Opinions please
Long term caravan/motorhomers asking on here for opinions. We have a tunnel crossing booked for early June and are unsure whether to use it or postpone/give up in view of rising fuel costs, any remaining covid rules and general uncertainty re advisability of travelling abroad – will camp sites be open (or so busy we need to book) etc. I am quite good at doing research but would appreciate others views. We are getting older and I have a condition which only gets worse so ideally we’d like to go abroad one more time
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As we got older we cut the mileage. From our Cornwall address it became Plymouth / Roscoff and potter around Brittany.
From your Dorset address it might be Poole /Cherbourg and explore the coast facing the Channel Isles down as far as Mont St Michel.
Good luck whatever you decide.
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Don't they say make hay whilst the sun shines? What is to say that fuel prices and COVID issues won't be the same later in the year? Even with fuel prices they are still only a smaller part of the total holiday price? Even here is the UK they are only marginally higher than they were in 2013 when inflation is factored in, probably the same in France?
David
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I hope you will give it a go Meece, especially if you are used to travelling abroad and it could be your last visit. There's not a lot that can be done about rising prices and possible disruptions but you could have plan B up your sleeve if things change so you can make the best of June whatever the outcome.
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I'd say go, Life is to be lived. Fuel prices are up but what % of your holiday does it account for. Restrictions are dropping and whilst infection rates may be high the actual impact on folk has dropped tremendously. it is a bit of a generalisation, but when you compare them with recent events. things are looking up.
Have you considered Newhaven - Dieppe with DFDS as a crossing?
Campsites are open for business and in fact we have had to pre book some for mid June as we noted places were getting limited on some sites in NL.
Colin
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I'm another in the camp,of go for it. None of us know what the future holds. Be able to say I'm glad we did rather than I wish we had.
Yes a plan B is always advisable just in case but hopefully it won't be needed.
Have a wonderful time.
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Ditto, go for it. We seem to lurch from one crisis to the next these days, who knows what might be next! Fuel is expensive but at least French tanker drivers aren’t on strike. Sites are open, you can book if you want the security, but early June will see you into most sites without fuss. Covid is here to stay, if you take the same precautions as you do at home, there’s little to elevate your risk. Life is for living, tomorrow is just a concept for all of us 🙂.
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Meecee; I too am of the 'go for it' school of thought, especially as you have a condition which is only going to get worse. We are of an age when we consider when we will have to stop caravanning and my wife's mobility is not too good and will not improve, so I have to do all of the driving and heavy part of caravanning - awning (well Fiamma sun canopy now) water etc., she has the management roll! Nevertheless, we are off to Italy in mid May for 6 weeks, have not booked any sites and in the long term hopefully have another year or two caravanning in us. Yes fuel costs are high but that is a small price to pay for the enjoyment we will get on our trip. We take it easy. don't over plan nor push ourselves too much with daily distances. Camp sites seem to be open as normal, the covid limitations are not very onerous. No overseas trips for 2 years now can't wait to cross the channel again. Don't over research, far too stressful, just have an idea where you want to go and, well, go for it!
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Another + 1 for 'go for it'....
When you factor in the cost of diesel against flying to multiple destinations x 2, I'm sure paying for diesel + enjoying the scenery en rte is a far cheaper option.....
We have a 'transferred' ferry booking for June carried over from last year (£202.20) booked via the club, will be interesting to see if anything changes as it is P & O..... when I last checked before this latest debacle, the O/B time had changed, so await confirmation....
We have pre - booked all our sites, as our trip runs into July, however I had an email from one recently in Zell am See saying they had had a fire on 2nd March & the site has been closed by the authorities & not likely to re-open until late 2023.... have managed to secure an alternative on their recommendation...
Apart from a declaration in France, all other countries just require proof of vaccine within 270 days....
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Thanks for all your responses, much appreciated. I feel more positive after reading them! I was reluctant to waste a crossing even though I got it via Tesco vouchers. I'll wait to decide where we go but I like the suggestion of travelling down the coast. Best wishes to all - M
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France is still as wonderful as ever, and most sites are fully open and will be no different to normal. We've continued to holiday in France during Covid, and so have our family and have had no issues, working our way through all the restrictions in place at the time. Now that such restrictions have almost entirely been removed it's an ideal time to travel if you haven't done it since the start of the pandemic.
Yes, this year fuel is more expensive, and so is food, but it's also expensive here in the UK. In the UK sites will still be full, and booking required: in France you can still turn up and find a pitch.
Go for it now, whilst you still can. You may regret it more if you decide not to go. Who knows what next year will bring.1 -
Hi, I can understand your wanting to make use of your booked crossing so hope that the issues affecting Dover/Eurotunnel get sorted before your trip!
As for making the trip, I am in the "go for it club" as well and despite having two very enjoyable holidays here in the last two years cant wait to be at Plymouth ready to baord in June.
Have a great trip.
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A few thoughts from a resident of France:
Do it. Just do it!
Have you thought about Brittany Ferries Portsmouth - Caen? Time for a decent nap onboard and easy driving once you land in France.
French sites: Open as usual, mostly from April 1st or pre-Easter. More than ever before I'd advise advance booking even in May. One reason is that some sites have used the downtime to increase their ratio of statics/cabins to tourer pitches, so you may find slightly fewer pitches available than pre-pandemic. And of course everyone is keen to get away now they can, covid19 restrictions have been more severe in France and the natives are bursting to get out and about.
No disrespect to the club's provision of info but it doesn't hurt to peep at Pitchup sometimes.
If you're intending a long stay, don't forget that French schools break-up 2-3 weeks earlier than GB.
Fuel prices have largely dropped back a bit now following the government input of 15 cents/litre from 1st April. Intermarché supermarkets have dropped while some Super-U sites are still getting around to it. I expect they'll all comply from the next tanker delivery.
You can watch forecourt fuel prices online: https://www.prix-carburants.gouv.fr/
Don't forget that UK sticker!
And have a marvellous time. Of course you will.
Á bientôt.
Jeremy.
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Meecee has a Tunnel crossing booked. as have we. As I said earlier we certainly intend to go mid May. Just a thought, if the dreadful delays approaching Dover are still happening when we go we will approach the tunnel terminal via the A259 to Hythe then up to the tunnel - a bit of a pain using the A259 but better than sitting in a line of traffic on the M20. Thanks for the info Les Quatre Vents (isn't there a popular site in France with that name!). Just put my 'UK' sticker on over my old 'GB' one! See we no longer need to complete a Passenger Locator Form on return, nor the Sworn Statement on entering France; so it's just the covid jab certificates needed. That's nearly all the hastle gone.
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