Guilt Free Railing 13

[WouldBeGood]

Unlucky for some.. maybe lucky for us?

@Lockdownbear

Not a rail or a rant, however went to buy DS an electric toothbrush. And spots a range of toothbrushes Bluetooth enabled to connect to a phone app. Is that OTT or am I missing something ?

I'm clearly missing something too x

@Lidlfix

Railing because it looks like we'll finally get a city break in Spain during Oct hols, flights not cancelled, back track on testing .,.

But I still can't figure out wtf we actually do and what it might cost. And trying to navigate information is impossible. I just want to look forward to something and even rehearse packing for EasyJet new cabin bags - skills. I have a capsule wardrobe to plan

It's likely to be PCR tests on return unless end of October, you have to buy in advance of returning as you need the code to go on the UK passenger location form. If they change it to lateral flow tests on day 2 then it's likely to be the same. At the moment I would sit and wait.

The passenger locator form for Spain is a bit of a pig going by a travel group but there is a very useful covid 19 Travel test Facebook group which has loads of posts and answers!

@Lockdownbear

Not a rail or a rant, however went to buy DS an electric toothbrush. And spots a range of toothbrushes Bluetooth enabled to connect to a phone app. Is that OTT or am I missing something ?

Some of them connect to an app which tracks how long you brush for etc. It's gamification.

Can I ask a thick question? Do you do these PCR tests yourself, and are they done the same way as the LFTs??

@WouldBeGood you can do the PCR tests on return at home, the main thing is to have the code to say you've ordered them to get back into the UK. I think they're done the same way as the Lateral Flows but you wouldn't get results until they came back from the lab.

Apparently nobody actually checks that they are sent or received. My friend mucked up the codes for hers and didn't get the results until Day 9 or something and nobody cared. So you could delay sending or muck up the details - easily done - if you were a less civic minded citizen than I'm sure you are.

Thanks @rookiemere. 😃

I’m really amazed by the faith put in these tests that seem quite tricky to do properly and rely on the skill (and honesty!) of the individual.

@WouldBeGood

Can I ask a thick question? Do you do these PCR tests yourself, and are they done the same way as the LFTs??

You test yourself the same but not instant results as sent away if they are for travel

The argument that it's used for genome sequencing is a bit mute given latest figures showed less than 1% were genome sequenced and if you had a positive lateral flow test then you would be booking an nhs pcr anyway which is also genome sequenced. The easiest way to distinguish would be to simply add a question when booking a test of have you recently travelled....

As rookie said you need the code, if double vaccinated then generally it's a bit of a exercise although you can get called if no results are logged.
For unvaccinated though going by travel forums some have been followed up with knocks at the door to check day 2 and day 8 tests etc.

@WouldBeGood

Can I ask a thick question? Do you do these PCR tests yourself, and are they done the same way as the LFTs??

Basically yes same as lifts though sent back to your suppliers lab. We were over in France when it was still quarantine on return +2/8 day tests. At that time SG test were £88 a pop, we done another company’s tests to fulfill PLF on return.

We were prepared to make a stand with this as it was just so unfair on Scots travellers a total monopoly by the SG. Our tests had exactly the same sensitivity as CTM and met the full criteria.
We never got a call or email or visit from T&T during the 10days isolation.

Have since been to Canaries and go to Greece next week.
Happy that SG have seen economic sense and followed rUK with testing.

The travel forms are ok once you’ve done one, we have used the Euro Tunnel - Easy Jet flight and BA flight coming up.

I posted a link to a FB pages a while ago it’s very helpful for whatever country your going too.
Covid 19 Travel test and Advice is the page name.

Lockdownbear - they were talking about those on the radio the other day, and I thought it sounded great! I've been using an electric toothbrush for almost 30 years (I brush my teeth too hard, and my dentist advised it to stop the gum damage and bleeding), and I've only ever had bog standard Oral-Bones, but I did think about it for far too long after they were finished

I like the idea of a Bluetooth toothbrush with an app. I’m 5e kind of easily impressed “oooh shiny techy gadget” things like this are aimed at I think!

I just imagine the app is the sort of gadgets people use ones or twice and never again.
Canny do my teeth to a find my phone

I'd like to rail a bit about the petrol and energy situation. I know that I'm not a refugee and relatively life is great, but I do feel we're owed a bit of joy after the last 18 months.

Our energy is provided by one of the suppliers who had gone bust, so doubtless we'll have to move onto some super high tariff. We're lucky because we can absorb the increase but it's not really what I want to be spending my money on and so much worse for those who are having to tightly budget already.

Then on the radio about the food chain shortage thing one of the presenters was saying that people would need to scale back and buy only what they need - including Christmas. Now normally I'd be in agreement with that, but it's just been decided that family is coming to ours and dammit after last year's misery, I want yuletide excess with unnecessary side dishes and desserts aplenty.

Oh and the threads about people being selfish for buying food and petrol can do one. I'm so over others decreeing the definition of selfish and judging people they no nothing about.
Our governments ( SG and EG - can't really comment on the Welsh) are so lacking in credibility that naturally if they say don't panic, it's the first thing everyone does.

@rookiemere our supplier has gone bust too

LockedDownBear - although I put too much time into considering it, it's really just a teched up version of disclosing tablets....

Railing again about the lack of public transport on a Sunday. When are Scotrail going to resolve their union troubles? Is that not 6 months we've been without a Sunday train? So inconvenient for returning students and an almost empty fuel tank.

I cant understand all the doom and gloom about Christmas food already, it always has the effect of making most people feel a bit panicky - Christmas Day without turkey I can cope with, but the way the papers talk is constant stoking of panic.

@LizzieMacQueen

Railing again about the lack of public transport on a Sunday. When are Scotrail going to resolve their union troubles? Is that not 6 months we've been without a Sunday train? So inconvenient for returning students and an almost empty fuel tank.

My guess is that Abeillio don’t give a monkey’s because they know they’ll be losing the franchise soon anyway.

Agreed, it is such a pain

LizzieMacQueen I'm completely stranded on a Sunday when DH is away (which is mostly). I don't drive so rely on the train service. It's been months now. Utter joke. God knows how people who have Sunday jobs are coping.

That’s rubbish @MaxNormal.

It also forces people into cars. I’d normally have taken the train for a weekend night away, but can’t get home.

Today was freedom day 🎉 DD over the moon. We went to town, ate cake and sat in the gardens enjoying the sun. So relieved that she’s okay but so happy we can get on with life again!

Ah that’s brilliant Iwantthesummersun

Not a railing at all but we made it to Greece!!!!
Not going to lie the plane was uncomfortable (GP didn't send me a exemption letter as they are chocca) in a mask and was definitely enforced by airline but I drank things slowly. Airport was uncomfortable and manic when we landed but we then have a hire car so a lot easier.

Your supposed to wear a mask indoors here in shops yep definitely it's seen not so much restaurants etc.
It's so hot that we are outside anyway and you do have to show vaccination status for eating inside.
But it's all totally worth it the relaxation is immense it's hot (27 degrees yesterday) everyone is mega friendly and it's beautiful. I'm so glad we stopped listening to NS and JL lectures and guilt trips and just did it!
Yes there was a bit of stress for getting out, test set up etc but thanks to here and Facebook group recommended on here it's actually been find once we got our heads around it.

Don't be put off by the paperwork!

Have a lovely time @Scottishskifun

I cant sleep, ive been awake for ages. My mind is buzzing, family and workstuff. Im lying here listening to the rain. Early morning wakening is the worst. Its like having the world's worries on your shoulders.
So im railing against waking up too early.