It’s been an eventful if not interesting year for so many reasons, most of them beyond our control but we have managed to survive unscathed.
For those of you who have been following us for a while you will recall that our year started down in Spain, EmpordArea to be precise. The sun was shining, and we were relaxed beyond our wildest dreams in Palamós enjoying the Mediterranean coast and the peace and calm that has become our winter hideaway.
Carnaval came and went and we were enjoying the sun sea and sangria with friends with few if any cares in the world, we had no idea about what was about to turn the world upside down.
Spanish media had reports of a major outbreak of something nasty that was turning from an epidemic into a pandemic rapidly originating in Wuhan China. Covid-19, coronavirus, or Novel Coronavirus(2019-nCoV) was starting to have an impact on the world.
We left EmpordArea 9th March crossing the border via Somport Tunnel. We encountered no problems, hold ups or anything untoward until we attempted to stay for a weekend in Chateau Larcher. The Aire was open but unfortunately the weather all but made it impossible to stay. The pitches were waterlogged, and the rain was not stopping. We eventually landed in Richelieu, a safe haven with hard standing. From there it all started to go wrong.
France was starting to close down, the aires were being closed and services turned off. Supermarkets were experiencing panic buying and the roads were emptying or everything beside Commercial and Motorhome traffic. It was eerie. We had intended to spend early April in Ypres but once again the world or rather the virus had other ideas. Belgium was shutting down as well.
Our exodus, along with numerous others happened on 16th March and spending the night in Canterbury brought home with a massive bang just how bad things were here in the UK. The news channels were full of speculation that a national lockdown was to start the following week it was truly horrendous and worrying time. Heading north we, or rather I, ventured into a couple of supermarkets to stock up before we hit Lyndon Top. The supermarket resembled a war zone with staff wandering around with the 1000-yard stare numbly and vainly attempting to restock empty shelves. We had seen the scenes on the television but to witness them first hand was shocking, what was going through people’s minds, I am still trying to understand why toilet rolls were hoarded.
We were obviously heading for lockdown! The news outlets were now awash of the much-anticipated announcement of a national lockdown and on Monday 23rd March Prime Minister Mr Johnson broadcast to the nation.
We arrived at Lyndon Top and settled in to learn our fate, unfortunately our heating packed up, the gas fire wouldn’t. Thankfully, the site owners came to our rescue. Our gas heating problem required parts and with the impending lockdown were proving difficult to source. Once again friends came to our rescue, we were offered sanctuary for as long as it takes. We will be forever grateful to them for the 108 days they took us in.
Lockdown was lifted on 4th July, but we decided to let the rush calm down and returned to Lyndon Top on 8th July. Life was never to be the same again, restrictions were imposed, and we were in this for the long run.
The remainder of the summer saw us make a couple of wanders up to Scotland and a socially distanced weekends with friends. We had once again planned to head south to Spain for the winter, unfortunately circumstances dictated that we stayed in the UK, there was no way I was exposing Dad to the virus. He has been shielding since March and we just didn’t think it would be right to head into the unknown.
Thankfully, we stumbled upon Regency Court Park down in Cheltenham, a superb site that caters for long term stays, we will probably be here until April 2021. The community here is warm and welcoming and so we settled in for the winter. Trundlebus has been SORN’d and we have bought a small run around to get out and about.
It’s been a different year; nobody knows what is going to happen and the prognosis is concerning. Hopefully, we will eventually get back on the road and recommence our lifestyle of touring Europe but again this is up in the air due to Brexit and the restrictions it brings, gone are the carefree nine month tours of Europe without some careful planning. There are ways round the 90-day Schengen limit. 2021 is most certainly going to be different and for one I can’t wait to see it arrive.
Stay safe, be kind to each other.
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