Writing off 2020

[SusiBus]

did we ever get to the bottom of that mystery vw tech who we apparently scared off ?

I don't remember reading any posts explaining why the VWGuru is now silent on the forum. It's a shame, because I found him most helpful when we had our California serviced. Probably just got overwhelmed by the requests for for help.

 

[WelshGas]

I don't remember reading any posts explaining why the VWGuru is now silent on the forum. It's a shame, because I found him most helpful when we had our California serviced. Probably just got overwhelmed by the requests for for help.

Wrong one. VW Guru, was a VW Master technician. Unfortunately he changed jobs.

The one referred to was from Germany, I believe, an engineer trainer, I believe. 1 post only.

 

[sapto]

Steve, I just booked yesterday for a 2 week Switzerland trip. There are others on here, who are driving around France right now. It is a beautiful world out there and you need to go out and enjoy it.
....

Happy to hear! If we/I can pass on any live-news about the situation here - ask/write!

Just returned from a Germany trip and it was absolutly - with some changements - great trip. Campsites are full however they are anyway because of school holidays.

I hope [mention]steve and lisa [/mention]you can keep your California/ want to kwep it after some great ideas foe the UK

 

[CamperFam]

We've booked a number of last minute trips, no issues.

And claiming (as one person has) that 'camping has had it's day now that every tom, dick and harry is now doing it' - I'm not one for ruffling feathers, but that's an incredibly arrogant view. Selling your van because of increased popularity is like throwing away a meal in a five star restaurant because the person next to you has ordered the same.....

It's a campervan - half the selling point of it is it's versatility. Go out, explore, travel. The UK is open. France is open. Germany is open. Italy is open. Europe is open.

 

[flying banana]

I don't remember reading any posts explaining why the VWGuru is now silent on the forum. It's a shame, because I found him most helpful when we had our California serviced. Probably just got overwhelmed by the requests for for help.

Not him. There was another one who cropped up with 1 post

 

[flying banana]

... or the other lady (Sue?) who we scared off?

I liked her.

 

[Perfectos]

I liked her.

You like her what !

 

[flying banana]

Update to lisa and sue. Just extended my trip to the Dale's by another 2 nights. Only took a few phone calls. Boom. Dale's then staithes. Its tricky out there but the unknown makes it more fun.

 

[flying banana]

You like her what !

She had a nice blouse I remember

 

[GSX1300R]

I asked for a full refund, which hit my Bank recently!

Just to confirm you booked with Brittany Ferries and I presume you had a Flexy ticket which means 25% deposit No refundable when you book. And Brittany ferries refunded you 100% of the fare when you cancelled, Is that correct?

 

[GSX1300R]

We are due to go to France next Thursday for 3 weeks so will play it by ear. If the rules change we should at least get a week in SW France ,and then head back early to clear 14 days as son starts secondary school early Sept.

Let us know what happens and if you decide to travel or not...Also if you go let us know the Campsite availability and if there are any problems. I have now changed our return ticket to the same time next year from Spain. Even managed to get a Commodore cabin and they are like gold dust.. Why not, life is too short...We still have the Portsmouth to Caen ticket open which is due to sail on the 7th Sept... Our Daughters weren't happy with us going to Spain certainly with whats happening at the moment...

 

[Perfectos]

Just to confirm you booked with Brittany Ferries and I presume you had a Flexy ticket which means 25% deposit No refundable when you book. And Brittany ferries refunded you 100% of the fare when you cancelled, Is that correct?

Hi Peter
My was not a Flex ticket, but it seems BF will refund if you specifically ask , otherwise they were happy to provide a credit note, which I did not want.
Initially we just enquired as to changing our dates to later in the year or 2021, BF responded by issuing a credit note, we then went back to BF and requested a full refund as they had cancelled our booking ( which is not what we asked)


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[ArunAlec]

Hi Peter
My was not a Flex ticket, but it seems BF will refund if you specifically ask , otherwise they were happy to provide a credit note, which I did not want.
Initially we just enquired as to changing our dates to later in the year or 2021, BF responded by issuing a credit note, we then went back to BF and requested a full refund as they had cancelled our booking ( which is not what we asked)


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My other half is trying to rebook a crossing as a foot passenger and although she has her refund vouchers and an email stating that if booked by today there’s a 20% discount the BF system isn’t deducting the discount! Rather than getting the run around on the phone, might drop in to their Pompey office..... life used to be so much simpler!

 

[GSX1300R]

Hi Peter
My was not a Flex ticket, but it seems BF will refund if you specifically ask , otherwise they were happy to provide a credit note, which I did not want.
Initially we just enquired as to changing our dates to later in the year or 2021, BF responded by issuing a credit note, we then went back to BF and requested a full refund as they had cancelled our booking ( which is not what we asked)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The difference here for us is that Brittany Ferries didn’t cancel my sailing, I chose not to go because of the risk in Spain at the moment..Their Flexy fare specifically states that you lose the initial 25% deposit which I didn’t want to do..I’ve heard too many stories regarding Brittany ferries I didn’t want to take the risk..Decided to just transfer to same time next year..Just hope all this crap is over by then..If it’s not we are all in deep doo doo anyway..

 

[GregW]

France is nice this time of year. Have you considered that?

 

[GSX1300R]

France is nice this time of year. Have you considered that?

We have been going to France for the past 20 years...France is where our Journey ALWAYS starts but finishes in Spain.. With the lockdowns ALL over Europe which country is going to be safe. Nobody knows..

 

[Jontymo]

For info we are in France now at one of the site’s favourite to a few members on here - le Capeyrou on the Dordogne, it is busy on here but well spaced with a few rules around the facilities and wearing masks etc we have felt safe and practise the social distancing as we do at home, it feels to us like we have as much/little risk at home with what’s going on as we do here In France. We are booked for another 2 weeks away at the start of September and providing no lock down will definitely be travelling into Europe hopefully getting to Switzerland and France again.

 

[StefanTaylor61]

We have just cancelled our trip to France and Italy as there now high risk of of the situation changing at a moment's notice, the ferry company has allowed us to change our dates to next year FOC. We then planned to do a few trips in the UK but everywhere nice is fully booked until end of season.

Seriously considering selling up now

We're being positive and heading to Sweden for 3 months: the only country not to have locked down, and now rapidly decreasing infection rates - I'm sure the low population density and highly socially responsible people help. Think we may be the only campervanbfrom UK Sweden has had such alarmist/negative press

 

[Grumpy Mike]

I am in costa Blanca, came through France as usual. I love my Cali.... JFDI.....

 

[Wildcamper]

We have just cancelled our trip to France and Italy as there now high risk of of the situation changing at a moment's notice, the ferry company has allowed us to change our dates to next year FOC. We then planned to do a few trips in the UK but everywhere nice is fully booked until end of season.

Seriously considering selling up now

Don't know what all the fuss is about. Just booked 3 nights in S Wales for next week, 4 nights on N York Moors for mid Sept and 4 nights in Pembrokeshire. No problems!

 

[Terrysamw]

Let us know what happens and if you decide to travel or not...Also if you go let us know the Campsite availability and if there are any problems. I have now changed our return ticket to the same time next year from Spain. Even managed to get a Commodore cabin and they are like gold dust.. Why not, life is too short...We still have the Portsmouth to Caen ticket open which is due to sail on the 7th Sept... Our Daughters weren't happy with us going to Spain certainly with whats happening at the moment...

Hi,
We have been caught in Spain now, the area we are in is so aware, everyone wears a mask outside their house, beaches are deserted if you are prepared to explore, the shops, restaurants and bars are very good at socially distancing, I have never been given so much hand gel, I have seen fewer people here than shopping locally at home. Our son works a supermarket at home and feels far safer here. The area we are in also has few infections, probably because the locals have made such an effort, but the whole country has been targeted. Only downside is we will have to isolate when we get back but there wasn't exactly much notice!

 

[WelshGas]

Hi,
We have been caught in Spain now, the area we are in is so aware, everyone wears a mask outside their house, beaches are deserted if you are prepared to explore, the shops, restaurants and bars are very good at socially distancing, I have never been given so much hand gel, I have seen fewer people here than shopping locally at home. Our son works a supermarket at home and feels far safer here. The area we are in also has few infections, probably because the locals have made such an effort, but the whole country has been targeted. Only downside is we will have to isolate when we get back but there wasn't exactly much notice!

And exactly how much notice would you have liked? 2 days, 1 week or 2 weeks?

 

[Terrysamw]

And exactly how much notice would you have liked? 2 days, 1 week or 2 weeks?

It wouldn't have made much difference to us, so totally accept the decision was made and timing doesn't work for some. In our case it just wasn't enough to get back without isolating, but we can isolate here and at home.

 

[camperjase]

We are in France, Lac Serre-Ponçon, weather is great, everything appears as normal, lots of people like us smiling and having fun running, cycling, walking windsurfing, kayaking, biking, road and mtb, via ferrata and of course wearing masks in shops. Go for it, come and join us, we haven't seen any Brits! We'll likely get 10 hrs notice of the intention to change the rules and that's how long it will take to get to Calais Eurotunnel on the toll roads. What could possibly go wrong!

 

[rachy]

Steve, I just booked yesterday for a 2 week Switzerland trip. There are others on here, who are driving around France right now. It is a beautiful world out there and you need to go out and enjoy it.

You mention the situation changing at a moment's notice - is not everything changing around you all the time?

The virus is not hanging around every corner waiting just for you. Be careful, apply abundant caution and you will be fine. Enjoy the trips.

I am sorry, do not know about your personal circumstances, but both me and my wife are working from home, so in case we are asked to quarantine when we return, it is easy to do so. What if Switzerland closes in Sept when we are to travel, I will travel some place else.

Be flexible, be open, enjoy nature, and enjoy the van.

Currently in Switzerland, have been here 7 days. Not much social distancing compared to UK but being ‘alert’ and keeping hands clean , not touching face etc etc. Campsite is spotless, except post thunderstorms, basically enjoying ourselves
Off to France tomorrow and then back home to my town which is a ‘hotspot’ . Common sense prevails. If you have no common sense or are too scared to get out there, stay home, nothing wrong with that.