Every year in August, my DB, DSIL and I have a week away in a holiday cottage with my parents, now 84 and 85. A friend of mine also often joins us for a few days if the cottage sleeps more than 5.
My parents pay for the cottage, we organise it, pay for everything else and do everything when we are there. It works really well, and my parents look forward to it all year and talk about past holidays regularly. It is the highlight of their year now.
I booked this year's stay at Christmas for the first week in August (actually starting 31 July) and paid the deposit. Balance due late June (I think). Then coronavirus hit and everything was up in the air. However, now the cottage will be open again from 4 July so we have to make a decision.
My DF is shielding, and cares for my DM who has dementia. My DB falls into the next category down (highly vulnerable?) and has been working from home throughout. My SIL has well- controlled asthma and is not working currently. I am the healthy one and am also WFH. I have visited DPs twice so far, for a socially distant time in their garden, as my DB and DSIL have with her mum. We Skype daily. My DPs are now going out daily for drives and little walks in the countryside.
We all assumed the holiday was off, but my DB, SIL and I are now wondering...
None of us have been to a shop or within 2m of anyone outside our household since early April, and we three could all isolate for the fortnight before the holiday. My DF could drive to my house on 30 July (2 1/2 hours) and stay the night, forming a bubble with me. They would have separate room with own toilet and shower. We could drive to the cottage the next day (3 1/2 hours from me), in convoy, so that I could smooth the way at breaks - guiding and protecting them.
The 'cottage' is airy and spacious with double height sitting room with two sets of patio doors. DPs room is ground floor with ensuite; our rooms are upstairs but with shared bathroom and toilet. Dining table sits 8, so room to spread out. We could designate seats for each person?
Shielding is officially paused from 1 Aug (tho DF has not yet had his letter from Matt) so we would be jumping the gun by 2 days in them staying with me. I think I'm okay with that.
While on holiday, we couldn't do the usual going out for coffee and meals, visiting attractions etc, but the cottage has a garden and is in attractive countryside. We could take flasks and picnics. I could take DPs in my car, with them sitting in the back, to minimise contact? DB and DSIL in separate car. I think the change - and seeing us together - would really give my DPs a huge boost.
Would you go? What else should we be thinking about? Especially if you are a super-cautious person?
We have all done our best to protect potentially vulnerable people and don't want to risk that now, but DPs, and DF in particular, can't carry on like this forever. Looking after my DM and doing everything in the house is hard for him, tho he does it willingly.
Any thoughts, concerns or suggestions gratefully received!
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23 replies
Scarby9 · 26/06/2020 08:59
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