Should we travel?

[Sultanainasalad]

Flights are booked to go to Ireland. DH thinks we should re-schedule flights, there's no need for essential travel, what if we get it when we are there and get stuck for 10 extra days (adults both boosted, but 2 kids under 6) etc.

We had to cancel at this late stage last year. Family at home will be so very disappointed if I pull out. Will miss seeing their only dgc, won't really understand.

I feel very torn and am unable to make a decision. Not sure what I've looking for - any words of advice really.

You'll get a pretty solid mix of yes go, and no don't.

We're due to go on holiday on Monday. We'll go if we possibly can. I'm not counting my chickens - won't pack until Monday morning for example, but am still planning on going.

We’ve got flights booked for the 24. If we’re allowed to go we’ll go.
We’re going more for the gps than us. They shouldn’t missed the DGC growing up

what do you mean 'won't really understand"?

Thank you.

Yes I'm not sure what I am hoping for/ especially as I seem to be so easily persuaded. When I talk to my DH his arguments make sense. Same when I listen to counter arguments.

Maybe it helpful to see I'm not crazy to even consider going.

Definitely not. Madness to travel now unless you can afford to isolate if you test positive.

xxxgirlcrush* they will think I'm marking an unnecessary decision, we're all boosted, life is about risk, my DM travelled to me when I needed childcare help, etc.
my main concern it not being able to make the flight back. We have had a very stressful few months for various reasons and are really looking forward to the week after Christmas of not doing much. I know we can stay at the GPS house, but it won't be relaxing.

I’m travelling twice next week. I’d go, but I have backup plans for what would happen if I test positive somewhere, or the rules change whilst I’m away.

Just go. There's no sign life is getting any better any time soon so live it while you can.

I think everyone will understand soon @Sultanainasalad.

I wouldn’t. If I’m going to get it I’d rather be at home in my own bed.

I actually came on MN tonight to see if anyone was asking exactly this question! I'm looking at a 4 hour train journey. Don't want to pick up something that will make my elderly parents ill and don't want to get stuck down south climbing the walls for 10 days!

I really can't decide either OP. How are you getting to / from the airport? And can you visit in a couple of months instead?

I’d travel right now. Especially for grandparents who haven’t seen grandchildren. You have to seize opportunities while you can at the moment.

And can you visit in a couple of months instead?

This is what everybody said last Christmas. A couple of months later we were in full lockdown.

Unless people are prepared to wait another year / indefinitely, go now, life’s too short. This could still get worse, or it could get better, but we simply don’t know. We can’t hope the situation will be better ‘later on’.

Also - if there's 4 of you there's more chance of someone picking something up on the way over and I wouldn't fancy isolating with 2DC under 6 away from home (unless you've got toys and plenty of other diversions there) - my friend had to do this in the summer when she went back to her country and what should have been a lovely trip became a complete chore

We live in Europe. Family due to arrive this coming weekend for 10 days…..

They decided not to come. We walked through the worst case scenario which is that they test positive before flying back to the UK… and they decided that the missing work, additional cost of tests and flight changes, made it not worth it.

It’s more the inconvenience of getting stuck here that has put them off, not so much the worry of the virus on their physical health.

Bloody thing.

spinachpie I'm sure there are a lot of people in the same boat. We will get a train or taxi to the airport. I agree with you about getting stuck...my kids have had constant illnesses, so any sign of symptoms would throw a spanner in our return plans.

I wish someone would make the decision for me!

*It’s more the inconvenience of getting stuck here that has put them off, not so much the worry of the virus on their physical health."

^this

but you don't have to test to get back into UK when travelling from Ireland.....so there's no risk of getting stuck anywhere isolating ? you only have to test prior to leaving UK, if you're positive then don't travel

I would still go - I think it's extremely unlikely you wouldn't be able to return from Ireland .

Yep, the very lucky thing is that there has never been travel restrictions from Ireland to the UK.
I suppose it's if someone does catch it. Or even the night before we return if my youngest gets a temperature....which she does a lot!

But thank you, you have reassured me that if we do go it's not such a dreadful idea.

As another poster said take the chance where you can , I just have after 20 months apart and am so glad I went as who knows if there will be another lockdown / travel bans etc in the new year

Check the testing rules. If no tests needed then I would go. Life is short. Grandparents don’t live forever and get a lot of joy from seeing their grandchildren. I say this as someone living in a different country from her parents.

Could you drive and get the ferry? Then you can always drive home either way

I’d go.
We are going away soon. I’m tired of postponing my life and the situation is up and down all the time.
Agree with those saying we’ll probably be in lockdown again in January and then you’ll regret not going. At least now you have the option.

I do veer towards the life is short view. Problem is my DH is on the opposite end of the spectrum and is very cautious. Managing our different views is one of the many challenges of covid.