Is this the time for mothballing our motorhomes.

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It's as clear as the nose on your face that this year is a total wipeout for motorhoming. How about next year, will you be prepared and ready to get close to other chuggers and tugger's before the Corona jab is available. Lets be realistic this Covid-19 vaccination is not going to be freely available for some time and like influenza the Corvid-19 virus will become a real threat again along with influenza next spring when we, especially older members, will be having their flu jabs. Thoughts..
 
I think the issue will be freedom of movement across borders, as soon as they open and we are free to travel, we will, I see the van being an ideal way to isolate, we tend to go to less busy areas, avoid restaurants etc, and are quite self sufficient, so if/when we can travel, I see vans being ideal.
 
Wh05apk said:
I think the issue will be freedom of movement across borders, as soon as they open and we are free to travel, we will, I see the van being an ideal way to isolate, we tend to go to less busy areas, avoid restaurants etc, and are quite self sufficient, so if/when we can travel, I see vans being ideal.
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Where have I heard this before?
 
For me it might have ended my European trips for good :( .
This year was going to be my last big tour, anything up to three months, all around the places we have been and loved ,also places we have always said we would go some time.
Don't know if the old legs and body will be up to it next year:unsure::unsure:

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chaser said:
For me it might have ended my European trips for good :( .
This year was going to be my last big tour, anything up to three months, all around the places we have been and loved ,also places we have always said we would go some time.
Don't know if the old legs and body will be up to it next year:unsure::unsure:
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Come on chaser less of that :giggle: , you are as old as the women you feel. ;)
 
I have to renew licence in September and had to have exercise ECG last time to retain C1 and struggled a bit but now have trouble with left knee so not sure if I will be able to do it again if required. So might not even be able to use it again.
 
What do you mean by mothballing? We haven't used ours since last year so it's just sitting there anyway.
 
Ours just sits in drive ready to go and as soon as UK sites are available we will travel with toad in tow, could well be the end of our trips into Europe, sad.
Social separation shouldn’t be a problem especially if we take adequate provisions with us.
 
Yes this year is going to be a wash-out and along with leaving the EU they may not reopen their borders until you can prove you have been vaccinated against this awful disease.
When the UK campsites re-open will the CMC extend their 6m rule!
 
I would think that none of us will be traveling through France till the need of documents to prove it’s essential travel is lifted, I saw on a hgv forum that is what hgv drivers are having to carry so would think it’s the same for motorhome
 
As I travel solo I am really short of any "plan B" if I fall ill or, God forbid, have to self isolate in a field in some foreign land. I cannot see us being able to freewheel around Europe as we used to even if a vaccine becomes available. I'll still use my MH though, but far more locally where I at least speak the language and have our wonderful NHS at hand. I am just so grateful for having been able to go where I've been and sad that it's probably over. It will be interesting to see the cost of travel insurance in future times.
Ah well, back to cheerful thoughts!
 
Independent travel into different countries for leisure will probably not be an option for a few months. Too much personal risk, especially when you won't have health insurance cover, even if border controls are relaxed.

But tourism is a major part of a country's economy. Many governments are already looking at how they can get out of this lockdown process as the damage to the economy, resulting in unemployment and the health and welfare problems that poverty can then bring could in the medium to long term more harmful to many than the Covid-19 disease that is presently trying to overwhelm the health services. Certainly the UK's public stance on the lockdown is to keep the virus to a level the NHS can cope with.

So at some stage package holidays, cruises, restaurants, bars, and all sorts have to be allowed to re-open. We are a long way from that yet. There may be some restrictions, at least until a vaccine can be found.

Meanwhile, in terms of being able to travel at least within the UK, visit and support areas where their businesses will be dependent on tourism, I can think of little better, at lower risk, than the motorhomer, who doesn't need facilities blocks, arriving on an organised site where pitches have well defined spacing and separation. Most of the big club sites I have seen already have such spacing in their laid out pitches, but some CS / CL may need a few adjustments. Even if we can't venture beyond our borders, by summer, for the general sanity and welfare of the population, the essential travel restrictions will have to be lifted while the virus is somehow managed. There will be some individuals who won't be welcoming of travellers visiting their areas, and their views may have hardened, but then there always were groups unhappy of second homers and such like in the rural areas. Yet the same rural areas depended on tourism. Those tourist businesses will be welcoming those who do venture out with open arms (well not quite since some distancing reticence will remain for months to come).

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Augusta08 said:
The world has changed, it's not just 'can we get away' , but many areas will possibly less welcoming of "strangers". I think it may be several years before we are able to go back to our carefree ways.
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People have short memories, once the fear of CV subsides, (not underestimating how difficult that might prove) so will all related concerns.
 
The Wino said:
What do you mean by mothballing? We haven't used ours since last year so it's just sitting there anyway.
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I remember many years ago I sailed into the port of Norfolk Virginia. I remember just rows and rows of naval vessels in there thousands from aircraft carriers to landing craft all lined up with windows covered just sitting there awaiting a recall to service. This could so easily happen to Motorhomes just sitting in fields, thousands of them in rows awaiting a call for return to service. ;) :giggle:
 
buttons said:
I remember many years ago I sailed into the port of Norfolk Virginia. I remember just rows and rows of naval vessels in there thousands from aircraft carriers to landing craft all lined up with windows covered just sitting there awaiting a recall to service. This could so easily happen to Motorhomes just sitting in fields, thousands of them in rows awaiting a call for return to service. ;) :giggle:
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I think storage sites might look like that now especially any that are closed at the moment. Sad to look at them and think of where they might normally be
 
I'm staying optimistic. Hoping we can at least get away in the UK this year. I will still try to observe social distancing.

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We are hoping to get at least a week or two this year, but it's almost definitely going to be UK only.

I cant imagine the mainland welcoming those from the UK this year.

I just hope our Harwich/Hook of Holland tickets, booked in January for a June departure can be moved to 2021, assuming we can get a Visa, which I suspect we will need next year for all travel.
 
buttons said:
I remember many years ago I sailed into the port of Norfolk Virginia. I remember just rows and rows of naval vessels in there thousands from aircraft carriers to landing craft all lined up with windows covered just sitting there awaiting a recall to service. This could so easily happen to Motorhomes just sitting in fields, thousands of them in rows awaiting a call for return to service. ;) :giggle:
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And look what has happened to the 'Mothball fleet'.
Quietly, ship by ship, they have been sold for scrap.

Quite a few still remain, but they will never move again under their own power, as they don't meet modern pollution emission rules, and no Port Captain wants old bangers in their port.
 
Captain Pants said:
People have short memories, once the fear of CV subsides, (not underestimating how difficult that might prove) so will all related concerns.
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Are they your optimistic Y-fronts you have on today Captain Pants... :giggle:
 
We are lucky our motorhome is on our drive, brand new and not yet used but at least I can keep an eye on it. We were hoping to go to Europe this year before all the Brexit regulations and restrictions kick in but doesn’t look as though it will happen. Perhaps when back “ to normal” and we can travel again our towns and sights may look a bit more favourably at motorhomes because they will be desperate for our money. Rather than treat us like outcasts.
Spongy
 
Brains said:
And look what has happened to the 'Mothball fleet'.
Quietly, ship by ship, they have been sold for scrap.

Quite a few still remain, but they will never move again under their own power, as they don't meet modern pollution emission rules, and no Port Captain wants old bangers in their port.
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True Brains but they have served their purpose for the US. Looking at one of the Russian aircraft carries heading down the channel last year I'm sure they could make use of them.... ;)

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