Visiting family in the UK - how are you doing but?

[miimblemomble]

We were meant to go to the UK for three weeks this summer. It was cancelled, of course, and we have rebooked for July 2021. We also bought Christmas flights as they were so cheap.

What can’t get my head round are the logistics of visiting family during the ongoing COVID restrictions. It’s not a holiday - we don’t do much other than stay with my parents, eat a lot, visit DHs side, and spend a few nights with my sister in her city. Our whole reason for visiting is to spend time with people - not to eat out, stay in a hotel, go on touristy things.

All our parents are over 70, DHs mum is going into a care home (she’s been in hospital for three months, won’t be going home now. FIL is in a state and DH can’t be there for them).

I know none of us have a crystal ball. Do any of you have plans for family visits? How are you going to manage them?

Our summer visit was also cancelled ( airline cancelled the flights) and although I’d like to book for Christmas, I’m holding off as the virus keeps spiking. My parents are in their 80’s and classed as vulnerable health-wise, so we’re not making any plans, even though I desperately want to see them. It’s miserable for all of us, but that’s how it is right now.☹️

I think Xmas travel 'home' will be out for us. UK, because it is probably going to be risky and AUS/NZ as planned because the borders will still be closed.

We are not far, 'only' in France. But as you say, the virus is spiking again and the authorities are talking about a second wave sooner rather than later.

There are just so many things to consider - it makes my head explode. My mum will be so reluctant to say "don't come - you are a risk to us" - she thinks she is invincible. But they have been so good, as has my sister who lives just under an hour from them. She has visited at the garden gate a few times, and only recently went and stayed over with her partner - both of them are WFM and they don't have children. Whereas we are out in the community (two school aged kids, DH is a teacher and I work in a school). If the schools in France are back, then it's possible that we will all be in a school one day - and landing in the UK the next, to stay in very close proximity with my parents: that just isn't going to work.

Would you contemplate getting an AirBNB close by and just visiting but not staying over? Maybe it's better than nothing.

We always rent a cottage locally as they don’t want to host visitors anymore, partly because they’re elderly and partly because my Dad turns everything into a drama.🤣. It might be a good option for your family, although It would be hard to visit and socially distance if the weather’s not great. You can’t sit in the garden when it’s raining!

@AmICrazyorWhat2

Yep! We are talking Scotland in December!! And my folks live right out in the sticks, so there are no Airbnb’s very local to them.

I'm stuck on this too. I'm beginning to think the second week of Christmas holidays and maybe ask the school for a few days off at the start of term, but then I wouldn't want to drive in potentially bad weather. But I certainly don't want to fly...

Our schools ( in the US) are currently saying that if pupils travel, they have to isolate at home for 14 days. Right now this rule extends through the Christmas holidays. I may get try to nip over on my own if/when the situation eases, but I think it’ll be next summer before we have a proper visit.
I don’t blame schools for being cautious, but it’s crappy with elderly grandparents.☹️