I think the groups now exist
[at least - when I go to the 'make a new post' section, there they are, in the "Audience" section]
alan h's activity
Questions Asked
Anyone used the Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry service?
By chance I went on the old Forum yesterday - found that someone had PM'ed me from that forum only a few days ago.
I hadn't got any notification of a PM, but obviously the old Forum PM system still works
Hopefully they may start flights to the North soon ?
I can't beleive that its 17+ hours since the last post - or has my PC taken over and hidden everything?
There is an interesting article in today's G2 section of the Guardian newspaper by a woman who moved to Italy, founded a successful business, and has now moved back to the UK [but still has the business] because she missed London
Comments posted
"However, we both use Naples airport when going to Italy & it is only one day so we don't think this is too much trouble."
Don't forget - covid test before you go, and quarantine on your return to UK
The ones that are on now are still on their backing.
You can get cheap vignettes on ebay, if you need one again.
(Probably not legal in Swis law)
The Mont Blanc route is probably a little quicker than your usual route, but it is a fair bit more expensive - Via Michelin indicates about €100+ each way overall. ( More if you already have a Swiss Carnet). Although its marginally quicker, I've done the route a couple of times and it's a bit of a (tiring) blast on the motorways.
If it's just your usual route you want to avoid, may I suggest the following:-
Calais to Pontarlier (near Besancon), mainly motorway, then into Switzerland and onto the motorway that skirts Lake Geneva and leads onto the Simplon Pass into Italy, near Domadossola. Then on, via lake Orta to Varallo. The Swiss part of the trip is very scenic, and less hectic than others. (Its the route we use when we take the dog for its Summer holiday near Orta)
Depending on how many stops you want to make, I can recommend a couple of hotels on the route.
ONE OTHER THING - I don't now if the Mont Blanc route has been affected by the recent storms/flooding in France and West Piedmonte
Good luck
Try googling something like -
"part load to Italy".
Throws up lots of options for getting quotes
I doubt whether many Italians would regularly feed a neighbours cat - they seem to have a different view on cats to Brits, in most cases.
You could try the expat forum(s) for your area - you might get an offer of help.
Good luck
If you are going back to the UK by ferry, you will have to quarantine on your return- only Eurotunnel travellers can avoid it, by non-stopping in France.
Although you can fill up with fuel etc in france, if you don't mix with others whilst you do.
I see that Ferry companies are complaining as only Eurotunnel users can avoid quarantine, and ferry users [even if they "non-stop"] have to quarantine.
We bought without a lawyer - following very very strong advice from our Italian friends.
My advice is that it's much more important to have a good translator present at the signing.
Austria ( and Croatia) on the England quarantine list.
Switzerland on the Scottish quarantine list