Our European Tour
Travel during a Pandemic – France, UK or Home
(By Tracey- July 31, 2020)

We have spent weeks discussing what to do about our travels this year.  Let’s face it of all the issues to have at the moment it is not a bad one.  I am aware of just how lucky I have been during lockdown.  I’ve attended the on-line funeral of Bill, an early victim of Covid 19. I have been so incredibly proud of my friends daughter who worked the Covid wards, living in nursing accommodation and sending her daughter to her parents  for 4 months.  But now is the time to move forward.  So the debated started

Northen France

Pros 

  • lower infection rate
  • nice bread
  • stunning scenery
  • it’s warmer
  • good cycling paths
  • quiet roads
  • good motorhome facilities
  • cheap camping

Cons:

  • a country border between us and loved ones that might close at any minute
  • hard to get food if  self isolating
  • don’t know the word for bedpan if we end up in hospital

UK

Pros

  • we should be able to drive home if we start felling ill
  • family are happier
  • we know how to get tescos to deliver to a campsite

Cons

  • we have done it!
  • it’s cold
  • the roads are incredible busy
  • it’s cold and wet!
  • average scenery, unless you go to the lakes (too busy) or scotland (too far)
  • the cost, just HOW MUCH for a night?  Does that include  swimming pool? Oh no that is for a field next to a busy road which has a Chemical Disposal Point and a cold tap
  • pretend Cycle paths –  routes are on the edge of busy roads with no demarcation at all

Home

Pros

  • lovely place
  • friends
  • we can get food delivered

Cons

  • friends – I socialise too much then lay in bed wondering if I may have infected people without knowing
  • we spend a lot of time there, too much of a good thing and all that…

So the decision, pack the van with two weeks of food and do the UK.  The sun has come out, it’s a pleasant 33 today but that lasts 2 days not 3 months.  I hope the bank account can stand English campsite prices and that we survive cycling English roads.

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