Short Alpine trip

[Nitty Gritty]

In an effort, at the third attempt, to get away this summer I signed up with a tour company - 5 nights - 6 days - French - Swiss - Italian and German - 18 or so alpine passes. They jacked it in yesterday, covid fear. I'm taking a punt and going anyway, might be billy no mates but rooms, train etc, already booked by tour company. Just got'em to not cancel mine. It might rain every day, I might have to come back via Holland, but French numbers have reduced since the 2200 ish numbers to 795 and 1300 odd today. Averaging about 1600 which is close to where we are. Gotta be worth a punt. 

[2kwacks]

In an effort, at the third attempt, to get away this summer I signed up with a tour company - 5 nights - 6 days - French - Swiss - Italian and German - 18 or so alpine passes. They jacked it in yesterday, covid fear. I'm taking a punt and going anyway, might be billy no mates but rooms, train etc, already booked by tour company. Just got'em to not cancel mine. It might rain every day, I might have to come back via Holland, but French numbers have reduced since the 2200 ish numbers to 795 and 1300 odd today. Averaging about 1600 which is close to where we are. Gotta be worth a punt. 

My hat off to you mate.. go fo it I've toured Europe many times bike and car.. more so on bike as my wife is scared  less of bike's which is a dam shame... I've also considered touring on my own a few times but do prefer a mate to ride with   it's not that I don't like my own company as I'm a nice guy but I do tend to blame myself if I've got no one else to blame

Have a nice time p.s don't forget the pic's

[O.C.]

My hat off to you mate.. go fo it I've toured Europe many times bike and car.. more so on bike as my wife is scared  less of bike's which is a dam shame... I've also considered touring on my own a few times but do prefer a mate to ride with   it's not that I don't like my own company as I'm a nice guy but I do tend to blame myself if I've got no one else to blame

Have a nice time p.s don't forget the pic's

well why wouldn't you go for it...good luck to you, don'tforget the pic's and report when you get back

And Dave, you'renot just a nice guy, you'rea very nice guy      

[Nitty Gritty]

I can feel the love

[Rusty]

Oh yes that will be lovely ... get down there and enjoy it all ...

[Nitty Gritty]

Ah! the covid's put pay to the 3rd attempt at a break away this summer. Spinning up now - Scotland (wet/windy - or midged to bits) I've been I Know. The north of Ireland (wet/windy/cold) but very tempted, Wales (cloudy, bit warmer). Settling for day tripping on the brighter days, doing accounts on the crap days, the odd overnighter in Dales and lakes if I can get in anywhere decent. Somehow sitting out in the evening with a glass of something red in gloves and an overcoat doesn't quite have the ambience I was hoping for. HeyHo always next year.

[2kwacks]

Ah! the covid's put pay to the 3rd attempt at a break away this summer. Spinning up now - Scotland (wet/windy - or midged to bits) I've been I Know. The north of Ireland (wet/windy/cold) but very tempted, Wales (cloudy, bit warmer). Settling for day tripping on the brighter days, doing accounts on the crap days, the odd overnighter in Dales and lakes if I can get in anywhere decent. Somehow sitting out in the evening with a glass of something red in gloves and an overcoat doesn't quite have the ambience I was hoping for. HeyHo always next year.

I feel for you mate but I've already to this year. I've needed cancel 4 holiday breaks this year and was hoping to get away later in the year either tour Europe or Spain holiday with my significant other half .. but that's now not possible I've now come to the conclusion that the rest of this year is a total wash out.. the best we can hope for is some decent weather so we can enjoy 2 wheel day ride's or in my wife's case.. 4 wheel day drives

[Nitty Gritty]

I think you're on the money. Strange times we live in.

[Rusty]

That is a shame ... as we all know this year has been a "strange one" and everyone will do it next year ..we hope ! I have a long planned Scotland trip starting on Sept 6th .. that has gone from 8 of us down to a hardy determined 3 ... all camping with one night staying in a proper hoooose ... an ex colleague who transferred up to Falkirk, very close to Edinburgh I believe...so we shall reunite and catch up  I shall make a post of that when we get back but it should be fun.

[mcfroyce44]

I've  been in France since 4 Aug (car and caravan, not bike) and we have been able to keep ourselves pretty much to ourselves most of the time. Wearing mask in shops and crowded markets and using the caravan shower helps. Not due home until mid Sept so the France - UK quarantine might be lifted. Travelling via ferry to Dublin (no current need to quarantine France - Ireland) then drive home  to N Ireland (again no restrictions at border). Unsure where I stand if I was arriving home this week.  If I have to quarantine in Sept  I will.
So I think you're correct to head off. Situation in Western Europe no worse than UK IMHO as long as you're sensible. I've bike toured a few times alone - my French improved and I met  some great people. Enjoy

[Nitty Gritty]

Sorry bud, 14 day isolation is neccesary from France into the republic at present and I believe the restriction got a little stricter today but I'm not up on what they've included. I was tempted to travel to the south via the north, as no quarantine is required. However the moment I opened my mouth should I have been questioned, the lack of irish accent, with the addition of a Norfolk twang might blow my cover - so to speak. I might have chanced it should the forecast have been better, but horizontal rain with 12 -14 degrees made it a no brainer to stay in norfolk - 26c and sunny. As a route home you may consider transiting through Germany to Belgium, without leaving your vehicle while transitting Belgium may get you through quarantine restrictions in the UK then go via northern ireland to the south. Enjoy France, my friends have been travelling around the Grenoble area and appear quite happy to send me photos of them unhindered eating and drinking to their hearts desire, moved to Swizteland when the Quarantine became neccesary when returning from France. They will also go none stop through Belgium via Germany hoping to avoid the Quarantine rules.

[mcfroyce44]

We live in Northern Ireland, about 40 miles south of O. C. We've two passports, Irish and British and use the Irish one in France (They're taking Brexit quite badly) Lucky enough to have taken early retirement so no great hassle isolating if we have to. Think it'll have all calmed down by the time we get home but will see. Daughter came home from Dubai last month via Dublin. She wasn't asked to do anything either in Dublin or back home. Ferry booked to Dublin so no point traveling Dordogne to Germany. Not too stressed to be honest.

[GTRpilot]

So far cancelled,
Budapest, Imola (WSB trip), Scottish trip for remembrance, and now a wales trip. Going well so far 
Those Chinese have a lot to answer for