How is Covid 19 Affecting You

[Epigram]

Many of us, wherever we are, are, or will be, affected by the global measures now being taken to combat the spread and effects of Covid 19.
We use our campervans for a variety of reasons for travelling and moving around whether for an overnight or a longer trip across several countries and these may be changed or thwarted.
I am suggesting this thread as an opening for ongoing contributions to log and update how Covid 19 has and is affecting us, and what we are doing as a consequence.
No politics please ! (eg whether schools should or should not be closed etc.)
Make it campervan and travel related and lets keep it positive so that in a year or so the thread will provide an interesting account of our collective experiences.
After all, self isolation off grid in a campervan may not be such a bad thing!
The area of France I am in, has just announced closure of bars and restaurants (arrrgh) from tomorrow. I am off to make the most of tonight but will post soon accounting my own experiences.

 

[Arthur B]

The first of its kind in my lifetime, hard to predict what will happen in the coming months, I've stayed in once and already bored, life is for traveling,
Push on and enjoy yourself, after taking all relevent precautions of course

 

[Shah62]

I actually think my MP is the one thing that will keep my sanity intact in these difficult times. We have been told not to go out and keep distance from others. Staying at home for long periods especially the elderly I know will be a challenge. I dont think my 82 year old mother can manage to stay indoors for 4 hours so forget 4 months! My plan is to stay isolated from others but at the same time take her for a ride in the MP somewhere local where the air is fresh and just chill out have a warm brew and listen to Classic FM. No news and no WIFI ! I believe staying mentally strong, positive and healthy is the best way to build our immunity against this virus. Enjoy life everyone....and don't stress. What will happen will happen

 

[Epigram]

I actually think my MP is the one thing that will keep my sanity intact in these difficult times. We have been told not to go out and keep distance from others. Staying at home for long periods especially the elderly I know will be a challenge. I dont think my 82 year old mother can manage to stay indoors for 4 hours so forget 4 months! My plan is to stay isolated from others but at the same time take her for a ride in the MP somewhere local where the air is fresh and just chill out have a warm brew and listen to Classic FM. No news and no WIFI ! I believe staying mentally strong, positive and healthy is the best way to build our immunity against this virus. Enjoy life everyone....and don't stress. What will happen will happen

I agree. You can social distance and be in the open air, get exercise.
Also there is merit in limiting continuous media coverage which increases the perception of danger and anxiety. That said the advice should be take seriously.
You also have hand washing facilities etc.and have the ability to prevent any cross contamination if you are in the van but out and about.

I have just arrived home from France where all restaurants and bars are shut including those on toll roads.

Using the MP to go to a Take-away and having a pizza shoved throgh the window could be a new way of taking your wife or girlfriend out for a meal, until, like France you need a certificate for all authorised travel.

 

[Steve B]

I'm just having some downtime from this crisis for an hour right now; trying to keep a food production company running with the conflict of peoples health to look after + food to get to the supermarkets with massive demand and people self isolating, is a challenge. The schools shutting I think is better as we were having issues with schools sending kids home with a cough and a 'diagnosis', so families were taking this accurate and self isolating. Its harder to back track than take someone through the symptoms from scratch, the fear is there. We had a plan for school closures! So far 100% of our employees who though they had it and got tested didn't, just a cold.

I'm thankful I got out last weekend in the MP!

 

[Epigram]

I'm just having some downtime from this crisis for an hour right now; trying to keep a food production company running with the conflict of peoples health to look after + food to get to the supermarkets with massive demand and people self isolating, is a challenge. The schools shutting I think is better as we were having issues with schools sending kids home with a cough and a 'diagnosis', so families were taking this accurate and self isolating. Its harder to back track than take someone through the symptoms from scratch, the fear is there. We had a plan for school closures! So far 100% of our employees who though they had it and got tested didn't, just a cold.

I'm thankful I got out last weekend in the MP!

Many hygiene measures in the food industry need to be applied to everyday life if we are going to get on top of this.

There will be somedifficult times as people change their social habits and working arrangements and are more affected by restrictions. Hopefully we will all become increasingly aware of the need for hygiene and social distancing.

We usually spend most of the winter away skiing.

Several weeks ago we concluded that skiing itself is not a major risk. You are generally well covered with with gloves googles, neck tube/banda over your face, in the open are and not in intimate contact.

However apres ski socialising is the opposite and the large turnover of visitors in a ski resort, busy hotels,restaurants and bars significantly increases risk of infection and cross contamination.
We therefore chose to avoid large groups and enclosed areas.

We were in NW Italy when the towns around Milan were in isolation. We became increasingly paranoid about touching anything in public areas, especially as we were told that Milan schools had closed and children had come skiing from there. We wore our thin inner gloves most of the time, were careful when we took them off and washed them each night.

We decided money was a potential source of cross contamination. We paid by contactless where possible and sprayed the inside of our wallets with Cillit Bang surface cleaner. We also regularly cleaned our phones, phone cases and glass cases.

The day before the Italian borders were closed and the Italy went into lockdown, my wife flew back to the UK and I drove to France for more skiing.

In France our group continued to apply the same precautionary measures and avoid wider social contact which at the time seemed a little over the top. Our plan was to do some cycling after the resorts closed and as the weather warmed up.

When the travel restrictions in France were announced on 16 March. Like many families, I faced a decision whether to be together or stay put and self isolate and be apart for an indefinite period. I made a dash for Calais.

For once I would have preferred to use the tunnel but I had a flexible ferry booking and at least it I was able to get a meal. Despite having someone going round cleaning surfaces on the ferry, the food court cutlery had the usual 50 or so knives and forks in it that everyone was groping around in.........
I wanted to curl up on a couch for a sleep but instead sat on deck upwind of the smokers.

I am home, and, arguably, self isolating from my wife. In reality avoiding the chores that have built up from time away, and writing this and pretending to go through emails. There may be plenty of time for them later.

A campervan, if cleaned, is a good place to self isolate, at least temporarily, in a place of your choice and to avoid cabin fever. If sensible you can still get out locally be safe and not affect others. That is until all non essential travel restrictions similar to those now applied in parts of Europe are brought in here.

Make the most of it while you can!

 

[Epigram]

How about putting a positive spin on our containment and posting some photos of where we were approximately this time last year - or any time for that matter.
It will give others something to think about and plan for.
Also spare a thought for those who are working through these difficult times and have been deprived of an important source of relaxation.
Well done lads and lassies wherever you are.
Stay safe and well.

 

[Steve B]

Did an evening in the MP last night, on our property though. No cooking just wine, snacks and watched a DVD on a little player we bought in the sales. The main thing we did was really get to know the heating systems and how to work them, as we had time. We've got both types and used the night heater previously as it blasts out hot air quickly. The 'hot water' heater is more subtle and controllable and i hadn't used the remote for it, until last night. Now happy we can mix and match to get the best heat when needed. Didn't put the roof up as it was a bit windy.

 

[jimbo73]

Since Ive only been an owner since January ive only used the MP for Day trips. im very excited about getting out in her a bit more after we come through all this. A couple of things though id like to see when this is all done.
1. I have noticed a massive shift in community spirit. People acknowledging other people, especially while out exercising and taking a wide birth from each other.
2. Ive seen far more people out exercising and making the most of the out doors.Obviously im not counting people here, so its a wild assumption, but if it is true, I hope to see that trend continue post Covid19
3. The world seems to have a new found respect for health care professionals, health workers, shop workers, lorry drivers and supply chains. I hope this continues and that we continue to show respect for other what ever their profession. But especially those who've put themselves in harms way for the greater good.

so after all this C19 fiasco I hope to spend some quality time out with "Marilyn' - until then, ill be found tinkering in the garage or on my drive..

Stay safe everyone ..

 

[Shah62]

Did an evening in the MP last night, on our property though. No cooking just wine, snacks and watched a DVD on a little player we bought in the sales. The main thing we did was really get to know the heating systems and how to work them, as we had time. We've got both types and used the night heater previously as it blasts out hot air quickly. The 'hot water' heater is more subtle and controllable and i hadn't used the remote for it, until last night. Now happy we can mix and match to get the best heat when needed. Didn't put the roof up as it was a bit windy.

..you do realize that your on board screen also plays dvd's ?

 

[Steve B]

..you do realize that your on board screen also plays dvd's ?

I did try but the screen size was too small and comand switches itself off after so many minutes, had to start the engine to keep going. Also, some of my DVD's were bought abroad and I tried a few - it played some but not others. For £60 the portable DVD is fine and can move around.

 

[Epigram]

SteveB, you sowed a seed ! !
The MP is still SORNed and there is little point in taxing it at the moment.
Wanting a change of scenery while in isolation, yesterday I drove it a few yards to a pleasant spot in the garden and put the roof up for an overnight sleep over with a couple of downloaded programs on the IPad and copious amounts of wine.
The wife thinks I am mad and has social distanced back in the house.

I awoke early this morning. I had almost forgotten how enjoyable it is to wake up to birdsong and, one benefit of lockdown, NO aircraft noise. It’s strange how less is more.
(Correction one plane passed high overhead. A check on Planer Finder - a cargo plane travelling from Aguadilla to Maastricht.)

A dog barks briefly in the long distance. Someone else is up. I’m still snug and warm.

I muse that the first night in our MP was also at home but in happier circumstances - we had young lambs and couldn’t get away. Sadly deliberately didn’t have any this year. We were planning to teavel.
I make a mental list of jobs for the day. I don’t normally bother, but perhaps this year I will put summer air in the tyres if I run out of things to do. A bit chilly first thing so I wont bother today I will wait till it’s warmer.

Now dressed and back in the house for a bacon sandwich, while supplies last.

Nowhere near as good as travelling but it’s a change of sorts.

Stay safe everyone.

 

[Shah62]

I did try but the screen size was too small and comand switches itself off after so many minutes, had to start the engine to keep going. Also, some of my DVD's were bought abroad and I tried a few - it played some but not others. For £60 the portable DVD is fine and can move around.

Fair point.

 

[Steve B]

We had a walk on Sunday (from the house) and it was strange to see a blue sky completely clear of vapour trails and aircraft. Being in the middle of the country we normally see a few high up at any one time.

 

[Steve B]

Is anyone doing this tonight? A few of my VW mates are, we might but haven't decided yet.

Camplify UK
2 April at 10:46 ·
Let's camp on our garden or drive this Saturday and help Ian Alcorn raise money for NHS! It's very simple, as Ian explains: "Whether in your van on your drive, or a tent in your garden, next Saturday night (4/4/20), we could donate £2 each (or more if you like) for our wonderful NHS staff".
Donations are made through JustGiving, which is simple, fast and totally secure. This platform sends your money directly to the charity, saving time and cutting costs.
Follow the link below for more information about the donations:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/greatbritishcampout
You can also join "The Great Britsh Campout" Facebook group for more details and updates.

 

[Epigram]

I will be and have already donated.

 

[Epigram]

This was my spot a few days ago. The same location as my avatar. It’s worrying to think that primroses will be replaced by the bluebells and they are likely to be gone before we are out of this.
Although pretty, the location isn’t level.
The hollow underside of the levelling ramps sank into soft ground so I didn’t use them.
I have never bothered with ramps and only take them as insurance. I will fill the undersides with foam to stop this happening.In case I need to use the ramps on soft grass. Lesson learned.
Not many choices but I shall move for tonight!

 

[Method7]

@Epigram Just turn your ramps over and drive up the underside

 

[Epigram]

@Epigram Just turn your ramps over and drive up the underside

Lateral thinking, the voice of experience and a much better solution. have saved me a can of foam and a messy job. If our paths cross, I owe you a beer.

 

[jimbo73]

self isolating on the drive at the weekend.!