France in August?

[GrannyJen]

Having talked to a few people recently about their holiday plans, it seems that many only consider going abroad to be a proper holiday. Whilst we too enjoy foreign holidays they are problematic at the moment. So problematic that many like us, have put them on hold. So instead, why not take this opportunity to holiday in Britain. There are few places more ravishing and varied than the British Isles. I find it terribly sad when you someone tells you, "I've never been to Yorkshire or the Lakes or Scotland". I only use those locations as examples as they are the more well known tourist destinations but every part of the UK has stunningly beautiful and varied landscapes and scenery as well as amazing places to see and things to do. We recently spent a springtime break in Herefordshire, a place we've been visiting for decades. Herefordshire isn't really somewhere most people would think of as a holiday destination and long may that continue. Being there at springtime was a real privilege and such an uplifting experience. It was beyond stunning.

So rather than clambering to escape "Dear Old Blighty" why not embrace it instead. Go and explore a part of the UK you are unfamiliar with. It will surprise and delight you. Hopefully things will have eased and you can go back to touring abroad next year.

and some wonderful "empty areas" ..... Elan valley, Welsh marches of Herefordshire and Shropshire, and where I am now, Northumberland National park.

 

[clarinetbcn]

Perfectly simple. Going abroad is 90% about the weather. I’m fully aware of all the Uk’s attributes but if the weather isn’t hot and sunny then it’s simply not a holiday as far as I’m concerned.

So true here. In summer Barcelona fills up with northern Europeans and the locals head to the Pyrenees to escape the heat. I felt so lucky to spend 5 weeks in July and August hiking and biking Scotland!

 

[Ting Tong]

With the ever changing situation I’m reluctant to invest £170 each for 2 and 8 tests (we live in Wales and can’t choose a cheaper supplier).

Presumably you’re ok buying your test whilst you’re away and entering the numbers they email onto your passenger locator form?

 

[sidepod]

With the ever changing situation I’m reluctant to invest £170 each for 2 and 8 tests (we live in Wales and can’t choose a cheaper supplier).

Presumably you’re ok buying your test whilst you’re away and entering the numbers they email onto your passenger locator form?

I think you need evidence of pre booked tests for outbound travel documentation. Worth checking.

 

[Tarquers]

I think you need evidence of pre booked tests for outbound travel documentation. Worth checking.

experience of our visitors is pre booked test only for return (if required). This was a eurotunnel out and a booked Hook to Harwich return.

 

[Ting Tong]

I think you need evidence of pre booked tests for outbound travel documentation. Worth checking.

ta but you don't according to Eurotunnel ... you do need that inbound obviously.

 

[B J G]

suspect the Harwich - Hoek of Holland ferry (actually the other way) is going to be doing a roaring trade this year. We have family coming across that have swapped from Eurotunnel return to the ferry.

With the ever changing situation I’m reluctant to invest £170 each for 2 and 8 tests (we live in Wales and can’t choose a cheaper supplier).

Presumably you’re ok buying your test whilst you’re away and entering the numbers they email onto your passenger locator form?

I found this Supplier through Brittany Ferries, I also noticed/found that there is a small discount available from many Airlines-Ferry's etc.

Randox | Global Healthcare

Randox provides clinical diagnostic solutions to laboratories worldwide and is dedicated to improving health on a global scale.

www.randox.com

 

[Ting Tong]

I found this Supplier through Brittany Ferries, I also noticed/found that there is a small discount available from many Airlines-Ferry's etc.

Randox | Global Healthcare

Randox provides clinical diagnostic solutions to laboratories worldwide and is dedicated to improving health on a global scale.

www.randox.com

Sadly those that live in Wales can only use one approved supplier:

Quarantine Booking

 

[subthree]

I think you need evidence of pre booked tests for outbound travel documentation. Worth checking.

We travelled out yesterday via Eurotunnel. No one asked for our NHS letters. No one checked our fridge, luckily!

We will be out of France for 10 days before returning to the UK. We will book our Day 2 tests for our PLF a few days before we return.

Life feels very normal here right now. Loving it.

 

[sidepod]

We travelled out yesterday via Eurotunnel. No one asked for our NHS letters. No one checked our fridge, luckily!

We will be out of France for 10 days before returning to the UK. We will book our Day 2 tests for our PLF a few days before we return.

Life feels very normal here right now. Loving it.

Lucky buggers. Fingers crossed you test neg prior to returning.

 

[66tim99]

Takes 14 days from the 2nd jab before it appears on the NHS app.

Mine was on there the following day

 

[B J G]

Got even more pressure to go to France now as I've had an email from my French Neighbour telling me that there is a problem with Squaters in holiday homes.

Might be why French aren't too bothered about the Channel Dingy Travellers.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Mine was on there the following day

At the original time of writing the NHS app advised that it could take up to 14days to appear on the App; but in any case would not be ‘counted’ until 10 (or 14?) days after the vaccine was given to gain entry to say a sporting event (in my case Wimbledon), so you would still need to present a negative lateral flow test taken within 48hrs of entry entry to the event, Result then logged on the web, then shortly after the NHS app (non covid one) would then grant you an event pass barcode that had to be shown at the gate to allow entry.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

My boss got pinged yesterday + now isolating. His son who is back from Uni tested positive despite having had double vaccine.

Mother-in-Law got pinged at the weekend. She went out for lunch one day last week and was contract traced few days after. She hadn’t been out apart from that.

So best have a preholiday isolation period. Lots of pings at the moment!

 

[kave]

Vaccine wont stop you from getting cv19, in the best scenario it will help you from getting a serious infection. So the nightmare of beeing abroad and not allowed to get home can probably be very expensive in the end. Therefore we have replaced Italy with our home Sweden the last two years. We have been blessed with for Sweden extremely hot weather for a long time now. Only problem is go to sleep when it is 30C degrees in the day and 22 in the night.

 

[Amarillo]

My boss got pinged yesterday + now isolating. His son who is back from Uni tested positive despite having had double vaccine.

Mother-in-Law got pinged at the weekend. She went out for lunch one day last week and was contract traced few days after. She hadn’t been out apart from that.

So best have a preholiday isolation period. Lots of pings at the moment!

We all had Covid 19. Clare had been double jabbed since March and me since May.

The boys (6 & 7) barely noticed having Covid, and would have been spluttering it all over their friends at school had Clare not recognised the signs.

Both Clare and I had mild headaches that lasted 2 1/2 days, and we felt lethargic.

Our sense of smell has vanished and after 3 weeks is only just beginning to return.

Ten days at home was a nightmare. Not even allowed to go for a walk.

 

[westfalia]

We all had Covid 19. Clare had been double jabbed since March and me since May.

The boys (6 & 7) barely noticed having Covid, and would have been spluttering it all over their friends at school had Clare not recognised the signs.

Both Clare and I had mild headaches that lasted 2 1/2 days, and we felt lethargic.

Our sense of smell has vanished and after 3 weeks is only just beginning to return.

Ten days at home was a nightmare. Not even allowed to go for a walk.

Why must you quarantine if you are double jabbed?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Why must you quarantine if you are double jabbed?

Because you can still carry the virus, and spread it to others.

 

[westfalia]

Because you can still carry the virus, and spread it to others.

I thought that by having the vax everything would be hunky dory.
Can I get a refund.

 

[BerndRos]

Sadly those that live in Wales can only use one approved supplier:

Quarantine Booking

Thanks for that, as we have been told for months that we can’t use NHS tests for international travel, I booked 2 off a private firm that will be on my doormat waiting, cost £49 each. However I have now had to buy 2 more off the CTM site at a cost of £88 each. Wales fine for non compliance can be £2000 a person, in our case £4000.

 

[chris151151]

Is anyone getting concerned about any summer trips to France? France is about to enter another major lockdown. Are they really going to allow visitors? My other more subtle concern is the constant ramping up of the vaccine arguments. We’ve got all the Astra Zeneca, and we’re so far ahead I wonder if that will cause resentment. At the current rate France will have vaccinated all adults by March 2023 apparently. I’m also told the British are currently particularly disliked not because of our success with vaccines but because “the Kent strain” is seen as the cause of the recent problems.
We are booked to go at the start of August for two weeks. I don’t fancy going anywhere if we are actively disliked.

We got 2 fabulous weeks in France in August in 2020. We had been home schooling our two young kids and it was an amazing escape and reset for the rest of the year.

We have tunnel bookings but also a ferry single to Santander, deferred from last year. I’m tempted to spend 10 days in Spain and then dash back through France.

I came out Weds, now in Perpignan. You wil be as welcome as ever in this lovely friendly country. A few points.

 

[andyinluton]

I came out Weds, now in Perpignan. You wil be as welcome as ever in this lovely friendly country. A few points.

It’s not the welcome in France that’s the problem, it’s the having to isolate In the Uk when we get back.
We have villa booked in Spain for a month( a rebooking from last year) that won’t allow us to amend or refund unless Isolating is mandatory from Spain or uk won’t let us travel out.
As France is the problem we are not covered.
As we have one child starting a new school 2 days after our return & one going to uni that weekend we are stuffed.
Looks like they may be flying home & I will drive & isolate.
I am extremely concerned as to what happens if you test positive whilst abroad. I don’t fancy isolating in the van !

 

[Ting Tong]

Saw this posted on Facebook…looks like some French government app that’s needed for campsites……apparently the app is temperamental and it helps scan your QR code from a printed paper copy of your vaccination certificate……



Following the new government announcements on COVID, we have received many questions.

Here is the information to remember:

From the 21/07/2021

For people aged 18 and over: the health pass will be requested upon arrival at the campsite at the beginning of your stay

The health pass is valid 1 week after the 2nd injection OR upon presentation of a negative PCR or antigen test of less than 48 hours, OR a proof of covid recovery after 11 days.

Once the health pass is presented, you will be able to enjoy your holidays and all our facilities (swimming pools, bar, restaurant, animations...) without presenting it again, no matter how long your stay is!

️ Reminder: the respect of barrier gestures and the wearing of masks indoors remain mandatory even on holidays

We are waiting for you to spend a nice holiday at the campsite

TousAntiCovid – Ministère de la santé et de l'accès aux soins

La fin d'un chapitre Créée dans le cadre de la lutte contre l'épidémie liée au Covid-19, l'application TousAntiCovid, encadrée par le décret n°2020-650 du 29 mai 2020 modifié, se met en pause à…

bonjour.tousanticovid.gouv.fr

 

[Aubisque]

The NHS app is supposed to be ok for proof of vaccination status for non French residents, rather than making everyone sign up to the app. Also the email I got from one campsite saying an alternative is paper proof which you can print out from the NHS app.
So I suspect there will be some slight confusion depending on who you talk to, but all workable.

Can I use NHS app to show vaccine status for UK to France travel?

Fully vaccinated people can enter France without an essential reason, meaning they can come for holidays or to visit second homes

www.connexionfrance.com

 

[Amarillo]

I thought that by having the vax everything would be hunky dory.
Can I get a refund.

All the vaccine does is train your body to effectively fight the virus. It doesn’t stop you getting it, and if you do get it, it won’t stop you spreading it.

However, it seems that if you are vaccinated you are less likely to get it, and if you do get it you are less likely to be hospitalised, and if you are hospitalised you are less likely to die.

It really is excellent value for money.