Summer holidays 2020
Discussion
0a said:
I am considering staying out here for the duration of the lockdown.
I had a lovely day today driving between inland villages, an espresso or sparking water at each in my tiny Toyota. Nothing goes like a spanked hire car!
If Spain reintroduces the home confinement you may be less keen! It’s not the soft approach of the U.K. lockdown and enforced with vigour. I had a lovely day today driving between inland villages, an espresso or sparking water at each in my tiny Toyota. Nothing goes like a spanked hire car!
Which region are you visiting?
Have to say I wish I had the Aston down here to do some mountain drives. Way back earlier in this thread I posted how my drive down in it was thwarted by the cancellation by Brittany ferries and it’s been sat in storage now ever since. Every time I go to book a flight over to the U.K. to collect it another lockdown comes into force to thwart that plan and shipping agents are so busy they cannot offer delivery until the new year. Meh.
0a said:
Gran Canaria. Yes it does concern me that there could be harsh restrictions here.
We were in Furteventura when the Canaries went into lockdown in March. Everywhere except supermarkets and pharmacies and garages closed immediately and most that remained open had private security on the doors. Roads to the beaches were closed overnight.
We saw armed police patrolling the streets speaking to anybody who was out and the local BiB were driving around the villages broadcasting recorded messages instructing people to stay indoors in several languages every few hours.
Yup, unlike many people in the UK the Spanish took it very seriously.
Shnozz said:
Lot of rumours circulating here that the Spanish government will be making an announcement this weekend.
That said, there are rumours among the expats here about every bloody thing going (I a cocaine baron supposedly).
What are you hearing Shnozz? We have a return flight booked for next Tuesday but were considering staying on another week but not if they fully lockdown. That said, there are rumours among the expats here about every bloody thing going (I a cocaine baron supposedly).
I thought there was going to be an announcement on Mon about whether to continue the current travel restrictions? Also that the national government had delegated the emergency powers to regional councils/government so it was unlikely there would be a national lockdown again?
Edited to add some relatively positive news.
https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-11-05/span...
Edited by Phil. on Friday 6th November 18:41
aaron_2000 said:
I take delivery of my cheap Seat Alhambra tomorrow to set about converting it into a camper. Hoping to have it ready by early December in time to see if our supreme leader will let us out to play or not. Aiming to take it over to France then Spain in Jan but not getting my hopes up.
Would you not have been better off with a van base? Looking at converted Alhambras they look tiny!aaron_2000 said:
I take delivery of my cheap Seat Alhambra tomorrow to set about converting it into a camper. Hoping to have it ready by early December in time to see if our supreme leader will let us out to play or not. Aiming to take it over to France then Spain in Jan but not getting my hopes up.
Seems to be a common pursuit. The UK may be overrun by unhappy campers clogging up the roads.Phil. said:
What are you hearing Shnozz? We have a return flight booked for next Tuesday but were considering staying on another week but not if they fully lockdown.
I thought there was going to be an announcement on Mon about whether to continue the current travel restrictions? Also that the national government had delegated the emergency powers to regional councils/government so it was unlikely there would be a national lockdown again?
Edited to add some relatively positive news.
https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-11-05/span...
You know what its like here mate - every man and his dog professes to know something and the Chinese whispers that circulate with a bunch of retired folks with nothing better to do and an opinion on everything! I thought there was going to be an announcement on Mon about whether to continue the current travel restrictions? Also that the national government had delegated the emergency powers to regional councils/government so it was unlikely there would be a national lockdown again?
Edited to add some relatively positive news.
https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-11-05/span...
Edited by Phil. on Friday 6th November 18:41
Seems like for now they are pausing on implementing anything further or certainly on a national level.
On a personal level, our Xmas plans look like they are out of the window as we were supposed to be in Denmark with the Mrs' family for Xmas day on the 24th December. Those family members live right in the thick of where this mink farm debacle is happening...
To think it was only a few months back we used Denmark as a safe haven to avoid quarantine in the UK by jetting in from Spain to Denmark, doing 14 days + free there and then flying on to the UK with no quarantine (well the Mrs did - I headed back to Spain!). Then Denmark went back on the quarantine list and today its banned completely!
Shnozz said:
Phil. said:
What are you hearing Shnozz? We have a return flight booked for next Tuesday but were considering staying on another week but not if they fully lockdown.
I thought there was going to be an announcement on Mon about whether to continue the current travel restrictions? Also that the national government had delegated the emergency powers to regional councils/government so it was unlikely there would be a national lockdown again?
Edited to add some relatively positive news.
https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-11-05/span...
You know what its like here mate - every man and his dog professes to know something and the Chinese whispers that circulate with a bunch of retired folks with nothing better to do and an opinion on everything! I thought there was going to be an announcement on Mon about whether to continue the current travel restrictions? Also that the national government had delegated the emergency powers to regional councils/government so it was unlikely there would be a national lockdown again?
Edited to add some relatively positive news.
https://english.elpais.com/society/2020-11-05/span...
Edited by Phil. on Friday 6th November 18:41
Seems like for now they are pausing on implementing anything further or certainly on a national level.
On a personal level, our Xmas plans look like they are out of the window as we were supposed to be in Denmark with the Mrs' family for Xmas day on the 24th December. Those family members live right in the thick of where this mink farm debacle is happening...
To think it was only a few months back we used Denmark as a safe haven to avoid quarantine in the UK by jetting in from Spain to Denmark, doing 14 days + free there and then flying on to the UK with no quarantine (well the Mrs did - I headed back to Spain!). Then Denmark went back on the quarantine list and today its banned completely!
It’s all a big mess I’m afraid and I feel for you mate re. Xmas. It’s a waste of time planning anything only to be disappointed by an unexpected change of rules somewhere. We nearly cancelled this trip the morning we were due to fly due to the regional travel changes in Spain that were unexpectedly implemented the night before. Glad we didn’t cancel!
This weekend we’re deciding whether to extend for a week. I think they will retain the regional travel restrictions, which doesn’t affect us, and positively it does seem as we’ll avoid a national home lockdown for now. The only risk is Ryanair cancelling our return flight if we extend because it’s the last flight back to Birmingham from Corvera for a few weeks. I’m sure we could find a flight from Alicante if necessary but it’s the messing about with hire cars that will be a PITA if we have do that.
I’ve taken a look at the Spanish Golden Visa process this week. Seems ideal because you get access anytime to Spain/EU countries, and your tax status remains the same unless you spend more that 183 days in Spain, as per the current rules. To obtain the visa you need to invest in property or have in a Spanish bank 500k Euro’s. Existing property bought from 2014 counts towards the figure. I was going to go for it and invest a bit more to get over the threshold but because I bought my property in 2011 it’s outside of the scheme. I’m going to have a word with a local lawyer to see if there is a way round this. The timing works for you though if you wanted to consider it.
0a said:
Plenty of walking done today. Time for a beer! Will stock up the airbnb just in case...
I’m working remotely 3 days next week and then furloughed at 90% for 2 days. Kept the car on at £8 per day.
Lovely I’m working remotely 3 days next week and then furloughed at 90% for 2 days. Kept the car on at £8 per day.
Nice place to be furloughed too! £8 per day, you’re being ripped off
Just rented a Focus with Goldcar in Southern Spain for £3 a day 
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