Campsites open July 4th

[Stork_III]

Looking at the wind forecast (southerly) and tides (neaps) I could have a cracking sail down to Studland on Sunday afternoon, drop the hook for a nice dinner and sleep (I sleep best at anchor) have a cracking sail first thing Monday (still southerly).

?

You might get trampled by the herds of seahorses, apparently there are loads of them now.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Policy should be based on infection rates, not death rates. Infection rates are heading down.

I couldn't agree more. When there are clear signs that the policy - such as it is - is having some effect it would be crazy to change it. I expect, seriously, that the people who want to end restrictions now are also the people who stop taking antibiotics half-way through a course because they feel a bit better.

 

[JumbleDuck]

My Sister has a significant birthday in mid July. We are resurecting the plans for a birthday dinner on the basis that restaurants may be open on 4th July and at least campsites should be open even if no other accomodation is available.

In Scotland? I think you may be overoptimistic. Mid July for tourist facilities at the earliest, it looks like.

 

[Spyro]

245 COVID-19 deaths in the UK yesterday, 286 the day before. The fat lady hasn't even begun to inhale.

Less than 20 the last 2 days in Scotland and new positive tests on a similar scale We seem to be doing a lot better than England but they seem to be ahead of us on unlocking.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Less than 20 the last 2 days in Scotland and new positive tests on a similar scale We seem to be doing a lot better than England but they seem to be ahead of us on unlocking.

I have a feeling that should have been "We seem to be doing a lot better than England and they seem to be ahead of us on unlocking." I think it's very kind of our southron neighbours to acts as canaries for us like this.

I'm all for getting things going again, but I'd like to be sure that we do so at the right time. In many places the second wave of Spanish Flu was worse than the first, and I really hope we can avoid that.

 

[SimonFa]

You might get trampled by the herds of seahorses, apparently there are loads of them now.

They must be getting bored without any anchors to play with. Perhaps we should start an anchor thread based on what which ones the sea horses would get most enjoyment from? ?

 

[Pagetslady]

In. Order to go out for a sail from Fleetwood due to tides for more than three hours it is necessary to lock out on the morning tide and back in on the evening tide, this can Mean being on the boat ready to leave at 4:00 am if as I do I live 1 1/2 hours from the marina I shan’t be spending the night at home or on the boat I have done this once but with the time I return in the evening I am possibly too tired to drive home . When the tides are at a more convenient time we can go out for three hours, for this we are very grateful but it would be nice to be able to stay on board readyTo leave in the early hours to take advantage of a full day.

 

[ProDave]

In Scotland? I think you may be overoptimistic. Mid July for tourist facilities at the earliest, it looks like.

My Sister lives in England. Once over the border I would legally have to abide by the English laws of course and it is they who are proposing to open campsites and restaurants on 4th July.

Scotland may do so a few weeks later.

 

[bdh198]

In. Order to go out for a sail from Fleetwood due to tides for more than three hours it is necessary to lock out on the morning tide and back in on the evening tide, this can Mean being on the boat ready to leave at 4:00 am if as I do I live 1 1/2 hours from the marina I shan’t be spending the night at home or on the boat I have done this once but with the time I return in the evening I am possibly too tired to drive home . When the tides are at a more convenient time we can go out for three hours, for this we are very grateful but it would be nice to be able to stay on board readyTo leave in the early hours to take advantage of a full day.

To be honest, so long as you are only on the boat with people you are allowed to be in close proximity with (same household, bubbles etc) then you really aren’t going to risk having any issues with the police or the law. Unless you are causing a nuisance or drawing particular attention to yourselves, the police aren’t going to be knocking on boats randomly checking for people staying away from the place they are living - they have far more important things to be getting on with, particularly at night when their numbers on duty are tiny. Even in the highly unlikely circumstances they did knock on your boat, your actions can clearly be seen not to be presenting any risk of spreading the virus, and you have a good reason to be staying aboard (i.e. not flagrantly breaking the law). That reason might not be sufficient to show a “reasonable excuse” but that’s irrelevant because even if the police did pay you a visit and take a firm line they will either tell you to go home or at worst issue you an FPN (pay it, grumble at the regs and then forget about it when you slip your lines the next morning). Talk of going to court and convincing a bench of magistrates or a DJ that you had a reasonable excuse is unhelpful because the only people who go to court are either refusing to pay the fine (if they have a strong case to show a “reasonable excuse“) or they have also committed other more serious offences when breaching the regs.

However, I appreciate the marina might present more of an obstacle and grumble or tell you to leave if they see you staying aboard.

 

[doug748]

Less than 20 the last 2 days in Scotland and new positive tests on a similar scale We seem to be doing a lot better than England but they seem to be ahead of us on unlocking.

You have an extra layer of politicians (good luck) who have to take a different line for reasons of doctrine. I am sure they will be happy to tell you how hard they have worked to keep you safe, they often do.
Generally speaking the episode is finished though the bills have yet to come in. Next winter will be a big test, so I would say get out more.

Keep a metre away from folk, avoid crowds, at this point little else matters, enjoy yourself. As others have pointed out, anyone in a vulnerable group could continue in Lockdown if they choose.

.

 

[Pagetslady]

To be honest, so long as you are only on the boat with people you are allowed to be in close proximity with (same household, bubbles etc) then you really aren’t going to risk having any issues with the police or the law. Unless you are causing a nuisance or drawing particular attention to yourselves, the police aren’t going to be knocking on boats randomly checking for people staying away from the place they are living - they have far more important things to be getting on with, particularly at night when their numbers on duty are tiny. Even in the highly unlikely circumstances they did knock on your boat, your actions can clearly be seen not to be presenting any risk of spreading the virus, and you have a good reason to be staying aboard (i.e. not flagrantly breaking the law). That reason might not be sufficient to show a “reasonable excuse” but that’s irrelevant because even if the police did pay you a visit and take a firm line they will either tell you to go home or at worst issue you an FPN (pay it, grumble at the regs and then forget about it when you slip your lines the next morning). Talk of going to court and convincing a bench of magistrates or a DJ that you had a reasonable excuse is unhelpful because the only people who go to court are either refusing to pay the fine (if they have a strong case to show a “reasonable excuse“) or they have
When on board I am on my own don't use the marina facilities I have replaced my sea toilet with a port a potty, when I sail I sail single handed i think I am far less likely to catch or spread Covid 19 than when at home, however there are very many people far worse off than me, lets hope this doesn't either return or last too long.

 

[Pagetslady]

When on board I am on my own don't use the marina facilities I have replaced my sea toilet with a port a potty, when I sail I sail single handed i think I am far less likely to catch or spread Covid 19 than when at home, however there are very many people far worse off than me, lets hope this doesn't either return or last too long.

 

[SimonFa]

I've just had an email from the Victory Services Club saying they are ready to open on 4 July, if the government allows them.

Unless there's a big spike in new infections its looking like Sat 4 July will be our sort of independence day.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I've just had an email from the Victory Services Club saying they are ready to open on 4 July, if the government allows them.

Unless there's a big spike in new infections its looking like Sat 4 July will be our sort of independence day.

I see that NAO testing puts active infections at 1 in 1700, down from 1 in 400 a couple of weeks a go. This is very good news.

 

[ProDave]

The travel distance question has been answered for me.

As of tomorrow Scotland enters phase two of the unlocking of lockdown.

this from the Scottish Government

Travelling to meet others outdoors

It is acceptable to travel outside your local area to meet members of another household in an outdoor space such as a private garden.

From Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 2: staying safe and protecting others (physical distancing) - gov.scot

So There is no travel limit to visit others, not even a recommendation from tomorrow.

 

[canvey]

See the caravan site association is lobby hard. Still no sign from the RYA.

Any indications that overnights from 4th July will apply to us too?

 

[bdh198]

See the caravan site association is lobby hard. Still no sign from the RYA.

Any indications that overnights from 4th July will apply to us too?

There have been plenty of indications from the government the they want to get the tourism sector back by the 4th July, and barring any surprising uptick in Covid cases that is likely to include hotels, campsites, caravan parks and short term lets. No reason why marinas would not also be considered in the same catergory.

Of course, if you want to spend the night on your boat (assuming that is not already the “place where you are living”) then you could always try using your anchor. The chances of getting spoken to by anyone with the powers to enforce the regulations is remote, to say the least. I haven’t personally done it, but I know several who have, and the numbers they have seen in popular Solent anchorages can sometimes be counted in the dozens.

 

[SimonFa]

This is the latest missive from the Camping and Caravan Club

Update On Our Campsites Opening

Over the past few weeks, we've been working hard behind the scenes to make sure as many of our campsites as possible are ready to welcome you back to the great outdoors.

While we are planning for most of our Club Sites to reopen with some facilities and extra measures in place to keep them safe and secure, this year we have had to make some changes.

Our current plan means some campsites will be opening without facility blocks and some sites will unfortunately not be opening for the 2020 season.

At the moment, all campsites are legally closed; we will continue to monitor government guidance but are hoping we can open a number of our Club Sites from Saturday 4th July, although this date is subject to change.

Please note, our Scottish, Northern Irish, and Welsh campsites may have differing guidelines and opening dates may be later.

We'll be in touch when we have a confirmed open date. If your booking is affected by the changes we have made you should have received an email from us, but please check before travelling.

From that I infer black and grey waste facilities will be available as well as fresh water taps.

There is no reason Marina’s cant do the same, as a minimum, although Portland does have the gents toilet block open as a multi sex toilet but no showers.

 

[ProDave]

So far the first campsite I have tried at my chosen destination says they will be open but not the toilets or showers. Fine in a modern self contained caravan or motorhome but bugger all use to a tent camper. I am awaiting a response from the second one.

 

[Carib]

Campsites and caravan parks were included in the list of business that legally had to close, marinas were not (probably just because no-one thought about them!).

When they explicitly state that self-contained accommodation/campsites can re-open, they logically have to remove the general 'no overnight' rule entirely, or modify it very specifically to say 'no overnighting except to stay at permitted campsites [?or self-contained accommodation]' .

Fortunately there's no need for them to think about boats at all as long as they do it in a general enough way.

From the way they've put together the regulations so far, I should think they'll just remove the overnight prohibition completely. Possibly wishful thinking but let's hope so.