Eifel, Germany. 2021

[Gerontious]

4 hours ago, Slowlycatchymonkey said:

It’s all moving forward  

Plan B sounds intriguing. 

 

One big lesson from my trip down to Italy last September: as long as Covid remains a thing there is no absolute certainty about anything.

Also, I've never been a fan of last minute surprises. Brexit has put a spanner in the works too. as outsiders there is no absolute right to visit the EU. If a new variant appeared here, its very possible Germany might slam the door shut. so could the EU as a whole.. but thats absolute worst case. But if anyone were to say NO, its always likely to be the Germans, their politicos just don't like taking risks.

 

so yes, it makes sense to have a plan B. which I'll keep under wraps until we know what's what.

[Slowlycatchymonkey]

5 minutes ago, Gerontious said:

 

One big lesson from my trip down to Italy last September: as long as Covid remains a thing there is no absolute certainty about anything.

Also, I've never been a fan of last minute surprises. Brexit has put a spanner in the works too. as outsiders there is no absolute right to visit the EU. If a new variant appeared here, its very possible Germany might slam the door shut. so could the EU as a whole.. but thats absolute worst case. But if anyone were to say NO, its always likely to be the Germans, their politicos just don't like taking risks.

 

so yes, it makes sense to have a plan B. which I'll keep under wraps until we know what's what.

I have a cynical suspicion the billions of pounds borrowed will mean politicians of all countries won’t care about new coronavirus’ unless they see rising hospital admissions or an increasing death toll that makes them unpopular and unless that happens in the main foreign money in the tourist industry coffers would be more than welcome. But yes I could envisage exactly the scenario you outline with Germany, a plan b is wise thing to have under your hat. 

[smallfrowne]

Vis-a-vee getting proof of being jabbed - are people generally getting anything back post inoc. to wave about at the border guards/gendarm/patisserie workers? I'm not one to make a fuss like, in->jabbed->out is the plan - I can't be stood there asking for a note and explaining how I've got an important date with a schnitzel (or 3) in September, or maybe I can, especially if I've got another note explaining why from Big Geronotious as well.

[Gerontious]

7 minutes ago, smallfrowne said:

Vis-a-vee getting proof of being jabbed - are people generally getting anything back post inoc. to wave about at the border guards/gendarm/patisserie workers? I'm not one to make a fuss like, in->jabbed->out is the plan - I can't be stood there asking for a note and explaining how I've got an important date with a schnitzel (or 3) in September, or maybe I can, especially if I've got another note explaining why from Big Geronotious as well.

When you have the vaccine you get proof handed to you. Keep that safe because I have a feeling it will become very important further down the line

 

i have a feeling it will be something the hotel will need to see and perhaps the border guard at the french gate.

we should know more by the start of summer.

 

looks like this

Edited February 25, 2021 by Gerontious

[smallfrowne]

Right oh. Keep it filed with the other important stuff under the protective detritus pile.

[bonio]

I've messed up on this already. I'm on a vaccine trial. I was injected with something last year; perhaps it was a vaccine, perhaps it was sludge. 50:50 either way. No certificate of course, cos then I'd know whether I'd had the vaccine or not,  and they'd have to kick me off the trial.

Meanwhile, I'm now officially old enough to expect a call to be vaccinated in the next few weeks. If I do, I'd have to quit the trial. But if I don't, that's my chance of getting a certificate gone. Pppsssssht. No patisserie worker worth their salt is going to want to listen to let me anywhere near their tartes tatins.

[Slowlycatchymonkey]

12 minutes ago, bonio said:

I've messed up on this already. I'm on a vaccine trial. I was injected with something last year; perhaps it was a vaccine, perhaps it was sludge. 50:50 either way. No certificate of course, cos then I'd know whether I'd had the vaccine or not,  and they'd have to kick me off the trial.

Meanwhile, I'm now officially old enough to expect a call to be vaccinated in the next few weeks. If I do, I'd have to quit the trial. But if I don't, that's my chance of getting a certificate gone. Pppsssssht. No patisserie worker worth their salt is going to want to listen to let me anywhere near their tartes tatins.

Dont suppose you know when the trial ends?

[Gerontious]

20 hours ago, bonio said:

I've messed up on this already. I'm on a vaccine trial. I was injected with something last year; perhaps it was a vaccine, perhaps it was sludge. 50:50 either way. No certificate of course, cos then I'd know whether I'd had the vaccine or not,  and they'd have to kick me off the trial.

Meanwhile, I'm now officially old enough to expect a call to be vaccinated in the next few weeks. If I do, I'd have to quit the trial. But if I don't, that's my chance of getting a certificate gone. Pppsssssht. No patisserie worker worth their salt is going to want to listen to let me anywhere near their tartes tatins.

Dont panic. to get both shots before the off you have until around the 13th of June. so can delay until that date at least.

 

the first shot is followed by the second in 12 weeks or less. my own is 11 weeks to the day from the first.

 

so mark it on your calendar. talk to your specialist and tell them the score.

Edited February 26, 2021 by Gerontious

[Bungleaio]

I haven't booked anything but I still have my eurotunnel crossings from last year that I've pushed back once already and I'm hoping to be able to push back again. After 2 years of booking rooms at the travel lodge and not being able to turn up for either I'm tempted to hold off until I know its absolutely on!

[Slowlycatchymonkey]

50 minutes ago, Bungleaio said:

I haven't booked anything but I still have my eurotunnel crossings from last year that I've pushed back once already and I'm hoping to be able to push back again. After 2 years of booking rooms at the travel lodge and not being able to turn up for either I'm tempted to hold off until I know its absolutely on!

I’m sure someone will let you sleep on the floor when everything’s booked

[skyrider]

19 minutes ago, Slowlycatchymonkey said:

I’m sure someone will let you sleep on the floor when everything’s booked

or you could end up pitching your tent 

[Bender]

1 hour ago, Slowlycatchymonkey said:

I’m sure someone will let you sleep on the floor when everything’s booked

When you say floor does that translate to car park.

[Gerontious]

3 hours ago, Bungleaio said:

I haven't booked anything but I still have my eurotunnel crossings from last year that I've pushed back once already and I'm hoping to be able to push back again. After 2 years of booking rooms at the travel lodge and not being able to turn up for either I'm tempted to hold off until I know its absolutely on!

 

Don’t worry about it, there are 3 hotels at or next door to, Eureka. There’s also a premier inn at the tunnel plus several others within 10 or so miles. It’s never been a problem in the past and I don’t see why it will be a problem this year. Leave it to the start of the summer when we have a clearer idea of how things are going to turn out.

[smallfrowne]

Ahh

[Gerontious]

34 minutes ago, smallfrowne said:

Ahh

I wonder if sideways said that when he went dramatically sideways into the ravine on that vary same road.

[smallfrowne]

I bet. It might've been more a python-esque "aaaargghhhh" though

[Gerontious]

Hard to believe its been more than 6 months since last years fiasco... where everyone dropped out due to Covid and I ended up going it alone down to the Dolomites. Anyway, tomorrow and it will be 25 weeks till we cross to France and head via Belgium into Luxembourg and then on to our base at Neuerburg.

 

Ive just done a loop route following the L10 for almost its entire length to its end at Burresheim Castle. and continued on to the Caldera lake, the remains of a Volcanic explosion that was 250X Mt St Helens and is considered to be active and the most dangerous volcano in europe - no less. Just for a bit of fun. (obviously).

 

Should be a fun day out as it includes the fantastic road to Bruttig-Fankel. as well as the A61 bridge over the Mosel. we'll go over it and then under it.

 

This year i want there to be a maximum of 8 going... and its possible that there may be a spare place, if anyone is interested. Cant make any promises just yet.. but it does seem likely So, if you fancy a riding holiday of 5 days... around 200 miles per  day and have some annual leave going spare plus a bike thats capable of motorway speeds. Then watch this space. I should have a clearer idea of whats happening by June. Which will leave plenty of time to get sorted.

 

Anyway.. some photos. first Bruttig-Fankel and that road.. which you can see above the town. The bridge over the Mosel. Burresheim Castle and the Caldera lake.

 

 

[Bungleaio]

I've requested the time off work. I can't wait to be heading to the tunnel. 

[Gerontious]

Just a very early heads-up. Although i remain optimistic about the Eifel in 125 days, it might be worthwhile checking out your camping gear as and when you have time as there is a small chance that we might have to go with plan B. I think its a vanishingly small chance, but be prepared. dib dib dib. (as they say)

 

clue:

.

[bonio]

The Smokies! Wooo. Sign me up.

 

Edited May 3, 2021 by bonio

[Ian Frog]

10 hours ago, bonio said:

The Smokies! Wooo. Sign me up.

 

Hi @bonio Reference your comments about a vaccine trial, My other half is also on a trial and she received a proof of jabs in the post last week.

Hopefully you will get the same.

Cheers

Ian

[bonio]

@Ian Frog Yes mate. I'm due for my second vaccine on Sunday, or my second placebo; either way, I'll have had two of each by Sunday. And then they'll be able to give me some kind of cert

[Gerontious]

Sadly, try as I might I couldn’t convince eurotumnel to allow landing of my cute little private cargo plane at the top of the off ramp. bast*rds. So…. No smokies this year. Just waiting on a decision by bojo muppet-face on Germany.  Though I’m not prepared to give up on that until at least mid august. and a lot can happen in the few months leading up to then. France looks very likely though and so I’m thinking the Vosges Mountains in Alsace. We were on the eastern edge of same when we went to the Black Forest 5/6 years ago and crossed the Rhine to visit Riquewihr for a macaroon binge. (As you do) Nice thing about that region is we can visit the southern  Black Forest even if we are not allowed to “stay” there. The Vosges do tend to be wet on the western side, but… I would probably opt for staying on the eastern fringe, close to the Rhine, so we could easily spend the week in the Black Forest, even if we are prevented from staying there. Black Forest or Vosges depending on the weather. First choice is still the Eiffel though.

[Bungleaio]

My camping gear will be in regular use in the uk so I’m more then happy to use it on the continent. I’ve had my first dose of the oaz vaccine already and my second is in mid June so I’ll have as much protection as I can by September.  
 

I’m restricted with work that if I need to be quarantined either in a hotel or even at home then it’s a no go for me. If that’s the case I’ll do a week trip on the bike in the uk. 

[The GOAT]

Sadly I wont be able to make this trip , My condition isn't really improving at the rate I'd like it to. On top of that I wouldn't want to be a risk to you guys or anyone else.

 

My hearts broken, but I need to do the right thing and try to fix myself.

 

@Gerontious I can inform Daniela?

 

Gerontious