than 72hours old currently required for entry into Spain, along with the online form.
Thats if you can find a filghht that doesnt get cancelled.
New year, who knows, proof of vacination may well be required.
Yeah thats OK, however its all up in the air at the moment whats going to happen 1st of Jan
and I’m expecting a worse 2021 than 2020
The whole of 2021 will be worse than 2020?
Rationale?
Rationale? 2020 was very much a constant state of trial and error regards travel and socialising, with Europe opening and closing all over and at different times. We know more about the virus now and with the damage it's done I can see 2021 won't even 'start' until 75% of the population is vaccinated. The Dutch government has already said no foreign travel until mid March, and they don't have a vaccination programme started. Pretending that everything is fine or will work out hasn't worked.
The whole of 2021 will be worse than 2020?
Rationale?
Zombies 🙂
F) if by June is looks a disaster we can walk away and lose £250 only
That's the only 'pro" reason I can see on that list then.
Pretending that everything is fine or will work out hasn’t worked.
Indeed. I fully hope that 2021 will not be worse as regards death, illness and the economy… but for that to be the case, it is likely to worse in terms of travel opportunity across Europe, especially for us Brits, in the first half of the year.
Indeed. I fully hope that 2021 will not be worse as regards death, illness and the economy… but for that to be the case, it is likely to worse in terms of travel opportunity across Europe, especially for us Brits.
What happens when the spanish and greeks remember they need the british and german and scandinavian holidayers' money? Will they crack and open up, especially if they have vaccinated their old/vunerable?
with the damage it’s done I can see 2021 won’t even ‘start’ until 75% of the population is vaccinated.
I think you're being a little dramatic about it. 75% of the population isn't vaccinated for flu as an example. Once the number of at risk folk are vaccinated and then the admissions and deaths start to drop (hopefully) thats when it'll all open up.
The low risk population getting Covid won't be a reason to stop the economies opening up fully or we'll have a whole host of other issues on our hand if 2021 is worse.
The zombie answer is more credible as to why 2021 would be worse than 2020.
I genuinely hope that you're right. Like, I properly want to be wrong about this. I'm just realistic enough to suspect that I won't be.
I'm currently meant to be organising a summer Alpine trip for a relatively large group of us, a few of us have big birthdays to celebrate so there's lots of pressure to get something organised. I am seriously doubting we can go ahead in 2021 as I think restrictions will be too much and spoil any fun we can have. Might see if there's support for putting it off until 2022 instead.
Those of you thinking a skiing holiday or similar will be possible this winter I think are going to be disappointed. They may allow locals onto the slopes but from the UK? No chance.
I think you’re being a little dramatic about it. 75% of the population isn’t vaccinated for flu
COVID. is. not. the. flu. It's 10 times or more dangerous.
I expect that being a third country will see us excluded from mainland Europe for most of the holiday season. I expect that holidaying will require a proof that you are vaccinated and possibly a negative test on arrival with no movement out of the airport until the result is in.
The only issue I can see if we are due to fly, who knows what conditions are placed on that and if having been vaccinated will be a requirement!
if they put restrictions in, why do you think they'd only apply to flying?
We moved our road-trip to Lake Garda from Aug 2020 to the same dates 2021.
We're due to be away for around 19 nights stopping off in Switzerland on the way and France on the way back.
I've not booked the tunnel yet but everything else booked.
If its not possible we can either move it to 2022 (probably at minimal cost) or scrap it.
If we scrap it i'll be about £450 out of pocket - which i paid in late 2019 so it gone and forgotten already.
Do i think we'll actually go in 8 months time? i think there is more than 50% chance it'll be possible, but not much more than 50%....
'tis what is is... we've both stayed in our jobs and nobody close to us has died - we're already winning at COVID.
July onwards will be fine for your European holidays as long as you're not personally at high risk. Europe will be open to the uk and they will be actively encouraging us over as they will be desperate for a good season to recover losses from last year.
The only fly in the ointment i can see is will flights be very expensive due to the hammering those businesses have taken?
I'm assuming they can't change the cost of pre-booked flights, so in that case i'm ok personally as the flights were reasonable enough.
My concern is more getting on the plane rather than being able to afford it.