Scotland nee France

[edocali]

Someone I worked with thought he didn't need insurance for a weekend skiing in the Alps as he already had comprehensive international private health cover & the flights were just cheapo easyJet ones.

When he ended up in hospital he was fine all the costs were covered but once discharged it cost him just over £45k for a private flight home as none of the airlines would take him. It was an insignificant sum to him but would have been a problem to most.

Yours is Not the scenario initially discussed, that is, only cross a country (France) where travel insurance won’t pay, to get to another country (Switzerland) where all is good.

For this scenario (which matches mine) I don’t care if travel insurance is not valid in France.

Spending your holiday in a country where you have no cover is a different risk, imho.

 

[Jontymo]

Spoke to our travel insurers today who confirmed as discussed on here that the cover is not valid in France but would be in Switzerland, what they would not confirm is if they would cover a Covid issue in Switzerland due to travelling through France/Holland etc.
Not sure what to do as yet as we are booked on the Chunnel for the 4th September - decisions decisions!!! this will go to the last minute I think.

 

[GSX1300R]

Whether you take out extra insurance or not it has to be your choice..As long as it’s for YOU..Don’t put your family at risk just because you are too tight to get the insurance you actually need. You spend a fortune on buying a camper van then skimp on insurance. I’m talking travel insurance not vehicle or breakdown...That’s like saying I’m going to Florida for 2 weeks but won’t bother getting any insurance...Always Sod’s law it’s going to happen to you...

 

[andyinluton]

Whether you take out extra insurance or not it has to be your choice..As long as it’s for YOU..Don’t put your family at risk just because you are too tight to get the insurance you actually need. You spend a fortune on buying a camper van then skimp on insurance. I’m talking travel insurance not vehicle or breakdown...That’s like saying I’m going to Florida for 2 weeks but won’t bother getting any insurance...Always Sod’s law it’s going to happen to you...

Not easy to get travel insurance when travelling against Foreign office advice.

 

[TwoDogs]

From what I've been reading today, I expect Switzerland to be added to the non-exempt list, if not today then next week

 

[edocali]

On the Guardian today :
“A major insurer has started offering travel insurance to customers prepared to ignore the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s advice against “all but essential” travel to destinations including France and Spain.”

 

[andyinluton]

Yours is Not the scenario initially discussed, that is, only cross a country (France) where travel insurance won’t pay, to get to another country (Switzerland) where all is good.

For this scenario (which matches mine) I don’t care if travel insurance is not valid in France.

Spending your holiday in a country where you have no cover is a different risk, imho.

Thats fine as long as you don't have an accident in France.

 

[WelshGas]

On the Guardian today :
“A major insurer has started offering travel insurance to customers prepared to ignore the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s advice against “all but essential” travel to destinations including France and Spain.”

Doesn’t seem to cover anything Covid 19 related unless Foreign Office advice changes while in the Country.

 

[Slowdriver]

I wouldn’t worry so much about Covid, I’d worry more about no travel insurance while passing through France. A car accident ( unlikely I know) but medical fees repatriation could cost many thousands I’d brave the midges

That depends on your insurer. I get travel insurance as part of my Nationwide Flex Plus account and their insurance is valid for transiting a country on the government's recommended "Essential Travel" list, as long as you do not stop and socialise. So refuelling is allowed, - walking the dog is allowed but not ducking into the shop or restaurant while doing so. The nearest part of Germany to Calais is about a 260m trip, so if you brimmed the tank there is no need to stop. And then you'd be in Germany.

 

[Maclighter]

Worth a note, just transited France and Belgium, didn’t feel like any more risk than home. Same amount of masks, the occasional idiot. In the open you are at no higher risk. Want to go to a city centre then sure the risk is there, but no more than in the UK
Holiday insurance valid in Germany, Car insurance valid everywhere, so we bought 48 hour medical from Battleface, includes Covid cover and treatment and FCO listed countries. £25 ish for 2adults 2infants for FR BE GE. Was quoted £280 for 20 days cover. All is possible. Stay safe.
Avoiding quarantine may be the issue but if you want to avoid it then stay home home.

 

[Wildcamper]

Seems our French adventure next week is postponed and whilst I love the idea of heading to Germany/Swiss instead I just can’t bring myself to risk my kids just coz of my itchy feet.
So, we now have 9 days and thinking of

heading full on in to the land of the midges.

We were thinking of doing a loop up West Coast and looping through Cairngorms then down through Deeside (as have friends there)

Any recommendations or mustn’t miss stops? (we have 4 & 7yr old and a dog)

Thanks loads

I would stay well away from Western Scotland this time of year. The midges will eat you alive and the NC 500 is a traffic nightmare! Most travellers do not seem to understand the requirements of driving a largish vehicle on one track roads. Go early spring - fantastic - or mid autumn - fantastic. High summer - the pits!

 

[Dottie]

I would stay well away from Western Scotland this time of year. The midges will eat you alive and the NC 500 is a traffic nightmare! Most travellers do not seem to understand the requirements of driving a largish vehicle on one track roads. Go early spring - fantastic - or mid autumn - fantastic. High summer - the pits!

I’m heading north in a few weeks time....and have booked a site!
On my prep list is to make a net door cover to guard against the midges although the blighters can virtually squeeze through anything (my roof is midge proof however) and then to make a cover for my new portapotty.
Next weekend I’ll practice erecting my shower tent again and my doggy paddling pool which I’ll use as a shower base....never yet used but how’s a good time...and I’ve just ordered a Helio shower...just hoping for sun to warm the water!
Alongwith my boots, waterproofs, skin so soft and midge hat, I’m packing books and downloading tv and audible books....prepared for all eventualities. I’m intending to stay on one site, pretend I have no WiFi and cut myself off from the world.....work has been relentless for the last 10 months. If the midges mean I’m confined to barracks, I’ll still enjoy the peace and quiet....and the views....unless I’m hit by rain too....but then I’ve just bought a demidifier for those occasions, so all sorted!

I’ve so enjoyed exploring my local area recently, it’s time I got to know more of Scotland!

...my neighbours are setting off up north in their big white this morning with no plans when to return...nothing booked.....I’ll be interested to find out how they get on...

 

[Wildcamper]

I’m heading north in a few weeks time....and have booked a site!
On my prep list is to make a net door cover to guard against the midges although the blighters can virtually squeeze through anything (my roof is midge proof however) and then to make a cover for my new portapotty.
Next weekend I’ll practice erecting my shower tent again and my doggy paddling pool which I’ll use as a shower base....never yet used but how’s a good time...and I’ve just ordered a Helio shower...just hoping for sun to warm the water!
Alongwith my boots, waterproofs, skin so soft and midge hat, I’m packing books and downloading tv and audible books....prepared for all eventualities. I’m intending to stay on one site, pretend I have no WiFi and cut myself off from the world.....work has been relentless for the last 10 months. If the midges mean I’m confined to barracks, I’ll still enjoy the peace and quiet....and the views....unless I’m hit by rain too....but then I’ve just bought a demidifier for those occasions, so all sorted!

I’ve so enjoyed exploring my local area recently, it’s time I got to know more of Scotland!

...my neighbours are setting off up north in their big white this morning with no plans when to return...nothing booked.....I’ll be interested to find out how they get on...

Good luck, the midges will win!

 

[WelshGas]

I’m heading north in a few weeks time....and have booked a site!
On my prep list is to make a net door cover to guard against the midges although the blighters can virtually squeeze through anything (my roof is midge proof however) and then to make a cover for my new portapotty.
Next weekend I’ll practice erecting my shower tent again and my doggy paddling pool which I’ll use as a shower base....never yet used but how’s a good time...and I’ve just ordered a Helio shower...just hoping for sun to warm the water!
Alongwith my boots, waterproofs, skin so soft and midge hat, I’m packing books and downloading tv and audible books....prepared for all eventualities. I’m intending to stay on one site, pretend I have no WiFi and cut myself off from the world.....work has been relentless for the last 10 months. If the midges mean I’m confined to barracks, I’ll still enjoy the peace and quiet....and the views....unless I’m hit by rain too....but then I’ve just bought a demidifier for those occasions, so all sorted!

I’ve so enjoyed exploring my local area recently, it’s time I got to know more of Scotland!

...my neighbours are setting off up north in their big white this morning with no plans when to return...nothing booked.....I’ll be interested to find out how they get on...

One of these plugged into the Inverter socket. Works against Norwegian midges.

 

[California4x4]

Seems our French adventure next week is postponed and whilst I love the idea of heading to Germany/Swiss instead I just can’t bring myself to risk my kids just coz of my itchy feet.
So, we now have 9 days and thinking of

heading full on in to the land of the midges.

We were thinking of doing a loop up West Coast and looping through Cairngorms then down through Deeside (as have friends there)

Any recommendations or mustn’t miss stops? (we have 4 & 7yr old and a dog)

Thanks loads

As you didn’t ask for anyone’s opinion on risking traveling to Europe or for advice on travel insurance, I’ll limit my response to Scotland. It has been a very busy summer with camp sites full. So don’t follow the guides to Scotland as that’s where everyone else will be. Try looking at a google map for places off the beaten track where you can stay for a night and move on. There are some lovely quiet places to stay in the South West of Scotland for example for wild walks, scrambling around on rocks and exploring rock pools.



This example was here:
Dropped pin
Near Dumfries and Galloway

54°53'33.4"N 3°34'34.8"W

goo.gl

 

[Maclighter]

As you didn’t ask for anyone’s opinion on risking traveling to Europe or for advice on travel insurance, I’ll limit my response to Scotland. It has been a very busy summer with camp sites full. So don’t follow the guides to Scotland as that’s where everyone else will be. Try looking at a google map for places off the beaten track where you can stay for a night and move on. There are some lovely quiet places to stay in the South West of Scotland for example for wild walks, scrambling around on rocks and exploring rock pools.

View attachment 64871

This example was here:
Dropped pin
Near Dumfries and Galloway

54°53'33.4"N 3°34'34.8"W

goo.gl

Point taken, my apologies

 

[Dottie]

One of these plugged into the Inverter socket. Works against Norwegian midges.
View attachment 64868

Was about to purchase this.....but it states it’s only for use outside the UK......

 

[California4x4]

Was about to purchase this.....but it states it’s only for use outside the UK......

Your California (also built outside the U.K.) has a two pin socket that this will plug into without an adapter by the looks of it.

 

[Canyon]

As you didn’t ask for anyone’s opinion on risking traveling to Europe or for advice on travel insurance, I’ll limit my response to Scotland. It has been a very busy summer with camp sites full. So don’t follow the guides to Scotland as that’s where everyone else will be. Try looking at a google map for places off the beaten track where you can stay for a night and move on. There are some lovely quiet places to stay in the South West of Scotland for example for wild walks, scrambling around on rocks and exploring rock pools.

View attachment 64871

This example was here:
Dropped pin
Near Dumfries and Galloway

54°53'33.4"N 3°34'34.8"W

goo.gl

thanks for this.

we managed to get a booking in aviemore and Loch Lomond so following a lovely drive via snow route today, stop in Braemar for lunch and a wee wave at Liz at Balmoral we are all set up for the rain....

absolutely adore Deeside.

 

[WelshGas]

Was about to purchase this.....but it states it’s only for use outside the UK......

Because it has a European Plug and plugs into the Inverter Socket on the B pillar behind the passenger seat.

 

[Herbie]

Seems our French adventure next week is postponed and whilst I love the idea of heading to Germany/Swiss instead I just can’t bring myself to risk my kids just coz of my itchy feet.
So, we now have 9 days and thinking of

heading full on in to the land of the midges.

We were thinking of doing a loop up West Coast and looping through Cairngorms then down through Deeside (as have friends there)

Any recommendations or mustn’t miss stops? (we have 4 & 7yr old and a dog)

Thanks loads

Deeside is fab for kids and adults - ballater - be anchiry - Stonehaven - Arbroath - st Andrews amazing

 

[Long tall John]

I would think twice about Scotland not just because of the midges but I felt that a lot of the locals weren't happy when we visited a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Brianandjoy]

We had a great time with my two children aged 10 and 8 at Kilchoan, Arnamurchan. Campsite by the beach so lots to keep everyone entertained. Saana bay nearby with the most amazing white sands. We stayed there for 10 days.

We’ve taken your advice and booked 5 days there instead of going to Ireland ,it looks wonderful.can you suggest a thing for 2 active 68 year olds to do there

 

[kp64zl]

Bike rides great to Saana, Ockle, or along the coast road

walks up Ben Hiant, Bienn na seilg worthwhile

walk from Ockle to Singing sands along the coast is a wonderful walk 5 miles each way- see map below.

 

[AlisonF]

Your California (also built outside the U.K.) has a two pin socket that this will plug into without an adapter by the looks of it. View attachment 64897

I think @Dottie ’s van is a conversion so likely does not have the inverter socket.