To share or not to share a cottage holiday with old friends during Covid, that is the question!

For what it’s worth I, along with other friends, now feel you have to do what YOU feel comfortable with. What I am doing is if I feel a situation is a bit “iffy” I avoid it.many of the guidelines are confusing and at times seem illogical so That seems the reasonable thing to do. It’s not my place to say but your proposed holiday sounds risky. I’ve cancelled a September holiday.

Agree with Lucca, the "guidelines" are illogical and confusing and I too am doing when I feel is the right thing to do. In your situation I wouldn't go. All participants are in the vulnerable age group and the accommodation doesn't sound as though social distancing would be possible. It's a big risk.

I think this is a step too far Semiruralgirl you are all older people and will be living in very close proximity. Not everyone has the same views on hygiene etc which could lead to problems.
I'm sure your friends will understand and it won't stop them enjoying their holiday.

I have to say sharing facilities with four other people even in normal circumstances would test my patience.

Well in an ideal world you could suggest that you all self-isolate for 14 days before you go; but it doesn't sound like your friends could be trusted to do this. I can't imagine what the 90 year old is thinking - 90 and staying in a house with other people at this terrible time! I would cancel I am afraid, you are all in the vulnerable group, to live in such close proximity with others and especially sharing a bathroom and kitchen/eating facilities is just too risky. The only other alternative is maybe a weekend away in a hotel or rent 3 different properties!

We too have a cottage booked for September with 2 friends. When booked we assumed all would be ok by then and it was something to look forward to. The £ balance is due now.
We have all been careful but am suddenly wondering if it’s a foolish risk.

It sounds very risky to me, and also stressful if you are going to spend the holiday like an endurance test wondering whether your friends have been as careful as you. I wouldn't be at all relaxed in that situation and would cancel.

Having to miss a holiday is very small in the scheme of things as they are at the moment.

Spain is having its second wave of the virus since reopening. Would you be visiting places during the holiday - cafes, pubs, etc?

Perhaps if you all do a voluntary 2 week isolation before the holiday, it might work? Although, you mention your friends’ cavalier attitude so it may not work! On the whole, I think I’d postpone..better safe than sorry

If you are uneasy now, you will be too worried to enjoy it in September, cancel it this weekend and tell them that you hope they all have a lovely time and you will hope to get away next year.

Re the 90 year old. They may feel that if they don't go on holiday they may never travel again. I seem to know some pretty nihilistic people who are thinking that they may never have normal experiences again and are willing to risk it as its better than the feeling of being trapped that the prolonged lockdown can lead to.
It's up to you of course. Think about the local prevalence of the area these people come from and where you are booked to stay. Sounds like these others have been out and about with no ill effects so far. It could be OK...

I think if I were in your place I would go, unless the situation worsens by September. Only about one person in 2000 in the community is infectious now, and the incidence is even lower among the elderly. It's up to you, of course, and there's no point in going if you're going to feel uneasy all the time. You could politely suggest that it would make sense for you all to be especially careful for a week or two before you go, which might help put everyone's minds at rest. A hotel wouldn't be safer, it would be worse as you'd be sharing communal spaces with all sorts of people. Restricting contact to your own small group in your own "bubble" is pretty low-risk.

Just Say No.

I wouldn't but if you think it is worth the risk then go.

The definition of 'cavalier' seems unclear, there is no reason for people not to have cleaners in, that was permitted some time ago. Family bubbles are okay, and meeting up to 30 outside will be permitted in August unless part of local lockdowns. You can only do your own risk assessment, but if I were the 90 year old, I would be going hell for leather to make the most of the time I had left, taking sensible precautions of course!

Too risky. I would be out

I think the risk is minimal but do what you are comfortable with otherwise you will be miserable.

I personally would go because I've had the virus! But because you're worried about the cavalier approach I would think this may be an issue when you're living together, and wouldn't that spoil the holiday for you? If they're good friends they should understand why you would cancel.

Understand the dilemma. We had a similar one for a September holiday with good friends and agreed as a group to cancel. It felt the right thing to do for us but that was more about the location than the accommodation and the ‘sharing’ aspect. It’s a very individual decision, you sound instinctively cautious, if being there would cause constant anxiety you won’t enjoy it at all. There’s no definite right or wrong is there? Always makes a decision harder.

You are obviously uneasy, I would say no.

I think people saying ' We are allowed to do X now' are unwise to blindly follow whatever the government say is allowable. We've all seen how bad their advice has been.

Make your own decision about what is safe for you.

It's too soon, in my opinion. Maybe next year instead.

The fact there is only one bathroom would be the deciding factor for me. However fond of others I may be, I don’t feel I could trust them to clean up after themselves every time they used the facilities to what I consider to be a safe and hygienic standard. I certainly wouldn’t want to clean before every time I used the bathroom ‘just in case’ (especially during the night!).
So it would be a definite no from me. I would rather risk upsetting my friends than my safety. I’m sure you know these people well enough to explain your concerns diplomatically.

Totally agree JulieMM