Travel

Travel, for me at present means, going for my vaccinations, provisions and medication. That's about it!

I watched a programme about Gino D'Acampo and his family holidaying in Sardinia today, it re- awakened all those desires to see new countries.
However, it won't be happening, ever for me!

We usually go to Madeira at the beginning of January but it’s been almost two years now since we’ve been away. We are so very tempted to book it but we just daren’t. It’s been over 2 and a half years since we’ve been able to go to China to see our son. Gosh I miss him. But what can we do. We have our health.

I’m just back from the U.S.. Hadn’t hugged my grandchildren in two years so booked as soon as the U.S. opened up.
I was rather fearful but reckoned everyone had been tested in the previous two days so it was probably safer than my local shops. In addition the air is constantly replaced.
We are off to the Caribbean for February, again to visit family as none of us are getting any younger.
The only downside has been the cost of all the testing, three in this case so it really bumps up the cost of the trip.

For me now (thankfully), unnecessary. I'm not a fan anyway. I like living overseas but am not a fan of holidays. I find them stressful and almost always disappointing. Although I miss my overseas friends.

We've been to some lovely places overseas but I have always found travelling stressful. I hate flying and airports. I get swollen, painful ankles on flights. Yes the sunshine is lovely but I don't miss foreign holidays one bit.

I miss my regular little jaunts very much but won't be going anywhere soon. Too much faff and documentation to be dealt with it seems.

For us now, travelling means getting to be with DDs and grandchildren- nothing else matters. Will we get there next Saturday - we have noooo idea- but we will give it our best shot.

If Johnson continues to antagonise French fishermen and breaking the Deal agreed- we probably will not.

The Brexit/Covid combo is a massive disaster- on so many levels. And for us personally, too.

Kate1949, my feet and ankles are swollen now so what am I thinking they'd be like after a long-haul in 2023 if I reach that far, that is.? GD in Oz gets married then but I'm not too keen on looking that far ahead really. If I knew I was going to remain as I am now that'd be fine-----but it's the feet and ankles, I'd have to go bare-footed !

It's a mixture of poor circulation and probably medication. I've hardly been out and about this last 18 months so it's bound to have some effect.

We are booked for Dubai first week of February. I’ll take my chances.

We normally go to South Goa for three weeks in winter. I am really missing it.

We usually go to Menorca in May, staying in the same lovely villa.

Couldn't go in '20 or '21, so the booking has been carried over to '22. So if we get there next year, it will be 3 years since we visited.

We really miss our sunshine holidays, but I'm sure we'll get there sometime.

'Travel' at the moment means a trip to one of the nearby towns/cities, to the theatre. We have 2 such trips coming up, both postponed from '20. I'm quite prepared for them to be cancelled again though!

Take care xx

Haven't seen son and his family for two and a half years; haven't been to UK for two years, though DD and family came to us for a short visit.
Not trying to go at Christmas as DH has to be back for medical treatment and we can't risk getting stuck.
We did drive down to the Dordogne on holiday, which was almost like going to England.

I finally managed to get to the Caribbean in October having cancelled 3 times and felt safer there than in the Uk. Compulsory mask wearing even outside in 30 degree temps - poor staff, temperatures taken twice a day and strict hygiene plus curfews at 6pm. The island got its rate of infection down from over 100 a day to around 20 a day in one month. It is now running at 10 a day. They are worried about Omnicron as have few ventilators.

Personally It was worth all the hassle of the medical screenings, extra tests etc and did me a lot of good. We had friends with us and all felt very lucky to be there catching up with our local friends’ stories and getting out and about.

Hoping to go again next year and I really miss the pre covid hols across the channel. Still dreaming about a house in France but looking less likely now.

Health though is number one priority. Having a quiet Christmas again and our office lunch party was cancelled today. Our team get on well so we have postponed it to the new year rather than cancelled completely.

I still intend to visit my elderly relatives over Christmas but will be taking a test beforehand .

Ellan It's a problem isn't it? Mine swell up on short haul flights too. I can remember some years ago flying back from Bulgaria with massive, painful ankles, sunburn and not an inch of my legs free of bites wondering why I travel abroad!

Still hoping to travel through France and to our flat in the East Mids on Saturday, to spend Christmas and NY with DDs and grandchildren... we won't know if we will get there until we have got to the other side of the Tunnel ...

No pubs, no restaurants- just family- that is what matters.

I’m really missing all the travel we did when we retired. My husband said to me the other day ‘It’s a good job we visited those places when we did, we wouldn’t be able to now.’ I agree with him, we saw such beautiful and interesting places.

I’m not missing overseas travel as much as I thought I would, though it would be nice to have a trip planned. But we like to travel round an area when we’re away, usually on local transport. Restrictions, curfews and tests don’t add up to a relaxing holiday imho, so we’ll probably stick to UK breaks for now. I realise how very lucky we are to have our family close, and feel so sorry for those who are missing theirs.

I hope you make it this time Kali2 and that your DIL has got over the severe Covid-induced anxiety you described , I think when you were hoping to visit at Easter.

Kali ?

Ellan It's a problem isn't it? Mine swell up on short haul flights too

Mine too Kate but the flight socks definitely help me. The first time I wore them I had to put them on after I’d boarded the flight and it wasn’t easy in a cramped space. When I eventually took them off I found I’d put one on with the heel space at the front. That was the only area with a swelling which was proof to me that they work.

I use flight socks too, I put them on at the airport and don’t take them off until I strip off for a bath at the end of the journey. I also take a travel aspirin and keep my legs elevated when possible.
The stockings they have you wear in Hospital are even better.

The whole family bar one has had Covid, and the very anxious one recently, after 2 jabs and was quite ill. so let's hope...

We went at the end of June as we could not travel at the end of May.

Oh no Kali that’s not good news. Hope they’re better by Christmas.