Rob
Full Member
Posts: 2,723
|
Post by Rob on Mar 29, 2020 15:47:47 GMT
Glad your dad is showing improvements in health and mood.
What happens if you cannot find a direct or indirect route home in 3 weeks? I assume you'd be okay staying there for a little longer? Well unfortunately you might not have any choice.
I wonder what Boris is putting in the letters we're all getting apart from warning us the restrictions will go on for longer. What a waste those letters will be and an unnecessary burden on the postal system.
|
|
|
Post by tyrednexited on Mar 29, 2020 16:21:32 GMT
I wonder what Boris is putting in the letters we're all getting apart from warning us the restrictions will go on for longer. What a waste those letters will be and an unnecessary burden on the postal system. ...if he's signing them himself I'd leave the letter on the mat for a few days.... (i think the contents have already been published online, so doubly a waste of resource).
|
|
WDB
Full Member
Posts: 7,356
Member is Online
|
Post by WDB on Mar 29, 2020 17:22:53 GMT
He’s just trying to maintain his illusion of relevance, having been eclipsed first by his own experts, then by his own Chancellor, and now by the virus itself.
|
|
|
Post by tyrednexited on Mar 29, 2020 17:25:41 GMT
...just trying to fill the time whilst WFH.....?
|
|
|
Post by EspadaIII on Mar 30, 2020 3:52:09 GMT
I was reading something yesterday that a biologist puts her mail in the microwave before touching it with bare hands (true) ...
Better than putting her male in the microwave I suppose.........
But yes, if no flights home of any description, I'm stuck here. By then we may at least have some lifting of restrictions so I can visit the beach, get on my bike and visit friends. I discovered last night that friends back home are in such a similar situation. I feel insulated from events in the UK and so when I video called a mate last night he said he had seen no one but his wife and kids for two weeks other than by video.
|
|
|
Post by EspadaIII on Apr 6, 2020 9:30:49 GMT
Just a brief update...
Dad is now fairly settled into a routine with lots of different supplements and an evening electronic joint... He has to watch what he eats as it can stick at the top of his chest, but slowly we are getting him stable. Over the next two weeks more stuff will arrive which will enhance his mood (he can get very jittery of things ordered don't arrive when promised). He has strted listening to music again which is great; it means he is feeling better. Currently no pain or obvious symptoms.
It could be easier; without the virus, Espadrille and the kids would be here for Passover, he could go for long walks, or visit friends, get to the synagogue (all closed) and enjoy the improving weather. But it could be a lot worse as well. I do feel now that if it wasn't for the virus, I could go home now, knowing I could return at any time. But I can't but the word on the street is that in about ten days they will start the lift restrictions; at which point thinking about going home feels sensible. But I can't see myself leaving until the end of the month.
Currently the only way home is from Tel Aviv to Newark (New Jersey), then fly to Heathrow and get home to Manchester. Minimum 40 hours between take off at TLV and landing at LHR with a 17 hour lay over in Newark. Not sure I want to do that (not only because who wants to go anywhere near New York now)??
|
|
|
Post by dixinormus on Apr 6, 2020 10:39:23 GMT
Don’t think I could be bothered making that kind of torturous journey! Reckon I would sit tight a little longer and await alternative routes/options! Surely a London flight would be pretty high up the list of routes to restart?
|
|
|
Post by EspadaIII on Apr 6, 2020 19:54:18 GMT
I would surely think so.
Brussels Airlines' website says they are going to start again on 21st April. If they do I reckon I could get home. BRU-TLV is a very popular flight and surely they will start a BRU-LHR route at the same time; maybe even to Manchester.
Anyway I am sitting tight and not really giving it too much thought until after 22nd April for my father's next oncology appointment. At the moment, due to Passover starting on Wednesday night, which is a traditional night for all families to get together big time, Israel is going into full lockdown until early Friday morning. Just to stop idiots spreading the virus unnecessarily really. So from tomorrow at 4pm nothing should be moving. The thrust of the idea is to stop people travelling inter-city, so hopefully the walk 100m between my place and Dad's will be unimpeded.... If you hear news of a Brit arrested in Israel, send in the gunboats..
|
|
WDB
Full Member
Posts: 7,356
Member is Online
|
Post by WDB on Apr 7, 2020 4:29:03 GMT
...and the pork pies. Oh, wait...I see. Flights are one thing, being allowed in is another. This on the Eurostar site: www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-info/service-information/coronavirus-and-eurostar-serviceto the effect that conditions of entry to France and Belgium might preclude a transiting Brit hopping on a train (which are still running, a little) back to the UK. Might be different if you can stay within the airport transit area. I can’t help thinking that any business promising a date to resume services, especially one a couple of weeks away, is whistling to keep its spirits up. Events here in June that I have tickets for have been cancelled, while only China has so far managed to brake the outbreak to a halt — and for how long we don’t yet know. And this is before we wonder what any flights that do operate will charge; if you don’t have to be on the first one, sitting tight for a bit longer might be a lot less expensive. Sorry, just musing. Didn’t sleep well. Probably shouldn’t watch the news before bedtime.
|
|
|
Post by EspadaIII on Apr 7, 2020 19:10:26 GMT
You know when you say that 'things could be worse' and 'there are bound to be other people in a worse position than me'...
One of my senior lieutenants, a hard working guy in his late 30s with a lovely lawyer wife and three young kids .... Wife found lumps in her breasts a few weeks ago. It took three weeks (because of the virus) to diagnose her properly. Message today - it is "aggressive breast cancer which has already spread to the lymph nodes. She is going in to surgery this Thursday...". Thursday is a major Jewish festival but no one cares about that; just get her sorted. Apparently it is almost an outpatient job; not even sure if she is staying overnight - maybe for the best with all the virus around.
I mean s**t. That is so unfair. His parents are in Newcastle and isolating. Her parents are in Jerusalem and (as we know!) there are no flights to the UK (and her mum is a consultant A&E doctor). The only family locally are his brother. We are rallying around trying to help; offering my daughter as a babysitter, my main finance guy's wife was a teacher who was loved by children so she has offered her services - luckily daughter and teacher have been isolated for two weeks at least so virus free as have the kids but what a dilemma.
And I thought I was being unfairly treated. At least we have been able to furlough him and swap his role around, bringing someone back out of furlough. The virus has in a weird way made some very hard decisions easy to take.
|
|
|
Post by EspadaIII on Apr 7, 2020 20:33:42 GMT
Travel update.... Brussels not flying until 15th May, but.... easyJet bookable direct TLV - MAN on 3rd May so I have moved my cancelled 5th April booking (booked more in hope than expectation) for free. Whether it actually flies who knows, but so far 21 seats have been reserved and I have not yet chosen a seat. Dad now is in a good frame of mind and mentally prepared for me to go home.
|
|
|
Post by dixinormus on Apr 7, 2020 21:09:57 GMT
Fingers crossed Esp. I think the end of May is probably more likely but who knows? I read that Denmark is planning on lifting the severity of its lockdown later this month, and also that Emirates airline has restarted a few European routes this week.
I’d certainly try to get a direct flight to the UK; even big hubs like Singapore & HK are no longer accepting passengers in transit.
Isn’t the Government planning any repatriation flights for stranded tourists in Israel?! 10,000 Brits are clamouring for flights home from NZ..!
|
|
|
Post by EspadaIII on Apr 8, 2020 4:08:09 GMT
I have written messages to the UK embassy here, to the Foreign Secretary via my MP, to the Telegraph, BBC R4 Today and local Manchester newspaper. No one seems interested in my plight and there are presumably no others who want to get back to the UK.
Any gap year visitors were mainly going to be returning home for Passover anyway just before commercial flights stopped, and almost anyone else I know made sure they got out before then also. So I may be in a unique situation. If Emirates or similar are flying, a route for me could be Addis Ababa, Dubai or Similar then back the Manchester. Three flights but perhaps quicker than via New York. But direct is always better and so far at no additional cost.
|
|
WDB
Full Member
Posts: 7,356
Member is Online
|
Post by WDB on Apr 8, 2020 6:10:25 GMT
Consider the risk to yourself too, Esp, now that most of us know someone under 60 who’s been severely affected by this. Planes and airports are great places for picking up viruses at the best of times, so the less time you spend in them, the less you’re risking.
|
|
|
Post by EspadaIII on Apr 8, 2020 8:53:39 GMT
Very true. At least Easy are likely to have disinfected their planes and the flight should be only half full at best...
Anyway, have told Dad and he is happy about it. Certainly an expectation of gradual lifting of the lockdown we have experienced the last two weeks or so in about a week's time. If that happens I can have a little more freedom to visit friends and family even if it is at a 2m distance. Don't want to get the virus before I fly home!
|
|