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Original poster

Anyone else with Christmas plans in the UK feeling jittery?

247 replies

QuentininQuarantino · 27/11/2021 11:00

Last year's Christmas was awful, stuck alone in our host country which was in lockdown. Especially as we only cancelled our UK trip a couple of weeks in advance.

Now it feels a bit like history repeating itself. Most of the presents for the DC are at my parents house in the UK (really specific things that can't be bought here from the letter to father christmas!) and the DC are so excited.

(Also, thanks to fucking Brexit, we have told everyone to post everything to my parents house because of the huge import charges we keep getting stung with.)

We're only over the channel in France, and I keep telling myself its only 3/4 weeks to go.. but I've got that dreadful pit-of-the-stomach feeling.

Anyone else? Fancy some mutual support?

OP posts:
percythewitch · 08/12/2021 15:29

@ZZTopGuitarSolo

Excellent Grin

grooveonthemove · 09/12/2021 19:14

I'm staying where I am for Christmas - there's too much that could potentially go wrong by going to the UK. I will most likely lose the money I paid for the flights but I have more to lose if I can't get back to my home country after Christmas. It sucks big time though Sad

MissAmbrosia · 09/12/2021 19:59
Grin
LaMadrilena · 09/12/2021 20:32

I made it to the UK unscathed today, so it can be done. Hopefully the return leg will be just as smooth. Then I get to do it all again in 2 weeks time...

Original poster
QuentininQuarantino · 10/12/2021 07:03

Fabulous @LaMadrilena - Feliz Navidad! Keeping everything crossed, still nearly two weeks for us. Infection rates are climbing here fast in schools so I think getting the virus just before Xmas might be the thing which gets us before travel restrictions do..

OP posts:
LaMadrilena · 10/12/2021 08:06

Oh, and if it's relevant to anyone, Randox Health are great. Had an appointment in Manchester airport yesterday at 16.00, supposed to get the result by tonight 23.59. I was there an hour early and they squeezed me in, all the staff super polite and cheerful, and I got the result this morning at about 03.00.

TanteRose · 10/12/2021 08:09

@LaMadrilena

Oh, and if it's relevant to anyone, Randox Health are great. Had an appointment in Manchester airport yesterday at 16.00, supposed to get the result by tonight 23.59. I was there an hour early and they squeezed me in, all the staff super polite and cheerful, and I got the result this morning at about 03.00.
Was this for the Day 2 arrival test?
TanteRose · 10/12/2021 08:13

Also how much was it? @LaMadrilena

LaMadrilena · 10/12/2021 09:38

Yes, it was for the day 2 PCR. £55.

TanteRose · 10/12/2021 10:21

@LaMadrilena

Yes, it was for the day 2 PCR. £55.
Thanks for the info

I’m going over to the UK (flying into Manchester) from Japan to visit elderly parent next week and am weighing up options (test available in home town but more expensive)

LaMadrilena · 10/12/2021 12:03

We had a bit of a problem finding the drive-through place, but tbh I think it's probably because my dad hasn't updated his GPS in years, plus the sign at the entrance had blown over! It's only 5 min away from T1.

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 10/12/2021 12:47

@LaMadrilena

I made it to the UK unscathed today, so it can be done. Hopefully the return leg will be just as smooth. Then I get to do it all again in 2 weeks time...
Excellent - enjoy your visit!
marcopront · 11/12/2021 16:08

On the way to the airport.
KLM have approved my documents so looking good.

sleepy78 · 12/12/2021 07:26

Has anyone used a testing centre near St. Pancras? I found one called Assured screening or something like that but it has very mixed reviews!

Sophoclesthefox · 12/12/2021 08:14

I made it safely to the Uk, although the way the news looks at the moment I’m not sure it’s been my best life choice ever…good luck to all with your plans.

percythewitch · 12/12/2021 12:03

Glad you made it safely @Sophoclesthefox

marcopront · 12/12/2021 15:02

I also made it safely today.
Self isolating in an Airbnb for a few days then we'll move to my Dad's.
Hopefully going to renew DD's passport on Thursday.

redtshirt50 · 12/12/2021 15:30

I'm back in the UK with family after two years which is great.

But now I'm here I am petrified of catching covid, to the point where I'm not sure if I should cancel some of the plans I've made while I'm here.

I need to take a PCR test to be allowed back into the country I live in and have now been reading that if I catch covid I could potentially show up as positive on a PCR for weeks or months!!!!!!!

I cannot get stuck in the UK for weeks or months longer than I planned, so now I'm wondering if i made the right choice coming :(

plantastic · 12/12/2021 15:51

We're also back and in self isolation. Am very worried about catching it too. Getting boosters on Tuesday, and will just try and avoid indoor crowds I think.

TanteRose · 12/12/2021 23:52

@redtshirt50

I'm back in the UK with family after two years which is great.

But now I'm here I am petrified of catching covid, to the point where I'm not sure if I should cancel some of the plans I've made while I'm here.

I need to take a PCR test to be allowed back into the country I live in and have now been reading that if I catch covid I could potentially show up as positive on a PCR for weeks or months!!!!!!!

I cannot get stuck in the UK for weeks or months longer than I planned, so now I'm wondering if i made the right choice coming :(

I’m due over on Thursday (it is unavoidable- family crises…) but I’m also terrified of catching it Sad Also same for me about not being able to be stuck over there (although I can work from home so I suppose it would be okay for a while…)

Some politician said that unless you’re a hermit, you’re going to encounter Covid at some point so I’m planning to be a hermit for 3 weeks while in the Uk and stay put in my mum’s house, only seeing immediate family Confused

Original poster
QuentininQuarantino · 13/12/2021 11:05

@plantastic

We're also back and in self isolation. Am very worried about catching it too. Getting boosters on Tuesday, and will just try and avoid indoor crowds I think.
Did yoy have your main vaccines in the I’m @plantastic ? I was thinking about getting booster there in January but I don’t know how I’d be able to get a record of it. My vaccine was may so I’m feeling a bit vulnerable!
OP posts:
percythewitch · 13/12/2021 15:52

We are just about at the point of cancelling.

All the "big" presents are in the UK already and the wine!!!

We will miss our new grandchild's first Christmas and the cousins still won't get to meet them.

We just can't take the risk of being stranded there. We're staying in and airbnb and even if we could extend our stay it's very expensive as it was a Christmas treat.

My daughter SIL and the other grandchildren would be travelling from elsewhere in Europe. They both work full time and the prospect of them being stranded in the UK with 2 little ones is dire.

Big, snotty sobs in the Witch household this afternoon Xmas Sad

LaMadrilena · 13/12/2021 17:55

I'm so sorry @percythewitch. It's all so hard. We're supposed to be going again next week, and the doubts are starting to creep in...

Sophoclesthefox · 13/12/2021 17:58

I’m sorry, percy Sad

Original poster
QuentininQuarantino · 13/12/2021 18:16

I’m so sorry @percythewitch

Things here are looking down. DD class has closed due to a positive. We’ve taken DS out of school in hope we survive until our eurotunnel. Which we have booked for the day that French fishermen are threatening to blockade it Sad

I have absolutely zero Xmas spirit!

OP posts:
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