Where do we go
Firstly many many thanks to Richard & Rachel and Dave & Barbara for all their help, tips and guidance during our stay in Spain. Unfortunately we are still here trapped in paradise, only allowed off site to go food or farmacy shopping.
Received an email today from the club advising me that the whole network in the UK is closing down til end of June. Its very likely that Spain will let us return home while the Uk network is closed. I have asked the club, when we get off the ferry in Portsmouth, where will we stay overnight as it's too far to reach home the same day?
I can ask CL sites as they are privately owned and do not have to comply, but it is their decision if they stay open but what will the Club's reaction to that? Will there be any backlash??
Any suggestions??
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CLs are also due to close and the club can suspend their certification for the duration. I guess that leaves privately owned sites if any remain open. Hope you find something.
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Depending on the time you get off the ferry, Chieveley services near Oxford might be an alternative.
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We are in uncharted territory, requiring flexibility and humanity.
If I was a cl/cs/5 van site owner and knew of folk needing sanctuary or safe haven in transit or in difficulty I would have absolutely no hesitation to reach out and offer assistance if possible. Applying safe distance protocols. Definitely gratis.
That the clubs have chosen to close, take down the signs on your CL/CS and show humanity as an individual, not a greedy corporate.
I fully expect to get flamed by the characters in a Christopher McQuarrie screenplay who appear to hold a holier than thou attitude toward others who find themselves in unprecedented circumstances with no options to go home, where they don't have one.
There must be shed loads of second homes, that are empty currently, that are available for those in need of sanctuary. Dire circumstances bring out the worst in people, but also the best.
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I know of some folk bemoaning the cancellation of both ferries & booked crossings, it may be worth considering the chunnel👍🏻
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The word humanity is fair & should open doors👍🏻. It may help if W51 put his request in a CL thread.
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As all BF sailings are cancelled most likely landfall will be Dover/Tunnel and its 226 miles to Stafford.
So far as availability I think a lot of people are still on catch up so if a stop is necessary, for whatever reason, then phoning may avoid arriving at a site that appears to be open to find it no longer is.
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i was thinking that....just over 3 hrs to Stafford solo (Dover 4 hrs)...add say 90 mins, definitely doable...folk traverse Spain in much larger chunks, two of our days out and back were 6 hrs or more.....eat the elephant in small parts.
i have my van serviced in Norton Canes, Staffordshire and i drive there from Somerset in one go, albeit in the evening and park up overnight...
our pals have to drive from Dover to Devon today with their caravan, certainly a much bigger ask...
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P&O are doing an "optimised" run from Calais for essential travel, medics, workers etc and those returning to their main residence, proof of residence required.
edit I think it would be much better to do a straight run for home from the port/tunnel rather than worry about finding somewhere to stay especially if travelling up from an area of high infection.
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Drive to services, stay 2 hours, have a kip, move on. It's not rocket science.
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sorry Fish but 'the virus area' includes the UK .....and even Wales.
4 deaths in wales today (and in Scotland) perhaps its a different group(s) that should be in quarrantine?
what evidence is there to show someone on a ferry (we had to go straight to the cabin and stay there) or tunnel (stay in your car) is more likely to have/carry the virus than say someone from Cardiff, Glasgow, Bristol etc, etc...?
we are self isolating (other than basic food shopping) and have been alone (together) since we left the campsite over a week ago, staying away from our older family members and friends...
neither of us (nor ANYONE we met or heard about in the previous 10 weeks) have/had any of the symptoms.
surely we are ALL in it together?
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Just to clarify, i am "locked down" on site in Spain, my nearest neighbour is 50/60 metres away. At the moment there are no ferries home, Spain & France will allow me to drive to Calais BUT there is nowhere to stay en-route as they have already done closed short stay sites. Would you risk staying on a french "aire" given the number of thefts/break ins reported.
We are talking social distancing on sites where the only danger is in toilet/shower blocks. How close do you get to your "neighbour" in these circumstances?
Will i put extra strain on NHS in the area i'm travelling through? Spain advises if you have symptoms, then self-isolate for a week and only seek help after that if no improvement.
What about the number of people who live in their caravans/motorhomes (and i'm not talking of "travellers" just ordinary retired people like me), what do you suggest they do?
It seems we are suffering as a result of the number of selfish twits who flocked together at the weekend in the sushine, not thinking of the consequences of their actions.
I could drive to Stoke in one go, with rests on services en-route but after being couped up in a ships cabin all day....
Do i want to risk infecting my family on returning home? What do you think?????
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This person is in a hot spot ( Spain) Could be a carrier. Those who came off the cruise ships etc were put in quarantine. Is this not the same. The Government says quite plainly that movement of people is the biggest concern. Yes we are in isOlation here but the Hospital visit was unfortunately to confirm that there is nothing they can do for the cancer ( I dont want any sympathy it is what it is).It was surreal as the hospital was being emptied, appointments cancelled.As the consultant said ,they had no trolleys in the corridors yet but it was not if but when. This virus is serious and a killer and will alter our ways for at least a generation.You have seem nothing yet.
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Waz51, I don't know the Spanish site you are on but reports from other people say that the police are insisting that visitors on campsites must leave. Might that yet happen to you?
I also don't know why you speak of being "cooped up in a ship's cabin all day" - if you come back to UK it will be by the Channel tunnel.
You have a difficult decision to make but if this was posted in the overseas section then those who have successfully returned from Spain would see it.
Good luck.
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Thanks for the support, i have decided to sit it out. We were informed this morning that the toilet/shower block will be closed this coming Friday but will still be able get water and elsan point. Site locked up and chains across driveway so have to be let out (once a week we are told) for shopping. Stocks in supermarket back to normal this morning. We are not being forced to leave as this site (Cuevas Mar, Palomares) is a long stay site. However the police have told a Spanish couple camping in a tent that they must go.
My comment about being "couped up" in ships cabin is because i will take ferry rather than the tunnel (if i have a choice).
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All change, police here now telling us we must go home.
Towing to the "chunnel", ticket booked, all paperwork sorted, o/nite stops sorted including Forest Green in Normandy.
Cannot go home, daughter in law just out hospital after major surgery.
Anyone know of any private sites still open?
Anywhere in country?
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Talk to Club HQ. It sounds from another post as though the Club is allowing some members have an emergency space on a Club site if they would otherwise be homeless and have absolutely nowhere to go.
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That’s a wind up I think EuroT.
Google is your friend Waz. Self help always best, can make your own choices then. Internet is still working I think, UKcampsites for starters. Avoid London, Hampshire, West Mids.
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Thank you Ttda, but I shall be distressed and disappointed if the Club cannot find a way to help Waz51 who clearly has a genuine problem.
The Club is quite rightly and properly finding space for one or more wardens returning from Spain to self isolate for a period. That is as it should be.
However I would have thought they could and should be able do that also for an ordinary member who says he cannot go home when he lands at Folkestone because that would prejudice the health of a family member who has just had major surgery.
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I’m sure Club will help, as well as some self help😊👍
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