2022 - Time to get planning
Eriskay - Outer Hebrides Scotland
As I write it’s January 1st 2022 and we’re in the van at an old favourite location , a place we know well and have spent many a happy time. The village of Ashwell in Hertfordshire is quiet, traditionally classic and seems to capture our mood this year. Not for us the wild parties of previous years, although we don’t rule them out. A quiet reflective drink in our van , after a Thai Chicken Curry washed down with a Norfolk Gin or two , and a game of Tension. We are not unhappy or ungrateful, as we reflect back over the year but acutely aware that this has been a difficult year for many and a quieter celebration just seemed more appropriate. We are at the Caravan and Motorhome Club Site at Ashridge Farm, a small but delightful site. We used to store both our caravan and motorhome here before moving to Norfolk, it’s an area we know and like.
We have always enjoyed Ashwell, a village first formed in the Anglo Saxon era -circa 410 - 1066 AD , and at the time of the Domesday book in 1086 AD it was recorded as one of the most important Borough’s in the area. Times change however and now it is a picturesque and affluent village. The site is right in the village and is well placed for a number of entertainment options. If you are interested to know more about Ashwell this is the link to the village website https://www.ashwell.gov.uk/
We had planned to be in Spain for New Year, our normal winter destination, where our New Years Celebrations are a little more ambitious, but moping around and feeling despondent is not for us. The pictures below are from 2019, the last time we felt able to travel. This morning I feel a steely resolve to get on with the planning, looking at what we can do in the next few months. We are travellers , it’s in our blood and we need to be moving.
This time last year we were in lock down and acutely aware of the threats the nation faced and decided not to travel to Europe but to look to areas in the UK which we had not yet seen. These were mainly the Scottish Isles , the Hebridean Isles especially and it was just great. Last year however was our concession to the national effort , but both triple vaccinated our attitude now is not to give the COVID virus another year. We will always act responsibly towards others and follow Government guidelines , but outside of this we are back into Europe.
Our original plans consisted of traveling to Spain through France and to arrive in Spain for News Years Eve - of course transit through France is currently not permitted so we have deferred our plans by a month in the hope that this restriction will be removed. If it is , we will travel to Spain through France as planned , meet up with our Dutch friends at a site in the Alicante region and then head through Spain to Gibraltar, Seville and into Portugal. After Portugal we intend to head into Northern Spain and into the Mountains.
If this is not permissible then we have an ambitious plan B , but given the nature and fluidity of the current situation we are keeping an open mind. A loose plan of heading out of Harwich , through Holland , Germany , Switzerland, Italy and then catching the boat from Genoa to Barcelona and then onwards. You might ask why such a great route is Plan B , it’s simply because its not a new route to us , we have been there before. Given the 90 day restrictions we wanted to dedicate more time to Portugal and especially Northern Spain. On a positive note though , we won’t have to fit the dreaded Angles Mort stickers to the van. 😂
Preparation
Adapting to the new norms of travel , both changing post Brexit travel arrangements and the changing COVID restrictions require our time and attention as both have become an issue since we last travelled. Preparation is now the key for us and this is a list of things we want to work through in the next few weeks.
LPG refillable tanks to be fitted
Poppy is to be spayed
Researching Animal Health Certificates and Pet Passport possibilities
Oil and filter change on the van . ( Not due for service but something I always do before a long trip - unless recent service)
Research vehicle weight restrictions - we are over 3.5t and therefore different regulations apply in relation to emissions and is a little different from the under 3.5t van which is normally just a vignette.
Develop a City or regional Omission Zones map ( there is an App)
I am not sad that 2021 has passed, but not ungrateful either just happy to release the ropes and let it float away. As I finish writing reality of the new world returns as H reminds me of the need to take a lateral flow test. It reminds me that we are not out of the COVID woods yet. Whatever plans you have this year near or far , I pray they will generate happy memories for you and that when look you back next year the headline story will have changed.
All the very best Helen and Martin.
