Stuck in South Africa

I suppose for some people, doing whatever they can to evade restrictions, or even just taking full advantage of what is permitted, makes them feel as if they are more in control of the situation - even tho they aren't.

I agree with Maw's post.
My vulnerable sister in law went to visit her son in London, as she was missing him. However, my nephew is quite reckless and has already had a few holidays abroad this year and is forever posting pictures of his very busy social life.
I messaged her the other day to see how she was getting on in London, to discover she she is now in Paris!! . She obviously didn't tell me because I would have advised her not to go- They needed a treat!. I am raging at how irresponsible she has been, as she has had severe bowel problems this year and been in and out of hospital.

We have spent the last two years since her husband's death, supporting her and are her only relatives here in Scotland , apart from her brother, whom she has fallen out with. I have had enough of her antics!

Good post MayBeMaw

My son in law is South African. He's so home sick. He really missed the sun. However, his family and job are now here. It's easier for his Mum to come and visit than SiL, DD and DGSs to go there.
Luckily his Mum came over in October and returned two weeks ago. Life isn't easy for anyone. Foreign holidays are luxuries we're all doing without these days.
Glad that post was deleted but it did demonstrate how some people think.

Today marks two years since I have not left the U.K. either to visit family or for a holiday.

Last year I suffered from cabin fever desperate to get away, missing AS who was living/working in a red list African country, now the longer I haven’t been away the less I have the urge

We are fortunate that AS relocated back to U.K. a few months ago, but honestly cannot see when we shall be able to visit relatives in Australia.

Anyone taking the risk of travelling abroad for whatever reason in these Covid times should be prepared for the inevitability of quarantine restrictions, flight upheaval etc.

I couldn’t agree more GJ.

Barmeyoldbat

I agree with Maw on her post, why on earth would anyone want to travel anywhere abroad unless it was absolutely necessary I have no sympathy.

I'm with you. I worked abroad for two years, until June this year and got stuck overseas. I missed birthdays, Christmas etc due to flight cancellations, quarantine restrictions. The country I was in had a large rate of infection brought in by people lying, saying they were travelling for work, actually for holidays and then doing a runner when they found out they were positive and supposed to quarantine. Thus, spreading the infection.

Travel if you must (work or emergencies) but idiots like the one above, trying to hack the rules, are selfish. IF you travel, you risk getting stuck. And you accept the costs incurred.

A woman in one of the support groups I was in when I was trying to get home was bemoaning the fact that she caught covid in Spain and wasn't allowed to fly home until she tested negative again. She ran out of money and was angry about it. She'd taken the risk and gone on holiday. Another idiot.

I agree with Maw on her post, why on earth would anyone want to travel anywhere abroad unless it was absolutely necessary I have no sympathy.

I’m shocked at Sallym’s post and am surprised GN haven’t taken it down. It’s really sad for those who were expecting to see family for Christmas of course and I have every sympathy for them but if people are prepared to go to these lengths what hope do any of us have for a normal Christmas?

Message deleted by Gransnet. Quotes deleted post

Sallym

MayBeMaw ??

We havnt seen our dd for over 2 years and havnt had a holiday for nearly 3 years. I am not happy of course, who doesn’t want to see family/have a holiday,?
I have little sympathy for those who get caught by new COVID rules; we all know there are risks involved in foreign travel.

This may be unpopular but I think too many people have made the assumption that just because something is within the bounds of legal travel, it is also advisable. I have every sympathy with those visiting sick relatives- but weren’t we all in that same boat even within the U.K just 18 months ago?
Do you remember the holidaymakers “stuck” in Mexico just after travel restrictions lifted and were then reimposed?
It shocks me to hear of people blatantly trying to get round safety precautions which are there to protect the rest of us, so sorry * SallyM* what you suggest sounds ill-advised not to say dodgy.
You can’t cheat the virus and anybody holidaying on another continent with presumably the means for a long haul flight, will just have to factor in the extra expense of testing - or put off going until it is safe.

Oopsadaisy1

The NHS isn’t there to provide travellers with ‘free’ PCR tests!

I think the NHS has better things to spend their (our) money on.

No, but the cost of private testing is chaos when we came back from Germany the cost varied from £25 up to £150. It’s clear some companies are a rip off, in addition why have postal tests when there is a test centre in every town, paying a fee for local testing saves a lot of hassle.

The NHS isn’t there to provide travellers with ‘free’ PCR tests!

I think the NHS has better things to spend their (our) money on.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Refers to deleted post

Makes a mockery of flight rules from SA doesn’t it? Fly to another country and then come into the U.K. and spread Covid.
Way to go Sallym.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Not family Nonogran but we have a friend out there on holiday with his daughter. I honestly don’t know even when they’ll get back, he’s retired, she works.